Day 1

Arrival / Katunayake

Transfer via: Flight, arranged on your own

Travel time: approximately 20 minutes

Welcome to Sri Lanka! Upon arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, you will be greeted by your tour guide and then be escorted to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is yours to relax.

(Note: Buddhism is extremely respected in Sri Lanka, any disrespectful words or acts may cause deportation or denial of entry, e.g. Buddha tattoos, kissing/climbing/riding Buddha statue, drinking inside a temple, etc.)

Day 2

Katunayake/ Sigiriya/Polonnaruwa

Transfer via: Private vehicle

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (on the way at Local restaurant), and Dinner

Travel time: approximately 5hrs /Lion rock climbing time -2.5-3hrs up & down

Today morning proceed to Sigiriya, en route you get opportunity to visit a local Sri Lankan family for coconut break.

Upon arrival Climb Sigiriya ( Lion rock) (UNESCO world Heritage site)

Sigiriya is an archaeological site in North Central Sri Lanka. It contains the ruins of an ancient palace complex, built during the regin of King Kasyapa (477AD – 495 AD). It is one of the 7 world heritage sites in Sri Lanka.

Frescos

John Still in 1907 had observed that; “The whole face of the hill appears to have been a gigantic picture gallery… the largest picture in the world perhaps”. The paintings would have covered most of the western face of the rock, covering an area 140 meters long and 40 meters high. There are references in the Graffiti to 500 ladies in these paintings .Later transfer to your lovely hotel & relax

Note: Driving time in the program is approximate, subject to the traffic, weather and road conditions.

Day 3

Polonnaruwa

Transfer via: Private vehicle

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (on the way at Local restaurant), and Dinner

In the morning take an interesting visit Polonnaruwa & engage in city tour by Bicycle -(UNESCO world Heritage site) including Gal vihara . It was the island’s medieval capital between the 11th and 13th century. Built alongside a large ancient artificial lake there are well-preserved ruins of palaces, bathing pools, stupas and exquisite rock sculptures of the Buddha. Today the visible remains are those of a Buddhist monastic congregation, which practiced meditation in total austerity. Established in 3rd century BC, it peaked in the 8 & 9 century AD. Rarely visited by tourists this mystical place is incredibly beautiful and unspoilt with shady forests filled with streams, pools and granite boulders and ancient elegant stone pathways, which wind through the forest to the ruins of the various meditation platforms and ayurvedic hospitals. Rest of the day free to relax

Day 4

Polonnaruwa/Mahiyanganaya

Transfer via: Private vehicle

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (on the way at Local restaurant), and Dinner

Travel time: approximately 2.5hrs

After breakfast proceed to Mahiyanganaya ,Sri Lankan ancient People (indigenous people of Sri Lanka) live in Mahiyangana, Dabana Village, They named as Veddas-enjoy a relish & scenic journey

Dambana is the home for these people; in the afternoon you will visit Dambana & meet the Wanniyala-Aetto (chief) or “forest people”, although we may not be able to go on actual hunting trip with them, they will not hesitate to depict to us pros & cons of hunting and enact how they set about. Also chance to watch them making their bow & arrow made out of natural material too would be interesting activity

These indigenous people have formed a museum of their own in Dambana. You are also well come to visit there. Later visit Mahiyanganaya Ancient Temple – Legend says this was the first stupa in Sri Lanka. The Buddha is said to have visited Mahiyangana nine months after his enlightenment on the full moon of Phussa (Dec – Jan) .Rest of the day free to relax

Day 5

Mahiyanganaya/ Kandy

Transfer via: Private vehicle

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (on the way at Local restaurant), Dinner

Travel time: approximately 2.5hrs

Today morning we will go the Village school & start the teaching session for primary students (you will be given 2.5hrs).Bid your farewell with students take your photos of this sensitive moment and it will be a life time experience for you

Then head for Ceylon’s old capital of Kandy .After arriving in Kandy tour of Kandy, a World Heritage City which lies in a triangular valley surrounded by mountains, green velvet tea plantations covering the hills, and the river Mahaweli, the longest river in the country. Kandy is a fascinating city rich in cultural heritage-arts and crafts, music, and dance – an interesting mixture of the old and the new. Most of the old structures either have been rehabilitated or are still in its original use, such as the ancient religious monuments which continue as living monuments

