The Land Of Spices - Sri Lanka in 15 Days
The Land of Spices – This 15-day route has it all: the most important monuments, incredible safaris, abundant nature, easy walks, hiking, adventure, beach, relaxation… A whole host of positive experiences that will make both the journey and the destination unforgettable memories.
🏛️Ancient Cities
🏖️Beach Paradise
🐘Wildlife Safaris
🌿Spice Gardens
Journey Overview
Taking advantage of the fact that “Sri Lanka is known as the country of spices” we will also visit the home of a small farmer where vanilla, pepper and other spices are grown to learn first-hand about the life of this eminently rural country.
Daily Itinerary
Day 01. Arrival → Kurunegala → Anuradhapura
Description & Accomadation
Transfer time: 3.5 hours
Warm meet and greet at Bandaranaike International Airport by your driver-guide, who will escort you to your hotel in Anuradhapura. The first stop will be in the town of Kurunegala, where you can stroll around the lake and enjoy an ice cream or a soft drink, just like Sri Lankan families do.
Day 02. Anuradhapura Ancient City → Mihintale
Description & Accomadation
Duration to Trincomalee: 2 hours
We will begin this exciting route with a visit to Anuradhapura, one of the ancient capitals of the country dating from the (4th century BC to the 10th century AD). Alongside exploring ancient temples and stupas, we will witness how Sri Lankans visit and venerate this sacred site, including making offerings to the oldest tree in the world—the Bo tree. Afterwards, we will visit Mihintale, known as the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, where according to ancient chronicles, Buddhism first entered the island in 237 BC.
Day 03. Trincomalee → Koneswaram Temple → Nilaveli Beach
Description & Accomadation
Duration to Mihintale: 2 hours
The beaches of the East mirror the neighboring with the Maldives. The long, exotic shores of fine white sand, swaying coconut palms and inviting you.electric blue sea inviting you to relax an unwind. Let’s enjoy the calm sea breeze for a couple of days in Trincomalee / Nilaveli. But first, and on the way, we will stop for a moment to visit the very interesting Hindu temple of Koneswaram in Trincomalee, dedicated to the god Shiva.
Day 04. Pigeon Island National Park → Nilaveli Beach
Description & Accomadation
Short boat ride to the islands
In the morning we will visit Pigeon Island National Park. To get there we will, we will take a short boat ride to one of the two islands that make up the park. Here you can snorkel to see turtles, colorful fish, seahorses and many more! The afternoon will be free to relax.
Day 05. Polonnaruwa - Optional Ayurveda → Minneriya Safari
Description & Accomadation
Trincomalee – Polonnaruwa: 2 hours; Polonnaruwa – Sigiriya: 1 hour
Among the ruins of Polonnaruwa (10th-13th century AD) you will find giant sculptures of Buddhas and Kings up to 15 metres high, ancient ponds and the remains of what was once the royal palace. This historic site is bought by friendly macaques playing in the jungle that always surrounds the old temples in Sri Lanka. OPTIONAL: If you wish, after this visit, you could enjoy a relaxing activity such as an Ayurvedic massage session, which dates back more than 2,000 years involves applying oils extracted from medicinal plants to the entire body.
Day 06. Sigiriya Rock → Minneriya Safari
Description & Accomadation
Each transfer: 30 min
Sigiriya fortress stands tall as a nearly rectangular rock, 360 meters high with ruins of an ancient palace complex perched at its peak, it hailed as one of the ancient world wonders. Then, in the afternoon, we will head to Minneriya National Park for a Safari, where massive herds of elephants gather. Watching so many elephants drinking, grazing, and playing together is a unique experience, a moment you can’t miss.
Day 07. Dambulla Golden Temple → Spice Garden - Kandy
Description & Accomadation
Sigiriya – Kandy: 2.5 hours
The history of the Golden Temple of Dambulla dates back to the 1st year BC and reaching its peak in the 12th century. Today this temple is still very active and we will once again have the opportunity to see Sri Lankan Buddhists giving offerings, such as flowers, fragrant incense, oil lamps. Afterwards we will discover all the secrets of a Spice Garden. We will see the plants and trees from which different spices are obtained and learn about their uses in cooking and ayurvedic medicine.
Day 08. Temple of the Tooth → Vanilla Garden → Kandy City
Description & Accomadation
Walking day without car transfers
The Temple of the Tooth houses the relic of Buddha’s tooth. This is why we always find Buddhist pilgrims with flowers and offerings. Since ancient times, this relic has played a very important role in Sri Lankan life. Since ancient times is famous for being the “country of spices”, we will take the opportunity to learn how aromatic vanilla is grown. To do so, Farmer who cultivates in his garden, along with other crops “The rest of the day is free for walking around the city, exploring the lake, and visiting the market” municipal market.
