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Day 1
Our tour starts today in a coastal resort on the beach outside of Colombo, Sri Lanka's capital city, situated on the Indian Ocean.
For those arriving in time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for a welcome meeting and for those that wish, enjoy dinner together. There are no other activities planned today, so you're free to arrive at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), which is a 30-to-45-minute drive from the hotel. If you miss the welcome meeting, your tour leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up.
If your flight arrives earlier in the day, feel free to relax at the hotel which features a swimming pool and gardens overlooking the Indian Ocean.
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Day 2
After breakfast, we'll depart for Pidurangala, driving north along the old coastal road, passing small fishing communities and the old Dutch canal in Negombo and making a brief stop at the fish market. We'll then head inland to Sigiriya (a total drive of around four hours). Our destination is the Back of Beyond resort, a jungle lodge set amongst four acres of forest at the base of Pidurangala Rock, just five minutes from the famous Lion Rock of Sigiriya.
The Back of Beyond resort comprises of tree houses, bungalows and cottages. Founded with an energy-saving philosophy, the lodge utilises solar power as much as possible. Treehouses have secluded open-air showers, with hot and cold water, so you can enjoy showering under the open skies. Please refer to the accommodation section for more details.
For the next two days, all meals are included. Meals will be made using fresh produce sourced from the surrounding villages and you'll have a choice of local and western dishes with a Sri Lankan touch.
We'll aim to arrive in the early afternoon, giving us plenty of time to check in and unpack. In the late afternoon, we'll set off for a guided walk to the summit of Pidurangala Rock where we can soak in the breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside at sunset. En route, we'll learn more about the rich history of Pidurangala and Sigiriya. Depending on visitor numbers we may move this visit to the following morning.
We'll return to our lodge for dinner and, for those that wish, there is the opportunity to head out on a guided walking safari at night, following a carefully crafted path under the tree canopy. It's the perfect opportunity to spot one of the world's most rare nocturnal primates, the Grey Slender Loris.
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Day 3
We'll spend the entire day at the Back of Beyond Lodge with a day of activities. Kicking off before breakfast, we'll enjoy some bird watching - a large number of migratory and endemic birds can be spotted in the area.
Timings for the rest of today's activities are flexible. We'll visit a local \ weva\ , also known as a tank, a body of water that can vary in size from a small pond to a large reservoir. Not only do these offer prolific wildlife viewing opportunities but you can also take a refreshing dip.
Later in the day, we'll take part in a cooking demonstration. There's also time to relax in a hammock or enjoy the numerous nature trails to explore the habitats in and around the surrounding area. One trail identifies the different species of trees and plants along the pathway and looks in more depth at the overall concept and landscaping in the area.
In the late afternoon, we'll head out for a sunset boat cruise on a nearby lake led by a naturalist. The lake opens us up to views of the mighty Sigiriya and Pidurangala volcanic hills.
Dinner tonight is served at a secret location under the jungle canopy and the stars.
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Day 4
After breakfast this morning, we'll bid farewell to our jungle retreat and drive five minutes to Sigiriya for a morning climb up the 'sky Fortress\ . Perched on a slab of rock, the ruins of this 5th-century fortress are one of Sri Lanka's major attractions - it's an impressive sight to behold and a feat of engineering skill.
Before our final ascent to the summit, we'll pass between a set of enormous lion paws carved out of the rock - all that remains of an ancient gateway that gave Sigiriya, the 'Lion Rock', its name. From here a series of switchback steel stairways ascend to the top. Once at the 200-metre/656-foot summit, we can take in the magnificent views of the surrounding jungle and countryside.
After descending, we'll board the bus for a short drive to Habarana where we'll disembark and take three different types of transport (tuk-tuk, tractor-drawn cart and canoe across a small lake) to visit a local farm. Walking a short distance to a nearby village, we'll have a cooking demonstration followed by a typical rice and curry lunch, all produced using local ingredients.
Afterwards, we'll continue to Giritale by bus, where we'll spend the next three nights.
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Day 5
This morning, we'll use the most common and versatile mode of transport used by the villagers of nearby farming communities, a 'Land Master' (a two-wheeled tractor with a trailer). We'll visit a nearby village to experience the day-to-day life of a typical rural Sri Lankan.
This afternoon, we'll explore the ancient city of Polonnaruwa on a simple local bike (with the option to travel by bus instead). The site has many interesting and spectacular buildings and monuments including the Royal Palace Group with its audience hall, bathing pool and quadrangle which form a very compact collection of ruins. Close by is the Circular Relic House, a curious round structure with a beautifully preserved 'moonstone' carved at the foot of a flight of steps. Another famous feature of the deserted city is the group of carved images of the Buddha known as Galvihara. Here there are four colossal figures, each of which are hewn out of solid granite. The Reclining Buddha is no less than 14 metres/50 feet long!
