You have arrived in Sri Lanka, welcome! :) 

Your driver is picking you up at the airport and you can't wait to get to know the island!

You are now in Negombo, "Little Rome" and one of the cradles of the Christian minority on the island. The colonial architecture of the churches here mixes with the local one and you have plenty of space to soak in your first impressions of the island. Negombo is perfectly suited to this. Unlike bustling Colombo, life here moves more slowly, giving you plenty of time to acclimatise. On the way to the hotel, you'll see some of the colonial landmarks, such as the Dutch Canal or St. Sebastian's Church. After a break at the Hotel, you can head to Negombo beach, which is a great place to enjoy the sunset :)

Our next stop is the Elephant Orphanage in Pinnawala, where you'll get to see Indian elephants up close and personal. The facility has been operating here for over 40 years, caring for elephants who, for various reasons, cannot look after themselves. Most of the elephants who come here were babies who were sick, injured and abandoned by their herd and at the orphanage you can watch them going about their daily activities, which include feeding, moving to the Maha Oya River and then bathing and rooting around in the mud on the banks.

Before you leave, you can also visit the local "Mushroom Factory". A factory that makes paper from elephant dung, and then a shop where you can buy some of the paper products.

We are slowly approaching the goal of today. We are in the middle of the cultural triangle that includes Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya. You stop at the Dambulla Cave Temple, where a huge golden Buddha statue greets you on arrival. However, a more pleasant approach to the cave compound is from the other side, a few minutes drive from the main road. There are fewer tourists and you'll meet many curious monkeys on the way to the top :). At the top you need to take off your clothes again and cover your legs and shoulders. If you are not comfortable walking on the rock surface, you can use socks again. In the individual cave chambers there are beautifully sculpted Buddhist statues and decorated walls. Interestingly, you must not have your back to the Buddha in the photos, which is also indicated by a number of signboards. For the tour, you then move to a beautiful lakeside hotel near Sigiriya.

Today, one of the island's biggest attractions awaits you. The climb to Lion Rock. which offers a stunning view of the surrounding area, especially the remote mountainous landscape in the south of the island. At the top are the ruins of the palaces built by King Kashyapa in BC. He hid here from his brother and built an impregnable fortress. Before climbing the rock to the remains of the fortress, you will walk through the original royal gardens with water tanks and fountains that make the area below the rock a beautiful park.

After visiting Lion Rock, you can then visit Mount Pidurangala, which has a beautiful view of Sigiriya in particular. However, the climb is more challenging especially in the final passage and definitely not for everyone. The top of the rock is large and gradually sloping. There is therefore room for everyone to take a short break to contemplate the beautiful view :)

After exploring two peaks far and wide, you'll then head to visit a local family to learn the local ways of preparing Sri Lanka's favourite dish, Rice & Curry. You'll also learn how to process a coconut, pound rice, or even weave a palm leaf roof. Finally, enjoy a great lunch with your family where you will be taught how to eat properly using only your fingers, like a true local :)

After lunch you will head towards the second royal city, Pollonaruwa. This was founded in the 11th century after Anuradhapura failed to defend itself against Indian raids. The town is smaller than Anuradhapura, but much better preserved. Here you can admire ancient Sinhala architecture in all its glory. 

You're heading further south down the island, towards the mountains. The first of the stops will be in the agricultural area around the town of Matale, where you will visit a spice garden and learn how the different types of spices commonly used today and in Czech cuisine are grown and processed. After a lecture with a local guide, you can also buy a little something as a souvenir in a local shop.

The town of Matale is also known for its rather large Hindu community. And to prove it, there is a beautiful Hindu temple right on the main road in the centre of town, which is definitely worth a visit. Again, watch out for shoes and shorts :). From Matale, you will then move on to Kandy, where you will rest in a nice Hotel.

In the morning you will be able to see the city of Kandy in daylight, including a view of the whole city and the lake below.

I definitely recommend you to visit the Peradeniya Botanical Garden, which is one of the most important in the world. With an average temperature of 24°C and 160 rainy days a year, tropical and subtropical plants from all over the world thrive here.

You'll end the day with a visit to the Temple of Buddha's Tooth in the heart of the city. This is one of the most sacred buildings on the island. Hidden in the heart of the temple is the Buddha's tooth, closely guarded and locked away in seven golden boxes. Aside from the relics, you can also admire the richly decorated rooms depicting the history of the Buddha's tooth in painted pictures.

It was time to move to the high mountains. You'll drive from Kandy towards the sacred mountain of Sri Pada (Adam's Peak), taking in the beautiful views and changing climatic zones along the way.

The Kitulgala area is definitely worth a mention. Where you can raft on the local wild river. The entire water route is around four kilometres and there are 3-4 major rapids on the river along the way, which can really mess with your raft at times. On the final stretch, you can even take a dip in the river under the promise of the guide that there are really no crocodiles 😉. As the sun sets, you will then arrive at your hotel directly below Adam's Mountain, where you will climb to the summit at night.