Evening- appreciate a vivid and traditional Cultural Dance (Kandyan Dance) 5.00-6.00pm -– Sri Lanka, a country rich with culture & tradition offers a very vibrant and unique show of Sri Lankan traditional dances, in the form of Kandy cultural show. The beat a dancing from “Salupliya” depicting several demons, “Thelme” vibrant expression of low country rhythm, Fire and Harvest dances accompanied by Ceremonial Drums and the Drum Orchestra rising and falling to the lively tempo. As many as 12 different folk and traditional dances are performed by Kandy lake club dance troop within the span of one hour .Later transfer to your lovely hotel & Relax

(Note: Driving time in the program is approximate, subject to the traffic, weather and road conditions.)

Day 6

Kandy

Transfer via: Private vehicle

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (on the way at Local restaurant), Dinner

Morning visit to the nearby Sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic – Sri Lanka’s most sacred Buddhist shrine, the Puja Ritual held in the temple with all the fanfare, drums, trumpets and brightly colored Monks definitely shows you how special and spiritually important the temple means to Sri Lanka.

Next get escorted to Giragama tea plantation and a tea factory, where the world’s best Ceylon Tea is produced. After learn about the process of manufacturing tea, get hands-on experience of tea picking and don’t forget to sip a cup of pure Ceylon tea in the factory. Rest of the day free to relax you may spend some free time by walk around Kandy City Lake

Day 7

Kandy/Pinnawala/Colombo

Transfer via: Flight, arranged on your own / Private vehicle

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (on the way at local restaurant), and Dinner at a nice restaurant in Colombo

Travel Time: Approximately 5.5 hrs

After breakfast visit Pinnawela where you can visit the Elephant Orphanage and get up-close and personal with an elephant during their morning feeding and river bathing. Continue to Colombo

Upon arrival in Colombo take a guided city tour to explore Colombo’s colonial legacies including the Independence Square, Gangarama Temple of Colombo, mile-long promenade of Galle Face Green and. Stop for taking pictures when drive by the former British Administrative Center etc. also indulge in last minute shopping.

Later bid your farewell for Sri Lanka

Day 1

Arrival/ Katunayke

Transfer via: Flight, arranged on your own

Upon your arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport (20 minutes) you will be welcomed by a tour guide of Comfort Travels & Tours and then be escorted to your hotel. Recover any jet lag

Note: Buddhism is extremely respected in Sri Lanka, any disrespectful words or acts may cause deportation or denial of entry, e.g. Buddha tattoos, kissing/climbing/riding Buddha statue, drinking inside a temple, etc.

Day 2

Katunayake /Kithulgala

Transfer via: Private vehicle

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (on the way at local restaurant), and Dinner

Breakfast at the hotel & proceed to Kithulgala (approx 3hrs) to have an truly adventure experience in kithulgala Kitulgala is a small town in the west of Sri Lanka. It is in the wet zone rain forest, which gets two monsoons each year, and is one of the wettest places in the country. The Academy Award-winning The Bridge on the River Kwai was filmed on the Kelani River near Kitulgala.

We are planning be kithulgala for Lunch time. After Lunch take an interesting trek at Makandawa Rain forest the trek will involve app 10 Km & it will take app 4.5-5hrs but it will be depended , Optional – inside of the rainforest ,there is a natural rock pool , if students like , they can take a natural dip. It depending on the water level (under guidance of teachers, guide)

Evening – Enjoy a BBQ dinner with setting around fire. (Optional-it could be stage for Students show some performance organized by them self)

Day 3

Kithulgala /Hatton/NuwaraEliya

Transfer via: Private vehicle

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (on the way at local restaurant), and Dinner

Kitulgala is also a base for white-water rafting, which starts a few kilometres upstream. Since you are staying in Kithulgala why not try water rafting?

