Tuesday 8th July – Colombo

• Arrive at your convenience into Colombo – the capital city of Sri Lanka. It is well connected to Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
• Transfer to our centrally located hotel.
• Pre-tour meeting will be held at the lobby of our hotel at 6:00pm to discuss tour itinerary and to meet your fellow travellers and YPT guide.
• Start your discovery of Sri Lanka with a guided street food experience with our local insider. Expect plenty of egg hoppers (thin, bowl-shaped pancakes), kottu roti (flatbread chopped up with vegetables and egg), saravita (coconut shavings wrapped in a betel leaf), achcharu (fruits pickled in spices) and sweet pancakes.
• We’ll also have drinks and a walk on Galle Face Green, a seaside promenade with stunning views of the Indian Ocean. It is a popular spot for locals to relax and enjoy the sea breeze. Sri Lanka is famous for its tea, but considering it is the evening, we may rather try wood apple juice – said to be good for health -, ginger beer, the soft drink of choice in Sri Lanka, or an Arrack cocktail. This local coconut whisky is the most popular spirit here!
• Overnight in Colombo

Wednesday 9th July – Colombo – Habarana – Sigiriya

Morning

• After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll discover the vibrant mix of cultures and influences that Colombo is. This coastal capital is very easy on the eye, with modern skyscrapers blending seamlessly with urban greenery and scenic seaside backdrops.
• The walking tour starts in the Fort district, which was once a Portuguese and then Dutch colony. Here, you will see the imposing walls of the Colombo Fort, the Old Lighthouse and Clock Tower, and the Wolvendaal Church. 
• From the Fort, you will walk to the Pettah market (which is part floating market too!), the bustling heart of Colombo. As you wander through the narrow streets lined with colourful shops, selling everything from spices to saris, be sure to try some of the local street food, such as kottu roti or devilled cashews. You’ll then stop at the Red Mosque, one of the oldest within the country.
• You’ll see pass through the streets of Colombo’s central business district up to the Independence Square, a large park in the centre of the city home to several important buildings, including the Independence Arcade and the National Museum. 

Afternoon

• The tour will end at the colonial era Fort Railway Station, that remains the railway hub of Sri Lanka.
• There, we’ll hop onboard our first train of the trip, to Habarana, a small city is right in the heart of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle. Habarana is 208 km from Colombo and the scenic train journey take around 4,5 hours. 
• After arriving in Habarana, we’ll transfer to our hotel in Sigiriya. It is located right next to the Sigiriya ancient rock fortress, that used to be the royal capital of Sri Lanka in the 5th century.
• Dinner and overnight in Sigiriya

Thursday 10th July  – Polonnaruwa

• Today is all about exploring the extraordinary ancient city of Polonnaruwa. This Unesco World Heritage site dates back around a thousand years, when it became Sri Lanka’s second capital following the destruction of Anuradhapura. Surrounded by luscious greenery, the ruins are a remarkable insight into ancient history, with plenty of temples, shrines and palaces to explore.
• The site is spread out over several kilometres, so we’ll use bikes to explore it. A tuktuk option is also available at an extra fee (around 20 dollars for three hours).
• Among the main sights of Polonnaruwa, your guide will take you to Gal Viharaya, four colossal Buddha statues carved into a granite rock face; Vatadage, a unique circular relic house, adorned with intricate moonstones and elephant-headed motifs; Thuparamaya, the oldest dagoba (Buddhist stupa) in Polonnaruwa, believed to enshrine the right collarbone of the Buddha; and the remnants of the royal palace.
• Our cycling tour will also allow you to see the colossal Parakrama Samudra artificial lake, a marvel of ancient irrigation engineering that sustained the city for centuries.
• After the guided tour, you’ll have the opportunity to continue exploring the site on your own. You can climb the seven-story Satmahal Prasada tower and soak in the panoramic views of the surrounding ruins and landscapes, or explore Rankoth Vehera, the largest dagoba in Polonnaruwa.
• If you’re feeling tired, you can also decide to refresh with a dip in our resort’s outdoor pool, or even pamper yourself with a visit to one of the nearby Ayurvedic spas.
• Dinner and overnight in Sigiriya

Friday 11th July – Sigiriya – Kandy

Morning

• Another day, another Unesco World Heritage Site: that’s why they call this region the Cultural Triangle! Today we turn our focus to the Sigiriya rock fortress, one of the most uniquely striking works of architecture on the planet. Set atop a towering granite column, around 180 m above the surrounding forests, this fifth-century complex is unlike anything you’ve ever seen. 
• After passing a giant lion-statue gate halfway up the rock, you’ll see vibrant paintings, depicting celestial maidens, adorning the rock face. After reaching the top, you’ll explore the ruins of the former palace complex, with swimming pools, water gardens, and royal quarters. The views from the top are simply stunning, stretching for miles across the green landscape. 

NB: The climb to the top takes between 30 minutes and 1.5 hour depending on your fitness levels, with many stop opportunities. There are 1200 steps, all sturdy, clearly marked and with handrails. It is easily doable even for people with a moderate fitness level.

Afternoon

• After lunch we’ll head towards Kandy, stopping en route at the sacred Dambulla cave temple. Also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla, this monastery is still functional and is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka, built at the base of a 150m high rock.
• Our next stop will be the Temple of the Tooth, an important Buddhist site located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, which houses the relic of the tooth of the Buddha.
• Overnight in Kandy
• As today is friday, those can join the locals in some of Kandy’s bars

Saturday 12th July – Kandy 

Morning

• Today you will first be guided to a brassware cutting factory to witness the intricate artistry of local craftspeople, who are renowned for making beautiful ornamental pieces.
• Then you’ll explore the Udawatte Kelle Sanctuary, a historic forest reserve on a hill-ridge in the city. It is famous for its extensive number of birds. Also, many of small and medium size mammals that inhabit Sri Lanka can be seen here, as well as several kinds of snakes and other reptiles.

