12 Day Inspired Sri Lanka - A Solo Small Group Journey

Welcome to Sri Lanka! On arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), you will be transferred to your accommodation, which is situated on the outskirts of Colombo.Check in and relax after your international flight. As most flights arrive late in the evening, we recommend booking a night prior to your tour commencing to ensure you are well rested Special Information Arrival airport transfers are included as part of your package. You will be met upon arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel. If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed. If you are arriving early and have made your own arrangements prior to your tour commencing, airport transfers will not be included. However, if you are purchasing pre-night accommodation as part of your Inspiring Vacations package, airport transfers will still be provided to the starting hotel.

After breakfast, your leader will provide a brief introduction. Before we depart to the South West Coast, we will take some time to explore the capital of Colombo. Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, has a long history as a port on ancient east-west trade routes, ruled successively by the Portuguese, Dutch and the British. This heritage is reflected in its architecture, mixing colonial buildings with high-rises and shopping malls. We will also visit the Colombo National Museum. This charming museum takes visitors on a fascinating journey through Sri Lankan history. Housed in a stunning neo-Baroque building, which was specifically constructed by William Henry Gregory, Governor of Ceylon, in 1877, the museum boasts a gleaming white façade. As you make your way through the various rooms, you'll encounter exhibits dedicated to each of Sri Lanka's historical kingdoms. Informational display boards provide intriguing insights, such as the meaning behind the mudras (gestures and poses) depicted in Sri Lanka's Buddha statues. You will arrive at your hotel in the afternoon. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner with your tour leader and fellow travellers. Inspiring Highlights Colombo National Museum Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours.

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, we will head to the charming town of Balapitiya, where you'll embark on a scenic boat ride along the Madu River. The river is home to 64 islands, and one notable stop is Cinnamon Island, known locally as “Kurundu Doowa.” During your visit, you'll gain a fascinating insight into the process of cinnamon production, as Sri Lanka is the world's largest producer of pure cinnamon! Next, head to the historic Galle Fort, renowned for its impressive fortifications. This city beautifully blends the past with the present. A UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988, Galle Fort showcases the architectural influences of the Portuguese, Dutch, and British, making it a captivating place to explore. Afterwards, return to your hotel.Inspiring Highlights Madu River Galle Fort Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.

We enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading to Yala National Park. Check in and relax at your hotel. Spend your afternoon on a guided game drive exploring the dynamic wildlife and the most luxuriant plant life in Yala National Park. Being one of the largest parks in Sri Lanka, it is the ideal place to sight the rare leopard! The game drive will take place in the late afternoon, returning around sunset, as this is an optimal time for animal viewing. Inspiring Highlights Yala National Park Special Information Yala National Park is closed for routine maintenance in September/October under the direction of the local government. The exact dates will not be advised until 1-2 months prior to departure. During this time, Udawalawe National Park or Yala National Park (Block 5) will be visited and offers equal animal sighting opportunities. Your travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours, not including Game Drives.

After breakfast, we leave for Haputale. En route we stop in Ella, before continuing to Nine Arch Bridge, also called the Bridge in the Sky. This is one of the best examples of colonial-era railway construction in the country. The construction of the bridge is generally attributed to a local Ceylonese builder, in consultation with British engineers. It is located in Demodara, between Ella and Demodara railway stations. The surrounding area has seen a steady increase in tourism due to the bridge's architectural ingenuity and the greenery of the nearby hillsides. Continue on to your hotel in Haputale, where you will arrive this evening. Inspiring Highlights Rawana Waterfall Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch Enjoy a leisurely morning at your hotel in the hilly surrounds of Haputale. Enjoy an included lunch at your hotel. This afternoon, transfer to Ella Railway Station to board the scenic train back to Haputale. The journey takes you through tea country, with views of rolling hills, waterfalls and plantations along the way. Return to your hotel this evening. Inspiring Highlights Ella Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.

