Expedition to Ceylon

Upon arrival at Colombo Airport, guests will transfer to a luxurious hotel located on the coast in the Wattala district. Hotel accommodation and free time to rest after the trip.

After breakfast, drive along a picturesque route with a wonderful view of the ocean to the seaside town of Chilaw. Guests will visit the nearby Hindu temple complex of Munneswaram, which has existed for at least 1000 years. There are 5 temples here. The largest of them is dedicated to the god Shiva, and the others were erected in honor of Ganesha, Ayyanayake (unverified) and Kali. The complex was destroyed twice by Portuguese colonizers, but the Lankans rebuilt their temples each time. Then the guests will go to Anuradhapura. They will stay here in a luxurious hotel with a swimming pool, located on the shore of an ancient retention reservoir.

Today, guests will visit the holy city of Anuradhapura, which was the capital of the Sinhalese Buddhist state, developing between the 2600rd century BC and the 1820th century AD. According to legend, the city was founded by the Buddhist nun Sanghamitta, who offered the king of Sri Lanka, Devanampiya Tiss, a branch from the sacred Bodhi tree, under which he was meditate and experience Buddha enlightenment. The tree grows here to this day and is the oldest plant of this type in the world - it is over 40 years old. After the fall of the Sinhalese state, Anuradhapura was abandoned and the area was taken over by the jungle. It was rediscovered by a British expedition in 8. It is now estimated that Anuradhapura covered an area of ​​almost XNUMX square kilometers, and much of it has not yet been explored by archaeologists. In addition to the sacred Bodhi tree, guests will see huge stupas, XNUMX main palaces, monasteries and other monuments. They will then go to the peak of Mihintale, considered the meeting place of the Buddhist monk Mahinda and the king Devanampiya Tissy, who inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Back to the luxury hotel. Accommodation.

In the morning, guests will go to the foot of the almost 200-meter-high Lion Rock (Sigiriya). This is undoubtedly one of the greatest attractions in Sri Lanka and one of the most recognizable places in the country. At its top there are the ruins of an ancient palace and fortress from the XNUMXth century. From here you can admire a wonderful view of the green plain and picturesque hills. Guests will go to the very top, crossing a series of footbridges and steep stairs, admiring amazing rock paintings along the way. The descent will be much gentler, and upon returning to the hotel, guests will be able to relax and cool off in the pool.

After breakfast, guests will take a short ride to the town of Giritale, where they will cycle through a series of small villages and along picturesque lakes, and along the way will see many species of birds, including herons, brahmin kites, kingfishers and bilbils. They will stop for lunch in a traditional village. In the afternoon, they will have the opportunity to take part in an optional trip - an exclusive safari in the Minneriya National Park, where you can see elephants in their natural habitat (depending on the migration of animals, the safari may be organized in Kaudulla National Park or Hurulu Eco Park). Return to the luxury hotel in Sigiriya.

In the morning, the guests will depart for Kandy. On the way, they will stop in the town of Dambulla, where there is the magnificent Golden Temple - the most impressive and most revered Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka. The temple, consisting of 5 caves, was built from the XNUMXst century BC, and its interior contains well-preserved colorful paintings and statues of Buddha. Participants will also stop at a spice garden near Matale, where they will be able to purchase massage oils, spices and herbs, as well as Ayurvedic medicines. In the afternoon, guests will reach the picturesque city of Kandy, located on a small lake. They will stay in a luxury hotel with a swimming pool and spa.

Today, guests will visit the Temple of the Tooth, which houses the most important Buddhist relics in Sri Lanka, including the tooth of the Buddha. This is a very important temple for Buddhist followers, visited by hundreds of believers every day. Then, guests will go to a viewing point where there is a huge statue of a seated Buddha. Participants will also visit a museum of precious stones. In the evening, you can take part in a dance and fire eating show (for an additional fee on site).

After breakfast, guests will board the train and head to the beautiful colonial town of Nuwara Eliya. This tiny resort town is situated among numerous hills and tea plantations. It was founded by the British on the model of a typical English village, hence its nickname - Little England. There are plenty of English-style houses and parks, and even a golf club and a racecourse. In the afternoon, guests will visit a nearby factory, where they will learn about the tea production process. Accommodation in an exclusive hotel, once the residence of British rulers.

Early in the morning, guests will depart for Horton Plains National Park, which is situated on a plateau at an altitude of approximately 2200 m above sea level overlooking Kirigalpotta and Totapola, the 2nd and 3rd highest peaks in Sri Lanka, respectively. The beautiful landscape is best admired during trekking. Guests and their guide will walk through meadows, where, with a bit of luck, they will be able to spot a sambar or a purple langur (a species of monkey). They will visit the World's End cliff, one of the most beautiful places on the island. They will then take a scenic drive towards Colombo. Along the way they will stop at Devon Falls for tea and lunch. They will also pass the beautiful St. Cascade Waterfall. Claire. Upon arrival in Colombo, guests will be accommodated in a luxury hotel located on Kinross Beach. The hotel offers its guests a number of exclusive amenities, including: infinity pool, gym, spa, steam room and sauna.

