South Sri Lanka Adventure

Welcome to Sri Lanka! Upon arrival, your private driver guide will wait for you outside the customs of the airport according to your flight schedule and transfer you to the well-selected hotel in Colombo. For the rest of the day, maybe you can rest at the hotel or take a walk along the beach on your own to appreciate this beautiful coastal city.

► SIM Card in Sri Lanka
When you arrive at Colombo International Airport, you could find the counter of Dialog with striking red sign, which is the leading network operator in the country with the best network coverage. The most popular monthly plans include LKR 1,400 (USD 5) with 20 GB of data, LKR 1,800 (USD 6) with 30 GB of data, and LKR 2,450 (USD 8.5) with 50 GB of data. There are shops for top-up in major cities and towns. You can also use the app - MyDialog to top up your phone.

► Packing Tips
In your 8-day tour in Sri Lanka, you will hike on a plain, go on a safari and visit sunny beaches. Here are some tips on packing:
1. Sun protection such as sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat and sun protective clothing.
2. Comfortable flip flops or sandals, walking shoes or trainers.
3. Insect repellent or mosquito repellent.
4. Bring a lightweight breathable jacket or jumper due to the large temperature difference in central highlands.
5. A camera with a telephoto zoom lens to photograph wildlife.

► Recommendations for Early Arrival in Negombo
Your hotel is facing the Indian Ocean with a coastal road outside, along which you can explore the surroundings and experience the charm of the city. By the side of the road are train tracks, and if luckily, you may see a train passing by. Walk south for about 8 minutes to enjoy dinner at Abid’s Restaurant Sri Lanka (No 38, Alexandra Road, Marine Dr, 00600) which serves a variety of delicacies like Arabic cuisine, western food and Asian dishes. It costs about USD 10 per person.

Accommodation: Radisson Hotel Colombo (4 stars)

After enjoying your first breakfast in Sri Lanka at the hotel, you will leave the coastal city and make your way to the inland Nuwara Eliya by a 6 hours’ drive. Embrace the peaceful green hills and get immersed in the gentle breeze with pleasant smell of the tea bushes. Located in the central mountainous region of the country, Nuwara Eliya features beautiful scenery and cool humid climate. The name of the city means “city on the plain” or “city of light”. Used to be the “home away from home” for the British, a lot of British-style architecture have been well-preserved, giving the town the nickname of “Little England”. Most importantly, Nuwara Eliya is one of the best black tea-growing regions in the world. Ceylon black tea, along with Keemun black tea from China, Darjeeling black tea and Assam black tea from India, is one of the four major black teas in the world.

On the way, we will visit a Tea Plantation & Tea Factory. The interesting fact is that Nuwara Eliya was once an important coffee-planting region, but a severe disease of the plants forced people to plant tea instead. Without using any pesticides or chemicals, Ceylon black tea is considered to be the cleanest tea in the world. You could have a taste of the most authentic tea in the tea factory and get to know the process and planting history of black tea. In addition, you could explore the tea plantation with a basket on your back and experience picking tea leaves together with the brightly dressed local tea-pickers. After that, we will proceed to Nuwara Eliya and help you check in at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: The Blackpool Resort & Spa, Nuwara Eliya (4 stars)

Get up early and today you will go on an adventurous hike in Horton Plains National Park. If you are an outdoor lover, the park could be a paradise for you. At an altitude of 2,100-2,300 meters (around 7,200 ft.), Horton Plains have the headwaters of 3 major rivers of Sri Lanka. Covered by montane grasslands, the plains are home to a large variety of plants and animals, being one of the most important nature reserves in Sri Lanka. Your guide will lead your way along the 9.4km-long (6 mi.) trail which takes about 4 to 5 hours. You may cross little hills, streams and forests, and encounter clever monkeys, beautiful birds or sambars. You will reach the famous World’s End, a cliff that drops 880 meters (2,887 ft.) and offers stunning view of the valley and the nearby Baker’s Fall. If it’s sunny, you may even overlook the Indian Ocean from there.

► Tips: It will be very cloudy and misty on the plains at around 10 am every day, so an early start at 6 am is recommended in order to better admire the sights. Besides, the trail may be rough or rocky, and there is no protective fences at the cliff, so please pay attention to safety while hiking.

► A Glimpse into Local Life: Visit a Local Market
After the hike, you will be taken to a local market to experience the daily life of the little town. Besides fresh fruits and vegetables, you could find delightful flowers, exquisite handicrafts and delicious street food. Strolling around the market, you may be impressed by the neatly-placed items of every stall and the local women in bright-colored saris, which together make up a harmonious picture. Then, your private driver guide will send you back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: The Blackpool Resort & Spa, Nuwara Eliya (4 stars)

★ Special Experience: Immerse in Rural Village Life

This morning, we will drive you for 3.5 hours to Thanamalwila Village. Walking into this idyllic village, you will be embraced by the paddy fields and cottages along the country road. You may even see an elephant in the serene woods nearby. Sri Lanka’s GDP per capita is just over USD 3,000 and its economy is mainly dependent on tourism and agriculture. Many villages in the country are very under-developed. The farmers in Thanamalwila still use the traditional way - slash-and-burn to farm, which is an old method conducted by cutting and burning the plants on the land to get a field for farming. Villagers struggle for life but still love their life. They warmly greet every guest with their hands folded. We will offer you a chance to visit a local farmer’s house, enjoy a special lunch and get to know the real life of Sri Lanka, possibly trying some farm work or feeding the animals. You might talk with the farmers with the help of your guide and share your stories and experiences with them. After visiting the village, we will transfer you to the hotel in Tissamaharama.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Thaulle Ayurveda Resort, Tissamaharama (4 stars)

★ Search for Rare Wildlife in Yala National Park

Today could be the highlight of your Sri Lanka adventure tour. Accompanied by an experienced guide, you will go on an exciting jeep safari in Yala National Park - one of the top attractions in Sri Lanka. Covering an area of over 900 km2 (350 mi2), the park holds a treasure trove of abundant wildlife. You will have a big chance to spot Sri Lankan elephants, water buffalo, land monitor lizards and peacocks, not to mention various beautiful birds with bright feathers. If luckily enough, you may even spot Sri Lankan leopards. The big cats may shade themselves under the tree, or stay at a branch of a tree.