Afternoon

• After lunch, you’ll head to a local family home to unlock the secrets of Sri Lankan cuisine. This is also a nice chance to experience Sri Lankan family life. 
• Your culinary experience will start with a visit to the market, where you’ll buy the necessary ingredients for the recipe you want to make. There will be vegetarian, fish or chicken options. 
• Back to our family home, you’ll then learn how to make your dish, that you’ll then have for dinner. Feel free to share with other members of the group to taste what everybody cooked! As dinner is never complete without drinks, we’ll make sure to have some beers and local spirits
• Overnight in Kandy

Sunday 13th July – Kandy – Ella

• As the saying goes, “enjoy the journey, not just the destination”. That’s certainly true when heading from Kandy to Ella, which is famous for being one of the most picturesque train routes on the planet. 
• We’ll depart at 9am from Ella. Prepare to have your breath taken as we gently undulate through the countryside of central Sri Lanka, passing through tea plantations, mountains and jungle. You’ll spot waterfalls in the distance, cross epic valley viaducts, and wave to children running along the tracks as you pop your head out of the open doors and windows. It’s a truly unique travel experience.
• Upon arrival in Ella, in mid-afternoon, we’ll take it easy, so you can stretch your legs, explore the town or simply chill at our hotel.
• In the evening we’ll make the most out of Ella’s nightlife. It is a quaint town nestled in between misty mountains, so don’t expect loud music in the street; however, there are a few bars which a great vibe.
• For dinner, we’ll go to one of the most popular adresses in town: Cafe Chill. They offer Sri Lankan and western cuisine in a beautiful environnement, run by an engaged local team

Monday 14th July – Ella

Morning

• As the train journey showed us yesterday, Ella is paradise for nature lovers, with awe-inspiring surroundings including waterfalls, tea plantations and lush misty mountains.
• We’ll start the day with a short hike to Little Adam’s Peak. After 30 minutes of climbing, you’ll face a dramatic panorama and get the chance to photograph the amazing landscape of central Sri Lanka.
• Then you’ll see the postcard-perfect scenery of Demodara Nine Arch Bridge, a colonial-era masterpiece spanning a deep valley. According to a popular rumour, when construction work commenced on the bridge, the Great War began and the steel assigned for this site was reallocated to Britain’s war effort, which is why locals built it with stones.

Afternoon

• Cool off with a refreshing dip beneath the cascading waters of Ravana Falls, one of the widest in the country.
• If that wasn’t enough, enjoy Diyaluma Falls, a 220 m high waterfall – the second highest in Sri Lanka.
• We’ll then head up to Ella Rock for an unforgettable sunset experience.
• Dinner and overnight in Ella

Tuesday 15th July – Ella – Galle

Morning

• We’ll head south after breakfast to Udawalawe National Park, a nature reserve that homes leopards, water buffalo, deer and crocodiles. This place is most famous, however, for being the best place to see Sri Lankan Elephants. There are around 600 of these majestic beasts roaming around in herds of up to 30, and we’ll go in search of them on a jeep safari.
• We’ll also visit the Elephant Transit Home, a sanctuary that rehabilitates and releases orphaned or isolated baby elephants back into the wild. A reminder that up to three elephants per week are killed in Sri Lanka due to conflicts with humans, often leaving behind orphan calves.

Afternoon

• Our journey south continues all the way to the city of Galle on the south coast. After a two-hours comfortable drive, we’ll arrive there and check in at our hotel, which is located inside another UNESCO World Heritage Site: Galle Fort, an impressive peninsula complex built in the 16th century by the Portuguese.
• After checking it into our hotel, we’ll explore this vibrant city which boasts some of the best bistros and eateries in Sri Lanka. We’ll also walk through the narrow streets lined with charming cafes, antique shops, and art galleries, and along the Galle Face Green, a seaside promenade offering stunning views of the sunset and a chance to relax and observe the locals enjoying their leisure time.
• For those who want to party, Galle is also renowned for its nightlife, with a lot of bars and nightclubs that keep the city alive all night. 

Wednesday 16th July – Galle

Morning

• To understand more about the history of the city, we’ll do a walking tour that will take along the ramparts of the Fort, but also the Dutch Hospital, a restored colonial complex now housing trendy cafes, art galleries, and boutiques, then to the Galle Lighthouse – offering panoramic views of the city and the Indian Ocean. We’ll also see the Meera Mosque, a beautiful example of Islamic architecture with intricate details and colourful interiors. 

Afternoon

• Bring your swimsuit as we head to Unawatuna, known for its beach and corals. The main beach of the city used to be considered one of the 12 most beautiful in the world. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that devastated it left a huge mark, but it has since been recovering and climbing its way back to the top of the “most beautiful beaches in the world” rankings.
• The ocean off Unawatuna is teeming with life, so we also recommend snorkelling or scuba diving, for a chance to see – among other things – turtles swim with grace underwater.
• We’ll regroup in the evening for a final group dinner to toast an unforgettable shared experience in Sri Lanka. Galle is one of the most lively cities in Sri Lanka so we’ll make sure to mix with the locals for our last night in the country.
• Overnight Stay in Galle

Thursday 17th July – Galle – Colombo

• It’s almost time to say goodbye. There’s one experience left to be had, though. We’ll go back to Colombo in style by taking our final train journey, which will take around 2.5 hours. Around two thirds of the journey will be spent staring at the Indian Ocean. While not as famous as the Kandy-Ella route, you will be blown away by the beauty of this island’s coastal countryside. 
• Tour concludes with airport drop-off arranged according to your flight details – YPT is also able to arrange advice for flights.

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