Negombo - Negombo Dutch Canal Boat Cruise
A traditional way to explore Sri Lanka. You'll visit a Hindu Temple and Dutch Fort in Negombo before trying your hand at haggling in the fish market, then you'll hop on a train and then embark on a cruise on the Dutch Canal, admiring nature, fishermen's homes and more.It's a spiritual start to the day at the Hindu Temple. Learn all about its history and see how different cultures combine in Sri Lanka. You'll also visit the historic Dutch Fort and fish market, then take a train ride to the canal start point – the original way to travel in Sri Lanka.Hop aboard a colourful barge and take off on a journey along the Dutch Canal, whose history goes back to the 19th century. You'll get to know everything about its use through history and admire fishing villages, rainbow-coloured flowerbeds and painted boats that pass you by. Take a break for tea and spot all the birds feeding in the wetlands, soaking up the lush green scenery as you go.
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Galle - Galle: Sri Lanka's Hidden Gem
Galle epitomises Sri Lanka's multicultural history more than any other city. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it boasts an exotic mix of architecture. On this small group excursion, you'll enjoy a puppet show and a walking tour of Galle Fort, followed by sunset watching.
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Galle - Sigiriya Lion Rock and Dambulla Cave Temple Guided Tour
Admiring any UNESCO World Heritage Site is a treat. But seeing two in one day is positively spoiling yourself. This history-rich tour takes in two of Sri Lanka's standout sites – the Lion Rock of Sigiriya and the Dambulla Cave Temple. Tharindu, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Sigiriya is a fascinating time capsule of a place. It was once home to King Kasyapa who built a royal citadel and palace complex on top of the rocky outcrop.'First up is the Lion Rock of Sigiriya – Asia's answer to Machu Picchu. Rising 200 metres above the jungle, it boasts ancient frescoes, terraced gardens and stunning views. Climb the stairs cut directly into the rock and pass through the impressive lion-shaped gateway to explore the ruins of a 5th century royal palace. Tharindu adds, 'The panoramic views from this 200-metre-high rock fortress are nothing short of spectacular, and make the walk up worthwhile.'After lunch, we'll continue to the sacred Dambulla Cave Temple. Created inside five caverns, this Buddhist cave temple is a significant pilgrimage site for Buddhists and a major cultural landmark in Sri Lanka. Adorned with ancient murals depicting scenes from the life of the Buddha, Jataka tales, and various deities, you'll get a close-up look at the artistic traditions of ancient Sri Lanka. As well as frescoes, the caves contain more than 100 statues of Buddha including a vast 14-metre-long reclining Buddha – there is an abundance of beauty here and it makes a serene end to your trip.
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Kandy - Cultural Food Experience with a Local Family in Kandy - Sri Lanka
Experience an authentic cultural food adventure with a local family in Kandy and engage in meal preparation and intriguing conversations.
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Negombo - Kandy Day Tour with Temple of the Tooth Relic
Cultural hotspot Kandy, the last capital of a pre-colonial Sri Lankan kingdom, is a must-visit. As well as touring the city, you'll also visit a spice garden, a tea plantation and botanical gardens. Aashvi, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Kandy's most famous and magnificent temple houses the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha, one of the most revered artifacts in Buddhism. The temple complex is a tranquil contrast to the city itself, which is a hive of activity with tree-lined streets crammed with hawkers, tuk-tuks, and vintage buses.'It's almost non-stop action on this cultural tour. As you weave through the central highlands, you'll stop at a fragrant spice garden in Mawanella and a tea plantation and factory – for a proper cuppa of Ceylon tea – in Giragama. The sight of undulating hills covered in row after row of tea plants is one of the most emblematic images of Sri Lanka. Aashvi adds, ‘Tea is the world's favourite drink if you discount water, with the highest consumption of any beverage. Good quality tea like that found in Sri Lanka contains a high level of polyphenol, which is a health-promoting antioxidant.'As part of your city tour of Kandy, you'll visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic temple – a UNESCO World Heritage Site that's home to Buddha's tooth – and the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya, which are home to more than 4,000 species of plants. To make the day extra special, a traditional lunch is included.
