Sri Lanka: The island of tea
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Sri Lanka: The island of tea

holiday package
Created: Thursday, May 15, 2025
Ref ID: 21043931
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Colombo, Sri Lanka
Colombo, Sri Lanka Colombo, Sri Lanka
Negombo, Sri Lanka
Negombo, Sri Lanka Negombo, Sri Lanka
Kalpitiya, Sri Lanka
Kalpitiya, Sri Lanka Kalpitiya, Sri Lanka
Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
Sigiriya, Sri Lanka Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
Dambulla, Sri Lanka
Dambulla, Sri Lanka Dambulla, Sri Lanka
Kandy, Sri Lanka
Kandy, Sri Lanka Kandy, Sri Lanka
Tissamaharama, Sri Lanka
Tissamaharama, Sri Lanka Tissamaharama, Sri Lanka
Yala National Park, Sri Lanka
Yala National Park, Sri Lanka Yala National Park, Sri Lanka
Galle, Sri Lanka
Galle, Sri Lanka Galle, Sri Lanka
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Colombo, Sri Lanka Colombo, Sri Lanka
prezzo del pacchetto per persona From
3.281 €
Based on 2 adults
Created: Thursday, May 15, 2025
Themes
Sri Lanka Intermediate Itinerant Culture & History Nature & Landscape
Itinerary
Tours
Sri Lanka: The island of tea
Sri Lanka: The island of tea
Sri Lanka: The island of tea
Sri Lanka: The island of tea
Sri Lanka: The island of tea
Sri Lanka: The island of tea Sri Lanka: The island of tea Sri Lanka: The island of tea Sri Lanka: The island of tea Sri Lanka: The island of tea

Day 1: Negombo

An unusual way to discover this island with its lush vegetation… on the elegant Marwari horses, we will ride across Ceylon, the ancient name of Sri Lanka. We are in South Asia, off the southeastern coast of the Indian subcontinent, and few people know that due to its particular shape and proximity to the Indian coast, Sri Lanka has been nicknamed the "tear of India." This is the land of elephants and tea, a small treasure chest ready to reveal its beauties, a varied territory that offers visitors the opportunity to discover rainforests, arid plains, plateaus, and sandy beaches. The country, in addition to boasting very lush flora and fauna, is also famous for important archaeological sites protected by UNESCO.
Among the main points of interest:
• Yala National Park, with its many species that inhabit it, such as crocodiles, mongooses, buffaloes, and many varieties of birds in addition to shy and silent leopards;
• Dambulla Caves, part of the UNESCO heritage since 1991, are the best-preserved rock temple on the island.
• Sigiriya Fortress, one of the iconic places in the history and culture of the island, also a UNESCO heritage site since 1982. Founded in the 5th century A.D., it stood on a granite monolith over 200 meters high, an engineering masterpiece surrounded by nature and magnificent royal gardens with ponds and water collection tanks.
• Anuradhapura, the ancient capital of Sri Lanka, where numerous ruins dating back more than 2000 years are preserved. • Ella, a town immersed in greenery. Here you can take various excursions: if you have a day available, one of the most interesting routes is the climb to Adam's Peak, a mountain 2,243 meters high that can be reached with a walk of about four hours. Adam's Peak is a pilgrimage destination for many believers who, at least once in their lives, climb the over 5000 steps to reach the sacred footprint of Buddha's foot, a depression found at the top of the mountain.
• Scenic train ride through the hills connecting Ella to Nuwara Eliya
• Kandy with its temple that houses a Buddha relic brought in procession during the Esala Perahera festival

ITALY / COLOMBO / NEGAMBO (-/-/D)
Arrival at Colombo International Airport, meeting with our representatives and transfer to the hotel in Negombo. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.


Day 2: Kalpitiya

NEGAMBO / KALPITIYA (B/L/D)
After breakfast, transfer by car for about 90 minutes to the Puttalam District, in the Kalpitiya Peninsula, a popular tourist destination.
We will ride in the afternoon starting from a lagoon adjacent to the Ruwala Resort. We will pass through local villages and coconut plantations until we reach the beach, where we can admire the sunset while observing the life of the fishermen. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.


Day 3: Kalpitiya

KALPITIYA (B/L/D)
Early wake-up and meeting with the horses directly on the beach. Keeping the Indian Ocean on our right, we will gallop along the beach to the farthest point of the Kalpitiya Peninsula. Today we will not follow beaten paths, but explore dense plantations and mangroves, as well as a Dutch church, finishing the morning with a refreshing bath alongside the horses!
In the afternoon, free time to visit the Dutch Fort, the "Dolphin Line," and for those interested, there is the option to try kite surfing.


Day 4: Sigiriya

KALPITIYA / SIGIRIYA (B/L/D)
By vehicle, we will go to the Anawilundawa Bird Sanctuary, where the coastline and vegetation have created the perfect habitat for over 150 species of birds, 20 species of mammals, and 74 species of butterflies. Picnic brunch and departure on horseback discovering new beaches, other fishing villages, until we reach Chilow. In the afternoon, free time for independent excursions or relaxation. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Sigiriya.


Day 5: Dambulla

CHILOW / DAMBULLA (B/-/D)
After breakfast, transfer to Dambulla. Along the way, we can visit the ancient kingdom of Anuradhapura, the first capital of Sri Lanka, still home to interesting archaeological sites. You can visit interesting sites such as Abhayagiri Stupa and the Samadhi Buddha statue, as well as the Dambulla Cave Temples.


