Sri Lanka and the Maldives

Ayubowan, welcome to Sri Lanka! Your driver meets you at the airport and after a warm welcome, your holiday begins. Comfortably seated in the car you get a first glimpse of Sri Lanka through the windows. Your Travel Expert gives you a quick call to make sure everything is going well and after 3 hours on the road you arrive at Dambulla, the first stop of your Sri Lankan journey. Sheltered under a huge rocky ledge, the site of Dambulla and its 5 caves contain countless Buddha statues lined against the walls and sublime wall murals. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, Dambulla has been a sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries. After the visit continue to your hotel to settle down and get some rest.

Have you ever time travelled? You will surely feel like you have once you will step foot on the UNESCO World Heritage site of Polonnaruwa. Polonnaruwa became the second capital city of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993. The site is vast and the ruins of this ancient city are quite spread out, so the best way to enjoy this visit is to hop on a bicycle! Visit the remnants of the royal palace, pass the exquisite Lotus Pond and temples before reaching the reclining Buddha statue sculpted in granite. The quality and detail of the sculptures will amaze you. After this immersion into Sri Lankan history you go back to your hotel in Sigiriya.

At the center of the cultural triangle, Sigiriya will fascinate you with its mystery. The rock plateau, 200 metres higher than the surrounding landscape was formed from the magma of an extinct volcano. It served as a monastery in the 3^rd century BC before being converted into a royal residence in the 5^th century BC. The fortress complex features remnants of the palace, surrounded by vast gardens, ponds, fountains and fortifications. After a nice walk in the royal gardens you start climbing the stairs - but don’t worry it will all be worth it once you reach the top and enjoy the views on the paddy fields. Breathtaking! After this you hit the road, drive through the spice region and arrive at your hotel in Kandy in the afternoon. After this short drive, you can relax and enjoy some time for yourself and at dusk join the dozens of locals for the evening ceremony at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.

In the morning you take a stroll in the glorious botanical garden of Peradeniya. You will be amazed by the great variety of plants, in particular, the brightly colored orchids and tropical blossoms. After some time in this peaceful environment you will jump on a train to Nuwara Eliya, a beautiful mountain resort commonly referred to as ‘Little England’ because of the British atmosphere you will feel there. Your driver will meet you at the station and take you to a local tea factory to learn more about this local tradition. You can even go for high tea in the afternoon!

In the morning you can go to the local market or visit Seetha Amann Temple before starting the drive through the tea plantations towards Kitulgala. Thanks to the altitude and the humidity, this mountainous area is the perfect place to grow the renowned tea of Ceylon. On the way discover St Clair and Devon waterfalls and follow the Kelani River until you reach Kitulgala. This city was made famous worldwide because it is the place director David Lean decided to build, and destroy ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’. Before heading to your hotel, you can admire the lush cliffs that border the Kelani River.

What about some rafting to start your last day in Sri Lanka? Put your life jacket on and let’s go for a morning of adventure on the Kelani River! If extreme outdoor activities aren’t your thing you can head straight to the west coast, maybe spending a couple hours in Colombo, the economic capital of the country, to buy souvenirs, enjoy a nice lunch or a walk on the Galle face green. In the afternoon you arrive in Negombo, a city which is known for its various churches and century-old fishermen community. Settle down at your hotel and go for a delicious dinner at one of the seafood restaurants!

Early in the morning your driver will accompany you to the airport where you board your flight from Sri Lanka to Male International Airport. Just one hour later, you land in paradise! The last part of your journey will be done in a speedboat, taking you to one of the idyllic atolls south of Male. After settling down at your hotel, unpack and go for a first swim in the pristine Maldivian waters. In the afternoon you can go for a walk on the beach, relax by the pool sipping a colorful cocktail and enjoy the sunset with your toes in the sand.

This morning you wake up in paradise! You might have to pinch yourself to realize this isn’t all a dream. No schedule, no timetable, no deadline, your only goal for today is to loosen up and enjoy some free time! Why don’t you treat yourself to a spa treatment? Sand massage, Ayurveda treatment, traditional Maldivian massage.. Pick your favorite from a wide range of services. After this relaxing experience, set out to explore the untouched beaches of the island where you will certainly be amazed by the abundant tropical vegetation and the dhonis, traditional fishing boats of the Maldives.

How do you feel about a day spent exploring the underwater world? The easiest way is to put on your snorkeling gear. You don’t need to swim far from the shore to observe the amazing wildlife of the Maldivian waters, but a short boat ride will take you to meet coral reefs, turtles and even sharks. You can also choose to join a fishing trip and learn the centuries-old Maldivian fishing techniques or board a luxurious catamaran and enjoy the breathtaking scenery while drinking a fresh fruit juice. The Maldivian waters are home to numerous dolphin pods, try to spot one of those beautiful mammals in their natural habitat. In the evening, enjoy your last sunset in the Maldives and prepare for your journey home the next day.

Time flies! It is already time for you to get on a speedboat back to Male International Airport. Catch one last glimpse of your dream island and the wonderful archipelago before boarding the plane to your next destination. No doubt you will have plenty of memories to share and recall until your next visit to Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

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