Island Spell

Day 01 | Negombo

Arrive at Negombo, a west coast city only a few minutes away from the airport. A charming fishing village decked with wide sandy beaches and turquoise blue waters, Negombo is a divergent city draped in history. It is a harmonisation of enchanting Portuguese cathedrals, gambrel roofed Dutch manors, bird swarming canals and a pentagonal Dutch fort. Spend a leisurely evening acquainting with everything Sri Lankan while the sun dives into the gorgeous Negombo lagoon smeared in colour.

Day 02 | Anuradhapura

Rise early and visit the Negombo fish market. Loud, energetic, and bustling this trip will surely shake away the last bits of the jetlag and help you start afresh. Meet a worldly-wise mariner to share exciting tales from sea-faring to filleting a fish for dinner. The late afternoon is to head over to your next adventure.

Ancient city of Anuradhapura, the heart of the immemorial civilizations and a religious capital. A city that homes a 2300 year old sacred ‘Bo’ tree and sky-soaring stupa boasting of the prowess of Sri Lankan engineers in the 4 th century. Join the devotees for an evening puja at the Ruwanweli Stupa, the Sri Lankan way of heralding blessings for the upcoming journey.

Day 03 | Anuradhapura

You are in Anuradhapura. A political stronghold in the ancient times, the city is full of remnants from a bygone era. The vestiges are spread all over the city but can be easily reached using pathways lying through tree laden shady gardens. You will be greeted by inquisitive, forever peckish monkeys and chummy canines who possibly will accompany you. Enjoy a home cooked lunch with a local family and relish in mouth-watering Sri Lankan dishes and amiable hospitality. Wander around ‘Thisa-wewa’, a glorious lake in the middle of the city. The fiery sun will make way to a sky that will become nature’s canvas painted in vivid colours. Watch the stars glisten for you as another day winds up in paradise.

Day 04 | Sigiriya

You are on your way to Habarana. A drive that will take a little over an hour through lush green paddy fields, grazing lazy buffaloes and tanks filled with water lilies. Drive down to Kekirawa, a miniscule farming town bordered with small tanks and home to illustrious professional potters. Eager to share their day and trade secrets, today is to try your hand at pottery. With mud spatters, grubby hands and endless laughter, the friendly artists will guide you to craft a cherished keepsake to take home with you. End a perfect day riding a canoe in the Hiriwadunna Lake. A serene moment to let go and hear your gentle breathing making music with rippling water and melodious cicadas.

Day 05 | Sigiriya

Conquer the fortified city of Sigiriya. You can choose between braving over 1200 steps to explore ruins or cycling around the enchanting neighbouring villages. Riding around you might be greeted by curious but welcoming villagers, happily grazing cows, mischievous monkeys, and friendly canines. Dive and engulf in Sri Lankan rural life. Down-to earth and uncomplicated the villagers will be more than happy to share some whiles and nibbles with you.

Sigiriya also known as the ‘Lion Rock’ aptly named because of a palace built in the shape of a mammoth lion. The kingdom was encircled by a compact city with symmetrical gardens and boasts of exceptional ancient urban planning, landscaping, architecture, plus unique hydraulic engineering and construction technology.

Minneri-Kaudulla National Park is a popular haunt of the Asian elephant and make sure that you make time in the afternoon for a happenstance with some feathered or furry companions. Surrounded by infinite grasslands and almost bare woodlands the Park is home to large herds of elephant, wild boar, wild buffalo, sambar deer, leopards, spotted fishing cats and sloth bears. The park refuges over 150 species of birds including large birds of prey. It definitely is a nature lover’s paradise.

Day 06 | Kandy

You will be leaving the plains and entering the mesmerising hill country. Stop by at the Dambulla Cave temple, a monastery of times ago. The temple contains carved statues of Buddha and other deities. The stone walls and the ceiling are completely covered in elaborate paintings. The semi-dark caves are quiet and peaceful. You might feel like sitting on the marble floor and listen to echoes from past. Let your mind soothe and heal in the darkened tranquillity. Try your haggling skills in the markets of Dambulla. A humming economic centre where farmers from all over the island bring their produce to be traded or exchanged before they are dispensed throughout the country. The vegetables are fresh and the fruits are a delight. Drop by Matale, a historical city sitting in midst of a range of blue-green mountains. Rich with a number of spices Matale is a mix of pleasant weather in the hills and fervent sun in the plains. Settle in for a home cooked meal set in a beautiful spice grove. Get up-close and personal with aromatic spices and generous islanders.

Day 07 | Kandy

The sacred temple of tooth, a must visit when you are in Kandy. A mesmeric shrine adorned with carved wooden columns, balustrades, engraved stone steps, doors etched in ivory, gold and silver, the temple is a living testimony of Sri Lankan heritage.

Take a tuk tuk ride around the lesser known parts of the city; Take delight in the gentle winds while you scale beautiful backdrops, meet the locals and share titbits of life and food. A trip to Kandy does not complete without a walk around the breath-taking city, calm and languid in the sinking sun. Fondly known as the Milky Ocean, the Kandy Lake adds beauty and character to the already appealing city. A swanky Shopping mall, a myriad of cafes, Hindu Kovils, exclusive precious stone dealers, and a long-standing prison converted in to a cultural tourist centre are all within a walking distance.

