Meet for the Sri Lanka and Maldives Excursion at the airport and fly via a stopover to the Maldives and the capital of the islands, Male.

Arrival in Male and transfer by speedboat or small plane (depending on the hotel) on the island that will host us. The archipelago that makes up the Maldives is located in the Indian Ocean, 735 km. west of Ceylon. It's a chain 1.190 coral tropical islands (atolls), of which only the 220 are inhabited, and which emerged with the gradual uplift of the sea floor. They spread like a garland 800 km. down the south-west tip of India, between Ecuador, and in northern latitude 7 degrees. Check in at our hotel. Rest and time to enjoy the paradise called Maldives… Overnight in Male.

Days free to enjoy the endless sandy beaches with coconut trees and tropical
vegetation. We will be able to admire the rich marine world with corals and many different types of fish, but also to taste seafood delicacies and exotic fruit juices by the sea.

Breakfast at the hotel and departure by road for the Polonnaruwa, the second oldest city in Sri Lanka, built between the 11th and 13th c., which is included in the UNESCO world heritage sites. Here we will have the opportunity to admire the ruins of the palace, the Hearing Hall and the royal bath. In the same area are the Gal Viharaya with its four magnificent statues representing the standing Buddha, sitting and lying position. The space will amaze us. We will not miss, of course, to visit the amazing temples, where the sacred tooth relic of Buddha was kept, before this was transferred to Kandy, as well as the ruins of the monastery. We continue to the port city Trincomalee, located in the Tamil province. There we will discover culture, the story, the religious beliefs and charm of this city. Arrival and visit Koneswaram temple, dedicated to the god Shiva, which was destroyed by the Portuguese the 1622. We will see the wonderful view from Swami rock, the rock of lovers, according to a romantic fairy tale, we will walk inside Fort Fredrick, a well-preserved Portuguese fort, which was built with the remains of the ruined Koneswaram temple. The fort was rebuilt later on 1639 by the Dutch and occupied by the French 1672. Return to our hotel in Habarana where we will spend the night.

After having our breakfast at the hotel we will depart for the Sigiriya. Arriving we will climb the famous rock of Sigiriya, height 250 meters. It is an amazing stone fortress that captures the creation of nature in harmony with human construction capabilities. It was built 477 A.D. by King Kasyapa. It is also known as the "lion fortress", because of the huge lion, about three meters high, which guarded its entrance. Today only the paws of this lion are preserved. The fortress was one of the most beautiful citadels. At the top of the rock are the foundations of a huge palace with its famous water gardens and royal pool. However, the biggest attraction of the rock is the frescoes with topless girls, the "Virgins of Sigiriya", which date from the 5th century. Their technique is impressive, as they are painted with earthy pigments on lime plaster. They are located in a sheltered recess of the rock, accessible by a spiral staircase.

We continue then for the beautiful, verdant Candy, which was the last capital of the kings of Ceylon. It is built on the banks of an artificial lake constructed by the last king, τον Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, the 1798, while the river Mahaveli surrounds her like a shining jewel around her neck. On our walk through the city we will also see the famous Temple of the Buddha's Tooth, one of the holiest Buddhist places of worship in the world, where the tooth relic of Buddha is kept.

Transfer and check-in at our hotel. In the evening in Kandy we will enjoy the celebrations in the famous Perahera holidays, perhaps the largest annual religious festival in Asia and certainly the foremost in Buddhism. The total duration of the holidays reaches ten days, with thousands of people marching dancing to the beat of drums and accompanied by many gold-adorned elephants. The festivities culminate at the July-August full moon, with the grand parade where they march up to 50-60 elephants, led by Maligava Tasker, who honorably carries the Sacred Tooth. Overnight in Kandy.