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Day 6
After a busy start to the trip, the pace eases up today with a free morning. Relax on the deck of our hotel, overlooking Giritale Wewa (lake), take a dip in the pool, visit the spa and wellness centre or explore the nearby town.
In the afternoon, we'll visit nearby Minneriya or Kaudulla National Park (depending on recent sightings). Minneriya is a short distance from our hotel and is known for its large lake, the source of water for a host of animals including elephants, deer and monkeys. The small national park is best known for its abundance of elephants and the months of July to September are the best to visit. We'll take a jeep safari on the lookout for wild elephants in their natural habitat.
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Day 7
Leaving Giritale behind us this morning, we'll drive for around three hours to Kandy via Peradeniya, which is located just outside the city. We'll wander through Peradeniya's lush Royal Botanical Gardens, which boast more than 4,000 species of plants, including orchids, medicinal plants and palm trees.
Afterwards, we'll travel by tuk-tuk to the university complex before joining our tour leader for a walking tour of Kandy. Kandy was captured by the British in 1815 and is known for its cultural and spiritual importance. Buddhists from all over the world come to this old highland town specifically to visit the Temple of the Tooth, the Dalada Maligawa.
Our walking tour will lead us along the town's narrow streets, lined with old buildings and colourful markets. You might like to pick up some souvenirs at the Kandyan Art Association's workshops, which sell brassware, batik, lacquer work and other craft items.
In the late afternoon, we'll transfer to our hotel located 4 kilometres/2.4 miles from the centre of Kandy overlooking the Mahaweli River (Sri Lanka's longest river), allowing easy access to Kandy without the hustle and bustle of the city centre. The hotel has beautiful gardens, an open-air restaurant and a swimming pool.
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Day 8
This morning, we'll head off across the highlands to visit a working tea factory en route to the hill station of Nuwara Eliya. We'll take a look around this little town, known as 'Little England', which is famous for its lake, golf, racecourse and well-manicured gardens.
Boarding our train, we'll have more opportunity to soak up the verdant views as we journey through the mountains and around the green rolling hills covered in tea plantations and forest, arriving at the tourist hub hill town of Ella in the late afternoon.
Train tickets are in very high demand and the process of securing tickets is affected by corruption. We always try our best to get our reservation confirmed, but on the rare occasion that this is not possible, you will continue the journey in our private vehicle.
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Day 9
Today, we'll descend from the highlands drive through the lowlands and Belihuloya - a picturesque hamlet situated about 160 kilometres/99 miles east of Colombo - with fantastic views of the plains and the mountains along the way. The area experiences a specific climate linking the wet and dry zones with the hill country and the low country, all combining to make this an area of the country with a wide range of biodiversity.
We'll explore the surrounding villages on foot (a very easy walk), travelling through paddy fields and down to the nearby lake. On return to Belihuloya, we might have time to bathe in the natural rock pool and have lunch. This is a unique place where the Belihuloya and Galagamaoya streams meet to create a natural swimming area with clear unpolluted water. We'll leave in the early afternoon and drive to our camp on the eastern border of Udawalawe National Park, stopping on the way to visit the orphaned elephants at the Elephant Transit Home.
Designated as a national park in 1972, Udawalawe covers 31,800 hectares and is surrounded by mountains, a mix of rolling grasslands, teak plantations, rainforest, and scrub. Renowned for its large herd of elephants (the park is one of the best places in Sri Lanka to see them), it's also home to deer, wild boar, buffalo and jackal. The birding here is also impressive, including a magnificent collection of birds of prey, chief amongst them being the impressive, white-bellied sea eagle.
This afternoon we'll head out in jeeps on a game drive. While sightings can't be guaranteed, we hope to spot some of the animals that call the park home, including elephants.
Tonight, we'll sleep in a fixed-tented camp close to the banks of the Rakwana River. The camp is comfortable with twin beds, simple ensuite bathrooms, fans and mosquito nets. We'll finish our day off with a BBQ.
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Day 10
Today we'll drive along the scenic southern coastal road to Galle (a three-hour journey). Here, we'll explore the ancient Dutch Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site, complete with its well-preserved ramparts that were built during the 1800s.
We then proceed to the Ariyapala Mask Museum in Ambalangoda - a charming town known for its rich cultural heritage, traditional mask-making industry and pristine beaches. The museum showcases a rich collection of traditional masks used in local rituals and performances. You can participate in the process to make your own mask to take home, and the museum offers a glimpse into the intricate artistry and cultural significance of these masks, highlighting their role in Sri Lankan folklore and heritage.