At sundown visit some local pubs to acquaint with the relaxed hill country night life.

Day 08 | Hatton

Drive down to Gampola for an astonishing experience. Go back in time as you explore a well-preserved residence of an aristocrat from the colonial era. Locally known as ‘walawwa’ these homes preserve years of culture and heritage. Full of charisma the old mansions mostly relied on Moorish and Dutch architecture. Walk through the panelled doors opening into expanded courtyards. The thick walls, wooden columns and roof trusses highlight welcoming verandas. Together they tell you a story of craftsmanship and civilisation.

Leave Gampola to reach Hatton. The spices will fade succumbing to tea while the temperatures drop a few degrees. The night will be spent at a Planter’s bungalow adding another novel experience to your list. A conventional planter’s bungalow built during the British era has now been turned into a handsome abode by a young entrepreneur descending from a family of planters. Conversant in many subjects your host is ready to doll out everything from tea cultivation, architectural layouts to venture capital.

Day 09 | Hatton

Wake up to the chilly mountain breeze and misted mountain tops. Hatton is simply a jade green city. Every slope and mountain is covered in painstakingly manicured and trimmed tea bushes. The civilization takes a step back to make space for clumps of forests, ravines and waterfalls. Lines of tea pickers on their way to work, lorries full of tea leaves and weigh-stations are a common sight when you stroll along these tapered winding roads. If you are the outdoorsy sort, Hatton awaits with a number of mountain trails, waterfalls and wondrous treks.

Appreciating tea through hearsay or documentation is quite outdated. We believe you need to be part of the action and master the century-old craft to better understand this fine beverage. Why not add tea plucking skills to your list of abilities? The professionals will be delighted to lend you a helping hand to select the tender leaves and buds. In all excitement remember to watch your foot while you trudge up the hills.

Fill your afternoon with more tea tales. A guided tour to a tea factory will be providing you with a clear insight into producing world’s best tea. From withering to rolling, from rolling to fermenting, from drying to sorting and grading then finally from tasting to assessing, tea leaves journeys through a number of steps before reaching you. Trace every step of this astounding journey with experts to end the day with a fragrant cup of warm Ceylon tea.

Day 10 | Yala

Get on board the most epic train ride in Sri Lanka. Taking the hill country train is a mesmerising experience. The railways wind and curl through the green clad mountains, sun kissed plateaus, and cascading waterfalls. Add colonial style train stations, viaducts, colourful diesel locomotives that chuff happily through the almost vertical mountain sides and you end up with one of the most spectacular train journeys you have ever encountered. Travel from Hatton to Nanuoya on the ‘tea-train’. Explore tiny Nanu-Oya town until it is time for lunch. The late afternoon will take you from Nanu-Oya to Yala via the beautiful city of Ella. Next time you visit do not forget to explore Ella with us. A mecca for adventurers Ella entertains you with zip lines over cloudy mountain tops, hikes, nature trails, camping and many more exciting activities.

Day 11 | Yala

Awaken the inner zoophilist in you. The morning and the afternoon can be spent in the company of the inhabitants of Yala National Park. Yala is where the big cats rule. The elusive Sri Lankan leopard is a menacing predator but one that you must see. The light forests, scrubs, grasslands, tanks and lagoons hides a multitude of island’s wildlife providing them much needed sanctuary. Be one with nature and its beautiful creations in Sri Lanka’s most visited national park. The Buddhist temples pottered here and there in the background adds culture and heritance into the mix. Virtually similar to Africa, Yala will never frustrate you. If you need a more spiritual embrace you can visit the Katharagama Shrine consecrated to a deity venerated both by Hindus and Buddhists. The multi-coloured backdrops, fragrance of incense, customs and rituals are fascinating and mystical. Under the star lit night, listening to the murmured chanting of the devotees will definitely become a night to remember for years to come.

Day 12/13 | Hikkaduwa

Drive off to Galle, a coastal city that amalgamates old and new, yesterday and today. Famous for the now decrepit yet still standing fort built during the Dutch occupation. Galle is a city of architecture, culture, art and adventure. The beautiful beach, ancient lighthouse and the friendly locals will definitely leave an irreversible impression in your memories. Galle houses a natural harbour that is quite inaccessible thanks to a colorful wall of corals. This massive reef is a wonder of nature adding more beauty to an already outstanding city. Culture is simply one attraction. Galle offers you unbelievable encounters with nature such as whale watching, bike rides, Wellness with Ayurveda, and boat trips. Something to save for next time you visit the paradise isle. Walk down the cobblestoned streets in the Old Town, check into trendy cafes and boutique shops full of goodies that are irresistible are must dos. This alluring town is a perfect mix of history and novelty that you can’t have enough of. Sadly it is time to leave Galle to arrive at another beautiful coastal city – Hikkaduwa.

Day 14

Sri Lanka is here to discover. The island has so much to offer it has never deterred a traveller. Despite the miniscule size we have ensured that there’s something for everyone. If you feel like you haven’t had enough of the golden beaches, azure waters, lush greens and things Sri Lankan, we welcome you to extend your stay for another few days. You can perhaps explore the assortment of journeys we have created and select a delectable few that will extend your stay. If time is the impediment we will let you go, with a heavy heart but only after you promise to return. Sri Lanka is addictive and hypnotic. Bewitching, spellbinding and all yours.