A day of relaxation and enjoyment in beautiful Kandy, the holy city of Sri Lanka and one of the most attractive cities on the island. It's no accident, after all, that from the 1988 it is a world heritage site and protected by UNESCO. Built at an altitude of approx 500 meters and in a green landscape with tea plantations, Kandy stands out for its cultural and natural wealth. For today we suggest you to take your walks or even a boat in the beautiful lake which is a green lung for the city, and wander through the botanical garden with its colorful endemic plants. In the evening enjoy it last day of the Perahera festival, a unique experience and a rare spectacle that impresses. The closing ceremony is accompanied by thousands of local dancers and drummers, thus creating a fantastic atmosphere. Overnight in Kandy.

Breakfast at the hotel and we depart for today's exploration, with our first stop, through a wonderful route, to the Ramboda Falls. We continue to the "garden city" Nuwara Eliya, whose name means "City of Light". It is located in a wonderful mountain landscape (in altitude 1.868 m.) at the foot of Sri Lanka's highest mountain, of Pidurutalagala (2.760 meters). The mild climate gives the city a very different feel from other parts of the country and, along with colonial architecture, has deservedly earned the name "Little England". The colorful city is famous for its tea production and Horton Plains National Park, Gregory Lake and Sita Temple. Transfer and check-in at our accommodation in Nuwara Eliya. In the afternoon guided tour of the favorite city of the British, which was built to the standards of the English countryside, with characteristic houses strongly reminiscent of English country houses.

Next we will visit one tea plantation near Nuwara Eliya, where we will be given the opportunity to watch the entire process followed for the production of the best and most famous tea in the world. We will not miss, of course, to try a hot cup of authentic Ceylon Tea. Overnight in Nuwara Eliya.

Breakfast at our hotel and we continue our exploration of Sri Lanka, heading south. The road will bring us to lesser-known places on the south-eastern coasts of the country such as Ravana Falls and the city Ella with the lazy atmosphere that will take us back in time. Drowned in tea plantations is a stop we won't easily forget. We continue to Tissamaharama, in its wider area Yala National Park. Overnight in the park area.

The Yala National Park is located 24 kilometers north-east of Tissamaharama and 290 kilometers from Colombo on the south-east coast of Sri Lanka and occupies approx 98 thousands of hectares. The park is known for its variety of wildlife and also has a large number of important ancient monuments, which testify to the existence of ancient civilizations that flourished in the area. We will enjoy a Safari in the park during which we will look for elephants, wild boar, λεο­παρδάλεις, crocodiles, wild buffaloes and more. After our safari, we will have the opportunity to visit her outdoor fruit and vegetable market in Tissamaharama and enjoy the colors, the aromas and flavors of the region.

We leave Yala National Park behind and continue to the southern coast of Sri Lanka. We will continue to the city Gale, which will impress us with its strong colonial color and its rich history, as the British successively passed through this city, Portuguese and Dutch. However, our attention will be drawn to the city's Fortress, which was built by the Portuguese and then extended by the Dutch the 1663. This Fort was an important refueling station for ships on their east-west route and has been included in the list of cultural heritage monuments.

Our day ends with our arrival at Baskantuba, in the wider area of ​​Berouvela, with palm trees and semolina sand is one of Sri Lanka's most popular postcard images. Transfer and check-in at our hotel where we will spend the night.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit the Sea Turtle Park. Subsequently, based on exotic beaches we will have a unique experience that you will remember forever. A boat safari in the lush vegetation, offering a truly unique experience. An observation route at sea, not only of the tropical nature of the area but also of the life of the locals as it develops on the banks of the river. Return to our hotel where we will spend the night.

Morning departure for Colombo. Today we will start our acquaintance with the city. On our city tour we will see the National Museum, her Independence Square, the Bandaranaike Convention Centre, the old parliament building, the Galle Face Green promenade and the historic Wolfendhal Temple. Arrival and check-in at our hotel. Overnight in Colombo.

Early this morning, we depart for Colombo airport. We board the return flight, full of enchanting images and unforgettable experiences from Sri Lanka.

The above program is indicative.
The order of the tours/tours may change if necessary, for the best execution of the program, without however omitting any of the visits described.
The final newsletter is sent
about 3-5 days before each departure.