Pearl of the Indian Ocean

Arrival at the airport at least 2 hours in advance. Boarding formalities and departure for Colombo. Night on board.

Assistance at the airport on arrival and transfer to Colombo. Panoramic tour of the city, visiting various historical, religious and commercial sites, including the famous and busy Pettah port, the Cinnamon Gardens residential district, Galle Face Green Square, Viharamahadevi Park, among others. Transfer to the hotel. Dinner and accommodation.

Breakfast. Departure for Dambulla and on the way a stop at the Silver Temple (Ridi Viharaya) in the town of Kurunegala. Continue to Dambulla and arrive at the entrance to the Golden Temple of Dambulla, a World Heritage Site and an important place of pilgrimage for 2200 years. The complex of 5 cellars, with more than 2000 m2 of painted walls, is the largest area of paintings found in the world and contains more than 150 Buddha images. Transfer to the hotel in Sigiriya or Habarana and the rest of the day at leisure. Dinner and accommodation. 

Breakfast. Departure for Sigiriya, the "Fortress of Heaven", which is perhaps the most fantastic on the island. It is also known as the "Lion Stone", because of a lion that used to stand at the entrance to the fortress. The stone rises to a height of around 152 meters. At the top are the foundations of what was once a grand palace with gardens and a swimming pool. Then it's off to Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you can see the ruins of the Royal Palace, as well as the Gal Vihare, a stone shrine with three statues of Buddha in different postures: sitting, standing and reclining. There is also the statue of Parakrama Bahu, all examples of Sri Lankan stone sculptures. Transfer to the hotel in Sigiriya or Habarana and the rest of the day at leisure. Dinner and accommodation.

Breakfast. Departure for Matale, a town known for its warm climate and fragrant spices. Visit the spice garden where you can see how the spices are grown and processed. In addition, enjoy a 10-minute Ayurvedic massage in the Matale gardens. Transfer to Kandy. In the evening, watch a traditional dance show. Dinner and accommodation.

Breakfast. Visit to Kandy's main attractions. This World Heritage city was the capital of the last Sinhalese state on the island to fall under foreign rule. Visit the Temple of the Buddha's Tooth, where you can also enjoy the palace and gardens that share the complex with the temple and the artificial lake that surrounds much of the city. Transfer from Kandy to a tea plantation and factory. At the plantation, observe the entire process of making tea. Next, enjoy a tasting of authentic Ceylon tea, considered one of the best blends in the world. Continue to Nuwara Eliya, where on the way you will pass through lush green fields full of tea plantations. The district of Nuwara Eliya is known as "Little England" for its lively atmosphere and colonial look. Dinner and accommodation.

Breakfast. Departure for Ella, driving through the beautiful green landscapes of the Central Highlands and enjoying sights such as the wild Ravana waterfall. This is followed by a visit to Yala National Park, where you will go on a short safari in a rustic jeep without air conditioning. This national park is home to elephants, warthogs, buffalo, leopards, bears, deer and crocodiles, as well as large flocks of native and migratory birds. Transfer to Yala or Tissamaharam. Dinner and accommodation. 

Breakfast. Departure for Weligama to see the fishermen practicing their unique way of fishing, which consists of attaching the nets to a stake that protrudes 20 to 50 meters into the sea. Continue to Galle, a historic town in the southwest of Sri Lanka and the best example of a fortress built by the Portuguese during the 153 years they ruled the country. Visit to the fortress, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Transfer to Bentota or Beruwala. Dinner and accommodation.

Breakfast. At a time to be arranged locally, transfer to Colombo airport. Boarding formalities and departure for Portugal. Night on board.