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Passikudah - Kandy Day Tour from the East Coast
It's almost non-stop action on this immersive tour of Sri Lanka's cultural hub. Not only is Kandy home to the magnificent Temple of the Tooth Relic, but it's also a city of tree-lined streets crammed with hawkers, tuk-tuks and vintage buses. You'll also visit a spice garden, a tea plantation and botanical gardens.You'll start the tour at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya. It's home to more than 4,000 species of plants – including orchids and spices – and a hefty collection of trees, too. Stretch your legs and try to spot the garden's cheeky residents – toque macaques, a monkey species native to Sri Lanka. Then, it's time for a traditional lunch.Once you've appeased your appetite, you'll head into Kandy city for a guided tour and some free time for shopping. Among the sights you'll see is the Tooth Relic temple – a UNESCO World Heritage Site that's home to a relic of Buddha's tooth. And as we continue through the Central Highlands, we'll stop at a fragrant spice garden in Mawanella and a tea plantation and factory – for a proper cup of Ceylon tea – in Giragama.
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Trincomalee - Sigiriya, Dambulla and Minneriya Park Safari Tour from the East Coast
Visiting two contrasting UNESCO World Heritage Sites in one day calls for a great day out in Sri Lanka. Combine that with a chance to see the country's fauna, and you're on to an even bigger win. You'll see both Sigiriya's Lion Rock and Dambulla Cave Temple on this full day tour from the east, ending the day with a wildlife safari at Minneriya National Park. You'll start the day in Sigiriya's Lion Rock. It juts out into the sky, and its frescoes and landscaped gardens make for an awe-inspiring sight. Climb the steps of this fortress and you'll be met with panoramic views across Sri Lanka's jungles, hills and lakes. Then, it's onto Dambulla Cave Temple. The well-preserved rock painting and statues here are without doubt the finest in the country.After lunch in a tropical village, the tour ends on a high with a wildlife safari at Minneriya National Park. With your cameras at the ready, you'll have the chance to spot elephants, leopards and much more. The park is also renowned for its birds, with over 170 species recorded here.
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Negombo - Pekoe Trail in Sri Lanka's Highlands with lunch
Take on the Sri Lankan highlands on this full-day guided hiking tour that follows stage 15 of the Pekoe Trail. You'll kick off your 13-kilometre trek, starting your journey in a pine forest. Your path takes you through plenty of photo-worthy landscapes, and you'll get a peek into Sri Lanka's history as your guide tells you about the ancient dwellings found here. Artifacts dating back over 25,000 years have been found here, many of which showed exactly how people during those times lived in the area.As you climb towards the summit of the hike, Ella Rock viewpoint, one of the region's iconic sites, you'll be treated to panoramic views – on a clear day, you can soak up the vistas of the surrounding valleys, tea plantations and distant mountains. Then, you'll take a different route down, passing through traditional Sri Lankan villages, as you follow the scenic railway track back to Ella. Here, you'll stop to recharge with a well-deserved lunch, before your returning to your hotel.
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Like four cities in one, Colombo is a grand mix of colonial architecture, verdant cricket greens and gleaming skyscrapers. Discovering all its contrasts, you'll visit the bustling shopping district of Pettah and the British monuments of the Fort area as well as Galle Face and the Cinnamon Gardens – all the must-sees of Sri Lanka's capital.Boasting countless monuments, museums and architectural wonders, this Colombo city tour is jam-packed. Throughout the day, you'll see sights like the Buddhist Gangaramaya Temple, Wolvendaal Church and the impressive Independence Square. You'll call by plenty more interesting places too.Drop in at the Fort area and tour elegant boulevards and buildings that hark back to the days of British rule. Then, at Galle Face, you'll see kids play cricket on the beach and view the mansions of Cinnamon Gardens. The vibrant Pettah district is famed for its bazaar and Dutch colonial architecture – pick up some souvenirs before rounding off with views across the Indian Ocean at the Galle Face Green and hotel.
