Compare Sri Lanka Express by G Adventures vs Bliss of Sri Lanka by Direct Traveller

Day 1 Negombo

Arrive at any time.

There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.

Day 2 Negombo/Kandy

Drive to Kandy, visiting a spice plantation en route. Enjoy lunch at G Adventures-supported Sthree Craft Shop and Café. Later, explore Temple of the Tooth.

Day 3 Kandy

Explore Kandy with a free day.

Day 4 Kandy to Ella area

Travel by private vehicle to the historic town of Nuwara Eliya and enjoy some free time. Continue the journey to the rolling green valleys of the Ella area and spend 2 nights at the G Adventures-supported AMBA estate, an organic farm and guest house.

Livelihood opportunities in the valley of Bandarawela, Sri Lanka are limited for low income community members. Many rely on agricultural work, especially in the tea plantations, which can be arduous with little financial gain. Amba Estate came to the area with the purpose of promoting economic growth through their organic tea plantation, paying fair wages, sharing their profits with their workers, and creating opportunities for growth. Having established its place in the travel market, Amba is now ready to support community cooperatives as a means of better spreading the income of tourism throughout the valley. Planeterra is working alongside Amba Estate by supporting the initial investment for the first community-led microenterprise that will work in partnership with Amba. Planeterra’s catalyst grant covers the equipment, training and setup costs for a group of six women to formally become a chutney co-operative. The chutney will be sold back to Amba Estate for travellers to consume, as well as sold to guests and in markets throughout Sri Lanka. G Adventures travellers began visiting Amba in July 2018. They now have the opportunity to eat the delicious chutneys, meet the women and see how it’s made!

Day 5 Ella area

In the morning, enjoy a tour through the tea plantation and learn about one of the nation's most popular exports followed by a tea tasting. After enjoy free time to soak in the stunning scenery, opt to hike to Ella Rock, or visit Ella town by tuk tuk. This evening, enjoy a cooking demonstration of classic homestyle Sri Lankan dishes, a delicious mixture of savoury and sweet.

Day 6 Ella/Udawalawe National Park

Depart Amba Estate in the morning after enjoying a delicious home cooked breakfast. Begin the journey to Udawalawe National Park and visit the Elephant Transit home before enjoying an afternoon wildlife safari through Udawalawe National Park. Afterwards, head to a tented camp by the lake on the boundary of National Park and relax with a BBQ dinner around the campfire.

Day 7 Udawalawe National Park/Unawatuna

After breakfast transfer from Udawalawe to Galle for a tour of the fort and city. Later, head to Unawatuna, on the south coast.

Day 8 Unawatuna

Depart at any time.

The Colombo airport can be reached by taxi or there are train and bus connections from nearby Galle for much less. Your CEO can help you arrange a transfer.

Day 1:

Accommodation: Heritance Negombo.

You will be met and assisted on arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Sri Lanka, by Direct Traveller representatives and then introduced to your English speaking chauffeur guide. Transfer from Airport to Negombo (approx. 30 minutes)

(One night stay in a Standard room on bed breakfast basis)

Day 2:

Meals: Breakfast at Heritance Negombo Hotel

Accommodation: Aliya Resort & Spa

Transfer from Negombo to Anuradhapura (approx. 4 hours)Anuradhapura holds the distinction of being the third capital (after Tambapanni and Upatissa Nuwara) and the greatest city in the history of Sri Lanka. This glorious city is also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and one of the eight World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka. The Sri Maha Bodhi (Sacred Bo Tree), which is over 2200 years old, was brought here as a sapling (from the tree under which Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment). This tree is the oldest historically documented tree in the world. To add to this glory, the famous dagoba in Sri Lanka, Ruwanweliseya (2nd century BC) and The Brazen Palace too are found in Anuradhapura. Other major attractions include the Samadhi Buddha statue and the Isurumuniya Rock Temple (3rd Century BC), which is famous for its rock carvings.Transfer from Anuradhapura to Sigiriya (approx. 2 hours)

Overnight Stay at (Three nights stay in a Deluxe room on bed breakfast basis)

Day 3:

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Aliya Resort & Spa

After breakfast at Aliya Resort & Spa this morning you head to world heritage site Polonnaruwa. (approx. 1 hour & 15 minutes)Polonnaruwa became capital of Sir Lanka following the decline of Anuradhapura. It was declared a capital by King Vijayabahu the 1st who defeated the Chola invaders in 1070.  The golden age of this glorious city was under the reign of King Parakramabahu the 1st who oversaw the construction of one of the greatest irrigation systems the country has seen, the Parakrama Samudhraya, which covers an area of 6,000 acres. The ruins of the Royal Palace and various buildings and structures can be seen even today. Other highlight of this city is the Gal Viharaya which has 3 splendid statues of the Buddha in 'Upright', 'Sedentary' and 'Recumbent' postures carved out of rock, the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, the statue of King Parakramabahu, the former Temple of Tooth Relic, Shivan Temple, Lankathilake, Watadage, Galpotha, and Kiri Viharaya.Transfer from Polonnaruwa to Minneriya (approx. 30 minutes)Spanning over 8,800 hectares, the Minneriya National Park is located alongside the vast, renovated Minneriya Rainwater Reservoir. As a part of the corridor which joins Kaudulla and Wasgomuwa parks, Minneriya offers an amazing sightseeing experience where one may see herds of elephants throughout the year. In October, you will witness the famous gathering of the wild elephants which is the largest known meeting place of wild elephants in the world. The park is also home to about 160 species of birds, 9 amphibians, 25 reptile species, 26 fish species and more than 78 butterfly species.Transfer from Minneriya to Sigiriya (approx. 45 minutes)

Day 4:

Accommodation: Aliya Resort & Spa

Following the breakfast at Aliya Resort & Spa, you will get an opportunity to climb 5th century rock citadel, now a listed UNESCO World Heritage site. Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Sri Lanka's most popular historic site, Sigiriya is 200 meters citadel was home to his palace on top of the rock and derives its name as it appears to resemble the outline of a lion from distance. King Kasyapa built his palace and decorated its walls with colorful frescoes which can even be seen today. These frescoes, along with India¿s Ajantha cave frescoes are world renowned for lasting through the ages and their awe-inspiring beauty. When you climb along the side of the rock, about halfway up, you will encounter a gateway that although in ruins, resembles a gigantic lions paw.

