Serenity and Adventure - A 16 -Day Odyssey Through Sri Lanka's Wonders

Itinerary

1. Day 1

   Arrival in Colombo

   You'll arrive at the airport and connect with your Apple Vacations representative. After getting through immigration and grabbing your bags, an English-speaking driver takes you to your hotel in the countryside where coconut plantations and paddy fields surround the area. Check in and settle in for the night.

   Start point

   Colombo, Sri Lanka (Colombo / Bandaranayake International Airport / Negombo)

   Meals

   Dinner

   Accommodation

   Villa ( Horathapola Estate or Similar hotel)

2. Day 2

   Horathapola Estate

   Breakfast happens at the hotel, then you head out for a full day at Horathapola Estate. The day includes plantation tours, cooking classes, and downtime to relax. You'll return to the hotel for dinner and your overnight stay.

   Meals

   Breakfast, Dinner

   Accommodation

   Villa ( Horathapola Estate or Similar hotel)

   Included Activities

   • Horathapola Estate plantation tours
   • Cooking classes at Horathapola Estate
3. Day 3

   Wilpattu National Park

   Following breakfast, you transfer to Wilpattu, which is Sri Lanka's largest national park. Check in at Mahoora Camp for a wildlife experience with guided safaris and comfortable rooms. The park has different ecosystems and you might see leopards, elephants, and various birds in their natural surroundings.

   Meals

   Breakfast, Dinner

   Accommodation

   Camping (Mahoora Tented Safari Camp - Wilpattu)

   Optional Activities

   • Guided safaris in Wilpattu National Park

   Landmarks/POIs
   Wilpattu National Park

   

4. Day 4

   Wilpattu Safari to Anuradhapura

   Get up early for a jeep safari as the sun rises over Wilpattu National Park. A guide takes you through the park to spot leopards, elephants, and bird species. After breakfast back at camp, you transfer to Anuradhapura, an ancient capital with impressive stupas and the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree.

   Meals

   Breakfast, Dinner

   Accommodation

   Hotel (The Lake Forest Hotel or Similar hotel)

   Included Activities

   • Early morning jeep safari in Wilpattu National Park

   Landmarks/POIs
   Wilpattu National Park
   Ruwanwelisaya
   Sri Maha Bodhi

   

5. Day 5

   Polonnaruwa

   After breakfast, you head to Polonnaruwa to see ancient ruins and historical sites. Check out the Gal Vihara rock carvings, Parakramabahu Palace, and the Royal Palace complex. You'll explore the ancient city by bicycle, which lets you discover different sites while taking in scenic routes and natural landscapes.

   Meals

   Breakfast, Dinner

   Accommodation

   Hotel (EKHO Lake House or Similar hotel)

   Included Activities

   • Explore Polonnaruwa ancient city by bicycle
   • Visit Gal Vihara rock carvings
   • Visit Parakramabahu Palace
   • Visit Royal Palace complex

   Landmarks/POIs
   Gal Vihara
   Parakramabahu Palace
   Royal Palace Complex

   

6. Day 6

   Polonnaruwa to Kandy via Sigiriya and Dambulla

   Following breakfast, you travel toward Kandy and stop to climb Sigiriya Rock, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with frescoes and panoramic views from the top. Next you visit the Dambulla Golden Temple, also UNESCO-listed, which has cave temples with Buddhist murals and over 157 statues. You arrive in Kandy in the evening for check-in and dinner.

   Meals

   Breakfast, Dinner

   Accommodation

   Bungalow (Mountbatten Bungalow or Similar hotel)

   Included Activities

   • Climb Sigiriya Rock
   • Visit Dambulla Golden Temple

   Landmarks/POIs
   Sigiriya Rock
   Dambulla Golden Temple

   

7. Day 7

   Kandy City

   You start with breakfast and then explore Kandy's main attractions. The Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) is a UNESCO site that houses Buddha's tooth relic. Later, you walk around Kandy Lake with its paths and parks, and head to Kandy View Point for panoramic views. The day finishes at the Royal Botanical Garden, one of Asia's best, with orchids, palms, and medicinal herbs.

   Meals

   Breakfast, Dinner

   Accommodation

   Bungalow (Mountbatten Bungalow or Similar hotel)

   Included Activities

   • Visit Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa)
   • Visit Kandy Lake
   • Visit Kandy View Point
   • Visit Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden

   Landmarks/POIs
   Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa)
   Kandy Lake
   Kandy View Point
   Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden

8. Day 8

   Mahiyanganaya and Vedda Village

   After breakfast, you transfer to Mahiyanganaya, a historical town known for its Buddhist heritage and the Mahiyangana Raja Maha Vihara. In the evening, you spend time in Vedda Village with the indigenous Vedda people. You'll meet local families, learn their customs, share a traditional meal, hear folklore, and see traditional dances.

