21D/20N: Immersive journey for nature lovers

Welcome to Sri Lanka!

Your guide will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall of the international airport with a sign with your name on it.

Galle City Tour

You have arrived in Galle, the famous capital of the southern province, once colonized as evidenced by its fort. A walk in the fort revives the memory of the Dutch period, with its villas, churches and colonial-style buildings.

While history buffs will learn many things about Sri Lanka’s troubled history, symbolized by the Fort, other travelers will enjoy a stroll through its old streets and their charming and chic shops displaying colorful handicrafts.

Stop at Dalawella Beach

For a chance to observe turtles in their natural environment, this morning you will stop at Dalawella Beach, famous in this region because the turtles are close to the shore.

Visit to an organic estate

This is one of the few estates in Sri Lanka that has been using organic and permaculture methods to produce premium tea and spices for the past 15 years.

In addition to tea, the garden is home to hundreds of indigenous species such as pepper, cloves, cinnamon, fruits, Ayurvedic medicinal plants and a variety of vegetables. Lunch on site.

Day 03: Local Transfers

Sinharaja Rainforest Hike

Located in the southwest of Sri Lanka, the Sinharaja Forest is the last viable area of ​​primary tropical rainforest in the country. More than 60% of the trees are endemic and many are considered rare.

The endemic fauna is numerous, including birds and 50% of mammal and butterfly species, as well as many kinds of rare insects, reptiles and amphibians. A guide will take you on a half-day discovery of this jewel of biodiversity.

Day 04: Deniyaya – Tangalle

Visit to Mulkirigala Temple

Established in the 3rd century, at the top of a 205 m rock, the Buddhist temple of Mulkirigala is well-known for its nickname of “Little Sigiriya”.

A high place of Buddhist culture and spirituality, this archaeological site offers travelers murals dating from the Kandyan era, statues of Buddha in various buildings.

The climb of the 533 steps that lead to the top of the rock is well worth the effort, rewarded by the quality of the site and its serene environment.

Day 05: Local Transfers

Relaxing morning by the sea

You have now arrived at the seaside, where you can relax, enjoy beautiful walks on the fine sandy beaches, swim in the Indian Ocean, take the time to take your time…

Leisurely boat trip to a bird sanctuary

This is a coastal wetland particularly rich in biodiversity, located on the picturesque coast of the south-east of Sri Lanka.

It belongs to a coastal belt of land of exceptional beauty, dotted with numerous bays, coves, lagoons, rocky outcrops and sandy beaches, extending from Tangalle to Hambantota.

Many birds live here and can be observed in the late afternoon.

Day 06: Tangalle – Ella

Visit to Kataragama Temple

The Kataragama site, nestled on the banks of the Menik Ganga in the far south-east of Sri Lanka, is a sacred place for pilgrims of all religions, who flock in their thousands from all over the country at the end of the “Pada Yatra”, an annual festival held in July or August. Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians meet in this multicultural and multi-religious center.

Places of worship of different religions can be visited by travelers seeking to discover Sri Lankan’s way of co-existence.

Day 07: Local Transfers

Trekking in a village in the middle of rice fields

This trekking day allows you to discover the lifestyle of the inhabitants of a rural village and the different trades that are practiced there.

By visiting traditional industries such as carpentry or rice processing, or meeting a beekeeper and his Asian bees, here you are immersed in the ecosystem of the village, also nestled in magnificent nature.

Rice terraces, waterfall and forest trails, here is the green scene of your day.

Your lunch, a tasty village meal, will be served by a local family. Here the warmth of the people, the simplicity of daily life and the beauty of tradition come together to create an authentic and unforgettable experience.

Day 08: Local Transfers

Immersion in an organic plantation

The ecolodge where you are staying is home to an organic coffee plantation, tea plants, a hill covered with sandalwood and a vegetable garden that we invite you to discover.

After a guided walk in the estate, you can also visit the coffee factory. Coffee tasting.

Visit to an organic tea plantation

A tea specialist will take you on a one-hour tour of the plantation and the artisanal factory, where you can observe dryers and machines polished by time.

You are indeed more in the heart of a traditional workshop than in a modern factory, favoring quality over quantity, embodied by its workers patiently preparing, manually, the artistic star tea.

You will then be cordially invited to taste many teas and herbal teas, and probably amazed by the rainbow colors they might display.

Eagle Rock Climb

For a third of the way up, the slope is steep, with rocks, stone stairs, bushes, no view. It takes perseverance to overcome the temptation to give up.

Your efforts are finally rewarded when you suddenly escape from the canopy and begin to marvel at the beauty of the surrounding hills.

After 15-20 breathless minutes, this is where the magic begins. The slope is also a little gentler now. Another 25 minutes of walking through dry vegetation brings you to the top.

Here is a 360-degree view of the nearest and farthest hills, flanked by delicate shades of green, while the alternating sun and thick clouds add their deep hues to the spectacular landscape.

Just sit in silence, reflecting on your place in this vast universe. You certainly seem like tiny dots to the people in the valley.