After breakfast experience 1 hour Flat water rafting OR white water rafting (cover 03 rapids) in the picturesque Kelani River in Kitulgala

Flat water rafting (Grade 1 difficulty: very small rough areas might require slight manoeuvring with very basic skill)

White water rafting –cover 03 rapids, basic skill would be ok

After Lunch (today lunch could be bit early), set off for NuwaraEliya by the Train (app 2-2.5hrs) (subjected to availability of train), a picturesque journey packed with beautiful mountains, waterfalls and tea plantations. You will get the train from Hatton.

Upon arrive at Nanuoya Railway Station, transfer to hotel and check in, if time permit. You can take your time walk around the Downtown NuwaraEliya, this “Little England” town and Lake Gregory

Day 4

NuwaraEliya /Horton’s Plain National Park/Ella

Transfer via: Private vehicle

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (on the way at local restaurant), Dinner

Enjoy an 8km walk in Horton Plains National Park and visit “world’s End”, catch a breathtaking glimpse of Adam’s Peak if the weather allows( approx. 1hrs)(picknic breakfast ),(walking time approx 2.5-3hrs)This is home to an extraordinary range of flora and fauna. The Park, named after British governor Sir Robert Horton, is a world apart from rest of the tropical island. This is the islands highest & most isolated plain. The importance of conservation of the park lies in, among others, in its role as the catchment area of the major rivers of the island. Later ascending to Ella ( app2-2.5hrs)

After Lunch get escorted to a tea plantation and a tea factory, where the world’s best Ceylon Tea is produced. After learn about the process of manufacturing tea & Sir Thomas Lipton and Ceylon tea get hands-on experience of tea picking, and don’t forget to sip a cup of pure Ceylon tea in the factory. Later check in to your lovely hotel & relax

Day 5

Ella /Thanamalwila/Udawalwe

Transfer via: Private vehicle

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (on the way at local restaurant), Dinner

After breakfast descended to jungle of Udawalwe (app 2.5hrs) , on the way photo stop at cascading Rawana Waterfall, just passing Ella gap descend to jungle of Udawalwe. Upon arrival in Thanamalwilage you will take Bicycle (standard bicycle use by villagers) ride with a fresh experience to go to Scholl ground. Later enjoy a game of Cricket with students of village –Cricket is very famous game in Sri Lanka, we will use standard facilities which are available with Village Students (basic skills need)

Afternoon enjage in a jeep safari (Safari time approx. 3-3.5hrs by safari jeep)at the Udawalawe National Park is the only place where an elephant sighting is guaranteed on every single safari drive. There are around 600 to 700 Sri Lankan Elephants in this wildlife park and it is not unusual to see large herds gather to drink water and feed. In addition to the Elephants there are spotted deer, Monitor lizards, Sambar deer, Wild boar, Common Langurs, Jackals, Toddy cats and the endemic Toque Macaque. The Sri Lankan Leopard has also been sighted here, but unlike in the Yala National Park these sightings are very rare

Day 6

Udawalwe/Thanamalwila/Mirissa

Transfer via: Private vehicle

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch at village home, Dinner

This morning we leave for Thanamlwila Village in rustic area ( approx. 45minutes by coach). It can be a truly fascinating experience to observe various aspects of authentic Sri Lankan village life including fishing, wood carving, farming etc. and experience villagers’ joys and sorrows while escape from hectic urban life.

At the beginning we will walk the stairs to the top of one of the ancient temples for a panoramic view of the village; you will learn about the irrigation system & paddy cultivation. Later we will have a short walk through paddy & Tank Bund, next we will go the Village school & start the teaching session – (you will be given 2.5hrs)

Later you will be invited to visit one home in a village to indulge in other activities of our village visit in that home you divided into groups & you will help a mother to prepare lunch –a special lunch (rice, fresh vegetables, etc) will be prepared by students and actively take part in preparation of food so they will have knowledge of how Sri Lanka food is prepared with different kind of spices. Lunch will be served with “Nelum Kole”(lotus leaf) by the village people with their warm hospitality.

