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 Discover the Wonders of Sri Lanka: A Paradise Awaits! Welcome to Sri Lanka, a breathtaking island where golden beaches, lush rainforests, ancient temples, and vibrant culture come together to create an unforgettable experience. Nestled in the heart of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka offers a perfect blend of adventure, culture, relaxation, and heritage, making it a must-visit destination for travelers worldwide.
Whether you’re exploring the historic ruins of Sigiriya, strolling the charming Portuguese streets of Galle, marveling at the architecture of the late Geoffrey Bawa (One of Asia’s most prolific and influential Architects), or unwinding on the sun-kissed shores of Negombo, Sri Lanka promises an adventure like no other. Indulge in aromatic Ceylon tea, spot majestic elephants in Minneriya National Park, and immerse yourself in the warm hospitality of the Sri Lankan people.
Combine this with our luxury gay tour to Thailand,
January 31 - February 9, 2026, just a 3.5 hour flight away.
Day 1
Upon arrival at Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), you will be met by our Airport Representative and your assigned tour manager who will escort you to the overnight stay resort.
Thereafter transfer to Negombo and check-in at your hotel after 2:00 PM. (Early check-in is subject to availability)
Spend the rest of the day leisurely enjoying all the amenities.
Late evening, welcome cocktails followed by dinner in a gorgeous location.
Meals Included: Welcome Dinner and Cocktails
Accommodation: Sentido Heritance Negombo Hotel, Negombo, 5*
Day 2
Begin your day with breakfast at the hotel.
After breakfast, check out and transfer to Dambulla.
Upon arrival, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Dambulla Rock Cave Temple.
Dating back to the first Century BC, Dambulla is a vast cave complex, converted into a rock temple which is still regarded today as one of the most important Buddhist monasteries. Covering the rock ceiling is the largest collection of paintings in Sri Lanka within a cave temple, and surrounding you is the highest number of Buddha statues found in one single place. As you wander through the temple, notice the serenity and the exceedingly well-preserved nature of the place. It is no wonder the Rock Temple has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
After, proceed to our resort nearby, check in, and spend the rest of the day leisurely.
In this afternoon, you may have the chance to witness a one-hour private cultural dance show with traditional drummers before the dinner. Later you will enjoy dinner at the main restaurant.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Heritance Kandalama Hotel, Dambulla, 5*
Day 3
Begin your day with breakfast at the hotel.
Early morning at around 04.00 AM, transfer to Sigiriya to visit the rock fortress to witness the sunrise.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Sigiriya is an enormous rock boulder rising 200 meters above the surrounding jungle. Incredibly, the rock fortress was built by King Kassyapa I in the fifth Century and served as a royal citadel for more than 18 years, something that seems more astonishing with every step you climb. Pause occasionally during your ascent to admire the mirror wall, the sigiri graffiti, the famous Sigiriya frescoes (paintings), and the great lion paws. Upon reaching the summit you’ll immediately see that it was worth the effort. Wander through the ruins and admire the courage and work it must have taken to build this palace all those years ago. Aside from the ruins, with the unparalleled 360-degree view of the surrounding jungle and hills, it will not just be the climb that takes your breath away.
Upon completion, return to our resort and spend the rest of the day leisurely enjoying all the amenities.
Dinner will be at the resort.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Heritance Kandalama Hotel, Dambulla, 5*
Day 4
Begin your day with breakfast at the hotel.
After breakfast at the resort, proceed to Polonnaruwa and visit the UNESCO World Heritage site on Tuk Tuk’s or on bicycles.
An interesting blend of archaeological monuments, Polonnaruwa was the second kingdom of Sri Lanka and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The iconic man-made reservoir was appropriately named “Parakrama Samudra”, or “the sea of Parakrama”, due to its enormous size. Look out for the famous Gal Viharaya or “Rock Temple” where you will see four colossal statues of the Buddha cut into the stone, reflecting peace, serenity, and strength. Polonnaruwa also boasts ruins of ancient palaces, intricately carved moonstones, and royal baths. If you are feeling a bit more energetic, this whole site can also be explored on bike and our guide will be more than happy to arrange this for you at a cost.
In the late afternoon we proceed to Minneriya for an afternoon game drive (approximate duration – 45 minutes).
*Depending on the weather we will provide the safari at different national parks with prior notice, Kaudulla National Park or Eco Park which are located within the same region.
Minneriya National Park, located in the North Central district of Sri Lanka is a sanctuary for wildlife. Alongside the Udawalawe National Park it is one of the best places on the island to see the Sri Lankan Elephant up close, all year round. As well as elephants, you are likely to see a whole host of other mammals, birds, butterflies, reptiles, and amphibians. The park is also an important habitat for the two endemic monkeys of Sri Lanka – the Purple-faced Langur and Toque Macaque.