With gravity now on your side, bid farewell to Eagle Rock, easily descending the slope that may have had your joints cry an hour ago.

Walk to the river and river bath

A short walk will take you to the river’s edge, where monkeys perched in the trees will watch with shameless curiosity as your little tribe offers your tired bodies a refreshing swim in a secluded natural pool.

Day 09: Ella – Batticaloa

Gal Oya National Park Boat Safari

The children have gone silent. So has the engine of our boat. “What’s going on?” their mother’s eyes seem to ask. Without a word, our boatman slowly points his arm towards the lake shore in front of us. Barely hidden behind the branches, stands a huge elephant.

What a magical moment to be able to observe it while it doesn’t even seem to notice our silent presence. Quietly eating a lunch of green leaves plucked from the nearby trees. All aboard are fascinated by the serene scene, and for the next fifteen minutes we feel connected to the mighty animal, without noise, just delighted to be the privileged spectators of this fascinating spectacle.

Later, we observe a larger herd of elephants at the edge of the lake, mothers with their calves, entering the forest.

A variety of birds also offer us a spectacle of aerobatics and songs, from solitary kites flying high over our heads to flocks of cormorants gathering on the surrounding rocks.

Shy but fearsome crocodiles will disappear into the water as we approach.

To our untrained eyes, any dark shape in the distance looks like an elephant, and the naturalist accompanying us will have to gently convince us that they are in fact water buffalo grazing peacefully.

Day 10: Local Transfers

Bicycle ride “Let’s cook and fish!”

You will learn good recipes of delicious curries to bring back home and get in touch with local fishermen willing to share their ancestral way of fishing with you…

The day starts with a bike ride to explore the Batticaloa market.

You will then reach the family that will teach you Sri Lankan cooking, take your lunch with them.

After a relaxing chat, you will ride along our enchanting lagoon before meeting the fishermen on the lagoon for a refreshing fishing experience…

Day11: Local Transfers

A day in Kudumbimalai

The day will start by leaving the main road for the previously war affected inland rural area.

Wildlife might surprise you on the way, with its lazy buffaloes, grazing cattle and wild birds.

You will climb the 1.750 ft-high Kudumbimalai mighty rock and enjoy a breathtaking view of the nowadays peaceful surroundings.

For lunch, you’ll be invited to share the usual village food of a local family, and will surely have a small walk around to see the villagers’ activities and hidden pond.

After a quick visit to the military museum, you’ll be on your way back in the wilderness again for an off-the-beaten-track tuktuk ride.

Day 12: Local Transfers

Excursion “Palamunai Colors”

In Palamunai Colours, you will explore the southern part of Batticaloa, riding along the beach, visiting the fish market.

You will meet handloom weavers, making colourful sarees and sarongs.

You will discreetly observe the midday prayer at the local mosque and interact with the believers.

Your lunch will be prepared by a local family, and will reflect the typical food of the community.

After a tasty meal and a relaxing chat with your host family, you will go through Kattankudy, a bustling Muslim town famous for its history and numerous businesses, visit its Heritage Museum, and the beautiful Al-Aqsa mosque.

Day 13: Batticaloa – Maha Oya

Snorkeling session

You are expected early in the morning at the seaside, in order to explore a beautiful reef and its underwater life.

Here you are in warm and transparent waters, privileged spectators of a colorful aquatic ballet.

Lunch on site.

Meeting and walking with a Veddha leader

The afternoon is dedicated to meeting a Veddha chief, who will introduce you to the lifestyle of his community and the tools used by his ancestors, at a time when this indigenous Sri Lankan community used to live by hunting and gathering in the thick jungles around.

With his contagious sense of humor, our Veddha chief will take you into the forest, teach you his hunting techniques and show you the caves where his ancestors used to live.

Day 14: Maha Oya – Habarana

Jeep Safari in Maduru Oya National Park

The journey starts around 6am, reaching the entrance of Maduru Oya Park around 7am. A red dirt track takes you into the heart of this wild natural habitat.

For 2.5 hours, you will see different inhabitants of the forest: a herd of shy deer, many species of birds, from the wild rooster, the emblematic bird of Sri Lanka, to the powerful eagles perched silently in the trees looking for their next prey…

You may have the privilege of observing a herd of wild elephants, enjoying a breakfast of leaves. With the engine running, safety first in this wild nature…

After many other water monitors, lizards, buffaloes, woodpeckers and kingfishers competing in beauty in their brightly colored costumes, a peacock might bid you farewell by performing an elegant wheel, while you return to the park entrance for a hearty breakfast under the trees.

Visit to an ancient Buddhist temple

Before reaching busier roads, we invite you to discover an ancient temple and its nearby caves, which served as a refuge for Buddhist monks retreating since the advent of Buddhism, in the forests of the neighboring mountain range.

Some caves bear traces of painting dating back to prehistoric times.

Day 15: Local Transfers

Visit to the Ritigala site

Amongst all the archeological and natural wonders Sri Lanka is dotted with, i have a soft corner for Ritigala.

