Discovering ancient Ceylon on foot with the family

Arrived early in the morning in the Ceylon capital.

Welcome and transfer by minibus to the CIC Windsor Park farm in Hingurakgoda (approximately 4.5 hours drive).

During the journey, a break is planned halfway at Kurunagala to relax and have a refreshment.

Upon arrival, check into your hotel, nestled in the heart of a magnificent wooded park offering peace and tranquility. The afternoon is free for you to relax or enjoy the lush and peaceful surroundings.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

A short transfer to Polonaruwa (35 minutes) takes us to explore this archaeological site by bicycle. Founded in the 12th century, it was the work of a single king, Parakrama Bahu (1153-1186), and symbolizes both the rebirth of the Sinhalese civilization, which originated in Anuradhapura, and its final throes (at the end of the 12th century), as the monarchy entered a long decline due to raids by Malay pirates and wars between rival claimants to the throne. We will discover the royal palace, the Shiva temple, and the group of Buddhist temples that includes the Vatadage (the circular relic chamber), as well as the Gal Viharae rock art site with its three Buddha statues.

Next, we return to the organic farm for a lunch prepared with fresh produce from the farm; in the afternoon, we enjoy a guided tour of the farm: discovering the crops, dairy production and rice paddies, in the company of a local expert.

End of the day free to relax.

This morning, we set off early to visit the famous Lion Rock. After a short transfer (approximately 50 minutes), we visit Lion Rock, Sigiriya. It's a citadel built in the 5th century AD by the parricidal king Kasyapa. Via constructed steps and then stone staircases, we reach the summit of "Lion Rock," an eagle's nest 180 meters above the bluish mountains that plunge into the green ocean of the jungle.

After visiting Lion Rock, we set off for a stroll through the traditional village of Egodawewa, near Sigiriya. This walk through rice paddies and around the lake offers a wonderful immersion into Sri Lankan rural life and superb views of the rock. We begin this visit with a tractor ride before crossing the lake in a dugout canoe.

Next, we will meet the locals and enjoy a typical lunch featuring local specialties prepared with them, where we will learn and participate in the preparation of a Sri Lankan curry.

Optional: A full Ayurvedic massage in Habarana (approximately 1.5 hours) using traditional medicinal oils is available. (Please ask your guide for pricing.)

At the end of the day, we set off to return to our hotel in Hingurakgoda.

A one-hour transfer takes us to Dambulla. We visit the Dambulla Cave Monastery. The caves are carved into an enormous granite boulder perched over 160 meters above sea level. The complex comprises five cave temples. The walls of the first were covered in gold leaf, earning it the name "the golden rock." Within these five caves are several Buddha statues, as well as frescoes covering nearly 1,800 square meters, depicting images and episodes from the life of Buddha. The walking tour lasts approximately two hours.

Then, we drive to Matale (about an hour's drive), entering the mountainous region of central India. Starting from the spice gardens, we walk through rubber, pepper, and cocoa plantations to the Sudu Ganga River, discovering a small temple, a school, and Tamil villages along the way.

Return by tuk-tuk to the spice garden for a typical lunch served in a rice paddy, to the sound of local music. Traditional Sri Lankan meal prepared and served by the women of the village.

We then travel to Kandy (~1.5 hours drive) and check into the hotel.

This morning we set off for the Udawattekelle Forest Reserve, located near Kandy. This verdant sanctuary, once reserved for Kandy royalty, offers a beautiful walk in the heart of nature, along shaded paths and amidst abundant biodiversity. We then continue on to Kandy to explore the city center and its lively market. We take a tuk-tuk ride before having lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we head to the Peradeniya Botanical Garden (~1 hour drive), located 6 km from Kandy, one of the most beautiful in the world (2000 varieties of trees growing on 60 hectares of land), famous for the diversity of its tropical and aromatic plants, orchids and palm trees.

Free time in town and in the evening, for those who wish, possibility to attend the traditional dance show (optional).

Return to the Earl's Regent Hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

This morning we depart for a local train journey to Gampola (approximately 30 minutes), a wonderful opportunity to share an authentic moment among the Sinhalese people and admire the rolling landscapes. We continue by bus to Galaha, the starting point of our trek to Pupurassa. We walk for 2 to 3 hours through stunning tea plantations, soothed by the cool hills and the fragrance of the leaves. A picnic lunch awaits us amidst nature.

We then continue to Nuwara Eliya to visit a tea factory and discover the secrets of its production, from drying the leaves to tasting. Nuwara Eliya, nicknamed "Little England of Sri Lanka," is an elegant hill station at an altitude of 1,889 meters. Founded by the British in the 19th century, it charms visitors with its colonial character, flower-filled cottages, and mild climate.

After a pleasant tour of the city, we head towards Bandarawela. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Today we're heading to Bambarakanda, where we'll enjoy a beautiful 1.5-hour hike to Bambarakanda Waterfall, the highest in Sri Lanka at 263 meters. Nestled in the heart of the forest in the Kalupahana region, it offers an impressive spectacle and a soothing atmosphere. Afterwards, we'll have lunch with a local family, a chance to share a friendly moment and sample the local cuisine.

In the afternoon, we set off for Udawalawe, with several stops along the way, notably at Buduruwagala. There we discover the impressive Buddhist statues carved into the rock, including the seven colossal figures probably dating from the 10th century, remarkable vestiges of the Anuradhapura kingdom period.

We then visit the Elephant Transit Home, the first elephant rehabilitation center in Asia, where young orphaned elephant calves are cared for before being reintroduced into the wild.

At the end of the day, welcome and check-in at the hotel.

Barbecue dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

We're getting up early this morning for a 5:30 am 4x4 safari in Udawalawe National Park, renowned for its impressive elephant herds. Declared a national park in 1972, it covers over 300 square kilometers between the provinces of Sabaragamuwa and Uva, between the Udawalawe Reservoir and the Walawe River. We're enjoying magnificent views of the surrounding mountain range, dominated by the rocky escarpments of Balangoda, Kalthota, and Haputale.

After this wonderful experience, we return to the Athgira Hotel for breakfast, before heading to Beruwala for our beach stay.

On the way, we stop in Galle, a former colonial city and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Encircled by ramparts, this port city with its nostalgic charm transports us back to the Dutch era. We stroll through its narrow streets, visit the fort, the Groote Kerk church (dating from 1754), and admire the colonial houses. On the ramparts, lacemakers still practice a craft inherited from the Portuguese.

We have lunch in town before continuing our journey to Beruwala (approximately 1 hour 30 minutes journey).

A relaxing day with full board to enjoy the beautiful beach of Beruwala. For those who wish, there is the possibility of strolling through the village of the seaside resort.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

We enjoy the morning and lunch at the hotel (check-out at noon).

We then head towards the commercial capital of Colombo for a short city tour and free time for shopping. Colombo is Sri Lanka's main port, a cosmopolitan city where the old and the new, tradition and progress, East and West blend together.

Dinner in town is optional.

Transfer to the airport to catch the international flight home.

International flight and arrival in Paris.