Route: Colombo – Pinnawala – Sigiriya – Dambulla – Kandy – Ella – Yala – Galle – Colombo – Maldives

Holiday highlights

• Visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
• Climb Lions Rock Fortress
• Hot Air Balloon ride
• Kandy and Temple of the Tooth Relic
• Train ride through stunning tea country
• Climb Adams Peak or Little Adams Peak
• Chance to see leopards during safari in Yala National Park
• Stay in a tented wildlife camp
• Explore old Dutch fort town of Galle
• Visit a sea turtle hatchery
• End the holiday with pure relaxation in a luxury over water villa in Maldives

Brief itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Colombo – Pinnawala – Sigiriya

Day 2: Hot Air Balloon ride and climb Lion’s Rock Fortress  then proceed to Kandy

Day 3: Visit Temple of the Tooth Relic then train ride to Ella

Day 4: Option to climb Adams Peak or Little Adams Peak  then proceed to Yala National Park

Day 5: Morning jeep safari at Yala, then drive to Galle

Day 6: Galle – sea turtle hatchery – Colombo – flight to Maldives

Day 7:  Maldives

Day 8: Maldives

Day 9: Maldives

Day 10: Departure

Recommended for

Active families wtih older kids, couples, honeymooners and individual travelers

DAY 1 / COLOMBO – PINNAWALA – SIGIRIYA

Upon arrival, welcome by your personal chauffeur/guide and start driving towards Sigiriya.  Option to stop at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage along the way (approx 2 hours from Colombo)  The orphanage was started in 1975 to house the abandoned and the wounded elephants. The number of elephants has increased to more than 65 now; including Baby Elephants brought from various parts, as well as the 23 babies born, as a result of the captive breeding programme. The best time to visit is the feeding time from 0930-1000 hrs and 1330-1400 hrs and the bathing time from 1000-1030 hrs and 1400-1430 hrs when all the elephants are taken to the river close by.

Afterwards continue to Dambulla (approx 3 hours of driving)

Overnight in Dambulla

Meals this day: dinner

DAY 2 / HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE – LION’S ROCK FORTRESS – KANDY

Meals this day: breakfast

DAY 3 / KANDY – ELLA BY TRAIN

In the morning visit one of the most important temples in Sri Lanka – Temple of the Tooth Relic.

Around noon get on the train to Ella (6hours)  This is the most beautiful route in Sri Lanka, taking you through the stunning countryside and tea plantations.  The train is a comfortable first class cabin with free wi fi and tea throughout the journey.  Lunch will be served on board.

Arrive in Ella around 6pm, check into your hotel and relax.

Meals this day: breakfast

DAY 4 / ADAMS PEAK – YALA

Option 1:

For those who are most active, at 1am start hiking the Adam’s Peak.  Adam’s Peak (also Sri Pada; Sinhalese Samanalakanda “butterfly mountain”, and also “Sri Paadaya”; Tamil Sivanolipatha Malai is a 2,243 m (7,359 ft) tall conical mountain located in central Sri Lanka. It is well known for the Sri Pada, i.e., “sacred footprint”,ArabicJabal Adam a 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) rock formation near the summit, which in Buddhist tradition is held to be the footprint of the Buddha, in Hindu tradition that of Shiva and in Islamic and Christian tradition that of Adam, or that of St. Thomas.[1] In Islamic tradition it is the site where Adam fell to earth and where his footprint can be found.  You will reach the peak just in time for a stunning sunrise and come down around 10am.

Option 2:

For those who still want some adventure but something lighter, in the morning hike up the “Little Adam’s Peak”  Punchi Sri Pada” is another name for this peak. It is 1141 m in height. Little Adam’s Peak attracts many travelers who come to Sri Lanka. Gradually with an easy hike up to the mountain of Little Adams Peak you can consummation a worth panoramic view. You have to walk through lush green tea plantations, waterfalls and paddy fields while enjoying the sceneries.It will be priceless if you could visit the place in the morning when the clouds roll in. Further places like Little Adams Peak deliberates ‘How far Sri Lanka is worth and rich with beautiful natural destinations of Sri Lankan tourism’. It will feel like a neck exercise for the visitors as you have to rotate your body to seek the views outstanding for 360 degrees.Ella town is a small town among the up county destinations consisted of waterfalls, caves and geographically significant places. One such place is Adams Peak, figured in Pyramid Shape Mountain which stands opposite of the Ella rock. Be aware not to harm the plants, flowers and animals that will meet on your journey up to the mountain. You could see the people who are plucking and collecting tea leaves, working in their estates. It will take around 35-45 min to reach to the top of the mountain on a zig- zag path. Thus it is an ideal place to watch sun rise in the morning. With prodigious views of as far as Ella rock and down to the gap will be gorgeous.