There is a reason for this preference, as Ritigala is not only an archeological site, featuring ruins of an ancient Buddhist monastery, but also an amazing chunk of jungle.

Situated in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle, close to Habarana town, Ritigala mountain stands around 2500 Ft tall, and is much less visited than the renowned site of Sigiriya Rock

The mountain of Ritigala is also known in Ramayana Epics, as the Hindu God Hanuman is believed to have dropped a piece of Himalayan medicine forest while carrying it from India to Sri Lanka to save the life of injured Lord Rama.

This explains the presence of medicinal plants on a part of the mountain.

If you decide to visit the rock monastery, you would better take a guide, to bring back to life how the site was a thousand years ago, when hundreds of monks were residing there, meditating surrounded by bird songs.

Ruins of the lavatory, refectory, hospital, library are spread in a deep forest hosting sky reaching trees and giant lanes.

There are also numerous double platforms dispersed in the jungle, previously used by monks to meditate.

The meeting places, which are still visible as round shape collections of stones, are the perfect place to sit, immersed in nature, meditating on how lucky we are to have such peaceful places.

Bird watching

The Habarana region is home to many endemic creatures, more than 100 species of birds and about 50 species of butterflies.

Lakes, irrigation channels, walking trails offer hikes to discover this natural habitat where many species interact with each other.

A naturalist guide accompanies you on this walk in search of birds.

Day 16: Habarana – Trincomalee

Visit the Hindu temple of Koneswaram

The Hindu temple of Koneshwaram, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located in Trincomalee, atop a promontory overlooking the Indian Ocean.

It appears in the Hindu epic “Ramayana”, making it a major place of pilgrimage.

Relaxing at the beach

You have now arrived at the seaside, where you can relax, enjoy beautiful walks on the fine sandy beaches, swim in the Indian Ocean, take the time to take your time…

Day 17: Local Transfers

Snorkeling at Pigeon Island

A motorboat takes you early in the morning to Pigeon Island, a marine national park, famous for the many species of fish, crustaceans, turtles and sharks that thrive in its crystal clear waters.

With your mask and snorkel, it’s up to you to go and meet the rich underwater life.

Day 18: Local Transfers

Dolphin watching

Another ride in a small motorboat allows you to meet the dolphins that populate the ocean off the coast of Trincomalee.

What a joy to be able to observe these marine clowns who compete in acrobatics near your boat…

Day 19: Nilaveli – Anuradhapura

Ascent of the Rock of Mihintale

A few kilometres from Anuradhapura stands the rock of Mihintale, which can be climbed by a granite staircase.

It is also called the mountain of Mahinda, named after the Indian Buddhist missionary who introduced Buddhism to Sri Lanka, converting King Devanampiya Tissa in 243 BC.

You will surely come across pilgrims during the climb and will be able to visit some of the 68 caves that once housed monks.

The Stupa dates back to the 1st century BC, and from the top of the rock, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the green and peaceful surroundings.

Day 20: Local Transfers

Visit the ancient city of Anuradhapura

This sacred city was founded around a cutting from the “tree of enlightenment”, the Buddha’s fig tree, brought there in the 3rd century BC by Sanghamitta, founder of an order of Buddhist nuns.

Anuradhapura, the political and religious capital of Ceylon that flourished for 1,300 years, was abandoned after an invasion in 993.

Hidden for many years in dense jungle, the splendid site, with its palaces, monasteries and monuments, is now accessible again.

Walk around the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree

There is a religious fervor in Anuradhapura, with Buddhist pilgrims gathering around its sacred tree, the Sri Maha Boddhi, a more than thousand-year-old branch of the Bodhgaya fig tree in India, under which Buddha attained enlightenment 500 BC.

You are invited to discover Buddhist spirituality by observing the pilgrims chanting around the sacred tree. A beautiful and serene experience.

Puja (offering ceremony) at Ruwanwelisaya Pagoda

A great way to end your day in Anuradhapura is to join the puja (offering ceremony) at Ruwanwelisaya Pagoda.

This stupa is one of the tallest ancient monuments and was built by the Sinhalese King Dutugemunu in 140 BC.

Because relics of Buddha are enshrined in the stupa, it is a highly revered place for Buddhist pilgrims, who gather at dusk to chant mantras, light oil lamps, burn incense and offer flowers to Buddha.

A privileged experience to connect with Buddhist spirituality.

Day 21: Anuradhapura – International Airport

Visit to Munneswaram Temple

Along the way, your guide will tell you the story of Rama and his wife Sita, kidnapped in India and brought to Sri Lanka by King Ravana, before visiting the Hindu temple of Munneswaram, linked to this captivating story called Ramayana, one of the two Sanskrit epics of ancient India, dear to Indian travelers on pilgrimage to Sri Lanka.

Transfer to the airport

Depending on your departure time, your chauffeur guide adapts the program of the day and drops you off at the airport 3 hours before your plane takes off.

There would be so many other beautiful places to discover though…

We wish you a good flight back home, and hope to see you again next time for new Sri Lankan adventures!

Thank you for travelling with us!