Sri Lanka: Adventure to the Pearl of the Indian Ocean

Arrive Colombo

Arrive at the Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Colombo, Sri Lanka before 2:00PM.

You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. There will be one group transfer included (time TBD). Transfers are available for an extra cost to accommodate other flight arrival times.

Check into your room and relax before dinner.

Enjoy a lively welcome dinner with the group as you get to know your fellow travelers this evening. Share stories and learn about why each woman is excited to explore Sri Lanka!

Dinner

Overnight: Galle Face Hotel

Colombo to Habarana

After breakfast at the hotel, you will set off on a 4.5 hour drive to explore the region known as the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka. Enjoy lunch and stretch your legs along the way.

What better way to wake up your legs after a long drive than a little rock climbing? The Sigiriya Rock Fortress is an enormous boulder that towers over the surrounding jungle. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the rock fortress was built in the fifth century and served as a royal citadel for many years. Be sure to take in the mirror wall, Sigiri graffiti, and Sigiriya frescos that adorn the walls as you climb. The amazing 360-degree view will be the best reward after you complete the 650-foot climb to the summit!

After visiting Sigiriya, make your way to the hotel that will be your home for the next three nights.

For dinner tonight you will take part in a hands-on experience with one of the hotel chefs who will show you how to prepare Hoppers, a famous Sri Lankan delicacy that resembles a pancake and is quite delicious!

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Cinnamon Lodge Habarana

Polonnaruwa

After breakfast, drive for an hour to the medieval capital of Polonnaruwa, which was the second kingdom of Sri Lanka and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Hop on your bike and pedal through many archaeological monuments. Look out for the famous Gal Viharaya, or “Rock Temple,” where you will see four colossal statues of the Buddha cut into the stone, reflecting peace, serenity, and strength. Continue biking through a rural village where you may have the opportunity to mingle with the local farming community. Enjoy a typical farmer’s lunch at a local restaurant after your ride

Later this afternoon, join a local naturalist on a game drive to one of the area’s national parks. See how many different animals you can spot along the way. After the game drive, enjoy exclusive sundowners while you bask in the glow of your wildlife discoveries.

Enjoy dinner as a group back at the hotel this evening

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Cinnamon Lodge Habarana

Habarana

Today you are invited into the home of a local family who will show you how to make a meal comprised of 3 or 4 traditional dishes. Learn about their unique utensils and slow-cooking techniques.

After you finish preparing the food, take part in a traditional practice of alms giving where meals are offered to the monks in the village Buddhist temple.

The afternoon is yours to enjoy lunch on your own and time at leisure at the hotel before meeting back up with the group for dinner

Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight: Cinnamon LodgeHabarana 

Sigiriya to Kandy

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before setting out on your journey to Kandy, known as the Last Kingdom of Sri Lanka. Along the way, visit the Dambulla rock caves and explore its renowned wall art, which dates back to the first century BC. You will be struck by the serenity and well-preserved nature of the site as you wander through the temple.

Visit a local workshop where you will have the chance to try your hand at the beautiful art of batik. The women who run the workshop will show you the traditional artistic batik techniques that have been handed down over many decades. Afterwards, enjoy lunch in the home of one of the local batik artisans before driving the last 90 minutes to Kandy.

Upon arrival in Bandarawela, check into your hotel before enjoying dinner with

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Jetwing Kandy Gallery

Kandy

Today you will have the opportunity to learn about traditional Sri Lankan costumes and heirloom jewelry. Behold the intricately carved, precious stones that are embedded in the design, and see how the Sri Lankan saree is distinctively different from its Indian counterpart. Then meet with an expert gemologist who will show you how to identify the different gemstones before you can try your hand at gem cutting.

After lunch on your own, meet with a local single mother and hear how she supports her family by sewing. The group will collectively donate a sewing machine to help better her family.

Enjoy dinner as a group back at the hotel this evening.

Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight: Jetwing Kandy Gallery

Kandy

Set out on an early morning trek to the Hanthana Mountain range today. Offering picturesque landscapes, this four-hour hike will immerse you in nature and the beautiful landscapes of Sri Lanka. Stop along the way and enjoy a picnic lunch before returning to the hotel.

