Mystical Lanka: The Enchanted Passage
17 Nights | 18 Days
Classic
Tour Overview
Embark on an 18-day immersive journey, combining quality accommodations with a rich array of included experiences, designed for travelers seeking a deeper connection with Sri Lanka's captivating culture and natural beauty.
Route
Day 01 | Bentota and Relax
Your Sri Lankan adventure begins with a comfortable transfer to the serene beaches of Bentota, offering a perfect start to your island escape with a warm welcome dinner.
Day 01 | Accommodation
Day 01 | Highlights
- Initial Recommended Hotel: EKHO Surf
- Optional Hotels: Cinnamon Bey Beruwala / Occidental Eden Beruwala
- Meal Plan: Half Board
- Day 01 Included Experience: Airport pickup and private transfer to your hotel in Bentota. Enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel.
Day 02 | Bentota - Water Sports, Gardens and Conservation
Explore the diverse attractions of Bentota, from thrilling water sports on the river to tranquil gardens and dedicated conservation efforts for sea turtles, offering a well-rounded experience.
Day 02 | Highlights
- Meal Plan: Half Board
- Included Experience: Enjoy water sports at Bentota River (choice of 2 activities, e.g., jet ski & banana boat). Visit the artistic Brief Garden. Learn about conservation at the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery.
Day 03 | Bentota to Hiriketiya - Galle Fort & Sunset Charm
Journey south along the picturesque coast, with an in-depth exploration of the historic Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site, before reaching the tranquil, crescent-shaped bay of Hiriketiya.
Day 03 | Accommodation
Day 03 | Highlights
- Initial Recommended Hotel: Belika Beach Club
- Optional Hotels: La Playa Beach Club / Dots Bay House
- Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast (Dinner not included)
- Included Experience: Private transfer to Hiriketiya. Enjoy a comprehensive tour of Galle Fort en route, exploring its colonial architecture and charming streets. Witness a beautiful sunset at Hiriketiya beach.
Day 04 | Hiriketiya - Surf & Serenity
Embrace the laid-back vibe of Hiriketiya with a choice of invigorating surfing or a peaceful beach yoga session, enhanced by local insights, offering a perfect blend of activity and relaxation.
Day 04 | Highlights
- Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast (Dinner not included)
- Included Experience: Participate in a surfing session with a certified instructor OR a serene Beach Yoga session with a local yogi (choose one activity). Enjoy a leisure evening by the bay.
Day 05 | Hiriketiya to Yala - Ancient Rock Temple & Wild South
Head inland towards the wild south, breaking your journey with a visit to a fascinating ancient rock temple, offering deeper historical context before immersing yourself in Sri Lanka's premier wildlife region.
Day 05 | Accommodation
Day 05 | Highlights
- Initial Recommended Hotel: Saffron Lake Yala
- Optional Hotels: Jetwing Yala / EKHO Safari
- Meal Plan: Half Board
- Included Experience: Private transfer to Yala. Visit Mulkirigala Rock Temple on the way.
Day 06 | Yala - Wildlife Safari Extravaganza
Embark on thrilling, extended safaris in Yala National Park, a premier destination for spotting leopards, elephants, and a wide array of other wildlife, offering comprehensive game viewing experiences.
Day 06 | Highlights
- Meal Plan: Half Board
- Included Experience: Enjoy a full-day safari in Yala National Park (shared jeep, longer duration for enhanced wildlife spotting).
Day 07 | Yala to Ella - Waterfalls & Hill Views
Journey into the central highlands, a region known for its stunning natural beauty and refreshing cascades, with a stop at a scenic viewpoint to take in the breathtaking landscapes.
Day 07 | Accommodation
Day 07 | Highlights
- Initial Recommended Hotel: Ravana Range Ella
- Optional Hotels: Hide-Ella Hotel & Resort / EKHO Ella
- Meal Plan: Half Board
- Included Experience: Private transfer to Ella. Visit the cascading Ravana Falls. Check in to your hotel. Free evening for relaxation.
