Participants gather at Okęcie Airport in Warsaw/Krakow. Flight from Warsaw or Krakow to Colombo with a transfer in one of the European cities or Doha/Dubai. Total flight time approx. 11 hours.
Arrival in Colombo, passport and visa control. Transfer from the airport to Sigiriya or Dambulla. In the afternoon, visit the Rock Temple from the 1st century BC (UNESCO World Heritage Site).
Cave paintings – A complex of five caves with over 2,000 m² of paintings depicting over 150 images of Buddha, the largest of which was carved into the rock and spans 14 meters. Return to the hotel, dinner, and overnight stay.
After breakfast, visit the magnificent 5th-century fortress located on the huge Lion Rock. On the way to the top of Lion Rock, see the Mirror Wall, the Glass and Water Gardens, and the world-famous rock frescoes (the female figures in the frescoes seem to emerge from the clouds, which is why they are sometimes called “Cloud Maidens”). After 15 centuries, they still shine with their original colors. (another UNESCO World Heritage Site)
*Village Tour – a 3-hour trip to the village of Hiriwadunna, which is a unique opportunity to experience the nature and culture of a real village in Sri Lanka. The tour begins with a bullock cart ride near a village pond, followed by a boat (catamaran) ride to the other side of Hiriwadunna village, a beautiful rural area in the town of Habarana. After a short walk through rice fields and vegetable crops, you will reach a rural house where you can take part in cooking and enjoy a delicious Sri Lankan lunch. Then take a tuk-tuk ride back to the starting point of the tour. Dinner and overnight stay in Sigiriya/Dambulla.
Breakfast. Visit Polonnaruwa, the second medieval capital after the fall of Anuradhapura, the first capital of the ancient island (also a UNESCO World Heritage Site).
Explore the majestic ruins of the former capital: the royal palace, audience hall, baths, Hindu temples, a circular temple, and a vast 12th-century irrigation lake—a veritable inland sea, best known as Parakrama Samudra, or King Parakrama’s Sea, larger than the port of Colombo. The monuments of this medieval city are relatively well preserved and provide clear evidence of the glory of Sri Lanka’s past.
In the afternoon, transfer to Minneriya. Jeep safari (in a 4×4 vehicle) in Minneriya National Park. With its majestic giants and pristine tropical forests, Minneriya National Park is the perfect place to spend a few hours and admire one of the most amazing spectacles of nature on Earth. Enjoy the sight of monkeys swinging among the branches and search the forest for majestic elephants, leopards, sloths, mongooses, and spotted deer.
Anuradhapura, the first capital of the ancient island, with many magnificent monuments, parks, and irrigation lakes, and impressive Buddhist shrines of Abayagiri (1st century BC) and Jetawana (3rd century AD). Both shrines are on the UNESCO World Heritage List and are classified just after the Great Pyramids of Egypt. Visitors are also delighted by the Bronze Palace (3rd century AD) and the sacred Bo tree, which is over 2,000 years old. After lunch, transfer to MIHINTALE.
MIHINTALE has spiritual significance for all Buddhists. It was here in the 3rd century BC that Buddhism first appeared in Sri Lanka. The attractive landscape of Mihintale attracts tourists. There are many caves and ponds here, and after climbing a steep section, you can even admire the picturesque jungle.
A granite staircase with 1,840 steps leads to the top of the mountain. At the foot of the mountain are the remains of a hospital – medical tubs or stone kayaks in which patients were immersed in healing oil. Dinner and overnight stay in Sigiriya/Dambulla.
After breakfast, check out of the hotel. Then transfer to Kandy, on the way we will visit a batik factory, where we will admire the traditional process of obtaining patterns on fabrics (handicrafts, wax paintings) and visit the Spice Garden, where we will learn the secrets of growing spices and their uses. Spices and herbs can be purchased here. Accommodation at a hotel in Kandy.
In the afternoon, visit the last capital of the Sinhalese kings – Kandy. (UNESCO World Heritage Site) Visit to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic on Lake Kandy – the most famous temple in Sri Lanka, where the country’s most sacred relic, the tooth of Buddha, is kept. In the evening, a folk dance show and a fire show. Return to the hotel. Dinner.
Transfer to Pinnawala – an extraordinary place, home to an elephant orphanage, one of the largest in the world.
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage – this is a special site covering nearly 11 hectares in the middle of a palm forest. Both old and young elephants (most of them abandoned or injured in the wild) find shelter here in almost natural conditions. Many of the orphans who found refuge here now have their own offspring – since 1984, over twenty baby elephants have been born at this sanctuary.
You’ll have the opportunity to visit the enclosure where baby elephants are fed milk straight from a bottle, witness the elephants marching through the village of Pinnawala, and watch them bathe and play in the Ma Oya River.
