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 Explore the lush green island of Buddha surrounded by the sparkling blue waters of the Indian Ocean. Sri Lanka is an enticing mix of thousands of years of culture and authentic tropical adventure! Set off on a round trip of this island country and discover the magic of its people, traditions, and natural wonders. Sparkling sea blue, lush jungle green, a gleaming white dagoba that rises to the sky, and glowing sandy beaches where everyday life is as far away as it could possibly be.
Discover the island of Buddha in the Indian Ocean, visit a wildlife protection facility for baby elephants,
and cook with Ayesha – Sri Lanka is an enticing mix of thousands of years of culture and authentic tropical scenery! And as the grand finale of our round trip through this island country, spend a few days relaxing days on the beach.
• Traverse the highlands by train
• Visit the cave temple complex in Dambulla
• Observe elephants in Udawalawe
• Relax on the beaches of the Indian Ocean
Day 1
Your gay holiday adventure begins! After your arrival in Colombo (flights not included), you’ll transfer from the airport to the hotel where you’ll be welcomed by your guide. Enjoy a late afternoon stroll through the Colombo Fort neighbourhood and watch the sun set over the crystal-blue waters of the Indian Ocean. Afterwards, a delicious welcome dinner awaits you at the traditional Galle Face Hotel.
Meals Included: Dinner
Accommodation: Ramada by Wyndham Colombo Hotel, Colombo
Day 2
On your way to Kurunegala, you’ll stop at the ancient Monaragala Temple and learn how modern temples differ from their ancient counterparts. You’re going to love your hotel in Dambulla for the next two nights – absolutely idyllic and luxurious! It’s perfectly situated on the shore of a lake surrounded by lush greenery. In the soft afternoon light, you’ll climb up to see the Cloud Girls of the Sigiriya rock fortress. A truly unforgettable highlight!
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Jetwing Lake Hotel, Dambulla
Day 3
At dawn, you’ll cross elephant country on the way to Polonnaruwa. Keep your eyes open – pachyderms are on the move at this time of day. You’ll board a catamaran and as you stare at the sea eagles and pelicans flying overhead, you’ll be taken to a magnificent spot perfect for a breakfast picnic: an island in the middle of Lake Bendiwewa. You’ll be enchanted by the spectacular views of the water and forests from here. Back on land, you’ll explore the majestic palace and the iconic Reclining Buddha. In the evening, you’ll get to meet musicians and dancers who will mesmerise you with a traditional performance.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Jetwing Lake Hotel, Dambulla
Day 4
Get ready for a discovery tour of the cave temple in Dambulla – the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in the country and a UNESCO World Heritage Site . You’ll be amazed by the ornate polychrome Buddhas smiling at you from the ceilings and walls. Back on the road, you’ll encounter something particularly interesting: a Hindu temple in a predominantly Buddhist country! At the end of another day of gay adventure, you’ll finally reach the charming mountain town of Kandy.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: The Thilanka Hotel, Kandy
Day 5
Riding in tuk-tuks, you’ll whizz down to the city and join the crowd of pilgrims streaming into the historic Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic – the relic of the tooth of Buddha – which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Full of inspiration, you’ll make your way to the Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya where you’ll see over 4,000 plant species, including countless magnificent orchids. Afterwards, you can have a delicious coffee in the dignified Royal Bar and Hotel.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: The Thilanka Hotel, Kandy
Day 6
Onwards to the Tamarind Gardens in Digana! There you’ll be welcomed by Ayesha and Nalin who will tell you about life in their village. Daily life is a challenge on the edge of the arid zone, but the people here are bursting with optimism. Ayesha and Nalin Perera have a vision: to help the people of Sri Lanka. They returned to their home country after having worked in the UK to offer people here alternatives to the harsh and unhealthy labour conditions in the quarry. You’ll get a feel for life in their village by lending them a hand in the kitchen where real Sri Lankan food, which is more than just curry and rice, is being prepared. You can even milk the cows or help with the planting and harvesting if you’d like. Back in Kandy, you’ll have time to explore the city on your own.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: The Thilanka Hotel, Kandy
Day 7
After breakfast, it’s time to get moving! You’ll board the bus and as soon as you hop off, a leisurely 3.5-kilometre (2.2-mile) hike awaits you. You’ll take in the unique landscape and walk through charming household gardens and spice plantations, before ending up opposite a rice field where your driver is already waiting for you. On the way to Nuwara Eliya, once a British summer resort, you’ll see tea bushes on both sides of the road as far as the eye can see. You’ll learn about the process of transforming the leaves into strong, caramel-coloured Ceylon tea at a tea factory.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mirage Kings Cottage, Nuwara Eliya
Day 8
Hop on the bus to Nanu Oya. From here, you’ll board the train for a spectacular train ride through the cloud forest that surrounds the Horton Plains National Park. Don’t worry – your luggage will be waiting for you at the hotel in Bandarawela. In the afternoon, you’ll receive a lesson in Sri Lankan cooking from the hotel chef and you’ll prepare dinner together with the other guys.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Bandarawela Hotel, Bandarawela
Day 9
Lace up your boots – another gay holiday adventure is about to begin! Off you go to tackle a stretch of the famous Pekoe Trail (distance approx. 8 km – 4.9 mi). Have your camera ready! You’ll start in Ella near the famous Nine Arches Bridge where you’ll watch as vintage trains slowly cross the river. The hike continues through tea plantations and small villages and end at the Demodara Railway Station. Back at the hotel, take some time to relax. Later, your guide will accompany you back to Ella where you’ll get a feel for the city’s vibe as you explore its numerous bars and cafés. Whenever you’re ready, the bus will take you back to the hotel. But if you’re feeling adventurous, you can take a tuk-tuk back to Bandarawela on your own.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Bandarawela Hotel, Bandarawela
Day 10
Back to the lowlands. Before you discover the magic of Udawalawe National Park, another wildlife hotspot beckons us – the Elephant Transit Home. At this special place, a herd of young, orphaned elephants are fed here several times a day and made fit for the wild. You’re sure to smile as they happily wave their trunks at the spectators. You’ll definitely see more elephants and other fascinating animals on a Jeep safari through the national park later! Absolutely thrilling!
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Centauria Wild Hotel, Udawalawe
Day 11
Today, you’ll head southwest to the beach resort of Beruwala. Along the way, you’ll take a stroll through the alleyways of the enchanting colonial town of Galle. Mighty ramparts, gleaming white churches and stately merchants’ homes – at Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’ll discover a piece of Old Holland in the middle of the tropics. And finally, what you’ve patiently been waiting for – two days of tropical beach life await you on the Indian Ocean at our hotel right by the sea. This holiday can’t be topped!
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Cinnamon Bey Hotel, Beruwala
Day 12
Take a dip and relax under the sun on the warm sandy beach – an adventurous and eventful gay holiday is slowly coming to an end.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Cinnamon Bey Hotel, Beruwala
Day 13
With a golden suntan, you’ll transfer to the airport for your flight back home (not included).
Meals Included: Breakfast
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