Day 5:

Meals: Breakfast at Aliya Resort & Spa

Accommodation: Earl's Regency Hotel.

And then a transfer from Sigiriya to Dambulla (approx. 30 minutes)The Dambulla Cave Temple, also known as Jambukola Viharaya is a World Heritage Site and is the largest, preserved cave temple complex in the country. It is believed that King Valahambahu converted these caves into a temple during the 1st century BC. Although there are more than 80 documented caves in the area, the temple itself is spread over five. These caves contain statues and paintings that chronicle Lord Buddha and his life. There are 153 Lord Buddha statues, 3 statues of Sri Lankan Kings and 4 statues of Gods and goddesses found here. The latter include those of Hindu Gods Vishnu and Ganesh. The murals cover over 2,000 square metres in area. The largest image of Lord Buddha is a carving that spans over 14 metres. Transfer from Dambulla to Matale (approx. 1 hour)Matale, known for its welcoming climate is world famous for its spice gardens.  Here one may experience the intricate processes that result in Sri Lanka producing some of the best spices in the world. What¿s more, a cookery demonstration too will be held allowing visitors to learn to prepare traditional curries using local spices. Transfer from Matale to Kandy (approx. 1 hour & 30 minutes)

 (Two nights stay in a Deluxe room on bed breakfast basis)

Day 6:

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Earl's Regency Hotel

And then a transfer from Kandy to Pinnawala (approx. 2 hours)The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage provides visitors with the best chance of seeing a large number of elephants at close quarters. The orphanage was established in 1975 and commenced with seven orphaned elephants. Today some of these orphans enjoy the fortune of seeing their calfs born in the same location. Assisted by local and foreign elephant experts, Pinnawala commenced a successful captive breeding programme and the first baby elephant was born in 1984. It is most interesting to visit at feeding time to see the baby elephants being bottle fed and the entire herd taken for a bath thereafter to the river nearby. Transfer from Pinnawala to Kandy. Do a city tour in this afternoon.The World Heritage Site, Kandy, was the last capital of the Sri Lankan Kings, before the country was brought under British rule in 1815. Famous for its rich heritage and splendour, this magnificent city was last ruled by Sri Wickramarajasinghe. The Temple of the Tooth Relic is the most significant highlight of the city along with the Kandy lake, the town and other attractions. Visit the Kandy Town and Bazaar, the arts & crafts centre and a gem museum and a lapidary. In the evening, visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and thereafter, witness a cultural show featuring traditional Sri Lankan dance.

Day 7:

Meals: Breakfast at Earl's Regency Hotel

Accommodation: Jetwing Yala

Transfer from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, en-route you will visit a Tea Planation (approx. 3 hours)Visit a tea plantation and a tea factory, where the best tea in the world is produced. Upon your visit you will observe how the quality of tea is graded and also have a walk-through of the manufacturing process. The highlight of your visit will be enjoying the taste of a cup of pure Ceylon tea in the factory. Overnight Stay at Grand Hotel

(One night stay in a Deluxe room on bed breakfast basis)

Day 8:

Meals: Breakfast at Grand Hotel

And then a transfer from Nuwara Eliya to Udawalawe (approx. 5 hours)The park is adjacent to the Udawalawe reservoir and Walawe river. The region is surrounded by the scenic beauty of the mountain range that wind endlessly on the Balangoda, Kalthota and Haputale escarpments. Spread over 30,821 hectares, the Park has an annual rainfall of 1,524 mm and an average year-round temperature of 29.4 C.  The Udawalawe National Park is famous for its many herds of elephants which can be observed in their natural habitats. You will see the spotted deer, sambur, barking deer, water buffalo and jackal which are also inhabitants of the park.Later on you will visit the Elephant Transit Home which is a facility within Udawalawe National Park in Sri Lanka that was established in 1995 by the Sri Lanka Department of Wildlife Consevation. Its primary objective is to rehabilitate orphaned elephant calves for ultimate release back into the wild.Transfer from Udawalawe to Yala (approx. 2 hours)

 (Two nights stay in a Superior room on bed breakfast basis)

Day 9:

Accommodation: Jetwing Yala.

Early this morning you will proceed on a game drive of Yala National Park by jeep(You will have the option of either taking a long a picnic breakfast provided by the hotel or having a late breakfast back at the hotel).Do a jeep safari of Yala National Park which is undoubtedly the largest and most popular in Sri Lanka. It consists of five blocks, all of which are at present open to the public. Block 1, Ruhuna is the most visited of the five. Visitors can expect to see wild elephants, wild boars, wild buffaloes, leopards, bears, deer and crocodiles.  Large flocks of migratory and indigenous birds are also found here. Thereafter you will return to the hotel and be at leisure, relaxing by the pool and later this afternoon proceeds on another game drive of Yala National Park.

Day 10:

Meals: Breakfast at Jetwing Yala

Accommodation: Ramada Colombo

And then transfer from Yala to Colombo. Overnight Stay at Ramada Colombo

(One night stay in a Standard room on bed breakfast basis)DAY 11:   This day you will proceed to the Airport in time to connect with your departure flight or transfer to a beach resort can be organised.