13 Days / 12 Nights
Day 01: Airport – Colombo
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met by our friendly English – speaking Chauffeur Guide and transferred to a city hotel in Colombo.
Unwind and relax in the comforts of your plush city hotel. Lay down your travel weary heads for an early night’s sleep after enjoying a scrumptious dinner.
Eclectic Colombo is Sri Lanka’s commercial capital and largest urban hub with a burgeoning population. It is a cosmopolitan, culturally diverse, and easy-going metropolis. The city’s skyline is ever changing with new high-rise buildings claiming their place among the old contenders. Colombo is a progressive, forward thinking city and Sri Lanka’s foremost link to the world. Packed with an array of attractive accommodation, transport, food, shopping, recreation, and sightseeing options, Colombo is a city not to be overlooked in your travels around Sri Lanka. With so much diversity, exuberance, amiability and a tourist friendly vibe, Colombo will not disappoint!
Day 02: Colombo
After breakfast you will be taken on a guided tour of the city of Colombo. Thereafter, proceed to Arugam Bay on the east coast.
Arugam Bay is remote and idyllic and Sri Lanka’s famed surfing hub. April to September is often the best period for surfing here. During the low season (November to April), Arugam Bay is an incredibly quiet and secluded destination with few tourists. However, for those seeking isolated and private-beach type experiences this is an ideal time to visit. Besides, there are plenty of sightseeing options available in the surrounding hinterland, which warrant a trip to Arugam Bay, any time of the year.
Overnight at a hotel in Arugam Bay.
Days 03 & 04: Arugam Bay
Enjoy two days of exhilarating surfing activity. Non surfers can enjoy blissful lounging in the warm tropical sunshine, lulled by the soothing sea breeze. Gaze far into the seamless turquoise sea and listen to the waves gently lapping the white sandy shores of Arugam Bay.
Day 05: Arugam Bay
After breakfast, explore the surrounding hinterland including a visit to the Magul Maha Vihara.
Magul Maha Vihara is a historic 5th century temple complex located in a beautiful woodland setting. The moonstone which lies at the foot of a former shrine here is markedly different to those found in other parts of the country. The noticeable difference being the portrayal of human riders sitting atop elephants, which is a rare and unusual depiction in Moonstone Craft.
Overnight at the hotel in Arugam Bay.
Day 06: Arugam Bay – Pothuvil – Arugam Bay
After breakfast make a trip to nearby Pothuvil, endowed with a captivating lagoon, fascinating ancient temples, and an excellent surf break.
Proceed on a mangrove safari in the picturesque Pothuvil Lagoon. You will get to see many waterfowl and crocodiles in their natural habitat. The best time for these visits is from 5.30 to 7.30 am or 4.00 to 6.00 pm, as sweltering heat prevails during other times of the day.
Proceed to Okanda beach in Pottuvil and stop by at the Okanda Dewalaya, one of the largest Hindu temples on the east coast, dedicated to the popular deity Skanda. You will encounter free roaming elephants and deer at this location.
Overnight at a hotel in Arugam Bay.
Day 07: Arugam Bay – Kumana – Koggala
After breakfast leave for a jeep safari adventure at the Kumana National Park.
Kumana is a captivating bird sanctuary which is a haven for many beautiful inland and migratory birds. The park is dotted with many lagoons and tanks, providing conducive habitats for its rich proliferation of birdlife. Kumana is also home to intriguing mammals such as elephants and leopards. Its flora consists mainly of Mangroves, Kumbuk trees, Karan ferns and herbaceous plants.
Thereafter, leave for Koggala. Overnight at a hotel in Koggala.
Days 08 – 09: Koggala
Enjoy relaxed time on the beguiling Koggala beach, under cheerful azure skies, as the ceaseless waves lap the golden shore.
Stroll over to a part of the beach stretch where the traditional and uniquely southern ‘stilt fishing’ takes place. The stilt fishermen daringly perch themselves on precarious stilts firmly embedded in the sea, close to the shore, and cast their lines.
Overnight at the hotel in Koggala.
Day 10: Koggala – Negombo
After breakfast visit the Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Museum Complex. Leave for Negombo thereafter.
Martin Wickramasinghe (1890 – 1976) is one of Sri Lanka’s celebrated authors famous for his literary masterpieces that vividly portray the culture and life of southern Sri Lanka. The author’s ancestral home, a modest yet pleasant abode featuring Dutch architecture, has been converted into a folk museum. Here, you will see many artefacts used by the southern village dwellers of a bygone era, including oxen drawn carts, horse carriages, traditional masks and puppets, household tools, clothing, knitting tools, etc. Being the famous Sri Lankan author’s birthplace, a part of the museum showcases his personal belongings and literary masterpieces. Some of the antiques and monuments date back to the late 1800’s.
Overnight at a hotel in Negombo.
Day 11: Negombo
After lunch, join the fishermen for an adventure at sea, in a colourful outrigger canoe. Learn much about the fishing traditions, life, and customs of the fishing community as you spend time with these hardworking locals.
Negombo is located near the airport. Hence, serves as an ideal last stop, prior to departure. It is a town dotted with many cheerful resort hotels and guest houses, catholic churches and shrines, sultry wetlands, and a smattering of remnants from its colonial past.
Overnight at the hotel in Negombo.
Day 12: Negombo
Spend the morning at leisure preparing for your impending departure.
Enjoy a memorable dinner on the Negombo beach as you bring the curtain down on your rapturous tropical beach getaway.
Day 13: Negombo – Airport
Departure transfer to the airport.
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