Colombo Trip Overview
Our expertly curated itineraries engage the body, mind and spirit in meaningful and authentic ways. Offering a unique blend of responsible eco-tourism and affordable wellness journeys, our transformative tours are crafted from a selection of signature local activities centered at the heart of the sacred island.
Sri Lanka is a destination rooted in timeless traditions and holistic practices, revealing a stunning natural beauty and deep connection between landscape and people. Ancient architectures offer insight into unknown mysteries surrounding many archeological ruins, lost caves and age-old purification technologies. Visit these hidden retreats where Buddhist monks used prayer and meditation to achieve spiritual enlightenment. Join a curated wellness retreat or request a Buddhist pilgrimage itinerary to travel deeper into the island’s sacred history. Learn the secrets of the healing sciences of yoga and Ayurveda.
Additional Info
Duration: 12 days
Starts: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Colombo Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka
Our expertly curated itineraries engage the body, mind and spirit in meaningful and authentic ways. Offering a unique blend of responsible eco-tourism and affordable wellness journeys, our transformative tours are crafted from a selection of signature local activities centered at the heart of the sacred island.
Sri Lanka is a destination rooted in timeless traditions and holistic practices, revealing a stunning natural beauty and deep connection between landscape and people. Ancient architectures offer insight into unknown mysteries surrounding many archeological ruins, lost caves and age-old purification technologies. Visit these hidden retreats where Buddhist monks used prayer and meditation to achieve spiritual enlightenment. Join a curated wellness retreat or request a Buddhist pilgrimage itinerary to travel deeper into the island’s sacred history. Learn the secrets of the healing sciences of yoga and Ayurveda.
Itinerary
Day 1: Airport – Colombo city tour
Stop At: Colombo, Colombo, Western Province
Arrival to Sri Lanka and 1h30min airport transfer to the economic capital of Colombo. Time permitting, go for an exciting city tour and visit the main attractions of this bustling capital by the Indian Ocean. Get a good night’s sleep after a long flight and recover from jetlag.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Colombo National Museum, Albert Crescent, Colombo Sri Lanka
If your flight lands early enough, you can visit the National Museum in Colombo, offering a fascinating glimpse into the ancient history of the island.This is an optional visit.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Over night with a charming villa in the city, 3-star
Day 2: Colombo – Kandy Mountain Kingdom
Stop At: Embekka Devalaya, Embekka Pilimatalawa Road, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
In the morning, road to the mountains near Kandy. On the way, a stop to visit a local tea factory. As an option, visit the medieval temples of Embekke & Lankathilaka, for ornate wood carvings & murals.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Kandy, Kandy, Kandy District, Central Province
Upon reaching the royal capital of Kandy, check into your beautiful meditation center with views of the surrounding mountains. Enjoy the calm of your location, while only being 20min away from the city center.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at a meditation center near the city, 3-star
Day 3: Royal Capital City Tour
Stop At: Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Dalada Veediya, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
In the morning, experience a contemplative meditation session surrounded by inspiring mountain views. Later, you will visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic, for the sacred puja ceremony and receive blessings from the Buddha’s relics.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at a meditation center near the city, 3-star
Day 4: Kandy – Cultural Triangle in Habarana
Stop At: Aluvihara Rock Cave Temple, Matale, Aluvihara Aluvihara Junction, Matale Rd, Matale 21000 Sri Lanka
Set out to the Cultural Triange, with a stop in the historic Aluvihara temple. its a important Buddhist palmleaf manuscript library.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Nalanda Gedige, Matale 21152 Sri Lanka
Then, go on to Nalanda Gedige and experience the very geographic center of Sri Lanka.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Dambulla Cave Temple, Jaffna Hwy, Habarana 50150 Sri Lanka
By sunset, reach the Dambulla cave & monastery complex. Here, witness an array of beautifully preserved Buddha statues and fresco painting dating back to the 5th century.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at an ayurvedic eco-retreat, 3-star
Day 5: The Hidden Treasures of the Golden Triangle
Stop At: Pidurangala Rock, Pidurangala,Sigiriya, Sigiriya 21120 Sri Lanka
Greet the sunrise from Pidurangala, with spectacular 360-views of Sigiriya rock and surrounding countryside. The early morning light is mesmerizing and you will experience a transformational hike to the top of the rock.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Medirigiriya Vatadage, Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
Then proceed to Medirigiriya, a lesser-visited monastery housing the best-preserved ancient “vatadage” prayer house. Experience a “hall-of-mirrors” architectural visit.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at an ayurvedic eco-retreat, 3-star
Day 6: Full-day Ayurveda Treatment Program
Stop At: Habarana, Habarana, North Central Province
Today, you immerse yourself in the healing powers of Ayurveda. The traditional treatments include oil massages, vapor baths, shirodhara, and others as per doctor’s consultation of your “dosha” and current state of health, “prakriti”. Rejuvenate your mind, body and soul. Your treatments and full meals are included this day (only).
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at an ayurvedic eco-retreat, 3-star
Day 7: Habarana – Anuradhapura via Two Ancient Monasteries
Stop At: Ritigala Forest Monastery, Anuradhapura Sri Lanka
You leave the countryside for the ancient capital of Anuradhapura. On the way, stop at the ancient forest monastery in Ritigala, where the monks used nature as the vehicle for meditation.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Mihinthalaya Rajamaha Viharaya, A9, Mihintale, Sri Lanka
Proceed with a sunset visit to Mihintale, the birthplace of Buddhism on the island.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight with an ancient village retreat, 3-star
Day 8: Anuradhapura Sacred City with Lost Sites
Stop At: Anuradhapura, Anuradhapura, North Central Province
Unique visit to the ancient sites of sacred Anuradhapura city. The magnificent palatial ruins and pilgrimage sites offer a rare glimpse into the life of an enlightened civilization. Go off the beaten trail to discover potent places of power and spiritual transformation.
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight with an ancient village retreat, 3-star
Day 9: Anuradhapura – Willpattu National Park
Stop At: Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka
Continue to Wilpattu National Park, where you enjoy a fun jeep safari adventure, and witness the leopards of Sri Lanka, among many other species. This is an observation only experience in a protected natural zone, no contact with the animals is allowed.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight with a unique waterfront lodge, 3-star
Day 10: Willpattu – Kalpitiya Kitesurf Lagoon
Stop At: Kalpitiya, Kalpitiya, North Western Province
Two days on the wilder beacher of Kalpitiya offer the exquisite adventure of kite surf & yoga (optional).
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight with a top kitesurf school, 3-star
Day 11: Wild Beaches of Kalpitiya Peninsula
Stop At: Kalpitiya, Kalpitiya, North Western Province
Today, relax, kick back and enjoy the sea & sun. As an option, you can do a boat excursion off the peninsula or go snorkeling.
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight with a top kitesurf school, 3-star
Day 12: Kalpitiya – Airport Deparutre
Stop At: Katunayake, Katunayake, Negombo, Western Province
Today is your last day on the island. We will drop you back at the airport in time for your departure flight.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