Thereafter you will be given some time to interview some of village people about their local life, relations, etc (tour guide will do the translation part) at the end of this part your tour guide will make a speech about village life (daily routine, entertainment, communal spiritual, aspiration)

Later you will engage in an interesting activity of learning how to wear saree (a dress for females) & sarong for (a dress for males)-one lady & men from village will demonstrate you how to wear it & you can follow them.

Thereafter enjoy an open tractor ride to Village tank & enjoy a Canoeing ride at the lake (life jacket will be provided). Great place to spot some bird species with your luck. Around 4.00pm we are planning to leave from village to Mirissa (approx 3hrs) enjoy a scenic journey. Upon arrival check in to your lovely hotel & relax

Day 7

Mirissa/Galle/Colombo

Transfer via: Private vehicle

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (on the way at local restaurant), Dinner (at a nice Chinese restaurant in Colombo)

Optional (expense at your own US $ 30)- Wake up early morning -experience whale watching. You will be transferred to Mirissa Habour, we need to arriveed at 6.00 am, 30 minutes before the boat departs.

• Departure Time : 6.30am
• Tour Time : 3-5 Hours

Later head to Galle (approx 1hrs ) famous for one of the best beaches in the Southern Sri-Lanka. First stop over to see Stilt fishing (subjected to availability), upon arrival in Galle visit the exotic Galle Dutch Fort in Galle, which among the best preserved fortresses in Sri Lanka. Continue to Colombo.

In Colombo, take a guided city tour to explore Colombo’s colonial legacies (city tour takeapp1.-1.5hrsby coach) including The Independence Square, Gangarama Temple of Colombo, and mile-long promenade of Galle Face Greenland etc. Stop for taking pictures when drive by the former British Administrative Center etc.

As all good things must come to an end, later your tour guide will comfortably take you back to the international airport for a safe return journey (approx 1hrs by coach)

Note: Driving times mentioned in the program are an approximate measure of the time taken to travel between destinations. Please note that these times are subject to change depending on road traffic on the particular day, weather conditions as well as conditions of the particular road, all of which are beyond our control.

Day 1

Arrival/ Katunayke

Transfer via: Flight, arranged on your own

Travel Time Approximately: 20minutes

Upon your arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport, you will be welcomed by a tour guide of Comfort Travels & Tours and then be escorted to your hotel.

Note: Buddhism is extremely respected in Sri Lanka, any disrespectful words or acts may cause deportation or denial of entry, e.g. Buddha tattoos, kissing/climbing/riding Buddha statue, drinking inside a temple, etc.

Day 2

Katunayake /Kithulgala/NuwaraEliya

Transfer via: Private vehicle

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (on the way at local restaurant),Dinner

Travel time: Approximately 5 hrs

Breakfast at the hotel & proceed to Kithulgala to have an truly adventure experience in kithulgala. Kitulgala is a small town in the west of Sri Lanka. It is in the wet zone rain forest, which gets two monsoons each year, and is one of the wettest places in the country. The Academy Award-winning The Bridge on the River Kwai was filmed on the Kelani River near Kitulgala; Kitulgala is also a bast for white-water rafting, which starts a few kilometers upstream.

Experience -1 hour Flat water rafting in the picturesque Kelani River in Kitulgala(Grade 1 difficulty: very small rough areas might require slight manoeuvring with very basic skill)

On the way to NuwaraEliya get escorted to a tea plantation and a tea factory, where the world’s best Ceylon Tea is produced. After learn about the process of manufacturing tea & Sir Thomas Lipton and Ceylon tea get hands-on experience of tea picking, and don’t forget to sip a cup of pure Ceylon tea in the factory. Upon arrival in NuwaraEliya check in to your lovely hotel & relax

Day 3

NuwaraEliya /Horton’s Plain National Park/Ella /Udawalwe

Transfer via: Private vehicle

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (on the way at local restaurant), Dinner

Travel time: Approximately 4.5hrs

Morning check out from hotel & Visit Horton’s plain national park (picknic breakfast ), Horton Plains (walking time approx 2.5hrs) is home to an extraordinary range of flora and fauna. The Park (10,000 ha), named after British governor Sir Robert Horton is a world apart from rest of the tropical island. This is the islands highest & most isolated plain.The importance of conservation of the park lies in, among others, in its role as the catchment area of the major rivers of the island.