Aside from the wildlife, the impressive Minneriya tank – a reservoir built by an ancient civilization – is undoubtedly the highlight of the park. If you are lucky, you may witness between 50 and 300 wild elephants making their way to the shores of the reservoir in what is known to be the largest meeting point of Asian Elephants in the world.
Upon completion, return to our resort and spend the rest of the day leisurely enjoying all the amenities.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Heritance Kandalama Hotel, Dambulla, 5*
Day 5
Begin your day with breakfast at our hotel.
After breakfast, check out and transfer to Matale.
Upon arrival, we will visit a spice garden and enjoy a spice spice-filled journey, discovering the key spices are and how they can be used to enhance the flavor of your Sri Lankan meals. After our guided tour in the Spice Garden enjoy a cooking demonstration/ followed by a traditional Sri Lankan meal.
Upon completion, transfer to Kandy, and while en-route, visit a Tea plantation and a factory to experience and learn about the tea process here in Sri Lanka.
Upon arriving at the tea plantation, you have the chance to learn how to pluck the tea leaves under the guidance of an expert, followed by visiting the factory and learning the rest of the process for the final production.
Upon completion, continue to our resort and spend the rest of the day at leisure enjoying all the amenities.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: W15 Hanthana Estate, Kandy, 5*
Day 6
Start your day with breakfast at the hotel.
After breakfast, proceed to visit the Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya with an expert botanist.
Join Bandara Palipana, an experienced botanist, on a fascinating walk through the scenic Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, located in the hill capital of Kandy. Palipana has worked in the gardens, which house over 4,000 species of plants and trees, for well over 30 years. Listen as he shares stories of the garden’s history, and the precious live collections gathered over the past centuries. He relates how this ancient royal pleasure garden transformed into a botanical garden in 1821. He goes on to explain how the trees are marked as Black, Red, Green or Yellow to signify if they are exotic, endemic, indigenous, or poisonous and how the parts of these trees are used for various purposes.
Walk under the natural canopy of the giant bamboo and double palm trees, both of which are imports to the island and many are over one hundred years old. Take time to admire the incredible collection of over 300 varieties of orchids: one of your host’s personal favorites. Notice how some smell like chocolate and mint and some resemble a Kandyan Dancer, a Scorpion, and even a Holy Dove. A leisurely stroll through the immaculate lawns and along the quiet paths reveals the exciting history of the building that dates far back to World War II and about the ‘Grand Circle’ where world leaders have donated and planted trees since 1875.
Upon completion, continue with a stroll in Kandy City.
The city of Kandy was the last Kingdom of Sri Lanka and has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will notice a more comfortable temperature here, compared to the tropical climate prevailing throughout the rest of the island. The Sacred Temple of the Tooth is certainly the most revered and iconic place to visit in this cultural capital, but other highlights include the historic Kandy Lake, the Royal Botanical Gardens, and the scenic Victoria Golf Club. While in Kandy, also look out for the silverware, brassware, and gem-studded jewelry, carefully carved and designed by the Kandyan craftsmen, who are known to be the most skilled in the country. Kandy can be a bustling place in the day so there is nothing quite like a late evening stroll around the serene lake with a view of the Sacred Temple and the distant sound of drums in the background.
Thereafter visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic for the afternoon pooja ceremony.
Built during the 16th Century, the Temple of the Tooth is one the most important temples for Buddhists as it houses the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha. The Relic of the Tooth is kept in a two-story inner sanctum. The ‘Thevava’ or auspicious offering to the Sacred Tooth Relic takes place three times a day at pre-set times and a visit during this time is quite an experience. The resident monks demonstrate this age-old tradition as you become surrounded by the sound of drums and the smells of lotus and jasmine flowers, as well as incense.
Special notes: It is recommended to wear light-colored clothing when visiting the temple: jeans, skirts, or dresses past knee length with long-sleeved tops or a shawl to cover the shoulders if you are wearing short-sleeved tops.
Upon completion, return to our resort and spend the rest of the day at leisure enjoying all the amenities.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: W15 Hanthana Estate, Kandy, 5*
Day 7
Start your day with breakfast at our hotel.
After breakfast at the resort, check-out and transfer to Bentota and then to Galle
Upon arrival, we will enjoy lunch at Geoffrey Bawa’s country estate (one of Asia’s most prolific and influential architects) followed by a private tour.