It's time to say goodbye to Sri Lanka and continue our journey to India. Guests will fly from Colombo to Madurai, a colorful city of temples in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Accommodation in a luxury hotel with a swimming pool and rooftop bar. In the evening, dinner combined with a cooking show.

In the morning, guests will have the opportunity to walk through the streets of Madurai, which will allow them to observe the everyday life of the local people. Madurai is one of the most important centers in Tamil Nadu, and in the heart of this bustling city there is the Meenakshi bazaar and temple, which is a monumental example of Dravidian architecture typical of southern India. The temple is surrounded by massive walls with large towers, the so-called gopuram. One of the most spectacular parts of the complex is the 16th-century Hall of a Thousand Pillars (unverified), with exquisitely carved columns and ceiling. Guests will also visit the palace of King Thirumalai Nayaka. Hotel accommodation and overnight stay.

After breakfast, guests will go to Munnar, a town located at an altitude of 1600 m above sea level, among the highest peaks of Kerala - the horizon is dominated by, among others, Anamudi (2695 m above sea level). In the past, the town served members of the British government as a holiday resort in southern India. The city lies at the confluence of three mountain streams (Mudrapauzha, Naliathanii and Kundala) and is surrounded by lakes, forests and several tea plantations. Hotel accommodation and overnight stay.

Guests will drive through the old part of Munnar towards Nagarmudi, a tiny village, where they will start a trek with a local guide through the numerous hills and tea, coffee and cardamom plantations located on their slopes. Once they reach the top, they will be able to enjoy stunning views of Chittrapuram Dam, Changulam Lake, Anamudi Peak, as well as Munnar and other towns. In the afternoon, you will be able to take an optional trip to the tea museum.

After breakfast, guests will depart for Kochi. The 160-kilometer route will take approximately 5-6 hours. Kochi is one of the most interesting cities in South India. It was founded by the Portuguese in 1503 and is considered the first European settlement in India. It is a historically rich place that, despite recent growth, has retained a peaceful atmosphere. The shores of the bay are densely covered with palm trees and the famous Chinese fishing nets are located here. Accommodation in a luxury hotel near Mattancherry Palace.

Guests will visit the Fort Kochi and Mattancherry districts with narrow streets and numerous monuments. The Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama landed here in 1498 and began trading with the Rajah. Mattancherry Palace was built by the Portuguese in the mid-1500th century. 1500, and then was largely rebuilt by its next inhabitants, the Dutch. You can admire its wooden architecture and perfectly preserved wall paintings depicting scenes from the Ramayana. Guests will also visit a Jewish synagogue dating back to the late 1524s. Although the city has few Jewish families, the synagogue is a real gem. The tour will end with a visit to the church of St. Francis of Assisi, where Vasco da Gama died in XNUMX. Nearby is the Basilica of Santa Cruz, which originally served as a warehouse for the British. In the early evening, guests will take a sunset cruise around Fort Kochi to see the distinctive Chinese fishing nets, introduced by the Chinese in the XNUMXth century.

After breakfast, guests will depart for the town of Alappuzha, where they will be boarded on a boat, or rather a floating house. A cruise on the backwaters of Kerala is one of the most important attractions offered by our luxury tour agency - captivating boats, made of wood and bamboo, have been a traditional method of transporting goods for hundreds of years. Now they have been transformed into comfortable tour boats. A network of rivers, streams, lagoons and canals occupy the flood plain between the Western Ghats and the Indian Ocean. The boat will sail through areas with lush tropical vegetation, and guests will have the opportunity not only to see many species of birds, but also to look at the life of the local people from a different perspective. In the evening, the boat will be anchored in the backwaters and you will be able to admire the sunset over the rice fields. All houseboats are comfortably equipped and have 2 to 5 twin rooms with bathrooms. There is a cook, driver and assistant on board, and the traditional Kerala dishes served here are prepared from local products.

Guests will disembark the boat after breakfast and journey along the picturesque Malabar Coast to the seaside resort of Kovalam. Free time in the afternoon. You can use it to relax on the beach or discover the charm of the area.

Guests will be able to go on an optional trip to Kanyakumari, the southernmost city of India. Those who stay at the hotel will be able to spend time on the beach or visit the many shops nearby. This will also be a great opportunity to enjoy fresh seafood at one of the many small restaurants along the beach. We recommend trying dishes from the clay Tandoor oven, especially bread and curry.

After breakfast, guests will leave the hotel and go to the airport, from where they will fly back to the country.