Day 01

Arrive at Colombo International Airport. Here, you will be met by a designated chauffer guide from Lakpura Travels. After the formalities at the airport you will be escorted to your air conditioned vehicle and proceed to Negombo and check in to the hotel and relax. (Travel Time: 20 to 30 mins)

Day 02

After a relaxed morning and breakfast at the hotel, proceed to commercial city of Sri Lanka, Colombo and go on a city and shopping tour.

City tour in the Commercial City of Sri Lanka, Colombo

Experience the colorful lights and bright life of Colombo, the capital City of Sri Lanka. Visit historic monuments such as the Old Lighthouse, the Old Parliament, Galle Face Hotel, Galle Face Green, Gangarama Temple, the National Museum and more. Enjoy the malls of Independence Square or the Race Course. Visit boutique shops and designer stores.

Upon completion proceed back to Negombo, en route explore the city of Negombo.

City Tour in Negombo City

The Negombo Fishing Village also known as the Lellama by the locals is located across the lagoon bridge, near the Old Dutch Gate. The large open-air fish market is the second largest in the country. It gives you an unpretentious insight into the local fisher community. The market is loud, vibrant and smells like fish! You will be able to witness the fishermen in hundreds of boats bringing in their days catch. See how the wholesalers and restaurateurs trade and watch the packing and loading of fish for distribution across the country as well as for export – worldwide. The retail area is a bustling hive of activity – with customers negotiating prices with mom and pop fish vendors

Overnight Stay

Economy Option (3 Star) – Hotel J
Standard Option (4 Star) – Jetwing Beach
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – Heritance Negombo

Day 03

An early breakfast at the hotel, check out and proceed to Pinnawala and visit the Millennium Elephant Foundation. (Travel Time: 1 ½ to 2 hrs)

Millennium Elephant Foundation

The Foundation provides and funds the care, medical treatments, food, mahout salaries, the running costs of the charity as well as having an on-call Mobile Veterinary Unit which travels around the country treating sick elephants in need. The Elephant Walk Experience is another alternative to elephant riding for tourists, which is an ethical, up close and personal experience for tourists.

Thereafter proceed to Peradeniya and visit the Royal Botanical Garden. (Travel Time: 1 to 1 ½ hrs)

Royal Botanical Gardens

Visit the famous Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya, which were formed in the early 19th century. Walk through the vast area containing over 4000 species of plants. Enjoy the learning more about the orchids, spices and medicinal plants. Wander down avenues shaded by large and rare trees, or bordered by flowering plants. Enjoy seeing the cannonball tree, walking over the wobbly suspension bridge and through the short hedge mazes or even climbing the twisty trees that make wonderful jungle gyms.

Day 04

Enjoy your morning with a refreshing breakfast. Afterwards, proceed to Kandy Town and walk through streets of the Last Kingdom of Sri Lanka, listening to the stories of the history.

Kandy

Kandy was the last capital of the Sinhala Kings, and is the islands cultural centre. It was Sri Lanka’s capital until the British took control in 1815 and due to its significant association with Buddhism; UNESCO has now made the Sacred City of Kandy a UNESCO World Heritage site. The ancient kingdom of Kandy is also home to Edwardian buildings, a king-made lake, a nature reserve and exciting shops. As the second largest city of the island and the capital of the Central Province, Kandy has grown from being a medieval kingdom to a friendly, busy city set in forested hills and surrounded by tea plantations and close to the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya.

Thereafter visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which was built in the 16th century as the place of veneration and protection for Lord Buddha’s sacred tooth. Walk through the beautifully embellished passageways and elaborately painted halls, done in red, cream and black. Lounge against delicately carved pillars and get amazed by the beautiful golden statues. Get an unforgettable experience of history and art.

Overnight Stay

Economy Option (3 Star) – Oakray Regency
Standard Option (4 Star) – Cinnamon Citadel
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – Earl’s Regency

Day 05

After breakfast check out of the hotel and proceed to Gal Oya.

Discover an ancient land untouched by time; a haven of serenity in which to reconnect with the rhythms of the earth. Immerse yourself in nature. Soak yourself in the local culture. Explore the rich wildlife of Gal Oya, one of Sri Lanka’s most remote and least visited wilderness areas.

Gal Oya Lodge is a unique Sri Lanka ecolodge spread across 20 acres of private jungle. Take your time enjoying this natural paradise through the experiences we offer, which include a walk with our Vedda neighbours, one of the last remaining communities of the forest-dwelling, indigenous people of Sri Lanka.

After check-in and lunch, visit the Veddah Village that evening

Veddah Village

Gal Oya Lodge neighbours one of the last remaining communities of the Veddha – the forest-dwelling, indigenous people of Sri Lanka. We can invite the village Chief to take you on a walk through the jungles of his ancestors. Discover and learn about local nature as he brings the forest alive, explaining his tribe’s use of medicinal plants, ancient hunting grounds and cave dwellings. It’s a fascinating insight into how the hunter-gatherers lived in the jungles of Gal Oya.

Day 06

Wake up before the crack of dawn, at around five am. Sip a quick tea / coffee and embark on an early morning safari in Gal Oya National Park.