Shortly after two o'clock in the morning you set off on another of the Buddhist pilgrimages in Sri Lanka. There are around 6000 steps and over 1000m of elevation gain. No need for a headlamp, the whole route is surprisingly quite well lit and you don't have to worry about loneliness on the climb either. In the season from December to May, the trail is very busy, even overnight, when the weather turns cold. At the top, while waiting for the sunrise, you may even be surprised by how many people are gathered here at once. After a beautiful sunrise, you can also check out the local shrine, where the Sinhalese believe the footprint of Buddha is located, and then you're on your way back down the stairs, accompanied by stunning views of the dam below the mountain.

After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, which was a must after the gruelling climb, you'll have a scenic drive through Hatton and the local tea plantations towards the colonial town of Nuwara Eliya. More of those stops may be needed here, as there's prettier and prettier scenery around every bend. 🤗

You must also stop for a tour of one of the many tea processing farms, where you'll learn about the different varieties, learn about the techniques used during colonial times, and finally taste the different grades of white, green and black tea. All this, of course, with an engaging guide who will be happy to show you around the farm. At the end, you'll even have the opportunity to buy a souvenir tea, perhaps as a gift for someone back home. 😇

On the way to Nuwara Eliya, apart from the scenic tea plantations, you will also be treated to spectacular views of the waterfalls. 

You are transferring to the highest train station in Sri Lanka, Pattipola. From here, you'll enjoy a ride on the famous train to the mountain hiking hub of Ella. In Ella, you'll once again feel a slightly European vibe. In fact, in high season it can seem that there are more tourists than locals. From the town you can walk to the famous Nine Arches Viaduct or to Rawana Falls, where you can take a refreshing dip in the natural pools on hot days.

You must certainly not miss the climb to the small Adam's Mountain. But don't worry, it's no longer a dizzying hike. Rather, it's a pleasant afternoon stroll along the tea plantations and along the path of local children playing. At the top, you'll be treated to spectacular views of the surrounding area on all sides. And if you like a bit of an adrenaline rush, you can shorten the trip down by riding the zip-line. 😎

You leave the mountains and slowly make your way back to the ocean. On the way, you'll visit Udawalawe National Park. It is famous for its large elephant population, so you don't have to worry about not seeing any. Of course, it is best to visit the park early in the morning or towards the evening when it is not so hot and the animals are no longer sheltered from the heat. Besides the elephant family, you can also see herds of water buffalo, crocodiles, peacocks, a variety of waterfowl and coyotes.

Yala is a larger park than Udawalawe and the main landmark is the elephant-shaped rock around which deer, elephants and water buffalo graze on the plains. The main attraction of the national park, however, is the leopards, which are often not easy to find due to the size of the park, so seeing them is not a given when visiting. Moreover, if a driver finds them and lets others know, the roads become a melee, with drivers fighting for the best spot to spot them. 

After your visit to the park, make sure to take some time to explore the area around the town of Tissamaharama, where you will find the huge water reservoir Tissa Wewa or the well-preserved dagoba, where sacred remains were once kept. On the way out of town, I recommend stopping anywhere along the road for homemade curd and honey, it's downright delicious. 😍

You survived all the rigors of the inland and finally made it to the ocean, congratulations! 🤗 

You'll stop at a rock formation where a geyser is created by waves crashing against the rocks in rough seas. The hole in the rock from which the water emerges is 20 metres deep, and it has to be said that at times it's a real blow. 👌

Sinharaja Rainforest. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A large amount of rainfall falls here annually, which averages around 3000-6000 mm, so catching sunny weather here is not quite easy. Apart from the rainforest itself, here you will have the opportunity to admire various species of birds, butterflies, snakes and lizards. Along the way, you will come across a number of waterfalls and beautiful views of the Gin Ganga River and the misty rainforest.

You will be able to enjoy the sunset on the photogenic Dallawela beach near Unawatuna. There is a massive rock jutting out of the ocean, which invites you to climb it and take a photo as a souvenir.

The Dutch fortress in the nearby town of Galle. With its preserved unique architecture of houses influenced by Portuguese, Dutch and British immigrants and its original fortifications dating back to 1663, the town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is an old courthouse still in use, a Dutch church, museums and luxury hotels in beautiful historic buildings. From the walls with the lighthouse there is a nice view of the ocean and the city. The streets of the city are filled with jewelry shops with gems and souvenirs. Although the old part of town is separated from the new bustling part by the cricket stadium and the main road, it is still a lively town, unlike Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. Some houses are occupied by people, while others have been converted into stylish hotels and restaurants, offices or shops.

A huge body of water with many islands where you can visit the locals showing the use of cinnamon for many purposes, from spices to oils. You'll also visit the island's Buddhist temple, where a local monk will show you how ancient religious texts were once written. Along the way, you can enjoy the rich river fauna, especially the varans, monkeys and various species of birds. You can end your journey on the lake at the local nature SPA. Artificially created pools with river fish.

A little further down the coast is the first large town of Matara. On a large beach right in the centre of the town, a suspension bridge provides access to the local Buddhist temple of Weherahena.

Surfing paradise, the tourist resort of Hikkaduwa. Here you can enjoy your remaining time on the surf, or just contemplate on the beach and absorb your island experience. As well as great diving and watersports conditions, you'll also find things like Turtle Beach, or a sad memory of the Tsunami in the form of the Museum and Education Centre.