Lunuganga Garden in Bentota is a destination in itself – the artistry that went into the evolution of this iconic country house deserves slow and gentle exploration. Bawa created Lunuganga over a period of 40 years and it is a revelation of his architectural evolution where many of his trademark innovations sit alongside experimental flourishes. Bawa’s brother Bevis lived near Lunuganga and his former country estate, Brief, has also been preserved for future generations. The property’s structured gardens and low-slung, simplistic house brimming with detailed murals, ghoulish statues, personal photos, and colonial-era antiques make this another Bentota experience not to miss. This garden is an elegant early 18th century former shopfront set in tranquil lakeside gardens, to appreciate more of Geoffrey Bawa’s visionary handiwork.
Upon completion, continue to Galle, check in at our resort, and spend the rest of the day leisurely enjoying all the amenities.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Fort Bazaar Hotel, Galle, 5*
Day 8
Start your day with breakfast at our hotel.
This morning, enjoy the beautiful town of Galle; its charming streets, cafes, shops, and historic Portuguese architecture which blends with local Buddhist designs.
Later, transfer to Villa Mayurana for a Cinnamon Tapping Experience. This includes a short Tuk Tuk ride from halfway to the premises.
Approximately 40 minutes outside the city of Galle is Villa Mayurana, a piece of paradise set among a cinnamon plantation offering magnificent views of Koggala Lake and the coastline beyond. Upon arrival, freshen up with a cinnamon-infused towel before venturing on a guided tour of the estate. Learn about the method of growing and harvesting cinnamon as well as how a cinnamon tree can be transformed into the cinnamon sticks we buy. Watch a fascinating demonstration from one of the estate’s expert peelers to see how this intricate process is carried out. Continue to learn how this aromatic spice is gathered for grading and how it is prepared before being sent to market. If you wish, you may end your spice trail with a delicious cinnamon-inspired lunch at the villa, accompanied by a fragrant cinnamon tea.
Upon completion, return to our resort and relax.
In late afternoon, Explore Galle Fort (UNESCO) by foot with a storyteller Archaeologist.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, the city of Galle mixes the exotic with the colonial. The impressive Fortress, originally built by the Portuguese and further fortified by the Dutch, remains standing today with only a few changes, and is a living example of the interaction between European architecture and South Asian traditions during the 16th to 19th Centuries. Explore the Galle Fort on foot at your own pace, perhaps paying a visit to the Maritime Museum, the Old Dutch Reformed Church, the Sun and the Moon bastions, the lighthouse and the souvenir shops along the way. Early evening is the perfect time to climb the ramparts and sip a refreshing cup of Ceylon tea, or perhaps something stronger, as you gaze upon the setting sun.
Upon completion, return to your overnight stay resort and spend the rest of the day leisurely enjoying all the amenities.
Dinner on own account.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Fort Bazaar Hotel, Galle, 5*
Day 9
Breakfast is served at the hotel.
Enjoy a leisurely morning in Galle before we transfer to Colombo.
This evening, enjoy a special farewell cocktails and dinner in one of the best venues in Colombo.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Farewell Dinner
Accommodation: Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, 5*
Day 10
Begin your day with breakfast at our hotel.
Day at leisure before we transfer you to the airport for your return flight home.
End of services
Meals Included: Breakfast
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• Fully escorted with the services of dedicated Zoom Vacations Concierge guides throughout the trip
• Accommodations at the finest properties in Colombo and Negombo
• Enjoy 3 nights accommodations in an architecturally significant hotel masterpiece in Kandalama
• Stay 2 nights in a regal colonial estate in the hills above Kandy
• Step back in time for our 2 night stay in a historic property in Galle
• Welcome Dinner Event in a Surprise Location
• Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site: the ancient kingdom of Polonnaruwa
• Ascend Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO world heritage site
• Appreciate the ancient Buddhist art in Dambulla Rock Cave Temple, a UNESCO world heritage site
• Enter the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, a UNESCO world heritage site
• Explore Old Dutch Galle Fort, a UNESCO world heritage site
• Visit the world-renowned architectural expert Mr. Geoffery Bawa’s country estate
• Enjoy Zoom Vacations curated restaurants and meal events throughout the trip, highlighting the best of Sri Lanka’s vivid array of flavor combinations
• Explore the Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya with a storytelling botanist
• Venture out on a game drive in search of wildlife through the Minneriya National Park
• Have the opportunity to get up close and personal with wild elephants in their natural habitat
• Learn about the medicinal and flavorful properties of Sri Lankan spices
• Experience a tea plantation and learn the process of pure Ceylon tea
• Expert guides throughout the trip
• Enjoy a very special farewell celebration, a Zoom Signature Event
• Breakfasts Daily
Sentido Heritance Negombo Hotel, Negombo, 5*
Escape to the golden shores of Negombo at Sentido Heritance Negombo, where modern elegance blends with warm Sri Lankan hospitality. Just minutes from Bandaranaike International Airport, our 5-star beachfront haven offers ocean-facing rooms, world-class dining, serene spa treatments and a relaxing tropical pool. Whether it’s a romantic escape, a bleisure trip, a family retreat or a beachfront celebration, unforgettable moments await you.
