Individual Sri Lanka Experience 21 days

Upon arrival, our representative will meet you at the airport and take you to the hotel шт Chilaw for your relaxing stay on the beach after the long flight. After checking into the hotel you have the day off. The uniqueness of Chilaw is its close proximity to three very different ecosystems. The coastline, mangroves and freshwater tanks make it one of the six RAMSAR wetlands in Sri Lanka. This unique ecological environment has made it a favorable nesting and breeding site for hundreds of species of birds. Overnight in Chilaw.

After breakfast you check out of the hotel and continue to Anuradhapura. After checking into the hotel you explore the city. The UNESCO World Heritage city of Anuradhapura was once the main center of Sri Lankan civilization. Here you can see fascinating ancient ruins, very large bell-shaped stupas made of small, sun-dried bricks, temples, sculptures, palaces and historic drinking water storage tanks. Overnight in Anuradhapura.

Today after breakfast you will drive north. After about 4 hours you will reach the Jaffna Lagoon. Welcome to what was once the second largest city in the country on the northern tip of Sri Lanka. After checking into the hotel you explore the city. Overnight in Jaffna.

After breakfast you will go on a city tour of Jaffna. Don't expect too much when you visit the Dutch Fort - a relic from the times of colonization. On the coast, visit the star-shaped fortress of Jaffna, built in the 17th century by the Portuguese and later occupied by the Dutch and British. Afterwards, enjoy a boat ride to Naga Deepa and the Nainaatheevu Hindu Kovil. You can visit the two temples on the island. Overnight in Jaffna.

After breakfast, continue to Sigiriya. On the way there, visit the huge stand-alone rock cave temple of Dambulla, measuring 170m in length - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admire the breathtaking view from the top of the 100m high rock, including five adjacent caves that were later converted into a magnificent rock temple by King Valagambahu. Inside the caves you will find numerous statues: a reclining Buddha and other deities associated with Buddhism that mark the history of the Sinhalese. There are frescoes on the walls and ceiling that date from the 15th - 18th centuries. Overnight in Sigiriya.

After breakfast, climb Sigiriya Rock, also known as "Lion Rock", where a fortress was built by King Kashyapa in the 5th century AD, who had his father murdered. It was an exceptional natural site for a fortress that takes its name from the lions, which are believed to have occupied caves in ancient times. The massive "Lion Rock", with its flattened peak, towers over the surrounding landscape and forest, with a magnificent view across the dry zone and south to the central highlands. Within the remains of the fort you can see the remains of the palaces, covered galleries, where there are the only painted representations remaining in this country, on a secular theme, in extensive grounds with water gardens. Around midday you will drive to Sigiriya Village, where you will experience traditional Sri Lanka in all its authenticity. You will spend time with the villagers and get to know village life. Lunch is included in the program. Overnight in Sigiriya.

After breakfast, drive to Polonnaruwa where you will visit the 2nd capital of the Sinhala Kings, which dates back to the 11th and 12th centuries AD. The entire landscape of the region is dotted with huge artificial reservoirs, the most famous of which is the ''Parakrama Samudra''. Numerous monuments can be found in this city. One of the outstanding ones is the ''Gal Vihara Complex'' with its beautiful sculptures of a lying, standing and Sitting Buddha. In the evening you go on a jeep safari in Minneriya. A huge ancient reservoir, wetlands with reeds, jungle and one of the largest meeting points for Asian elephants on the continent. The reservoir was created as a water reservoir for the nearby royal cities as early as the 3rd century Today it is a paradise for water birds and various species of deer. Return to the hotel and spend the night in Sigiriya.

After breakfast your journey takes you to Kandy. En route, visit a herb garden and a batik factory in Matale. In the evening upon arrival in Kandy, check in to the hotel and attend a traditional cultural show. Afterwards you will visit the Temple of the Tooth with a puja ceremony. Overnight in Kandy.

After breakfast you will visit Ambuluwawa Temple, which offers a wonderful view of the surroundings of Kandy. In the small garden, two temples, a church and a mosque stand peacefully side by side. All religions on the island are represented here: Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam.
Afterwards you have optional trek in Udawatta Kele Forest Reserve. Udawatta Kele is a great place to spot many local birds. Overnight in Kandy.

After breakfast you check out of the hotel and visit the temple with the sacred tooth relic of Buddha. Then drive to the Knuckles Mountains in the central province of Sri Lanka, which the Sinhalese residents traditionally call Dumbara Kanduvetiya, which means Misty Mountains. It is a climatic microcosm for the rest of Sri Lanka, as the conditions of all climatic zones in the country are reflected in the mountain range. At higher altitudes there are a number of isolated cloud forests that are home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. More than 34 percent of Sri Lanka's endemic trees, shrubs and herbs are found only in these forests. The Knuckles Conservation Forest was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010 as part of the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka. Overnight stay at Wild Glamping

After breakfast you will go for a gentle hike in the Knuckles Mountains and then continue to Mahiyanganaya. In the evening visit Vedda village in Dambana. The Vedda tribe adheres to traditional ways of life and leads a self-sufficient life in close relationship with nature. The pride of Sri Lanka's heritage, the indigenous Veddhas tribe has a much older past than the landing of Prince Vijaya in the 5th century BC. Archaeological evidence suggests that the Neolithic ancestors of modern Veddha visited this island as early as 18,000 BC. BC inhabited. Here you can find out more about the everyday life of the people living there and their activities such as hunting and honey harvesting. Overnight in Mahiyanganaya.