After breakfast, we leave Haputale and head to Nuwara Eliya. The drive takes in tea country views and waterfalls along the way. On arrival, visit a tea plantation and factory. Here you will enjoy the absolute tea experience, from the moment the young tea leaves are plucked from the plantation, through to being processed in the factory to make a cup of tea. If you are interested, the tea factory is a good place to purchase quality tea. Return to your hotel this evening. Inspiring Highlights Nuwara Eliya Train Journey Tea Plantation Special InformationAs a result of Cyclone Ditwah, certain rail routes are temporarily out of service. If a scheduled train journey cannot operate, we will provide private road transport to ensure your tour continues smoothly. Whenever feasible, and where services are running, we'll still incorporate rail segments into your itinerary. It is not possible to confirm the train ticket reservation due to the fact that Sri Lanka Railway has a manual system for reservations. Tickets can only be booked 30 days prior to departure. The 1st and 2nd classes are basic but have air-conditioning. The non-air-conditioned 3rd class is sometimes the only option based on availability. On the rare occasion the train is fully booked, we'll conduct the route by road. Your travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours.

After breakfast we leave for Kandy. The route passes tea country and waterfalls. On arrival in Kandy, enjoy a city tour. Kandy, the Hill Capital (1514 to 1815 AD), was originally known as Senkadagala. Kandy was declared a UNESCO heritage site in 1988. The style and character of the Sri Lankan civilisation at the time is well articulated in the heart of the city itself, with its lake, the temples including the Temple of the Tooth Relic (visit at own expense) and the preserved ruins of the royal palaces. Enjoy an included lunch at a local restaurant. This evening, attend a traditional Sri Lankan cultural performance before returning to the hotel. Inspiring Highlights Kandy City Tour Cultural Performance Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.

After breakfast, we proceed to Sigiriya, stopping en route to visit the Dambulla cave temple. Built in the first century BC, it is recognised to be the largest cave sanctuary in the world with its 2000 m2 of walls and ceilings painted with more than 150 Buddha images, the largest engraved in the rock and reaches 14 metres high. We'll proceed with a visit to the Spice Garden in Matale before heading to your resort where you'll enjoy stunning views of the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress. This afternoon, set out on an exclusively private jeep safari at the Minneriya National Park to witness the unique phenomenon of elephant gathering. During the dry season, from June to September, hundreds of elephants gather around the Minneriya Tank for water. Such a large number of elephants could not be sighted in one place, anywhere else in the world! Tonight, enjoy a group dinner and celebrate your new friendships. Inspiring Highlights Dambulla Cave Spice Garden Minneriya National Park Special Information Since elephants are migratory animals, we may visit Kaudualla or Eco Park on this day instead, pending elephant locations. Your travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours, not including the Jeep Safari.

After breakfast, we proceed to Sigiriya Rock Fortress and climb the Sigiriya Rock, one of the most extraordinary artistic complexes of its time (477 – 498 AD). Declared as a UNESCO heritage site in 1982, this magnificent citadel allures artistic and architectural curiosity from around the globe. Return to the hotel to relax before taking part in an Inspiring Taste cooking demonstration of Sri Lankan rice and curry preparation (5-6 curries including a speciality crab dish) and enjoy the typical Sri Lankan lunch overlooking the paddy fields. This afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing tour of the medieval capital city of Polonnaruwa. This was declared as a UNESCO heritage site in 1982. After the demise of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa became the middle historic capital of Sri Lanka (1017 – 1235 AD). Enjoy your evening at leisure. Inspiring Highlights Sigiriya Rock Cooking Class Polonnaruwa City Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours.

Today, after breakfast, we depart for the beauty of Sigiriya as we make the drive back to Negombo. On arrival, enjoy the afternoon free at leisure to explore the coast and the local activities or simply relax by the pool. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow travellers. Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

This morning, enjoy a visit to the Fish Market. Negombo is home to the Island's second largest fish market, as locals call – “Lellama” You will have access to your room until 8 pm this evening, should your flight be later in the evening.At the appropriate time, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight. Special Information Departure transfers are included as part of your package. You will be collected from your hotel at the appropriate time and transferred to the airport to meet your flight. If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.