Between culture and jungle

Your Sri Lankan adventure begins with a private flight to Colombo, where the following morning you'll be welcomed to Sri Lanka! Upon arrival, you'll be met at Bandaranaike International Airport by a member of staff and transferred to your hotel, where you can relax and recover from your journey. If you're feeling adventurous and time allows, you can explore the vibrant capital city on your own and get your first impressions of Sri Lanka.

Habarana is considered an ideal starting point for exploring Sri Lanka's cultural triangle, encompassing the ancient royal cities of Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa, as well as the cave temples of Dambulla, all of which await discovery along the way. The Dambulla caves initially served as a refuge for a king, who, after regaining his throne, had them adorned with magnificent images. Numerous successors followed his example, so that today, with their more than 153 depictions of Buddha and vibrant murals from various periods, the caves represent a true cultural and historical treasure, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Long forgotten, the architectural remains of Polonnaruwa lay buried beneath dense jungle until the British rediscovered the former Sinhalese capital in 1820. Its former importance is underscored not only by the ingenious irrigation system with its artificial reservoir, which enabled rice cultivation even during the dry season. The sacred tooth relic of Buddha was even carefully preserved in the circular Vatadage Temple. The remains of the magnificent royal palace, the enormous stupas, the extensive temple and monastery complexes, and the imposing Buddha statues also speak of the past glory of a golden age.

Rising abruptly from the jungle, the gneiss rock of Sigiriya is Sri Lanka's most popular historical site. Its 200-meter-high summit was once entirely covered in buildings, and the entrance flanked by lion paws halfway up gave the complex the name "Lion's Fortress." The preserved water gardens, colorful frescoes, the mirrored wall with ancient graffiti, and the breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape hint at the site's former grandeur. Your accommodation tonight is in Elkaduwa, a small village nestled in the stunning natural landscape of the Knuckles Mountains. Here you can spend the rest of the day relaxing and enjoying the unique surroundings.

Like the knuckles of a fist, the hills of the Knuckles Mountain Range rise from the cloud-shrouded landscape. The dense green of the forests, enchanting waterfalls, and colorful wildflower meadows create a seemingly otherworldly paradise, which you will discover for yourself on a hike today. After returning to your hotel, the rest of the day is yours to relax or explore on your own.

Once the last stronghold of the Sinhalese kings, Kandy has retained an aura of grandeur and exudes an exotic beauty. Nestled amidst verdant hills, Kandy and its surrounding villages are a cultural hub where many legends, traditions, and ways of life are kept alive. Upon arrival, the day is yours to explore the city at your leisure.

A morning stroll through the Royal Botanic Garden Peradeniya is a wonderful way to start the day, as its high biodiversity of plants from all over the world makes it the most beautiful in all of Asia. The atmospheric heart of Kandy is the Temple of the Tooth, nestled among green hills by the lake, where a tooth of Buddha is kept – lighting an oil lamp or placing flowers there is said to bring good luck. A performance of traditional Kandy dances offers a musical journey into the colorful cultural heritage of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka is one of the world's largest tea exporters, with tea production primarily concentrated in the central highlands around Nuwara Eliya. A visit to a tea factory and a walk among the lush green tea plants will immerse you in the world of tea production and offer the opportunity to talk with the tea pickers. Your accommodation for the night is in the small mountain town of Bandarawela, where, after your arrival in the afternoon, you can relax and unwind amidst the tranquil mountain scenery.

Udawalawe National Park is another of Sri Lanka's natural highlights, waiting to be discovered. Since the construction of the Udawalawe Dam, numerous wild animals have found a protected home here, and you'll find everything that makes for an exciting safari – in the breathtaking landscape of open grasslands and forests. On an afternoon jeep safari, you'll follow the tracks of water buffalo, wild boar, mongooses, and especially elephants, experiencing a slice of Sri Lanka's exotic nature. The rest of the day is free for relaxation.

The Sinharaja Rainforest is the last remaining continuous forest area in Sri Lanka and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Everything you could imagine a wild jungle to be can be found here: a tropical climate with high humidity, frequent rainfall, towering canopies and dense undergrowth, enchanting waterfalls, and fascinating wildlife including poisonous insects and amphibians, monkeys, and a diverse array of birds. Few tourists visit this area, allowing you to enjoy a peaceful walking safari. Upon arrival, you can spend the rest of the day relaxing or exploring on your own.

Early in the morning, you'll embark on an exciting hike through the Sinharaja Rainforest. Accompanied by a unique soundscape of birdsong, monkey calls, and insect chirping, you'll discover the wonderful natural landscape and its inhabitants on foot. Your ranger will point out the masters of camouflage and knows every animal, tree, and plant – he'll also gladly explain the subtle but important differences between jungle and rainforest. The rest of the day is free for relaxation or independent exploration.

An afternoon stroll through Galle in southern Sri Lanka is like stepping back in time to the colonial past. The fort in the bay was first established by the Portuguese in 1588 and then further expanded and fortified by the Dutch from 1649 onwards. Buildings such as the Dutch church, the museum, and the white lighthouse at the eastern end of the fort exude an inimitable historical charm. After so many new impressions and adventures, you deserve a break – today you'll head to one of Sri Lanka's wonderful beaches, where you can relax in the sun, sand, and sea, far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Enjoy another day on Sri Lanka's idyllic beaches and tailor your stay to your own preferences. (not included, optional at extra cost)

Depending on your departure time, you will be transferred to Bandaranaike International Airport today, from where you will begin your journey home. We wish you a pleasant flight home and hope to welcome you back as our guests soon. (Please note that you should arrive at the airport three hours before departure.)