Day 08 | Ella - Peaks & Bridges
Explore Ella's iconic landmarks, offering panoramic views and memorable walks along its famous railway bridge, with a local guide providing fascinating insights into the region's beauty.
Day 08 | Highlights
- Meal Plan: Half Board
- Included Experience: Climb Little Adam’s Peak with a local guide. Walk along the engineering marvel of the Nine Arches Bridge.
- Optional Experiences (at additional cost): Experience the thrilling Flying Ravana Zipline, participate in a local cooking class.
Day 09 | Ella to Haputale - Tea Trails & Views
Ascend further into the hill country to Haputale, a charming town known for its vast tea estates and incredible viewpoints, offering a comprehensive tea experience amidst stunning scenery.
Day 09| Accommodation
Day 09 | Highlights
- Initial Recommended Hotel: Vantage Hills Haputale
- Optional Hotels: Melheim Resort and Spa / Dream Cliff Mountain Resort
- Meal Plan: Half Board
- Included Experience: Private transfer to Haputale. Visit Lipton’s Seat with a guide for breathtaking panoramic views of the tea country. Enjoy a Dambatenne Tea Factory tour with tea tasting.
- Optional Experience (at additional cost): Visit Adisham Bungalow, trek to Diyaluma Falls.
Day 10 | Haputale to Nuwara Eliya - Tea Country Charm
Continue into the heart of Sri Lanka's tea country, to the picturesque town of Nuwara Eliya, enjoying leisurely strolls through tea estates and fun lake activities in its serene setting.
Day 10 | Accommodation
Day 10 | Highlights
- Initial Recommended Hotel: Araliya Red
- Optional Hotels: Jetwing St Andrew's / Oliphant Boutique Villa by Amaya
- Meal Plan: Half Board
- Included Experience: Private transfer to Nuwara Eliya. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through tea estates. Experience a relaxing Gregory Lake leisure walk with included boating.
Day 11 | Nuwara Eliya- Highland Treks & Nature
Embark on a natural adventure to a renowned national park, offering breathtaking landscapes, unique biodiversity, and invigorating trekking opportunities, starting with a packed breakfast.
Day 11 | Highlights
- Meal Plan: Half Board
- Included Experience: Visit Horton Plains National Park and trek to World's End (includes packed breakfast for the early start).
- Optional Experience (at additional cost): Visit Hakgala Botanical Garden, enjoy a traditional high tea experience at the Grand Hotel.
Day 12 | Nuwara Eliya to Kandy - Scenic Journey & Tea Delights
Descend from the cool tea country to the cultural city of Kandy, with scenic stops at cascading waterfalls and an enhanced tea experience en route, blending natural beauty with local production.
Day 12 | Accommodation
Day 12 | Highlights
- Initial Recommended Hotel: Radisson Hotel Kandy
- Optional Hotels: Cinnamon Citadel Kandy / Earl's Regency Hotel
- Meal Plan: Half Board
- Included Experience: Private transfer to Kandy. Visit the beautiful Ramboda Falls. Enjoy an enhanced tea factory visit en route (with in-depth tea tasting).
Day 13 | Kandy - Cultural Gems
Delve into Kandy's rich heritage, from its sacred temple housing a revered relic to lush botanical gardens, with expert guided insights offering a deeper appreciation of the city's cultural tapestry.
Day 13 | Highlights
- Meal Plan: Half Board
- Included Experience: Explore the Temple of the Tooth Relic with a local expert. Visit the renowned Royal Botanical Gardens (Peradeniya) with a botanical guide.
- Optional Experience (at additional cost): Kandy Cultural Dance Show, visit a gem museum, explore the local market.
Day 14 | Kandy to Sigiriya - Ancient Caves & History
Head back north towards the Cultural Triangle, visiting a renowned cave temple along the way, with a local guide providing deeper historical context and understanding of Sri Lanka's ancient past.
Day 14 | Accommodation
Day 14 | Highlights
- Initial Recommended Hotel: Elephas Resort & Spa
- Optional Hotels: Aliya Resort & Spa / Cinnamon Lodge Habarana
- Meal Plan: Half Board
- Included Experience: Private transfer to Sigiriya. Visit the Dambulla Cave Temple on the way, accompanied by a local guide.