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Negombo - Madu Ganga Boat Safari and Galle City Tour with Lunch
Galle, the jewel of Sri Lanka, is an intoxicating blend of cultures and architectural styles. As our guide Dinesh puts it, ‘In common with its eclectic building styles, Galle Fort is home to many nationalities and faiths. Still today, there's a melting pot of cultures within the ramparts, reflecting its historic role as a place of trade and transit.' As well as exploring old Galle, you will spot wildlife on a River Madu boat ride and visit a moonstone mine.Our journey begins at Balapitiya with a boat ride on the River Madu to see the biodiversity of the surrounding wetlands, which are home to almost 20 species of birds and a wide variety of reptiles and amphibians, too. With luck, you should be able to spot a range of species during a river safari that'll also take you through mangrove forests. The Madu is dotted with 64 islets, and island hopping is part of the tour. Next up, it's the Ambalangoda moonstone mine, where you'll learn first-hand the process of mining from the locals.After the museum visit, we'll head to historic Galle. It will enchant you with its layered heritage, quaint streets and hives of artistic activity. Check out the old Dutch church and the beautiful white mosque at the ramparts by the sea. Oh, and the beaches aren't bad, either. Lunch will be in Galle, before a final stop at a turtle hatchery. These turtle hatcheries are crucial for the conservation of these endangered creatures, providing a safe haven for eggs to hatch and young turtles to grow strong.
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Bentota - Udawalawe National Park 4x4 Safari with Elephant Transit Home
If there's a single word that defines Sri Lanka, it's ‘wild'. This is a destination famous for its wildlife, particularly elephants. Udawalawe National Park, home to some 500 elephants, is considered the best park to spot them in the country. On this tour, you'll visit the park's Elephant Transit Home to see orphaned young elephants being fed and then tour the park in a 4x4 safari. Dilini, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘As well as being a top spot for elephant spotting, the park is great for bird enthusiasts, with over 180 avian species recorded. Keep your eyes peeled for various eagles, owls, herons, and waterfowl.'First up, we'll visit the Elephant Transit Home, where orphaned baby elephants are cared for after rescue from the wild. You'll arrive at feeding time so you can watch the little ones bottle-feed from a viewing platform just metres away. Once the elephants have been rehabilitated, they are released back into the wild, often straight into Udawalawe where they can rejoin the existing wild herds.Udawalawe National Park is centred on a huge reservoir and features vast open grasslands, making wildlife spotting relatively easy as you set off by 4x4 vehicle on safari. It's a great place for spotting elephants, and the lack of tall vegetation makes it perfect for other animal-watching, too. In addition to elephants, you can expect to see water buffaloes, various deer, wild boars, macaques and crocodiles. And, if you're lucky, there's also the elusive Sri Lankan leopard to look out for. To top it off, lunch is included.
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Bentota - Sri Lankan Farm and Spice Traditions Tour with Tuk Tuk ride
The Agro Park Millaniya is a great spot to enjoy the true hospitality of rural Sri Lanka while absorbing the sights and sounds of a typical village. As well as exploring this award-winning integrated farm, you'll also visit a Buddhist temple and go on a countryside tuk-tuk ride. As our expert local guide, Kasun says, ‘It's fun and interesting to learn so much about Sri Lanka's traditional agriculture and gastronomy in one location. I am always proud to watch guests discover and taste different local products. The little savoury snacks are a personal favourite.'On your way to the village, take time out to gather your thoughts in a historic Buddhist temple while admiring its artworks, rock carvings and other religious artefacts. Next, hop into a tuk-tuk for a rip-roaring ride through paddy fields and tropical countryside. Then, observe the local cinnamon-making process. You'll also visit Sri Lanka's largest banana gene bank, have a look around a pineapple plantation, and experience toddy tapping.There will be a chance to sample Kasun's favourite traditional snacks and you'll also get to see how coconut oil is produced. And it wouldn't be a proper Sri Lankan countryside experience without some tea picking. To round it all off, feast on a traditional curry and rice lunch, made extra special because many of the ingredients are grown on the farm itself. This tour is a wonderful opportunity to experience local traditions and immerse yourself in the rural culture of Sri Lanka – a great day out.
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