Sri Lankan Surprise

Day 1 - Saturday 8 February 2025

Melbourne - Colombo

Welcome to Sisterhood Womens Travel. Meet your hostess & fellow travellers at Melbourne Airport for your flight to Colombo.

A late arrival into Colombo where we'll be transferred to our hotel in Negombo - Little Rome for check-in.

Negombo… Being one of the major tourist beach resorts of the island, this lively town is mainly inhabited by the fisherfolk. This is also one of the strongholds of the catholic community of Sri Lanka and quietly correctly considered the “Little Rome”, located along the picturesque Negombo lagoon, along which hundreds of fishing boats and catamarans could be seen most of the time. The Town is dotted with several churches, some dating from the earliest colonial times. Sightseeing in Negombo includes the remains of the Old Dutch Fortress from 1678, the Dutch Canal constructed for the transportation of Cinnamon, St. Mary’s Church and the Old Dutch Cemetery, and naturally, the Fish Market –more famously known as the “Lellama”.

Overnight - Karunakarala Ayurveda Resort  (or similar)

Day 2 - Sunday 9 February 2025

Negombo (B, L, D)

This morning, after breakfast, we'll enjoy an immersive spa experience at our hotel.

Lunch at our hotel, followed by a Negombo City Tour.

Dinner at our hotel.

Overnight - Karunakarala Ayurveda Resort (or similar)

Day 3 - Monday 10 February 2025

Anuradhapura (B,D)

After an early breakfast, we leave for Anuradhapura, the most celebrated of Sri Lanka’s ancient, ruined cities dating back to the 5th Century BC which formed the foundation for a magnificent civilization spanning over a few centuries.

According to the Mahavamsa - the great Sinhala Chronicle, this was a model of planning with precincts set aside for different vocations as well as for foreigners. There were separate cemeteries for high and low castes, hostels and hospitals, and water supply was assured by the construction of reservoirs. Its greatest treasures are its dagabos constructed of small sun-dried bricks and are hemispherical in shape two of which have been identified by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. The reservoirs used for the storage of water formed the basis of the hydraulic civilization which later on spread to the entire island.

We break our journey at Cadjugama where we'll see brightly clad women selling cadju nuts and king coconuts in the Trade Stalls by the roadside.

We'll also visit the Elephant Orphanage en route to see the world's largest herd of domestic elephants including babies who are still being fed by bottle thrice a day. The Elephant Orphanage was established in 1975 as an effort towards education and conservation by way of scientific captive breeding. Located on the banks of the Maha Oya, the Elephant Orphanage provides shelter to house young elephants who find themselves displaced and lost from their natural habitats for various reasons such as environmental changes due to development projects or being abandoned by their parents.

We then visit the Handlooms Show Room and Sales Centre where the textile products coming from different parts of the country are offered for sale.

Overnight & dinner - Rajarata Hotel  (or similar)

Day 4 - Tuesday 11 February 2025

Anuradhapura (B, D)

After breakfast, we'll begin our day's sightseeing of the Sacred City of Anuradhapura.

Visit many sites of the city of archaeological and historical interest including Isurumuniya; the first temple to be built on the island, Sri Maha Bodhi Tree with an authenticated history of more than 2300 years which was planted from a sapling from the original tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment brought in by Emperor Asoka’s daughter – Theri Sangamitta who later during her stay in Sri Lanka introduced the Women Monkhood by turning the then King’s Queen – Anula – into the first lady monk of Sri Lanka.

Overnight & dinner- Rajarata Hotel (or similar)

Day 5 - Wednesday 12 February 2025

Dambulla - Minneriya (B, D)

After breakfast, we'll leave for Dambulla, a collection of five caves of different sizes, declared a World Heritage Site. Initial authorship is attributed to King Valagambahu who took refuge here after being driven out of Anuradhapura by invading armies, although the works span over all periods since then to the late Kandy Period in the 18th Century. 

We have time to explore Dambulla City which is the Economic Centre of the island where commodities including fruits, vegetables, grains, and yams from all around the island are traded both wholesale and retail including the Trade Stalls lining Colombo Road.

Continue to Minneriya.