Day 15 | Sigiriya - Iconic Rock & Wildlife
Ascend the magnificent Sigiriya Rock Fortress for breathtaking views and then embark on a thrilling wildlife safari, with enhanced animal tracking for optimal viewing opportunities.
Day 15 | Highlights
- Meal Plan: Half Board
- Included Experience: Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress (earlier start recommended for fewer crowds). Traditional village tour with bullock cart ride and local lunch.
- Optional Experiences (at additional cost): Sunrise hike to Pidurangala Rock. Visit Minneriya National Park for a safari (seasonal, in a private jeep option available, with an experienced tracker).
Day 16 | Sigiriya to Colombo - City Sights
Journey to the bustling capital city, offering a captivating blend of colonial architecture and modern vibrancy, with comprehensive highlights showcasing Colombo's unique character.
Day 16 | Accommodation
Day 16 | Highlights
- Initial Recommended Hotel: Marino Beach Colombo
- Optional Hotels: Cinnamon Lakeside / Cinnamon Grand Colombo
- Meal Plan: Half Board
- Included Experience: Private transfer to Colombo. Enjoy a city sightseeing tour covering Galle Face Green, the historic Old Dutch Hospital precinct, and Independence Square.
Day 17 | Colombo - Leisure & Shopping
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Colombo, perfect for last-minute souvenir hunting, exploring local markets, or embarking on a culinary adventure through the city's diverse dining scene.
Day 17 | Highlights
- Meal Plan: Half Board
- Included Experience: Free day for personal exploration, shopping at your leisure, or indulging in optional activities.
- Optional Experiences (at additional cost): A curated Colombo food tour, visit to the National Museum, explore Pettah Market, explore Colombo's vibrant nightlife.
Day 18 | Colombo and Departure
Your incredible Sri Lankan adventure concludes with a comfortable private transfer to the airport, carrying with you cherished memories of this enchanted island.
Day 18 | Highlights
- Initial Recommended Hotel: No overnight stay; departure on same day.
- Meal Plan: Breakfast Only
- Included Experience: Private airport drop-off based on your flight schedule.
- Optional Experience (at additional cost): Further Colombo city exploration or shopping if your flight schedule permits.
Inclusions
- Airport pick-up and drop-off (Bandaranaike International Airport).
- 17 nights’ accommodation in our initial recommended hotels (twin/double sharing basis).
- Daily Half Board meal plan (Breakfast & Dinner, starting with Dinner on Day 1 and ending with Breakfast on Day 18).
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking Driver (Chauffeur Guide or National Guides can be arranged upon request at an additional cost).
- Entrance tickets & charges for all included experiences mentioned in the itinerary:
- Welcome dinner (Day 1)
- Water sports at Bentota River (choice of 2 activities)
- Brief Garden (Bentota)
- Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery
- Galle Fort comprehensive tour
- Surfing session OR Beach Yoga session (choice of one, Hiriketiya)
- Mulkirigala Rock Temple (with local guide)
- Full-day safari in Yala National Park (shared jeep)
- Ravana Falls
- Little Adam’s Peak hike (with local guide)
- Nine Arches Bridge (Ella)
- Lipton’s Seat (Haputale, with guide)
- Dambatenne Tea Factory tour (with tea tasting)
- Gregory Lake leisure walk with boating (Nuwara Eliya)
- Horton Plains and World's End trekking (with packed breakfast)
- Ramboda Falls
- Enhanced tea factory visit (Kandy, with tasting)
- Temple of the Tooth Relic (Kandy, with local expert)
- Royal Botanical Gardens (Peradeniya, with botanical guide)
- Dambulla Cave Temple (with local guide)
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress
- Traditional village tour (with bullock cart, canoe ride, and local lunch)
- Colombo City sightseeing (Galle Face Green, Old Dutch Hospital, Independence Square)
- All government taxes and service charges.
