Sri Lanka and Maldives

DAY 1:
COLOMBO Arrival at Colombo airport, reception and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation for 2 nights, with breakfast.


DAY 2: COLOMBO
Breakfast at the hotel. Tour of Colombo, the capital and commercial center of Sri Lanka. The influence of Portuguese, Dutch, and British merchant colonists can be seen in the architecture of churches and monuments, names, religions, costumes, food, and the country's language.

One of the places to visit is Geoffrey Bawa's house, Number 11. Geoffrey was one of the island's most famous architects in the 20th century and his projects can be found all over the island and in other countries.

Lunch stop at the Barefoot Garden Café restaurant (drinks not included). In the afternoon, meeting with Mark Forbes, a local resident of Sri Lanka (or one of his collaborators) and a tour of the old part of the city, with an explanation of its development through the Portuguese, Dutch and British occupation.

Stop at the old Dutch hospital, which has been completely renovated and is now a complex of bars, souvenir shops, spas and restaurants.

Optional activity suggestion (not included):

• Dinner at The Gallery Café, which was one of Geoffrey Bawa's offices.

DAY 3: COLOMBO - HABARANA
After breakfast, land transfer of approximately 4 hours (including a stop) to Habarana, in the heart of Sri Lanka's Cultural Zone, where the country's ancient kingdoms are located.

Check-in at the hotel for accommodation for 3 nights, with breakfast and dinner (excluding drinks).

In the late afternoon, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Dambulla, known for its temples and caves where you can see rock paintings of the Buddha. It is the place where King Valagam Bahu took refuge during invasions in the 1st century BC. Some paintings found in the temple are over 2,000 years old and tell the story of the Buddha and the kingdom of Ceylon. One of the monument's highlights is the 15-meter reclining Buddha directly carved into the rock.

Optional activity suggestion (not included):

• Before returning to the hotel, experience “Kap-Ela”. The concept of the Kap-Ela Elephant Experience is based on respect for tamed elephants. Travel along the picturesque Kandalama Reserve to board the catamaran for a tour of the dam, where you can see how local communities live. After the tour, it will be possible to participate in bathing and feeding an elephant.

DAY 4: HABARANA
After breakfast, bike ride to the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city was the country's medieval capital and the jewel of King Parakramabahu I. Polonnaruwa was a thriving commercial and religious center of Sri Lanka, with many temples and religious buildings. Visit the main attractions, such as the Royal Palace, the Audience Hall and the Gal Vihare complex.

Stop for a traditional lunch at a local farm cooperative (drinks not included), followed by a jeep safari through Minneriya National Park*, home to large herds of Asian elephants.

Return to the hotel in Habarana.

*The safari can take place at other parks in the region, such as Kaudulla or Hurulu.


DAY 5: HABARANA
Free day.

Suggested optional activities (not included):

• Jeep tour of the villages surrounding Ritigala Hill including local experiences. Martial art demonstration in the village of Patikara Maduwa and meditation accompanied by monks from Ritigala Monastery, with an offering ritual called “Alms Giving Lunch”.
• Lunch at a traditional restaurant in Anuradhapura.
• Visit the archaeological complex of Anuradhapura and the temple of Maha Bodhi, built around the “Sri Maha Bohdhi” tree, which was planted over 2,000 years ago, with a sapling of a tree from India, under which the Buddha became enlightened.

DAY 6: HABARANA - KANDY
Early in the morning, tour to the Ancient City of Sigiriya. Considered a World Heritage Site, it was built in the 5th century as a bastion and palace of King Kasyapa.

After breakfast at the hotel, drive approximately 3 hours to Kandy. This mountain city, notable for its location in a tranquil, wooded valley, was the last capital of Sri Lankan kings, ruled by King Wickrama Rajasinghe, before the country became an English colony in 1815. It offers visitors a great historical and cultural heritage of the local people.

Along the way, visit a farm to learn from an Ayurveda specialist about the cultivation of different spices.

Then, cooking class and lunch (drinks not included).

Arrival in Kandy and check-in at the hotel. Accommodation for 2 nights, with half board (drinks not included).

At the end of the day, take a tuk tuk ride around the city of Kandy to discover the local markets.


DAY 7: KANDY
After breakfast, tour the city of Kandy. Visit the house of Jacques Soulie, French psychology professor, which has been transformed into an art center with a vast collection of old books, furniture, manuscripts and photographs.

After stopping for lunch (drinks not included), visit a traditional Kandyan dance school. The Kandyan dance is a chaotic and colorful spectacle that culminates with an incredible act of walking on fire.

Before returning to the hotel, visit the Tooth Temple, which houses the Buddha's sacred tooth, brought to Sri Lanka during the reign of King Meghavarna (301-328). The relic is wrapped in seven caskets, one kept inside the other, the outermost of which is in the form of a stupa, filled with gold ornaments.

Return to the hotel and the rest of the day is free.


DAY 8: KANDY - COLOMBO/MALDIVES ISLANDS
After breakfast, land transfer for approximately 2h30 to Colombo airport, passing through a pleasant tropical landscape. Embark to Malé, in the Maldives.

Arrival in Malé and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation for 5 nights, with all inclusive.


DAY 9 to 12:
MALDIVE ISLANDS Free days.

The All Inclusive Varu Plan encompasses:

• Buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Lime & Chili restaurant;
• Daily selection of snacks at the Bay Rouge bar (from 16:00 to 18:00);
• Gala dinner on Fridays at the Lime & Chili restaurant;
• Lunch at the Bay Rouge bar on Tuesdays and Saturdays;
• 2 meals at the hotel's specialty restaurants: Charcoal (Beach Grill), Nü (seafood), Kaagé (Maldivian food);
• Package of alcoholic beverages served during meals at the restaurants: Bay Rouge, Lime & Chili, Charcoal, Nü and Kaagé;
• Cocktails, drinks, juices, soft drinks, water and a selection of teas and coffees at will;
• Minibar with a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages refilled twice a day;
• 20% discount on the first two dives (independent diver certificate required);
• Complimentary non-motorized water activities: windsurfing, stand up paddle, canoe and water bike, among others;
• Complimentary snorkel equipment;
• 2 complimentary snorkeling activities per day, among those offered by the hotel;
• Access to the entire hotel's sports complex;
• Complimentary fishing activity during sunset;
• 1 courtesy tour among the options offered by the hotel;
• 1 45-minute treatment per person at the hotel spa.

DAY 13: MALDIVES ISLANDS
Transfer to Malé airport.