Sri Lanka and Maldives Gay Travel Luxury Cultural Tour

Day 1: Welcome to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, the tear-shaped island off the southeastern coast of India, is remarkable in its richness and beauty. From mountain ranges dotted with plantations cultivating Ceylon’s famous tea to the beautiful Indian Ocean coast, it is a delight for the eyes. Culturally, Sri Lanka exudes culture through its rich dance, music, and art. Each day is a public parade of color, music, and imagination. Witness the masked dances, processions of elephants, and locals dressed in brilliant hued saris and adorned with jewels and dyes. We invite you to Sri Lanka, a place like nowhere else in the world!

Upon arrival, you will be met at Bandaranaike International Airport by our representative. They will then transfer you to our comfortable hotel in Negombo to get settled. Tonight, you will be on your own after a long day of traveling.

Day 2: Journey to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

After breakfast at our hotel, we will head to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, a 25-acre coconut property. We will witness baby elephants being bottle-fed and freely wandering around, enjoying life. Since 1975, these orphaned and sometimes three-legged animals have been cared for at this facility. They spend their days being feed and enjoying bathes in the river.

Our journey then continues to Anuradhapura. Along the way, we will visit a coconut plantation and experience the agriculture and operations of the area. Coconuts are the livelihood of most Sri Lankans.

After a full day, we will spend the evening getting settled into our relaxing resort and spa hotel.  Our Welcome Dinner this evening will be an exquisite BBQ at a local rice field.

Day 3: Anuradhapura by Bicycle(optional) 

Today we will explore the first capital of Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura. Sri Lanka boasts one of the oldest civilizations in the world, led by 113 kings and spanning 1300 years. The sapphire of its crown is certainly the Sri Maha Bodhi. This is the sacred Fig tree said to be grown from the famous tree under which Buddha became enlightened. It was planted in 288 BC and is the oldest living human-planted tree in the world with a known planting date. Take some deep breaths and maybe even let out a relaxing “Ohm” or two…

Day 4: Hiriwadunna Village / Minneriya

This morning, we will drive through rural villages and experience the authentic lifestyles of the locals. We will have the opportunity to enjoy a traditional lunch hosted by a local farming family. Hiriwadunna is a scenic village with unpaved gravel paths and laid-back village folks. The locale is perfect, as it is shaded on either side by dry zone shrub forest and enriched with red soil. This contrasts beautifully with the indigo reservoir. The area is full of cormorant trees and wildflowers that attract gorgeous butterflies and dragonflies. As we walk further down the path, we will spot the Sigiriya rock fortress overlooking the silent and still waters of the reservoir.

To see more of the area, we will board a catamaran and go for a ride on the reservoir. We’ll enjoy a cup of Ceylon tea on a local farm. Our transportation We will even take a ride in a bullock cart, transportation that is centuries old and still in use today!

We will spend the rest of the day exploring Minneriya, an elephant sanctuary that spreads over 8800 hectares! We will observe herds of deer and ample birdlife. However, the spotlight remains the swaying trunks of the herds of elephants.

Day 5: Time Travelers Wanted…

Today we go back in time with a visit to the 5th-century rock citadel of King Kasyapa and the UNESCO World Heritage Site Sigiriya. As we step through the gigantic ‘Lion Paws’ we will marvel at the symmetrical royal gardens below. We will walk past many frescoes and works of art. Feel the absolute splendor that causes many to refer to this as the mythological ‘City of Gods’.

Next is a spice plantation in historic Matale. There, we will observe the therapeutic effects of various spices over a refreshing cup of herbal tea!

Tonight, we stop in Kandy, a small lakeside town cradled by misty mountains. It is home to the Temple of the Tooth Relic, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. The monks have carefully preserved an actual tooth of Buddha here for centuries! Afterward, we will wander through the streets and markets. Later, we will enjoy a cultural show featuring traditional music and drumming, showcasing the rich and vibrant culture of Sri Lanka.

Day 6: Peradeniya Botanical Gardens

We start our day blissfully exploring the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. This was originally a pleasure garden for Royalty with 147 acres of magnificent pavilions, manicured terraces, giant trees, and even an orchid house.

Next, we will drive through lush tea terraces and misty mountains on an epic adventure from Peradeniya to Hatton. The colorful one-lane roads meander between vast hillsides of tea bushes to our home for the next two nights. Our Ceylon Tea Trails plantation rooms will be in colonial plantation houses. Chefs will prepare gourmet meals, then we’ll dine in the grand dining room or on an outdoor terrace. Enjoy views of the surrounding fields and mountains as the sun sets!

Day 7: Relax, Relax, Relax

Today, there will be plenty of free time to explore the lush surroundings of our cottages nestled in the misty mountains of beautiful Sri Lanka. Unwind, discover, have a spa treatment, enjoy a tour of the tea plantation, take a mountain walk, or hop on one of the lodge’s mountain bikes to explore the paths winding among the rows of tea plants. There are a variety of optional activities you can choose from today if you wish. (Optional items cost not included in tour price).

Day 8: White-Water Rafting(optional) 

Off to Weligama today with a stop for white-water rafting in Kitulgala for those who are interested. As we arrive at our Resort and Spa; you will have the evening at your leisure. However, we will meet up for dinner.

Day 9: Galle City Tour

Today we start off with a city tour of Galle, the epic Southern capital, where Dutch architecture meets a tropical setting. We will walk the Dutch-haunted streets listening to the creaks of wooden saloon doors and observe how European architecture mixes with South Asian traditions today. Within the fort, we’ll observe the “old gate” carrying the British coat of arms. Perched on the gate is the Zwart bastion – the oldest of all – and the lighthouse standing just 18 feet in all its glory next to the Utrecht Bastion.

Enjoy the afternoon with a visit to a local, family-owned specialty tea plantation. The estate is 150 acres, with half dedicated to tea bushes. In the rest of the complex are rubber, cinnamon, and coconut trees. The factory is a working museum, as most machines were made in the UK and are over 140 years old. Handunugoad plantation produces the famous “virgin white tea”, a tea untouched by hands, which has attracted attention from tea enthusiasts all over the world.

Tonight, we will enjoy our farewell dinner. Yes, a night early; but it will be worth it.

Day 10: Colombo

Today we will journey to Colombo and stop to enjoy a brief city tour of the throbbing metropolis and the country’s commercial capital. We will drive along the clean streets edging the Crystal White Race Course; once the horse racing hub in 1893 and World War II airstrip. Stop in at Pettah and enjoy the Floating Market; an offbeat experience. We will proceed along Bauddhaloka Mawatha towards the “Arcade”; facing the historic Independence Square, one of the trendiest shopping and hangout zones in Colombo. Take in the scent of incense and the sounds of the chiming bells of Gangarama Temple while sipping a cold beverage at the Dutch Hospital.

The afternoon will be at your leisure to do more exploring this fabulous city. This evening we will enjoy dinner and enjoy our last night together.

Day 11: Goodbye to Sri Lanka

After breakfast, we will transfer to the Colombo airport (about 1 hour) to begin your trip home or fly to Male to join our extension to the Magical Maldives!