After early breakfast, visit early morning the fish market of Negombo - definitely a must see if you like to delve into the real Negombo. 

The fish market is located on a sandy Laguna in Negombo. As soon as boats arrive with their catch, at the break of dawn, fishermen start unloading an impressive variety of fish and putting it on display on stands, and in baskets. You will get to see how locals sell the fish, negotiate the price, etc. Swordfish, barracudas, tunas, rays, octopuses, sardines, crabs, spider crabs, lobsters... you are sure to find your favorite. 

Behind the stands, right on the beach, rows and rows and rows of dried fish are waiting to be packed and sent inland. A colorful market rich in noises, life… and smells where photographers will be delighted!    

Then on to a coconut or pineapple plantation - where we learn all things fascinating on these products. 

Stop by a brick factory. Yes, you read that right. a brick factory to see how "simple things" are made. 

Local lunch somewhere special before Dambulla.

Afterwards, discover the cave temple of Dambulla, created in the 1st century and in which there are more than 100 statues of Buddha in 5 different grottos where walls and ceilings are covered in gorgeous frescos. 

OR

Enjoy a small walk in the vegetable market of the town, where you will get to see the impressive array of « exotic » and yummy fruits and veggies such as red bananas, ambarellas, and pineapples.  

Dinner and overnight stay in Sigiriya. 

The morning, it's all about chillaxing in the beautiful resort with a SPA and a head massage. 

Lunch will be served in a family restaurant, just next to paddy fields.  

Then on to Polonnaruwa, capital of the country in the 12th century, and today a UNESCO World Heritage site. We will visit the Royal Palace, the Royal pool, the Gal-Vihara with the 3 sculpted statues of the Buddha and, the main attraction of the site, the 14-meter long Sleeping Buddha carved in the mountain. You can choose to visit this impressive site by bus or by bike.  

Dinner and overnight stay in Sigiriya.

The first part of the day is specially catered for Tourleb as we visit the black pool then learn all about monkeys - these mischievous and cute animals, so popular in pictures, and so famous for the wrong things. 

Then on to Mihintale, an important pilgrimage site for Sri Lanka Buddhists. It is home to a Stuppa that is 2000 years old.  

Next, Anuradhapura - the capital and birthplace of the Sinhalese culture, the largest ethnic group of the island. It is also a major cultural and religious center in the country.  

Dinner and overnight stay in Sigiriya.

After breakfast, tuk tuk ride in the field of Sigiriya, heading to Sigiriya.

We will meet a bread distributor whose lively hood depends on his tuk-tuk.

Then, you can chose between:

1. A very early rise and climb on the Lion Rock of Sigiriya (to avoid the touristic rush hour). We will visit the citadel, a World Heritage Site since 1982, and built on a 370-meter high rock. A Sri Lankan artistic Gem is found there: the portrait of 21 young women, the colors of which have not lost their luster since they were drawn, 1500 years ago. And just on the mirror wall on the opposite side, graffiti dating back to the 6th and 13th century praise the women’s grace. Eagle nest of a king who killed his father, the palace atop the rock is reached by a narrow staircase that snakes in and around the paws of a lion.

OR

2. The climb on top of Pidurangala Mountain, another archeological site. However, beware: the climb up is more sinuous, albeit a bit shorter. The end of the climb is a bit hard. There you can visit the grottos that house the Sigiri Pidurangala Raja Maha Viharaya temple, built by the king Kashyapa in the 5th century, and the huge statue of the Sleeping Buddha. The view is absolutely breathtaking. 

Special lunch with cooking class for those who want to try their hand with Sri Lankan cuisine.

Visit Ritigala Mountain for those who still have energy. If not, relax at the hotel.

Ritigala Mountain is one of Tourleb’s favorite spots. In this not-so-classical site, you will feel like explorers as we walk through historical remains of a Buddhist temple, an old hospital, and some grottos, surrounded by a lush forest and humongous trees that are impressive in their own right.   

Dinner and stay in Sigiriya

After breakfast, take the road to Kandy and visit a tea plantation along the way.

Lunch in a beautiful place on the way.

Afternoon visit of the Temple of the Tooth - one of the most important religious sites for locals and foreigners.

Discover Kandy after sunset and maybe enjoy a performance of Katakali - the traditional dance.

After breakfast, visit Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens, the biggest of the country, with 4000 species of plants.

Then, we learn all about the batik - a traditional dying technique that gives a unique vide to fabrics. The visit will take place in a small-scale family owned factory. 

After lunch, we will enjoy a city tour of Kandy, a vibrant city, filled with markets, and landmarks and bazaars.

Evening, return to the hotel and relax.

Special dinner and overnight stay in Kandy.

The day will start with the visit of a tea plantation. IT is Sri Lanka after all. Learn all about how tea grows, how its harvested, and taste different blends.

Then, on to the family owned Elephant Millenium Foundation whose purpose is to offer better life conditions to domesticated elephants in the country. You will be able to help bathe an elephant, understand the Mahouts language (elephant “tamers”), and even do a very gentle elephant ride (not hurting them). You can even adopt one if you want (without taking it back home of course!).

We will have lunch at the foundation and will visit a paper factory unlike any other; unique, typical, and 100% eco-friendly.  

Lunch 

Evening tour in Colombo.

Overnight stay at Colombo.

Explore the city of Colombo all day - from landmarks to shopping.

Special dinner at “Ministry of Crab.”

Overnight stay in Colombo.

You can chose to stay for 2 extra days in Colombo or you can check out and leave.

Should you choose to stay, your accommodation, breakfast and airport transfer is included. But lunch and dinner and all other entrance fees and expenses are on you.