 In the afternoon we'll enjoy a Jeep Safari of the Minneriya National Park famous for its herds of wild elephants.  Minneriya is situated around the reservoir of the same name in the south-central area of the island. This park comprises of grasslands, thorny scrubs and many valuable species of trees. Large herds of elephants, species of deer, wild boar, water buffalo and jackals are just some of the wild animals found along with a variety of avifauna that abound the park. Minneriya has become synonymous with the annual “Elephant Gathering”.

Overnight & dinner- Rangiri Dambulla Resort (or similar)

Day 6 - Thursday 13 February 2025

Sigiriya (B, D)

After breakfast, we depart for Sigiriya the Royal Citadel for 20 years in the 5th Century AD. Haunted by an epic story of murder and betrayal is attributed to King Kasyapa who found hiding here after killing his father, more fruitful than meeting the wrath of the people who loved King Dhatusena much more before meeting his rival - Prince Mugalan who had fled to India seeking reinforcements for his Army.

Sigiriya was designated as a world heritage site in 1982 and is famous for its palace ruins on top of a massive 200-metre-high rock surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs and other structures. The rock itself is a lava plug left over from an ancient extinct volcano.

We visit (and have the chance to climb) the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya built by King Kasyapa, contemporary with the paintings of Ajantha and Ellora Caves in India. Highlights include the Frescoes, Mirror Wall, and the Lion's Paw, considered the 8th Wonder of the modern world.

Afterwards, we return to Dambulla.

Overnight & dinner- Rangiri Dambulla Resort (or similar)

Day 7 - Friday 14 February 2025

Habarana (B, L, D)

After breakfast leave for Habarana to take part in a Village Experience - This will be very entertaining starting with a bullock cart ride followed by a catamaran ride during which we will drop into a traditional “Chena Cultivation" better known as the Slash and Burn Cultivation, used by the village farmers. We then enjoy a traditional lunch with a Sri Lankan family where we'll see the local methods of meal preparation including curries and salads.

In the afternoon we'll visit the Dambulla Cave Temple complex, considered to be the largest painted cave in the world with more than 22,000 sq ft of painted surfaces with many paintings, sculptures, and statues of Lord Buddha, his disciples, Kings and Gods.

Overnight & dinner- Rangiri Dambulla Resort (or similar)

Day 8 - Saturday 15 February 2025

Kandy (B, D)

After breakfast, we depart for Kandy the "City on the Hills" so named as it was protected by nature, water, rocks and jungles. The last capital of the Sri Lankan kings before falling to the British in 1815AD, Kandy is now a World Heritage Site. The name Kandy conjures visions of splendours of magnificence and many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. The centre of attraction is the golden-roofed Temple of the Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. The Kandy Lake built by the last King Sri Wickramarajasinghe in 1806 holds a prominent view of the city. It is a city for arts and crafts as well as culture and history.

We'll visit a Spice Garden and learn about the use of spices in the day-to-day life of Sri Lankans.

We visit a Batik-making factory, to see the village girls turn out beautiful coloured designs.

Overnight & dinner - Topaz Hotel (or similar)

Day 9 - Sunday 16 February 2025

Kandy (B, D)

After breakfast, we'll enjoy a Kandy City Tour including the Upper Lake Drive, a place where one could have a bird's eye view of the city below, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha. By far the most important place of worship for Buddhists the world over, the Royal Botanical Gardens, is one of the best in Asia with more than 5000 species of different varieties of flora, a Gem Museum to see how the valuable gems that you see on a shop shelf are turned out from a raw stone with the background history, and lastly, a Silk Shop where we'll learn about the process of making silk.

Tonight, we'll enjoy a Cultural Performance by traditional Kandyan Dancers, the majority of whom are young girls and drummers including a devotional "Fire Walking" demonstration.

Overnight & dinner - Topaz Hotel (or similar)

Day 10 - Monday 17 February 2025

Nuwara Eliya (B, D)

After breakfast, we leave for Nuwara Eliya known as "Little England" through some of the breathtaking landscapes with hills covered with Tea and cascading waterfalls.