Later ascending to Ella. After Lunch descend to jungle of Udawalwe just passing Ella gap & cascading Rawana water fall….Upon arrival in Udawalwe check in to your lovely hotel & relax

Day 4

Udawalwe/Thanamalwila/Udawalwe

Transfer via: Private vehicle

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch at village home, Dinner

Travel time: Approximately 1.5 hrs

This morning leave for Thanamlwila Village in rustic area. It can be a truly fascinating experience to observe various aspects of authentic Sri Lankan village life including fishing, wood carving, farming etc. and experience villagers’ joys and sorrows while escape from hectic urban life. At the beginning we will walk the stairs to the top of one of the ancient temples for a panoramic view of the village; you will learn about the irrigation system & paddy cultivation. Later we will have a short walk thru paddy & Tank Bund, next we will go the Village school & start the teaching session – (you will be given 2.5hrs)

Later you will be invited to visit one home in a village to indulge in a other activities of our village visit. In that home you divided into groups & you will help the mother of the house to prepare lunch–special lunch (rice, fresh vegetables, etc) will be prepared by students and actively take part in preparation of food so they will have knowledge of how Sri Lanka food is prepared with different kind of spices. Lunch will be served with “NelumKole”(lotus leaf) by the village people with their warm hospitality. Thereafter you will be given some time to conduct an interview of village people about their local life, relations, etc (tour guide will do the translation part) at the end of this part your tour guide will make a comprehensive description about village life (daily routine, entertainment, communal spiritual, aspiration)

Later you will engage in an interesting activity of learning how to wear a saree (a dress for female) & a sarong for (a dress for male)-one lady & men from village will demonstrate you how to wear it & you can follow them

Thereafter – Enjoy an open tractor ride to village tank & enjoy a canoeing ride at the lake (life jacket will be provided). Great place to spot some bird species with your luck, return to hotel with the pleasant memories of the day ….

Day 5

Udawalwe/Galle/Bentota

Transfer via: Private vehicle

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (on the way at local restaurant), Dinner

Travel time: Approximately 4.5 hrs

Early morning take a jeep safari at Udawalawde National park. The Udawalawe National Park is the only place where an elephant sighting is guaranteed on every single safari drive. There are around 600 to 700 Sri Lankan Elephants in this wildlife park and it is not unusual to see large herds gather to drink water and feed. In addition to the elephants there are spotted deer, monitor, lizards, sambar deer, wild boar, common langurs, jackals, Toddy cats and the endemic Toque Macaque. The Sri Lankan Leopard has also been sighted here, but unlike in the Yala National Park these sightings are very rare.

Later head for to Galle known for one of the best beaches in the Southern Sri-Lanka. First stop over to see Stilt fishing. Once in Galle visit the exotic Galle Dutch Fort in Galle, (UNESCO heritage site) which among the best preserved fortresses in Sri Lanka. Upon arrival check in to your dream beach hotel & relax

Day 6

Bentota /Colombo

Transfer via: Private vehicle

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (on the way at local restaurant), Dinner

Travel time: Approximately 2.5 hrs/1.5hrs by train

You will be free at the hotel or Beach (you can organize some games) till Lunch time

Optional –Students can do water sport activities such as Bana boat ride, snorkeling (at your own cost)

Later check out from hotel visit to a turtle hatchery on the beach; set up for conserving the endangered turtle population, the hatchery will introduce you more about this creature when letting you to stay close to with them. Thereafter from Bentota you will take scenic train ride to Colombo (02nd Or 03rd class with locals and subjected to availability) -a memorable journey paralleled to southern coastal belt Schedule -from Bentota 15.39, Colombo fort 17.14

Upon arrival in Colombo, take a guided city tour to explore Colombo’s colonial legacies including

The Independence Square, Gangarama Temple of Colombo, mile-long promenade of Galle Face Greenland etc. Stop for taking pictures when drive by the former British Administrative Center etc.

Dinner – At a nice Chinese restaurant in Colombo

As all good things must come to an end, later your tour guide will comfortably take you back to the international airport for a safe return journey