Day 09. Elephant Orphanage → Peradeniya Botanical Gardens
Description & Accomadation
Kandy – Pinnawela: 1.15h – Pinnawela – Peradeniya: 1h; Peradeniya – Kandy: 20min
We will arrive early at the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage. A sanctuary created to care for injured or orphaned cubs found in the jungle. It is the largest captive elephant reserve in the world. Don’t miss the experience of seeing dozens of elephants bathing in the river! In the afternoon We will stroll through and enjoy the Royal Gardens of Kandy. The Botanical Garden of Peradeniya, dating back to the (14th century) is considered one of the best visits to mythical Ceylon. It is a huge orchard bordering the Mahawelli River where we will admire the beauty of centuries-old trees, palm trees with strange shapes, Ayurvedic plants and the famous collection of orchids.
Day 10. Ramboda Falls → Tea Factory → Colonial Nuwara Eliya
Description & Accomadation
Kandy – Nuwara Eliya: 2.5 hours
On the way to the hill station of Nuwara Eliya perched at (2,000m) we will pass throught vast tea plantations and pause briefly to admire the Ramboda waterfalls. We will also at a tea factory where you can learn how the famous Ceylon tea is processed, with explanations on how the delicate tea leaves are handled. Today, it’s worth strolling through the gardens of the hill Club or enjoying tea at the iconic Grand Hotel. The entire town of Nuwara Eliya carries the scent and charm of the old British colonial era.
Day 11. Horton Plains National Park
Description & Accomadation
Nuwara Eliya – Horton Plain: 1.15 hrs
We will spend a large part of the day at Horton Plains National Park. This natural park is a large plain covered with grasslands. The visit consists of a walk along a trail of about 9 kilometers (about 4 hours walking) Where you can see the famous cliff called “End of the world”, “The Baker’s Falls” and the enormous Sambar Deer.
Day 12. Train to Ella → Little Adams Peak → Tissamaharama
Description & Accomadation
Train: 3h; Ella – Tissa: 2h
The first activity will be the wonderful train ride through the tea hills in Nuwara Eliya and Ella. The railway network started operating in 1864 and some old trains from that time are still preserved and in perfect working order. The train is subject to availability. We will then climb Little Adams Peak, an easy 30-minute climb through tea fields to enjoy the vastness of the mountains in this part of the island.
Day 13. Kataragama Temple → Yala Safari
Description & Accomadation
Tissa – Kataragama: 30min; Kataragama – Yala: 1h; Yala – Tissa: 30min
In the morning we will visit the Kataragama Temple. Sri Lankans of all faiths come to this temple on pilgrimage and that making it a very special place. Yala National Park is home to the largest concentration of leopards in the world, as they have no predators. In addition, you can see many elephants, crocodiles, buffalos, black bears and many more animals.
Day 14. Galle Fort → Unawatuna Beach
Description & Accomadation
Tissa – Unawatuna: 2 hours
This walled fort bordering the sea is the best preserved colonial historical centre in the country. It is undoubtedly the most beautiful city in Sri Lanka. It is a perfect place for scrolling under the shade of trees or by the sea. In addition, there are many cafes, restaurants and shops where you can find the best of the country. Then, you’ll transfer to Unawatuna. You’ll have free time in the coastal town of Unwatuna, where you can enjoy various restaurants, cafes, hotels, shops, beach bars…
Day 12. Colombo City Tour → Airport Departure
Description & Accomadation
Unawatuna – Colombo: 2h; Colombo – Airport: 45min
You’ll head over to Colombo for a visit to Gangaramaya Temple, one of the city’s most important temples. It’s located on the edge of Beira Lake and showcases a blend of architectural styles from Sri Lanka, Thailand, China, and India. Then, you can visit the Red Mosque (Jami Ul-Alfar), a key mosque and a well-known landmark in Colombo. In the afternoon, a stroll along the Galle Face promenade is perfect, where both kids and adults enjoy flying kites by the sea. When the time comes. Afterward, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your departure. Safe travels!
Complete Package
$2260
From $2260 per person (group of 4)
From $2650 per person (group of 2)
- 3/4* Hotels with half board (dinner & breakfast)
- ALL entrance fees included
- All safaris and jeep tours
- Private transportation throughout
- Professional driver-guide
- Airport transfers included
International flights, lunches, drinks, tips, and visa fees not included
