Experience the exciting highlights of Sri Lanka in 18 days, from tea plantations and ancient royal sites to safaris in Yala National Park. At the end of your trip, relaxation awaits you in the Maldives.
Willkommen in der lebhaften Hauptstadt Sri Lankas. Colombo ist ein Schmelztiegel der Kulturen und bietet Ihnen eine aufregende Mischung aus Kultur, Historie und Kulinarik. Entdecken Sie farbenfrohe Straßenmärkte mit einer bunten Auswahl – angefangen von Obst und Gemüse bis zu Handwerkskunst. Entdecken Sie historische Sehenswürdigkeiten wie das Colombo National Museum, welches eine umfangreiche Sammlung von Artefakten enthält, die von der prähistorischen bis zur kolonialen Zeit reichen. Einer der bedeutendsten buddhistischen Tempel und Kulturzentrum in Colombo ist der Gangaramaya Tempel. Seine eindrucksvolle Architektur und eine beeindruckende Sammlung buddhistischer Reliquien machen ihn zu einem sehenswerten Ort. Probieren Sie sich durch die vielfältige kulinarische Szene der Stadt. Authentische und traditionelle Spezialitäten genießt man in lokalen Restaurants und in den vielen Steetfoodlokalen.
After a hearty breakfast, continue your city tour and head north with a private driver to Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka's first capital, with its impressive statues, magnificent palaces, and temples. The ancient royal city and UNESCO World Heritage Site will enchant you with impressive ruins and sacred stupas, which bear witness to the city's rich Buddhist history. Visit the sacred Bodhi tree, one of the oldest and most important spiritual sites in Buddhism. It is over 2,000 years old and is considered a direct descendant of the tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment.
Your journey continues to your next accommodation and the ancient city of Sigiriya, which is located on the monolith of the same name, also known as Lion Rock. It is an architectural masterpiece and a testament to Sri Lanka's cultural and historical heritage. The name comes from the huge lion statue, of which only the paws remain at the entrance area. Visit the 5th-century rock fortress at the top of Lion Rock and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic view. Take a trip to Polonnaruwa and visit this early medieval royal city from the 11th-13th centuries. Here you will find the Polonnaruwa Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover relics from stupas and temples and the Buddha statues of Gal Vihara.
On your way to your next destination, visit the five largest cave temples in Dambulla. With around 80 cave temples, Dambulla has the largest temple complex in the country. Then drive to the spice gardens of Matale. A guided tour will give you an insight into this wide variety of spices. In the afternoon, you will reach Kandy. Go on an exciting city tour. The city is one of the most beautiful in Sri Lanka. It is nestled among mountains, surrounded by tea plantations and rainforests. Kandy Lake lies in the center of the city. The city's landmark is the Temple of the Tooth, which contains a tooth relic of Buddha.
Today, you will continue your journey by train to Nuwara Eliya. The journey itself is a dream: travel past tea plantations and mountain landscapes with idyllic mountain villages, admire waterfalls and the beautiful scenery. You will travel to an altitude of approx. 2,000 m. The journey continues to Hatton, also known as the starting point for Adam's Peak. This is where your accommodation, the Ceylon Tea Trails, is located, nestled in a beautiful landscape surrounded by tea plantations.
Continue on to Yala National Park. It has the highest density of leopards in the world, but elephants, sloth bears, and many species of birds can also be found in this national park. In the afternoon, go on a safari in an off-road vehicle with an experienced guide and discover the surroundings and their wildlife. Afterwards, drive to your lodge. You can also take a trip to Bundala National Park, which is home to mongooses, langurs, crocodiles, giant squirrels, elephants, and many species of birds, among others.
Continue from Yala National Park to the charming port city of Galle. This place is known for its old town and fort, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The fort is a fortification built around the old town in the 16th century by the Portuguese colonial rulers. The walls are made of granite stone and coral and were expanded by the Dutch after their conquest. The British eventually built the clock tower. The buildings on the car-free streets reflect these influences. Visit the Dutch Reformed Church, built in the 18th century, or the Galle Lighthouse at the southeastern end of the fort.
Travel back to Colombo and fly on to your relaxing beach holiday in the Maldives. You will stay at Naladhu Private Island Maldives. Here you will stay in one of 20 dreamlike villas on the turquoise blue Indian Ocean. Enjoy a variety of water sports. Encounter ocean dwellers such as whale sharks, dolphins, manta rays, and sea turtles. Privacy and personal service are the hallmarks of Naladhu, as is the dining concept without fixed menus for exceptional culinary freedom. You will also enjoy exclusive access to the two neighboring sister resorts.
