Rice and Curry

Itinerary in details

532
Day 1: Arrival in Colombo - Sigiriya

Welcome to Sri Lanka!

We have conceived with care, itineraries comfortably designed to welcome manual wheelchair users, answering the needs of less mobile travelers to enable an exciting and serene visit of Sri Lanka.

We wish you a great trip to Sri Lanka, rich in encounters and discoveries.  

Upon arrival, warm welcome at the airport by your guide and your driver.

Drive to the local market of Negombo located nearby the airport. This market is the 2nd most important one of the island. You will find there all kinds of fishs and sea shells displayed directly on the floor. This visit is an ideal occasion to immerse yourself sofly in the local ambiance.

After those visits, drive to the center of Sri Lanka, to explore the great treasures of the island.

You will cross a part of the island of Ceylon with its rich landscapes and lush vegetation. Do not be surprised if elephants cross the road in front of your vehicle!

North of Sri Lanka offers one of the best highlights of the island with its former capitals Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura.

Lunch will be served on the way in a comfortable local restaurant.

In mid-afternoon, you will reach the great rock of Sigiriya. It is an enormous red stone overlooking by 150 meters a lush forest. Photo stop to admire this spectacular landscape.

Check-in and dinner at your hotel. 
 

Accomodation
Superior:
533
Day 2: Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa - Sigiriya

In the morning, drive north bound to explore the great archeological site of Polonnaruwa. This site was at the 11th century the capital of the kingdom of Ceylon. Numerous palaces and temples were built there, making this area the most active place of the island for art and religion.

Now that this site has been invaded by the forest, it has become a peaceful archeological park.

Have a tour of 2 to 3 hours to explore the major sites of this area. 

Visit a wood art factory located nearby the site.

Lunch in a local restaurant with a fantastic view on the lake.

After lunch, drive back to your hotel.

Enjoy some time to relax in the afternoon. 
 

Accomodation
Superior:
534
Day 3: Sigiriya

In mid-morning, departure to the country side of Sri Lanka for a moment among nature.

In a traditional house of the region, be welcome by a local family for an unforgettable encounter.

In company of your host, learn about the local gastronomy and give a hand in the kitchen to help preparing the traditional meal: “Rice and Curry”! 

Local lunch in a traditionnal house. 

Back to the hotel for some free time.

At the end of the afternoon, head to a massage parlor for 1h30 of Ayurveda massage. Select the treatment of your choice.
 

Accomodation
Superior:
535
Day 4: Sigiriya - Matale - Kandy

Today, drive to the city of Kandy, the spiritual capital of the island.

On your way, in Matale, visit spices gardens with pepper, cardamom, chilly etc.

With your local guide you will learn plenty about those condiments and plants.

Lunch at the spice gardens.

Continue your journey to Kandy. Located at 350 meters of altitude and surrounded by hills, Kandy is the cultural center of the country.

The city became British in 1815. Nested between rice fields and tea plantations, circled by the great river of Mahaweli, Kandy is a handicraft, art and dance jewel.

Arrival at your hotel in Kandy and check-in into your rooms.

At the end of the afternoon, head to the central lake of the city to enjoy a traditional dance show: dance of the fire, dance of the harvest, dance of the offerings etc are performed in colorful traditional costumes along with musicians.

Continue to the Temple of the Tooth. Not to be missed in Kandy, this temple which was achieved in 1782. It hosts one of the most precious relic of Buddhism: the tooth of the “illuminated”, the tooth of Buddha. This tooth would have been saved from the flames in 543 BC, then after epic stories, it would have traveled to Ceylon. It has become the most precious treasure of the island. 
 

Accomodation
Superior:
536
Day 5: Kandy - Pinnawela - Kandy

This morning, departure for the Elephants sanctuary! 

The place belongs to a local family taking care of retired elephants. 

Visit of the foundation.

At the artisanal workshop, the elephants’ poo is recycled to make … writing paper! 

It is now time for the bath of the elephants. The peaceful giants invite you to come and scrub their back!

Lunch by the river, in the park of the foundation.

On your way back to Kandy in the afternoon, stop for a nice promenade in the great gardens of 

Peradeniya : the largest botanical garden of the island, covering 60 hectares nested by the banks of the river Mahaweli. This garden offers an impressive collection of orchids and of palm trees planted in 1950.

Moment of leisure at your hotel and departure for dinner in a restaurant offering a fantastic panoramic view on the city. 
 

Accomodation
Superior:
537
Day 6: Kandy - Nuwara Eliya

This morning, departure to a hilly region of Sri Lanka: the region of Nuwara Eliya.

You will explore today the country of Tea!  Landscapes of the plantations are unique. The quality of the tea depends on the altitude at which it is cultivated. The harvest is, still today, done by hand by women generally dressed in their traditional outfit: the longhi.

Visit of a tea plantation and tasting of one of the best tea in the world ! 

Lunch in Nuwara Eliya. 

The afternoon will be dedicated to a visit of the small town of Nuwara Eliya. Nuwara Eliya is an enchanting place located in the mountains, which is very different from the rest of the country. Your are transported to the ancient colonial atmosphere of Sri Lanka, surrounded by English cottages, golf courses and colonial buildings.

Arrival in mid-afternoon at your hotel. 
 

Accomodation
Superior:
538
Day 7: Nuwara Eliya - South of Sri Lanka

Beginning of the morning to enjoy the scenic road before driving on the beautiful road along the coast of the island.

Arrival at your hotel for 2 nights. 

Accomodation
Superior:
539
Day 8: South of Sri Lanka - Galle

In the morning, departure for a tour to the city of Galle.

Galle is an ancient Dutch counter and is one of the most charming place of the island. Inside the fort, you will enjoy wandering in the small streets. 

This quiet city of 76.000 people used to be the main Dutch counter for the trade of spices. You will see colonial buildings as well as the  « Groote Kerk », a church built in  1754. 

Time at leisure for souvenir shopping.

Back to the hotel in the afternoon. 
 

Accomodation
Superior:
540
Day 9: South of Sri Lanka - Departure

Morning at leisure to prepare your suitcase.

Transfer to the airport depending on the schedule of your international flight.

Say good-bye to the land of tea and spices !
 

Accomodation
Price from
2 090 $ / Pers. (1 830 €)
Price includes
  • 8 nights as mentioned in the program, standard accommodation (Other categories, contact us).
  • Transfers by air-conditioned car.
  • Breakfasts and meals as mentioned in the program.
  • A local English-speaking guide during visits and transfers.
  • Admissions fees to sites.
  • Assistance of your advisor (before, during and after the trip).  
Price doesn't include
  • Air Transport (contact us).
  • Meals not mentioned (contact us).
  • Tips.
  • Travel insurance.