11D10N Best of Sri Lanka

<p>Touch down in Colombo and transfer to your Stays with Stories hotel, the Galle Face Hotel, a landmark with a rich colonial past and a storied guest list that includes royalty and world leaders. After settling in, join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a welcome dinner featuring Sri Lankan-style hoppers, a type of bowl-shaped pancakes made from rice flour, an opportunity to toast to the journey ahead.</p>

<p>Walk through Colombo’s colonial streets, bustling markets and peaceful temples like Pettah and Gangarama Temple, uncovering the layers of Sri Lanka’s capital. The afternoon is yours, you can relax at the hotel, explore more of the city or join an Optional Experience to sample Sri Lanka’s street food or discover the architectural legacy of Geoffrey Bawa. As evening falls, you could choose to see Colombo illuminated from the top of the Lotus Tower on another Optional Experience.</p>

<p>Leaving Colombo behind, you’ll travel towards Sigiriya, watching the landscape shift from city streets to rolling countryside. Stop in Kurunegala to see the hilltop Buddha statue that looks out over the town. You’ll have time to slow down and tuck into traditional Sri Lankan flavours at a local restaurant, with views stretching over lush paddy fields. Arriving at your hotel in Sigiriya, unwind or join an Optional Experience on a game drive in Minneriya National Park, home to Sri Lanka’s Asian elephants.</p>

<p>Sigiriya Rock Fortress rises above the jungle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic landmarks. You’ll have the option to climb past ancient frescoes and through the lion’s paws before reaching the summit, where you’re rewarded with panoramic views. The afternoon is yours to relax at the hotel or explore at your own pace. Later, step into Sri Lanka’s past at Polonnaruwa, walking through the Royal Palace complex, the Quadrangle and the Gal Vihara Buddhas, carved from a single granite slab. After a day of ancient cities and lost kingdoms, you’ll be ready to unwind back at the hotel.</p>

<p>High above the plains, the Dambulla Cave Temple has been a place of worship for over 2,000 years. Walk through its rock-hewn chambers, where over 150 Buddha statues and centuries-old murals fill the sacred space. From here, visit a mountaintop farm with views of the Aluvihare Mountains, where a guided walk through gardens of pepper, papaya and cocoa ends with a traditional lunch. Arriving in Kandy, visit the revered Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, said to house a sacred fragment of the Buddha. Walk through its richly decorated halls, soaking in the spiritual atmosphere. As the evening unfolds, take your seat for a Kandyan Cultural Dance Performance, where drumming, fire acts and acrobatic dancers bring Sri Lanka’s traditions to life.</p>

<p>Journey into Sri Lanka’s hill country aboard the train from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, where rolling tea plantations and misty peaks showcase the country’s natural beauty. Arriving in the heart of tea country, visit a working tea estate and factory to see the craft behind Ceylon’s finest export and enjoy a freshly brewed cup. Later, explore Nuwara Eliya, a town rich in colonial charm. Walk past the Tudor-style post office, unwind by Gregory Lake and soak in the atmosphere of the Grand Hotel and Hill Club, reminders of a bygone era.</p>

<p>Travel from Nuwara Eliya to Tissamaharama, winding down from the highlands to Sri Lanka’s southern plains. Along the way, Dive into Culture with a stop at a traditional buffalo curd farm, where you’ll see the process firsthand and enjoy a treacle-topped serving. Arriving in Tissamaharama, check in to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure, relaxing or exploring at your own pace.</p>

<p>Wake before dawn for a game drive in Yala National Park, Sri Lanka’s premier wildlife reserve. As the sun rises, venture through the park’s diverse landscapes, watching for elephants, crocodiles and the elusive leopard. After returning to the hotel, the afternoon is yours to relax by the pool, read a book or simply unwind. For those keen to explore more, an optional afternoon game drive offers another chance to spot Yala’s wildlife as the day cools.</p>

<p>Travel south to Galle, stopping along the way to see the stilt fishermen of Weligama, a tradition unique to Sri Lanka’s southern coast. Arriving in Galle, check in to your hotel and spend the rest of the day as you please to relax by the beach, explore the town, or soak in the colonial charm. For those looking to explore further, an Optional Experience boat trip through the Ahangama backwaters offers a peaceful journey through mangrove-lined waterways.</p>

<p>The morning is yours to enjoy, you could relax at the hotel, take a stroll through Galle, or choose from two Optional Experiences. Set out early on a whale watching cruise (seasonal) to spot blue whales and dolphins off Sri Lanka’s southern coast, or join a mask painting workshop in Galle Fort, learning from a renowned artist about this unique tradition. A warm welcome awaits at the home of Mrs Shahira Mahuroof, for a Be My Guest experience of home-cooked Sri Lankan flavours and family stories. Later, explore the UNESCO-listed Galle Fort with a Local Specialist, walking along its ramparts and past the iconic Galle Lighthouse. As your journey comes to an end, gather for a final dinner, sharing memories and toasting to the adventure.</p>

<p>Enjoy your final morning in Sri Lanka with time to relax or explore as you choose. In the afternoon, visit the Victor Hasselblad Sea Turtle Research & Conservation Centre for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Learn about the efforts to protect endangered sea turtles and the challenges facing marine life along Sri Lanka’s coast. Afterwards, transfer to the airport where you’ll say goodbye to your Travel Director and fellow travellers, taking with you lasting memories of Sri Lanka’s landscapes, wildlife and culture.</p>
<p>Flights should be booked for departure after 20:00, bringing your journey through Sri Lanka to a close.</p>