After breakfast, you set off on a hike through picturesque nature to the impressive Ratna Ella waterfall in all its beauty. Lush landscapes, rice fields and shady jungle paths with crystal clear, cold water can be admired here. Overnight in Mahiyanganaya.

After breakfast you continue to Nuwara Eliya – the center of the hill country, also called “nature paradise”. Nuwara Eliya is the heart of the tea country located in the central highlands at 1980 m altitude. The climate in this place is much cooler compared to other parts of Sri Lanka around +10c° (don't forget to take a jacket). You can take beautiful panoramic photos from Shanthipura viewpoint. On the way you will visit a tea plantation and experience the production of the world-famous Ceylon tea. Then take the scenic ride on the Sri Lanka Railways to the heart of the tea landscape. During this fascinating 1.5-hour pleasure ride from Nanu Oya to Ella through the tea plantations and misty hills, you will glimpse villages, tea pickers, waterfalls and authentic Sri Lankan life by the locals. Overnight stay in Ella.

After breakfast you have free time to relax in the hotel. In the late afternoon you will go on a city tour. You can hike to the Nine Arches Bridge and Little Adam's Peak, which offers beautiful views of Ella Rock, Ravana Waterfall and the city of Ella. (Sturdy shoes are mandatory) Overnight stay in Ella.

After breakfast the journey continues to Yala. After arriving in Yala, go on a jeep safari to Yala National Park. Yala National Park is the most popular wildlife park in Sri Lanka, among other things, because of the many leopards. Sri Lanka is, along with India, one of the few countries in the world where the population lives side by side with wild animals. However, herds of axis deer can be seen everywhere in the park. Watch pink rhesus monkeys and the gray langurs that are spotted everywhere there. You will see wild buffalo and wild bears sunbathing or drinking at the waterhole. Unforgettable experiences are not uncommon in Yala Park. When you arrive, check into the hotel. Overnight in Yala.

After breakfast, drive to Sri Lanka's most popular national park - Udawalawe National Park was founded in 1972 to provide protection for native animal species such as elephants and birds. Due to its central location in the south of the country, the park quickly became a popular destination for travelers. The park is particularly known for its endangered Ceylon elephants. These are a bit smaller than the African elephants. Today between 500 and 600 elephants live in the national park. Therefore, the probability of being able to observe the impressive animals on a safari is quite high. In addition, the national park consists largely of open grassland and hardly contains any forests. This makes it easier to spot animals, especially at watering holes. In addition to the elephants, you can find a large number of other animals in the national park. Crocodiles and turtles, among others, live in and around the Udawalawe reservoir. There are also the water buffaloes, who like to rest at the lake. A small population of leopards also lives in the depths of the park. However, these are difficult to spot on safaris. However, monkeys, foxes, monitor lizards and mangoes are often seen. Udawalawe National Park is also interesting for bird lovers as it is home to ostriches and eagles. On arrival Jeep Safari in the national park. Overnight in Udawalawa.

The Sinharaja protected area in the southwest of the country is around 190 m2 in size and was declared Sri Lanka's first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. Sinharaja – is one of the last large contiguous forest areas on the island. There are remnants of primary rainforest and numerous plants and animal species that only occur here and are therefore endemic. About half of Sri Lanka's endemic mammal and butterfly species make their home in this rainforest area. Sinharaja is particularly popular with bird lovers because almost all bird species that are native to Sri Lanka live here. One more reason for us to go to Sinharaja Forest Reserve!

After breakfast you check out of the hotel around 11:00 a.m. and drive to Galle, the capital of the southern province. Galle was once the island's main port. Galle reached its peak of development in the 18th century, during Dutch colonial rule. It is the best example of a fortified city built by Europeans in South and Southeast Asia. Here the mutual influences of European architecture and South Asian tradition overlap. The main attraction of Galle is the large fort (UNESCO World Heritage Site) built by European occupiers. Upon arrival in Colombo you will have free time to explore Colombo on your own. Overnight stay in a hotel in Colombo.

The day is at your leisure. Without a car. Overnight in Galle.

In the afternoon, check out of the hotel and drive back to Colombo. In Colombo you have a free day for your own activities.

After breakfast you will be transferred to the international airport for your flight back to Germany. - End of our services -