Finally, we drive to our hotel in Hikkaduwa.
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Day 11
We say goodbye to Sri Lanka today as the second part of our adventure begins. We'll spend the next four days travelling along the remote atolls of the Maldives.
We'll drive to Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) for an early afternoon flight to the Maldives. On arrival, we'll transfer to our traditional Dhoni boat where we'll have time to settle into our cabins before the crew will give us a safety briefing.
To kick off our adventure in the Maldives, we'll cruise for a few hours to Gulhi, an island in the South Male Atoll.
There are normally two Dhoni cruise boats that travel together on this tour with a capacity of up to ten per boat. The cabins are small and simple but adequate for sleeping and changing. Families will not be expected to share with other families outside of your booking, so any cross-rooming will be according to the wishes of guests. In most of the cabins, there will be bunk beds so the person on the top will need to be prepared to climb up to their bed, many customers choose to enjoy the tranquillity of sleeping under the stars on deck for at least some of the nights. Facilities are shared, and each boat has three or four toilets and two or three showers on board. There are plugs in each cabin with electricity available when the boat's generator is running (when the boat is moving, or the crew are cooking meals) so you can keep your essentials charged.
There will be a minimum of four or five crew on board including the captain and cook - depending on the number of people on the boat. There is a bar and dining room with a sundeck to relax and sunbathe throughout the day plus a TV and DVD player onboard. Good quality snorkelling equipment including masks, snorkel, flippers, and swim noodles are provided. You're free to bring your own equipment should you wish. Other equipment provided includes fishing equipment, various board games, life jackets and a first aid kit. No scuba diving equipment will be carried on board.
All of the Dhonis that we use are fitted with diesel engines, which are used most of the time we\ re travelling. Some of the boats still have sails but these aren't used very frequently.
All meals are included on the Dhoni. Menus are likely to include freshly caught fish, as well as curries and pasta. Drinking water, tea and coffee are readily available, and alcoholic and soft drinks can be purchased on-board. US Dollars are accepted on the Dhoni, and you can pay your bill for drinks at the end of your cruise in cash or by credit card.
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Day 12
We'll set sail early this morning and cruise for a few hours to Kudhi Boli with a traditional Maldivian breakfast being served onboard. Kudhi Boli literally means small shells and is famed for its beautiful reef with a small strip of beach emerging at low tide. We'll then take our first snorkelling lesson in the clear turquoise waters and get the chance to view the marine life of the Maldives. If you don't fancy snorkelling, you can sunbathe and relax on the white sandy beaches of the island.
The rest of the day is free to relax, and a light lunch will be served on board. We'll visit the Island of Fulidhoo this afternoon where we'll have a tour. Dinner is served on board, and we'll have entertainment tonight from locals who will perform on the Boduberu (traditional big drums).
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Day 13
After breakfast this morning, we'll cruise to Rihiveli and have the opportunity to take part in a cooking tutorial, preparing a traditional Maldivian dish with the boat cook.
Throughout the day, there'll be more opportunities to snorkel over the beautiful coral reefs and we'll also have time to relax on the beach, fish or become acquainted with some local board games. Lunch is served onboard our boat, and we'll finish the day with a beach barbecue (weather permitting).
During the course of our Maldives cruise, we'll also have an arranged football match with local kids from the islands.
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Day 14
After breakfast, we'll set sail for the South Male Atoll for a morning of snorkelling at Turtle Reef, near Rihiveli Boduveli. We'll have one last opportunity to snorkel at the Laguna sand bank (around 45 minutes away) and enjoy lunch onboard before heading to Male in the afternoon.
On arrival in Male, we'll head out on a walking tour. The capital is a thriving city with its lively markets, old harbour and ornate architecture. We'll start with a tour of the Hukuru Miskiiy also known as the Friday Mosque, with its magnificent golden dome. The mosque can hold up to 5,000 worshipers and dominates the skyline of Male.
Next, we'll head to the fish market via the Presidential Palace. The fish market is one the most exciting places to visit in Male, coming to life in the afternoon when Dhoni's and local fishing boats start arriving with their catch.
A little further west of the fish market is the aptly named Local Market, consisting of a series of stalls that stock produce from islands across the Maldives. We'll have time to do some shopping for souvenirs before heading back to our boat.
This evening, we'll anchor at Hulhu Male Harbour and have a special farewell Maldivian dinner prepared by our chef.
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Day 15
The trip ends after breakfast on our Dhoni in Male.
There are no activities planned today, the earliest your flight can depart from Male is 09.00 am. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at the airport for a cost of $6 per item.
If you'd like an airport transfer today, you need to depart from Male International Airport (MLE).