Early Morning Safari in Gal Oya National Park

As you drive the jungle slowly begins to come alive amongst the fresh hues of sunlight gleaming through the foliage, with piercing birdcalls and buzzing insects. One of our skilled drivers turns off the engine of the jeep at certain points, which allows you to silently creep through, taking in all the noises of the magnificent, waking park. Your expert naturalist points out the inhabiting wildlife, including grey langurs, various species of deer, a plethora of birds, small mammals, elephants, reptiles and if you are super, super lucky, perhaps even the leopard.

Relax that noon and later in the evening, go on a Boat Safari on Sri Lanka’s largest lake.

Boat Safari on Sri Lanka’s largest lake

Enjoy the only experience in Sri Lanka that allows you to spot wildlife from the water. It’s a unique way to immerse yourself in the animals’ habitats. With a little luck you could spot elephants swimming between islands or bathing at the lake’s edge. A 2-3-hour safari by boat, and a scenic 40-minute drive from the lodge to the lake is perfect to explore the national park and surrounding villages.

Overnight Stay

Economy Option (3 Star) – Gal Oya Lodge
Standard Option (4 Star) – Gal Oya Lodge
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – Gal Oya Lodge

Day 07

Early in the morning prior to breakfast go on a trek to the Monkey Mountain.

Monkey Mountain 

For the intrepid ones, a 2-hour uphill trek first thing in the morning to the top of the cliffs facing the lodge is rewarded with stunning 180 degrees’ views over the large forested valley we are in. If you set off early enough you can watch the sun rise over the hills in the distance and observe the seemingly never-ending jungle canopy below. Return for a well-earned breakfast and enjoy the view looking back up what you just climbed.

On return, check out and proceed to Dambulla, en-route visit Cave Temples. (Travel Time: 3 to 3½ Hours)

Dambulla Cave Temple

Enter the historic caves of the Golden Temple of Dambulla, dating back to the 1st century BC. View the ancient murals depicting the life story of Lord Gautama Buddha. Look at the hundreds of figurines of Buddha and other deities scattered throughout the five main caves. Visit the Cave of the Divine King, Cave of the Great King and the Great New Monastery. See the giant golden Buddha Statue just a little distance outside the cave complex.

Day 08

After a refreshing breakfast at the hotel, get your exploring glasses and proceed to Polonnaruwa to ride and wander among the remnants of the Ancient Kingdom. (Travel Time: 50 to 60 mins)

The Ancient Kingdom of Polonnaruwa

The ancient city of Polonnaruwa, which was the second major capital of Sri Lanka. Walk through the ruins of the city that flourished between the 10th to the 13th century AD. View important monuments such as Gal Vihara, Vatadage, the lotus bath, Lankathilaka Temple and the statue of King Parakramabahu whose reign was considered the golden age of Polonnaruwa. Get to know more about Sri Lanka’s ancient history.

Thereafter proceed to Priyamali Gedara and participate in a Cooking Demonstration and enjoy a lovely farmer’s lunch.  (Travel Time: 15 to 20 mins)

Cooking Demonstration and Lunch at Priyamali Gedara

This experience provides an authentic farm lunch and cooking demo done by an actual local farming family. Learn the ins and outs of Sri Lankan cooking as the farmer’s wife and daughters demonstrate their art. Chat with the farmer to learn more about how the fresh ingredients are obtained from the surroundings. Indulge in a healthy farm meal cooked over wood fires and served on lotus leaves over woven trays. Traditional rice, lentils, fresh local vegetables cooked into fragrant curries, fried fish, and poppadum will play a major role in the meals. Those who are interested can also request the farmer’s wife for some delicious kotthu, which they can purchase separately.

Day 09

After an Early breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Sigiriya Rock Fortress and, start Climbing up and counting down the steps, while wonder about the brilliant architecture of the ancient Sri Lanka. (Travel Time: 20 to 30 mins)

Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Climb the 5th century AD rock fortress, Sigiriya, where the King Kasyapa ruled. Walk through the entrance framed by the paws of a lion that is quite appropriate for its name, ‘ the Lion Rock’. View the beautiful unfading murals that brought Sigiriya its fame. Climb the steep staircase to see the terraced gardens and still-working cisterns.  Walk through the tunnels leading to the palace as you get a feel for times long past.

Afterwards, climb down the rock fortress, visit a local village and get an an authentic experience of Sri Lankan village life. (Travel Time: 20 to 30 mins)

Authentic Sri Lankan Village Experience

Have a relaxing catamaran safari through a calm lake. Walk through the golden fields ripe with their harvest of paddy. Watch an enjoyable traditional cooking demonstration that teaches you the basics of Sri Lankan cuisine. Delight your taste buds with a home-cooked lunch; made over a wood-fire and served on fragrant lotus leaves placed over woven trays. Enjoy the life of a Sri Lankan villager, just this day.

Overnight Stay

Economy Option (3 Star) – Fresco Water Villa
Standard Option (4 Star) – Cinnamon Lodge
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – Heritance Kandalama

Day 10

After breakfast at the hotel on your final day, proceed to the Colombo International Airport (CMB) and get ready for your departure after spending a memorable time on the Pearl of the Indian Ocean.