Optionally, we can also visit the Millennium Elephant Foundation: learn more about elephant conservation and interact with these gentle giants in a friendly environment.
In the afternoon, transfer to the Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya, established in 1816, which features over 5,000 species of flora. Highlights include the Royal Palm Avenue and the Orchid House.
Return to the hotel in Kandy. Dinner and overnight stay.
After breakfast, transfer to Nuwara Eliya, a colonial town and health resort located at an altitude of 2000 m above sea level. Here, you’ll find plantations of the finest quality tea. The view of the mountains and valleys resembles a velvety green carpet of tea plantations, surrounded by sparkling streams and waterfalls. Among the local tourist attractions are the well-preserved colonial architecture buildings, Lake Gregory, and the golf course.
On the way to Nuwara Eliya, we will see the breathtaking Ramboda Waterfall, where we will stop for lunch. Afterwards, we will visit a tea plantation and factory, where we’ll take part in a demonstration of the production process of the world-famous Ceylon tea. There will also be an opportunity to taste the tea and purchase some. Overnight stay near Nuwara Eliya.
# Ramboda Waterfall – a unique double waterfall characterized by an exceptional and rare phenomenon, different from ordinary waterfalls, making it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Situated at an altitude of 945 meters (3100 feet) above sea level, the Ramboda Waterfall is a true testament to the power of cascading water plunging down the cliff. This elevation only adds to its charm, creating a breathtaking view that perfectly complements its cascading beauty.
Breakfast. Bus transfer to Nanuoya and then by train to Ella (if feasible to arrange).
# Train Ride
This is an unforgettable experience. The train ride passes through numerous tunnels in the stunning mountains, then continues amidst picturesque tea plantations and vegetable gardens. Looking out the windows, passengers can admire panoramic views of rolling hills and mist-covered valleys. Waterfalls cascade down rocky cliffs, with their crystal-clear waters sparkling in the sunlight.
We will pick up guests from the Ella station and continue the journey by bus. We’ll stop at a viewpoint overlooking the stunning Ella Gap – a mountain gorge with breathtaking views of the surrounding hills. The next stops will be the Ravana Waterfall and the Nine Arch Bridge.
The trip continues by bus further south through Matara towards Galle. Along the way, we’ll visit the Hummanaya Blow Hole – a spectacular natural fountain caused by seawater rushing through a cave and shooting upward.
Along the coast, we’ll also watch the iconic silhouettes of Sri Lankan stilt fishermen engaged in their traditional fishing techniques. Accommodation at a southern seaside resort. Dinner and overnight stay.
# Nine Arch Bridge
Admire the magnificent architecture of this historic bridge and watch trains passing through the breathtaking landscapes. The Ella Nine Arch Bridge, nestled among the lush green hills of Ella, is a testament to both engineering marvels and the natural beauty of Sri Lanka.
Breakfast. Free days to relax on the beach. For those interested, morning optional excursions to the fish market by tuk-tuk (local rickshaw), cruises combined with whale and dolphin watching, various activities, water sports (snorkeling, diving, motor sports), or lazing on the golden beach.
Relax on the beach.
In the afternoon, a trip as part of the program – transfer to Galle, a city and port. It has monuments of Portuguese and Dutch colonial culture from four centuries. Among other things, there is an impressive 17th-century fort (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and defensive ramparts, a church, and a lighthouse. Then arrive in Kosgoda, where you can see a turtle hatchery (Kosgoda Turtle Project). On the way, visit the Mask Museum and go shopping.
For those interested, there is an optional excursion (extra charge) in traditional dugout canoes or a catamaran motorboat on the Liman Lagoon.
Liman lakes and mangrove forests
They are vast, usually deltaic river mouths flooded by seawater, which are often cut off by a forming spit. Among such a body of water, there are numerous islands of very varied shapes, covered with dense green tropical vegetation interwoven with fabulous flowers. This exotic flora is home to herds of monkeys, monitor lizards, and many species of unusually colorful birds. You can see up close what life is like for the people who live on these islands in huts made of mud and watch them as they cultivate cinnamon trees and fish.
After breakfast, we leave the hotel. We arrive in the capital of Sri Lanka – Colombo. Sightseeing in the capital (drive through Colombo): Cinnamon Gardens, bazaars, shopping malls, Bandaranayake Memorial Hall, Freedom Square, and a visit to a fort from the British colonial era, which housed the administrative center and military garrison.
Time for last-minute shopping (2 hours). One Galle Face Shopping Mall is a world-class shopping center located on the Indian Ocean—a last longing glance at the island. Transfer to the airport—departure to Poland.
WPGAM/MR/2025 00216
Suri Lanka Tours and Publications,
Kirillawala,
Kadawatha
