Spirits Of Sri Lanka

Have breakfast at the Hotel before you hop on the private bus and begin your journey to Sigiriya. We'll stop to see the amazing Dambulla Caves while we travel. The religious and historical significance of the Buddha statues and wall paintings are reflected in every detail. Our next stop is our beautiful Hotel in Sigiriya. It's the most beautiful Hotel in the Cultural Triangle. Our day ended with a sunset climb to the serene Buddhist Pidurangala monastery. Pidurangala for a clear and unobstructed view of the mountain we will be climbing in the morning.

We're off at an early hour this morning to climb Sigiriya Rock. Grab your hiking boots and cameras. The remains of an ancient palace, which was once a noble and violent Sri Lankan past, can be seen throughout the site. Discover the ancient wall paintings, manuscripts on the mirror wall and the lion's feet that guard the way to the top. As you explore the remains of the temple, the views from the top are stunning. Minneriya National Park offers an afternoon excursion. Elephants patrol the landscape here (please note this tour is only offered during the whale-watching seasons). If you are hungry, we stop at an indigenous home for lunch. They will prepare a delicious meal before taking a nap in the afternoon sun.

We say goodbye to Sigiriya today and start our journey to Kandy, the second-largest city in Sri Lanka. We will stop at an herb garden and discover the origins of our favourite spices. In addition, we will take part in an interactive cooking class where we will discover the secret to the perfect Sri Lankan curries! Our local chef will show you how to make Dhal, Chicken Curry and fried cashew curry with coconut. We'll then drive to Kandy. Check into the Hotel and take a Tuk Tuk tour of this vibrant city.

Enjoy your breakfast in Kandy with a mountain view before you visit the Temple of the Tooth. It is believed that Buddha's teeth are kept in this shrine. We then hop onto the bus to travel through the mountains. Sri Lanka's famous green tea plantations are found in the hills. Visit a tea plant and learn how tea is made before you serve it in your home tea cup. We also discovered how one tree can produce seven different kinds of tea. The journey to Sri Lanka would not be complete without a train ride. Travelling from Nuwara Eliya up to Ella has been called the best travel experience in the world. As the train moves along tracks cut into the mountainside, 360-degree panoramic views of tea plantations, waterfalls, local villages and lakes are seen. Enjoy the sweet milk tea and board while chatting with locals and taking pictures that will impress your family and friends back home. We'll head to Ella after checking into the Hotel for drinks and a meal in this renowned mountain town.

You can spend the day as you wish. Ella is home to some of Sri Lanka's most famous Ayurveda massage parlours. This ancient technique can be used to relieve any pains or injuries that you may have or simply as a way of relaxing. Your guide will inform you about the other activities available in the area.

The 9 Arch Bridge, Little Adam's Peak and other hidden gems are on the agenda. We'll then travel south to the Hotel, which is located only 30 minutes away from the stunning Udawalawe National Park. Our hosts will welcome us with a delicious Sri Lankan meal and drinks. We will then hop in jeeps to go on a safari and search for elephants. Crocodiles. Buffalo. Monkeys. Hawks. And eagles. If you're lucky, you might see peacocks, Mongoose and leopards. This is a truly unique adventure. Your day in the national park will be an unforgettable experience. We'll tour the park and then return to camp for a barbecue dinner. It's the perfect way to end a day that will be remembered.

Enjoy the surrounding area while relaxing in our pool. Be alert to the wildlife that can be found in the fields of the campsite. Elephants, monkeys, and peacocks have all been spotted. We'll then head to our destination, the South West Coast. The beautiful beachside village of Mirissa is where we will arrive. The top waves in the world crash against the sand. Turtles swim in the water. And the local beer is ice cold. After a week of hiking in the mountains, you will need this.

This morning, we travelled early to the beautiful golden sandy beach. We board the best boat to see the biggest animal on Earth. Blue whales will splash, dive, and swim around you. Their sheer size will amaze you. We rested for a short time after a few hours of swimming in the ocean before we headed to Hikkaduwa, a fantastic beach. Please note that we will add an excursion to day 3 during the off-season whale-watching season.

We begin our bike ride after breakfast on the beach. We will pass through stunning rice fields and villages. In a tropical garden, we stop for a cool King Coconut and, if you wish, a visit to an animal clinic. We'll then allow you to snap pictures or purchase souvenirs in one of the many boutiques. This is the perfect place to create a postcard with your stories from the past 11 days. We'll then travel to the stunning Galle Fort. This city has walls made up of Dutch, Portuguese, and British Colonial structures that still stand proudly. The cobbled streets lead to the ocean. We, the irrational Sri Lankans, do a swan dive into the ocean.

We'll pack up all of our belongings after breakfast and drive for two hours across the ocean to the vibrant capital, Colombo. We visit a turtle sanctuary on the way, where we teach infant turtles to swim and return injured adults to nature. We'll stop at the 2004 Tsunami memorial, where you can hear about the survivors and see photos of the disaster. Check-in at our boutique hotel in Colombo after arriving. To go home, you can visit an art gallery or the National Museum or take a tuk-tuk to the Pattah Markets and do some last-minute souvenir shopping. In the evening, we'll have a last meal together and say our goodbyes.

End Point Colombo in Sri Lanka. You'll have to say goodbye to the friends you made in 12 days.