After an active morning, some time to relax before continuing the drive to Yala National Park (2hrs drive)  Yala (Ruhuna) National Park- the Ruhunu National Park covers 126,786 hectares Including the Strict Natural Reserve (Block II). The most familiar is Block I (14,101 hectares) and this block was established in 1938.  Yala is famous for its big herds and large number of Elephants, Leopards, Spotted Deer, Sambhur, Crocodiles, Mongoose, Wild Boar, Wild Buffalo, and many other animals. More than 130 bird species are recorded which includes the resident and winter visitors.

Upon arrival, check into your accommodation and rest of the day is free at leisure.

Meals this day: breakfast

DAY 5 / JEEP SAFARI YALA NATIONAL PARK – GALLE

In the morning join a Jeep Safari of the National Park.  If you are lucky, you will spot a leopard.

After the safari, continue driving West to a coastal city of Galle.  Galle is a lovely small town which used to be a very important Dutch Fort city in the colonial period.  It’s a great town to walk or bike around with lots of boutique shops and variety of restaurants.  Spend the night in Galle.

Meals this day: breakfast

DAY 6 / GALLE – TURTLE HATCHERY – COLOMBO – MALDIVES

In the morning we continue back towards Colombo (total 3 hours driving)  On the way, option to stop at a sea turtle hatchery for a chance to get up close with these amazing creatures.

Drop off at Colombo International Airport from where you will catch a short flight to Male, Maldives.  Upon arrival in Male you will be transferred to your resort by speedboat or seaplane, depending on the resort.

Meals this day: breakfast

DAY 7, 8 & 9 / MALDIVES

Free at leisure to unwind and relax.

Meals this day: there are options of bed & breakfast, full board meals and all inclusive packages in Maldives.  We will suggest the best package based on your resort and requirements.

DAY 10 / DEPARTURE

In due time transfer to Male airport by speedboat or seaplane for your departure flight.

Meals this day:there are options of bed & breakfast, full board meals and all inclusive packages in Maldives.  We will suggest the best package based on your resort and requirements.

Best time to go

Sri Lanka’s weather can be very complicated with different parts of the island experiencing more rainfall at different times.  Generally speaking the best time for this itinerary is from December – March.  April is the also a good month to go, however this is the start of monsoon season in Sri Lanka while the weather in Maldives is very good.

Sri Lanka Visa

Sri Lanka visa be obtained online here or upon arrival at the airport.

Maldives visa is upon arrival.

Extension options

For nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts who have more time, you can extend your stay in Sri Lanka with visits to other national parks such as Minnariya, Udawalawe and Horton Plains.

Tailor – made

All of our suggested itineraries are based on holidays that have been very popular with our clients.  However we strongly believe that each holiday should be unique to the traveler.  Absolutely anything in our itineraries can be tailored to suit your requirements, travel style and budget.  Simply contact us and let us design your custom holiday!

Private

We never mix groups during holidays.  All the holidays are arranged for your group only so you can travel at your own pace.

Independent travel

The most consistent feedback from our clients is how amazing our guides are!  We strongly believe that having a guide can add some much value to your travel experience.  With that said, we totally understand that some travelers prefer to explore independently.  If this is your travel style – we can still help you!  We can arrange your holiday without guides, suggest activities that you will enjoy, advise the best way to get around, how much to pay for things, etc.  We simply help you plan a logical itinerary, book accommodation and necessary transfers along the way.

Planning process

We work together with you until you are 100% satisfied with your itinerary.

• Initial contact by phone or email to ask you some questions to help us fully understand your travel style, requirements, budget etc.
• We send you a detailed itinerary proposal with prices
• You review, and if needed, reply with requested changes.
• We send you updated proposal.
• Continue this process until you are 100% happy with and accept the proposal.

Prices often vary due to travel period, best accommodation rates during that period, number of persons traveling, etc.  Please send us your holiday requirements and and approximate budget (if you have one in mind) and we will get back to you with a detailed quotation right away.

Please provide as much information as possible.  We respond to most requests right away during work hours and always within 12 hours.