► Tips:
1. Please note that Yala National Park closes for maintenance from September to October every year. You can check the park’s official website in advance, or contact us to tailor your itinerary.
2. Some wild animals can be dangerous, so a safe distance is necessary. Please follow your guide’s instructions.
3. Try not to interfere the animals by not exclaiming in surprise or feeding them. Remember not to leave trace, touch or pick up anything from the park.

After that, we will drive 1.5 hours to Tangalle to check in at the hotel and leave the remaining time of the day free for you. You may have a rest in the hotel, or relax yourself on Tangalle Beach. It’s also a good choice to take a boat tour to explore the mangrove forest around the nearby lagoon.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Lagoon Paradise Beach Resort, Tangalle (4 stars)

Today you will say goodbye to Tangalle and head for Mirissa - a small coastal town in the south of Sri Lanka. We will drive along the coastline and if you want to admire the scenery on the way, don’t hesitate to tell your private driver guide to stop anywhere for you to take some photos.

We will first stop at Hummanaya Blow Hole in the midway. Hummanaya is the only blow hole in Sri Lanka and one of the largest blow holes in the world. The word “Hummanaya” means “hum” in Sinhalese, which indicates the sound when the seawater hits the hole in the rock. The high pressure of the wave will force the water to spurt through the hole and form a natural fountain that can rise up to 25-30 meters (80-100 ft.). The unique phenomenon appears every few minutes.

Next, we will proceed to visit Dondra Head Lighthouse, which is one of the highest lighthouses in Southeast Asia and is still in use due to its good geographical location. The lighthouse was constructed during the colonial period and the building materials including bricks and steel were imported from Britain. With a height of 49 meters (160 ft.), this seven-story structure has been standing here for over 100 years. You will be surrounded by tall palm trees and breathtaking sea views here. Indulge yourself in the atmosphere of the fusion of history and natural beauty. After that, we will continue to drive to the hotel in Mirissa.

► Recommended Activities in Mirissa
Mirissa is a tranquil seaside village where you could admire primitive natural sights and meet friendly local residents. After checking in at the hotel, you can enjoy your leisure time on the beach outside or take a 10-minute tuk-tuk to Mirissa Beach, where you can overlook the sea or watch sunset at Parrot Rock Bridge or Coconut Tree Hill. Petti Petti Mirissa (17 Bandaramulla, Mirissa 81740) is a good choice for dinner. This bar & restaurant offers fusion cuisines with Asian and Western dishes. You may have a taste of the crab spaghetti and the brownie while enjoying the live music. It costs about USD 10 per person.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Weligama Bay Resort, Mirissa (4 stars)

Mirissa is renowned for its clear waters and rich sea life. Its pure ecological environment makes this town an excellent place for snorkeling and diving. You might take a leisure walk along the beach, do some water sports like windsurfing, water scooter and surfing, or explore the small stands of beautiful handicrafts in the town.

The most unmissable activity in Mirissa is to take a whale-watching trip. Every year between November and April, whales and dolphins travel north from the Antarctic to the Indian Ocean to breed. As one of the best whale-watching locations in the world, Mirissa offers a great chance to spot blue whales, humpback whales and sperm whales.

Take a 20-minute ride and you will reach Koggala, from which you can see stilt fishermen sitting on wooden stilts in the shallow sea. Maybe you used to be attracted by photos of these stilt fishermen and be curious about the real stilt fishing in Sri Lanka. However, the former cultural card of the country has now become more of a tourist spot than a way of making a living. If you are interested, you could pay to take a photo or try fishing on the stilt.

► If your departure flight is tomorrow afternoon or evening, you can also ask the driver guide to stop at Koggala for you to visit Stilt Fishing on the way to Galle tomorrow.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Weligama Bay Resort, Mirissa (4 stars)

Today you will be transferred to Colombo and visit Galle Dutch Fort on the way. The fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site located on the south coast of Sri Lanka. Despite being over 400 years, most of the buildings in the town are preserved in good condition. Strolling on the old streets, you might be captured by the charm of the fortress through the old stone walls, historic lighthouse and wooden doors.

Upon arriving in Colombo, you will be taken to visit some main attractions of the city if time permits. First, visit the Independence Square and Independence Memorial Hall, which were built to commemorate Sri Lanka’s independence in 1948. The Memorial Hall was built after the royal audience hall of the Kingdom of Kandy (1469–1815). You may even meet new couples taking wedding pictures on the square. Next, let’s get an insight into Sri Lanka’s historical and cultural heritage at Colombo National Museum. Built in 1877, it is the oldest museum in the country, boasting over 20 exhibition halls of ancient paintings, sculptures, jewelries and fabrics. After that, we will transfer you to the airport and see you off. Wish you a pleasant journey back home!

► If you want to extend your tour to other regions, for example, visiting the Lion Rock or exploring the Sacred City of Kandy, or if you want to travel to the nearby India or Maldives, please let us know and tailor an itinerary for you.

Meals: Breakfast