Day 6: Kandy

DAMBULLA / KANDY (B/-/D)
After breakfast, horseback riding begins, starting our trek at Kimbissa, near Sigiriya Rock. Crossing lush vegetation, we will visit a Buddha temple in a cave surrounded by jungle and then reach Kandalama Lake before arriving at Alkin Resort.
Lunch at the resort (extra charge), and in the afternoon, by jeep, we will go to Minneriya National Park, where we can observe the Asian elephant in its natural environment, which concentrates here, especially during the dry season. Return to the hotel for a refreshing break and a barbecue under the stars. For those who want to enjoy the starry sky, there is also the option to sleep in a tent.


Day 7: Kandy

KANDALAMA / KANDY (B/L/D)
Departure on horseback from Alkin Resort to visit two of the most famous archaeological sites: Kaludiya Pokuna, an ancient Buddhist monastic complex, and the Sigiriya Fortress. In the afternoon, we will head to Kandy, perched among the mountains of the Central Province. We will visit a spice garden where you will see an incredible variety of local spices.


Day 8: Kandy

KANDY (B/-/D)
City tour: its beautiful botanical gardens with orchids and the Sacred Temple of the Buddha, where a relic is kept.


Day 9: Tissamaharama

KANDY / TISSAMAHARAMA (B/L/D)
Transfer by vehicle from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, known as "Little England." Along the way, we will have the opportunity to visit a tea factory, where you will learn about the production processes. Once we arrive at our destination, the horses will be waiting for us to start our trek from the stables of the racecourse. We will ride through the surrounding hills to Mahagastota and Pattipola, through tea plantations and forests until reaching Kande Ela. Dinner and overnight stay.


Day 10: Tissamaharama

NUWARA ELIYA / TISSAMAHARAMA (B/-/D)
Today, we will take a local train from the Nanu Oya station to Ella. You will enjoy breathtaking views of the lush vegetation around you. Upon arrival in Ella, meet the guides and have lunch. In the afternoon, transfer to Tissamaharama and free time for independent excursions.


Day 11: Yala

TISSAMAHARAMA / YALA (B/L/D)
Early departure for Yala National Park, the second largest park in Sri Lanka, which hosts 44 species of mammals, 215 species of birds, and is known for having the highest concentration of leopards in the world. Picnic brunch and 4-5 hours available to explore the park. In the afternoon, horseback riding for a beautiful trek allowing us to explore archaeological sites such as the Great Tissa Stupa and Tissa Wewa.


Day 12: Galle

TISSAMAHARAMA / GALLE (B/L/D)
Departure from the stables to explore the banana plantations. We will explore the Sandagiri Seya archaeological area and the Sandagiri Saya Monastery, home to monkeys. Return to the stables, and in the afternoon, we will go by vehicle to Galle, where we will spend the night. Before that, we will visit the Dutch Fort, a UNESCO site and a popular tourist destination.


Day 13:

GALLE / COLOMBO / ITALY (B/-/-)
Breakfast and transfer to the airport in time for your flight to Italy.

Note: The above itinerary is indicative and may be subject to changes due to weather conditions or circumstances beyond our control. It is possible to have itineraries of 7/8 and 9 nights (request a quote).

Notes:
(B/L/D): B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner
Difficulty level: From ° to °°°°°

DURATION: 13 DAYS / 12 NIGHTS
DIFFICULTY: °°° (INTERMEDIATE)
ACCOMMODATION: Hotels
EQUIPMENT: ENGLISH SADDLE
HORSES: MARWARI, a breed originating from India, traditionally trained for warfare. A medium-sized horse, very elegant with distinctive inward-pointing ears.
PACE: 4 to 5 hours horseback riding per day. Familiarity with all three gaits and the ability to control the horse on trails is required.
MAXIMUM WEIGHT: 85 kg
MINIMUM AGE: 8 years
TYPE: Trekking with overnight stays in mid-range hotels.

ACCOMMODATION:
Night 1: Goldi Sand Hotel (or similar)
Night 2: Ruwala Resort (or similar)
Night 3: Ruwala Resort (or similar)
Night 4: Atha Resort (or similar)
Night 5: Aawadduma Resort (or similar)
Night 6: Heven Seven Hotel (or similar)
Night 7: Heven Seven Hotel (or similar)
Night 8: Heven Seven Hotel (or similar)
Night 9: Hibiscus Garden Hotel (or similar)
Night 10: Hibiscus Garden Hotel (or similar)
Night 11: Caravan Village (or similar)
Night 12: Fort Dew Hotel (or similar)

Departure dates upon request from 01/01 to 31/12 with a minimum of 2 participants departing from Italy.

SUPPLEMENTS:
Supplement Single in standard: 540 euro

prezzo del pacchetto per persona From
3.281 €
Based on 2 adults
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Trip summary
2 Adults
Nights 12
This idea includes
Destinations 9
Tours 1
Tour summary
Guide languages
English
Included
All meals as per the itinerary
All transfers as per the itinerary
12 overnight stays in mid-range hotels
8 days horseback riding
Jeep safari as per the itinerary
Entrance fees to places of interest as per the itinerary
Horses and equipment provided
Guide, an expert in the area, English-speaking
Water during the horseback riding treks
Medical and baggage insurance
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Excluded
International flights to/from Colombo
Beverages (except water during horseback riding treks)
Meals not mentioned, airport taxes, beverages, tips, personal extras
Alcoholic drinks
Paid permits for taking photos at archaeological sites (where required)
Anything not listed under "what’s included"
Integrative or cancellation insurance
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