Nuwara Eliya is nestled in a wooded basin at the foot of Mount Pidurutalagala Sri Lanka’s highest peak. This region at 6,183ft above sea level has a cool, crisp climate unknown elsewhere in Sri Lanka. A serene retreat from the hustle and bustle of Colombo, the town reminds us of the English Lake District. Unusual plants, birds and animals thrive here besides natural features including waterfalls and caves. Tea, the glistening green leaves of this lovely shrub, along with neat rows of green, cloak ridges and valleys provide a lasting impression of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country. The serene Anglican Church of the Holy Trinity, beautiful parks and well-kept lawns and hedges give Nuwara Eliya an air of nostalgia.

We'll visit a Tea Factory and Plantation to witness the manufacturing process of world famous "Ceylon Tea" and to taste a pure unblended cup of factory fresh tea before being sent to the Tea Auctions in Colombo leading to export. It will be eye-catching to see how skillfully the tea pluckers – mainly ladies from the plantation community, perform their task moving from bush to bush in difficult terrain.

Overnight & dinner - Araliya Green Hills Hotel (or similar)

Day 11 - Tuesday 18 February 2025

Ella (B, D)

After breakfast, we'll transfer to the Nanu Oya Railway Station and travel by train to Ella. This train ride is the most beautiful in Sri Lanka, if not in the world! We board the train and experience breathtaking views of lush green tea plantations, mountains, viaducts, valleys, and dense jungle. What’s more, it’s the perfect way to experience Sri Lankan life, meeting smiling locals on the train, wave to children running along the tracks, and taste the spicy snacks sold by vendors who board at each stop.

This is a must-do experience in Sri Lanka.

Upon arrival into Ella, we'll be transferred to our accommodation.

Overnight & dinner - 98 Acres Resort (or similar)

Day 12 - Wednesday 19 February 2025

Ella (B, D)

Today, after breakfast we'll have a free day to relax or take part in one of the activities offered by the hotel (own cost).

Overnight & dinner - 98 Acres Resort (or similar)

Day 13 - Thursday 20 February 2025

Galle (B,D)

After breakfast we depart for Galle, Southern capital through the breathtakingly beautiful  Ella Gap passing the Rawana Ella Waterfalls.

Galle, the Southern Capital port city, stands on one of the main sea routes in the southern part of the island. It has a unique charm among the many historic places in Sri Lanka. The Dutch built the 1st Protestant church in Sri Lanka here and it is also famous for its Dutch Fortress, which is now a World Heritage Site.

Overnight & dinner - Le Grand Hotel (or similar)

Day 14 - Friday 21 February 2025

Galle (B, L, D)

Today, we'll take part in a Cooking Demonstration. We'll be met by the Chef who will accompany us to the market to buy vegetables and fish for our meal preparation. We'll take a hands-on role in the preparation of 10 dishes and once the cooking process is completed, we'll enjoy our finished results for lunch.

An afternoon free to explore the shops of downtown Galle.

Overnight & dinner - Le Grand Hotel (or similar)

Day 15 - Saturday 22 February 2025

Colombo (B, D)

Today, after breakfast we make our way back to Colombo.  Colombo is a fascinating city, not only for its comfortable blend of East and West but also for its balanced mixture of the past and the present. 

En route, we visit a Mask Museum and Moonstone Mines to see the unique moonstone, mined only in Sri Lanka.  We'll also visit a Turtle Hatchery.

Other visits today include a Cinnamon Plantation and an Oil Extracting Factory. 

Overnight & dinner - Kingsbury Hotel (or similar)

Day 16 - Sunday 23 February 2025

Colombo (B, D)

Today, after breakfast we'll enjoy a City Tour of Colombo including a Buddhist Temple, Dutch Wolvendhal Church, a Hindu Temple, Town Hall, BMICH (Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall), Cinnamon Gardens, the Nelum Pokuna – the newly opened Performing Arts Theatre and the recently developed New Parliament Area.

Afterwards, we will enjoy some shopping time at Paradise Road, Barefoot, Laksala, ODEL, House of Fashions, and a spa experience at Spa Ceylon

And later, a farewell dinner at our hotel to celebrate our adventure!

A late evening transfer to the airport for our flight home to Melbourne.

Day 17 - Monday 24 February 2025

Melbourne

Welcome Home! 

Thank you for joining Sisterhood Womens Travel for your latest adventure and we look forward to welcoming you back.