Sri Lanka & Maldives – 7 Days / 6 Nights

The journey

1. 1

   Day 1 – Sri Lanka (Dambulla)

   Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by a representative of Refan Travel & Tourism and transferred to Dambulla. En route, visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. **Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage:** Located approximately 55 miles from Colombo, along the Colombo–Kandy Road. Established in 1975 to care for abandoned and injured elephants, the orphanage has grown to accommodate more than 65 elephants, including rescued calves and 23 baby elephants born through its breeding program. The best visiting times are during feeding sessions from 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM and 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM, and bathing sessions from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM and 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM, when the elephants are taken to the nearby river. After the visit, continue to Dambulla, check in at the hotel, and stay overnight.

2. 2

   Day 2 – Sri Lanka (Sigiriya – Kandy)

   After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a visit to the famous Sigiriya Rock Fortress. It is recommended to carry a bottle of water in a backpack and wear a hat for protection from the sun. **Sigiriya Rock Fortress:** A UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 5th century AD, also known as the "Fortress in the Sky." It is one of Sri Lanka's most remarkable historical landmarks. The fortress is also known as Lion Rock, named after the enormous lion statue that once stood at the entrance to the palace on top of the rock, approximately 600 feet high. **Hiriwadunna Village Tour with Authentic Sri Lankan Lunch:** Enjoy a traditional bullock cart ride through banana plantations, where you can taste fresh bananas. Then cross a scenic reservoir aboard an "Oruwa," a traditional boat, to visit a Chena cultivation area and discover traditional Sri Lankan farming methods. **Jeep Safari at Minneriya National Park:** After lunch, enjoy an exciting jeep safari at Minneriya National Park. The park covers approximately 8,889 hectares and is home to diverse wildlife and vegetation found in Sri Lanka's dry zone. Elephants are among its main attractions. The park is home to approximately 160 bird species, 9 amphibian species, 25 reptile species, 26 fish species, and more than 78 butterfly species. Rare bamboo species can also be found in the area. From August to October, Minneriya National Park is famous for the Great Elephant Gathering, when large herds of up to approximately 300 elephants may be seen together. **Safari duration:** Approximately 3–4 hours. Afterward, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure and relaxation. Overnight stay in Kandy.

3. 3

   Day 3 – Dambulla / Kandy (Approximately 2.5 Hours)

   After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Kandy, visiting the Spice Gardens in Matale along the way. **Spice Gardens:** For centuries, spices have been among Sri Lanka’s most famous exports, widely used in medicines, cosmetics, and cooking. During the visit, discover the aromas and flavors of various spices, including cinnamon, ginger, pepper, vanilla, and cardamom. You will also learn about Batik, a traditional Sri Lankan art form that uses wax to create colorful patterns and designs. Kandy is one of Sri Lanka’s most important cultural cities, located in the beautiful hill country. Its people proudly preserve traditional Sri Lankan customs and heritage. In the evening, enjoy the **Kandy Cultural Dance Show**, featuring traditional dances and music that reflect the island’s rich cultural heritage. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure and relaxation. Overnight stay in Kandy.

4. 4

   Day 4 – Kandy

   After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya. **Peradeniya Botanical Garden:** Covering approximately 147 acres, the gardens were originally established in 1374 as a royal pleasure garden for the kings of Kandy. They feature more than 5,000 varieties of trees and plants, including rare and indigenous species, as well as tropical plants from around the world. **Kandy City:** Known as the Hill Capital, Kandy was the last royal capital of the Sinhalese kings before coming under British rule in 1815. The city preserves many temples, shrines, and cultural traditions, making it one of Sri Lanka’s most important historical destinations. **Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic:** One of the world’s most significant Buddhist religious sites, believed to house a sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha. The temple attracts pilgrims and visitors from around the world and became part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. Afterward, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Kandy, exploring its cultural and historical attractions. Spend the rest of the day at leisure and relaxation. Overnight stay in Kandy.

5. 5

   Day 5 – Kandy / Wadduwa (Approximately 5 Hours)

   After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Wadduwa. Along the way, enjoy an exciting white-water rafting experience in Kitulgala. **Kitulgala Water Rafting:** Kitulgala is one of Sri Lanka's most popular destinations for white-water rafting adventures. Located approximately 100 kilometers from Colombo, the area also offers several other fascinating attractions. One of its highlights is the historic Beli Lena Caves, believed to have been inhabited by prehistoric Balangoda Man. Overnight stay in Wadduwa.

6. 6

   Day 6 – Wadduwa

   After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a scenic boat ride along the Madu River, followed by a visit to a sea turtle hatchery. **Madu River Boat Ride:** The Madu Ganga estuary is a beautiful natural wetland covering approximately 915 hectares. Connected to Randombe Lake by two narrow channels, it forms a unique ecosystem featuring 64 small islands. The area is home to more than 200 plant species and 240 vertebrate species and is recognized as an internationally important wetland, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). **Turtle Hatchery:** Sea turtles are endangered marine animals. Of the seven sea turtle species worldwide, five visit Sri Lanka's beaches to lay their eggs. During the visit, learn about sea turtle conservation, their life cycle, and the efforts made to protect them. Visitors may also observe baby turtles and different species cared for at the hatchery. Afterward, return to the hotel and enjoy free time for relaxation. Overnight stay in Wadduwa.

7. 7

   Day 7 – Final Departure

   Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, followed by a transfer to the airport for your final departure.