The afternoon is yours to rest and relax at the hotel after your long hike.

During dinner tonight, you will enjoy a traditional Kandyan fusion dance performance.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Jetwing Kandy Gallery

Kandy to Bandarawela

After an early breakfast, you will drive to the Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya where you will be met by an experienced botanist who has worked at the gardens for over 30 years. Listen as he shares stories of the garden’s history and the precious live collections that have been gathered over centuries.

You will spend the rest of the day traveling to the central highlands region of Sri Lanka, which is known for its tea production. After a drive, you will embark on a scenic 4-5 hour train ride for an authentic experience of traveling like a local! Make sure you take advantage of the incredibly beautiful scenery throughout your ride. From gushing waterfalls to vast tea terraces to expansive vegetable fields, there are many opportunities to capture captivating photos of your surroundings. Lunch will be on your own today.

Upon arrival in Bandarawela, check into your hotel before enjoying dinner with the group there tonight.

Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight: Anasa Wellness Resort

Bandarawela

Today you will meet a Sri Lankan tea plucker at a working tea plantation where you will spend a day getting up close and personal with this local woman. She will share her story of how she learned the practice of tea harvesting and give you behind-the-scenes access to life on the tea plantation. Later, put your skills to the test as you participate in an exciting tea plucking competition!

Head back to your hotel for lunch and some downtime before enjoying a scrumptious high tea. Dinner will also be at the hotel with your group tonight.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Anasa Wellness Resort

Bandarawela to Galle

After breakfast this morning, you will set out on a 5 -6 hour drive to Galle in the southern part of Sri Lanka. You will have the chance to stop and stretch your legs along the way, and you will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant while en route. Later this afternoon, arrive at your hotel and check-in. You will have the rest of the day at leisure until joining the group for dinner tonight

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Jetwing Lighthouse

Galle

Set out on a 45-minute drive to an estate in the suburbs of Galle after breakfast. Upon arrival, freshen up with a cinnamon-infused towel before venturing on a guided tour of the estate. Learn about the method of growing and harvesting cinnamon as well as how a cinnamon tree can be transformed into the cinnamon sticks we purchase in the store. Watch a fascinating demonstration from one of the estate’s expert peelers to see how this intricate process is carried out. Continue to the estate’s factory and learn how this aromatic spice is gathered for grading and prepared for market. Cap off your morning with a delicious cinnamon-infused lunch.

After lunch, learn about the tradition of mask painting in Sri Lanka. You will have the chance to paint your own mask that you can take home with you!

Late this afternoon, take a guided tour of Galle Dutch Fort, another UNESCO World Heritage site. You will end your walk at the Moon Bastion, which overlooks the Indian Ocean. Enjoy dinner with the group later tonight.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Jetwing Lighthouse

Galle to Negombo

In addition to its famous tea plantations, Sri Lanka is also well known for its cinnamon. Ceylon cinnamon is grown from a plant that is indigenous to Sri Lanka and is often referred to as the “real cinnamon.” This variety of spice is known for its distinct flavor, scent, and color.

Located north of Colombo lies the fishing town of Negombo. With its hectic harbor and bustling fish market, this town is a gourmet paradise with seafood aplenty. Palm-fringed beaches, old-fashioned catamarans, a Dutch-built canal, colonial architecture, and colorful boutiques all add character to this hub of activity.

After a leisurely breakfast, this morning set out on a 2-hour drive back to Colombo.

Enjoy some time in Colombo on a shopping tour in town where you can purchase vibrant clothing or handcrafted goods. Lunch will be on your own today.

Join your group tonight for a celebratory farewell dinner, as you reminisce about your favorite moments from your time in Sri Lanka!

Breakfast, Dinner 

Overnight: Jetwing Beach

Depart Colombo

Transfer to the airport to catch your flight home.

Depart from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Colombo, Sri Lanka at any time after 1PM today.

Breakfast

Please note: AdventureWomen will attempt to adhere to the itinerary as much as possible. However, certain conditions (political, climatic, environmental, and cultural) may necessitate changes in the itinerary. AdventureWomen reserves the right to alter any itinerary at any time, if necessary. We will attempt to notify participants of changes as far in advance as possible. Costs incurred by such changes will be the responsibility of the participants.