   Meals

   Breakfast, Dinner

   Accommodation

   Hotel (Elephyard Retreat or Similar hotel)

   Included Activities

   • Visit Mahiyangana Raja Maha Vihara
   • Evening in Vedda Village with local families
   • Traditional meal at Vedda Village
   • Traditional dance performance at Vedda Village

   Landmarks/POIs
   Mahiyangana Raja Maha Vihara

9. Day 9

   Gal Oya National Park

   Following breakfast, you head to Gal Oya, a national park with diverse wildlife and peaceful landscapes. It's centered around the Gal Oya Reservoir and offers natural scenery mixed with opportunities for adventure. You'll check in and get settled for the evening.

   Meals

   Breakfast, Dinner

   Accommodation

   Cottage (Gal Oya Lodge or Similar hotel)

   Optional Activities

   • Boat safaris in Gal Oya Reservoir

   Landmarks/POIs
   Gal Oya National Park
   Gal Oya Reservoir

10. Day 10

    Gal Oya National Park Safari

    After breakfast, you set out on a jeep safari through Gal Oya National Park's rugged terrain. The guide will help you spot elephants, deer, and leopards while moving through different ecosystems and waterways. You return to the hotel to relax and have a meal while reflecting on what you saw.

    Meals

    Breakfast, Dinner

    Accommodation

    Cottage (Gal Oya Lodge or Similar hotel)

    Included Activities

    • Jeep safari in Gal Oya National Park

    Landmarks/POIs
    Gal Oya National Park

    

11. Day 11

    Gal Oya to Ella

    After breakfast, you transfer to Ella, a charming hill country town known for its landscapes and tea plantations. The area's cool climate runs from 15°C to 25°C/59°F to 77°F, making it refreshing for relaxation and outdoor activities. You'll check in and enjoy the peaceful setting.

    Meals

    Breakfast, Dinner

    Accommodation

    Hotel (Morning Dew Hotel or Similar Hotel)

    Landmarks/POIs
    Nine Arches Bridge
    Ella Rock
    Little Adam's Peak

    

12. Day 12

    Ella Exploration

    Following breakfast in Ella, you spend the day sightseeing. You'll visit the Nine Arches Bridge, a colonial structure built between 1923 and 1929 surrounded by tea plantations. Then comes a moderate 30 to 45 minute hike up Little Adam's Peak through plantations with views of the surrounding hills. After that, you head to Lipton Seat in the Haputale area for views over rolling tea plantations and distant mountains.

    Meals

    Breakfast, Dinner

    Accommodation

    Hotel (Morning Dew Hotel or Similar Hotel)

    Included Activities

    • Visit Nine Arches Bridge
    • Climb Little Adam's Peak
    • Visit Lipton Seat

    Landmarks/POIs
    Nine Arches Bridge
    Little Adam's Peak
    Lipton Seat

13. Day 13

    Ella to Weligama

    After breakfast, you transfer to Weligama, a coastal town famous for its beaches and surf spots. The drive takes about 3 to 4 hours with scenic views of hills and tea plantations. Along the way, you stop at a jaggery factory to see how this Sri Lankan sweetener is made using traditional methods. You'll sample fresh jaggery and learn about its role in local cooking.

    Meals

    Breakfast, Dinner

    Accommodation

    Villa (Parangi Weligama Bay or Similar Hotel)

    Included Activities

    • Visit jaggery factory with demonstrations

    Optional Activities

    • Surfing at Weligama beach
    • Beach relaxation at Weligama

    Landmarks/POIs
    Weligama Beach

    

14. Day 14

    Weligama Leisure

    After breakfast, you have a full day to relax either on the beach or within the hotel. You can feel the ocean breeze, unwind on the sand, or use the hotel's amenities. Whether you're soaking up sun or enjoying quiet time, this day is all about unwinding and recharging.

    Meals

    Breakfast, Dinner

    Accommodation

    Villa (Parangi Weligama Bay or Similar Hotel)

    Optional Activities

    • Beach relaxation
    • Swimming
    • Surfing
    • Hotel amenities

    

15. Day 15

    Weligama to Colombo via Galle Fort

    Following a nice breakfast, you transfer to Colombo on a 5 to 6 hour drive with countryside views. On the way, you detour to see Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by the Portuguese in the 1600s and later expanded by the Dutch. You'll walk through charming streets, check out boutique shops and cafes, and see the iconic lighthouse. Once in Colombo, you have time to explore the city and its food scene.

    Meals

    Breakfast, Dinner

    Accommodation

    Hotel (Granbell Hotel Colombo or Similar Hotel)

    Included Activities

    • Visit Galle Fort UNESCO World Heritage Site

    Optional Activities

    • Visit Galle Face Green
    • Visit National Museum
    • Explore Colombo markets

    Landmarks/POIs
    Galle Fort
    Galle Face Green
    National Museum

16. Day 16

    Departure from Colombo

    On your final day, you'll be transferred to the airport for your flight home. Depending on your departure time, you'll have time to relax and prepare for your return trip.