Offering an outdoor pool, Sentido Heritance Negombo is located 2.1 km from St Anthony's Church and a 40-minute drive away from Colombo. Free WiFi access is available and rooms come equipped with a mini fridge.
Offering views of the Indian Ocean, every room includes a flat-screen cable TV. A hairdryer and bathrobes are provided in the en suite bathroom. Extras include a sofa, a desk and ironing facilities.
The property offers several dining options ranging from seafood dinners on the lawn overlooking the ocean to breath taking elevated views from the See Lounge. At Sentido Heritance Negombo you will find a fitness centre.
Heritance Kandalama Hotel, Dambulla, 5*
A tranquil retreat perched on hills, Heritance Kandalama offers panoramic views of the Sigiriya Rocks. Boasting a spectacular architecture, this unique design hotel provides 3 impressive pools and exotic activities like bird watching.
The 5-star Kandalama Heritance is a 20-minute drive from UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the 2,000-year-old cave temple at Dambulla and the Sigiriya rock fortress.
The spacious rooms are fitted with rattan furniture and timber panels. Each comes with a private bathroom featuring oversized glass walls that allow much natural light in.
The hotel features tennis courts, a well-equipped gym and the well-known Coco Spa. To enjoy Sri Lanka’s breathtaking natural landscapes, the hotel offers various excursions like mountain cycling excursions and lake safaris.
Start the day with breakfast on the lake or enjoy a memorable dining experience in the nearby cave. The Kanchana Restaurant offers daily themed nights with international cuisine. Views of the Sigiriya citadel and the Kandalama Lake accompany meals.
W15 Hanthana Estate, Kandy, 5*
Set on a working tea estate high above Kandy, this luxurious hotel has been beautifully restored and exudes colonial charm. The lush gardens and stunning infinity pool enjoy impressive panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
W15 Hanthana Estate Kandy in Kandy offers a 5-star hotel experience with spa facilities, a sun terrace, and a year-round outdoor swimming pool. Guests enjoy free WiFi, a lush garden, and a tennis court.
The modern, romantic restaurant serves seafood, Asian, international, and European cuisines. Additional amenities include a barbecue grill, yoga classes, and walking tours. Free bicycles are available for exploring the area.
Standard amenities include climate control, luxury bedding, flatscreen TV, Wi-Fi, sound system, ceiling fan, minibar, safe, robes, upscale bathing products, hairdryer and tea and coffee making facilities, all within a soothing neutral palette.
Fort Bazaar Hotel, Galle, 5*
Step inside Fort Bazaar, Galle Fort’s most charming hideaway. Formerly a spice merchant’s home, this 18-room boutique hotel and spa has been lovingly restored to honour the Fort’s rich history and vibrant culture. Exploring could not be easier, with heritage sites, chic cafés, and sandy beaches just steps away.
Galle Fort is 200 metres from Fort Bazaar, while Dutch Church Galle is 200 metres from the property. As the sun sets over the Fort, unwind by our newly opened swimming pool, before dining at our stylish in-house restaurant and bar.
Once a Merchant home from the 16th century, Fort Bazaar is a boutique hotel located in the heart of the Galle Fort. Built around a traditional Galle Fort private courtyard boasting the acclaimed Church Street Social restaurant library and Z Spa.
Free WiFi access is available throughout the property and the rooms come with complimentary soft drinks in the mini fridge. Breakfast and high tea is served for all in-house guests.
Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, 5*
This iconic and colonial-style hotel, built in 1864, boasts a spa and a saltwater pool with sun loungers that faces the vast Indian Ocean.
Fitted with wooden flooring, most rooms at Galle Face Hotel offer views of the Indian Ocean, Galle Face Green or Colombo City. They are equipped with a TV and a private bathroom with a hairdryer. A minibar and a personal safe are included.
Guests can enjoy a relaxing massage at the spa or work out at the gym. Galle Face Hotel also provides a business centre. Local and international dining options can be enjoyed at the hotel's 2 on-site restaurants, Verandah and 1864. For a drink, guests can head to the bar.
Located in the heart of Colombo City, Galle Face Hotel is a 15-minute drive from Odel Shopping Mall and just 36 km from Colombo International Airport.
Air:
International airfare not included.
Passports:
Your valid passport should have at least two blank visa pages and should be valid for at least six months after your planned departure from the country you are visiting.
Note: Passport pages titled "Endorsement Pages" are not visa pages.
Visas:
U.S. citizens intending to visit Sri Lanka for purposes of tourism or transit require an approval notice from Sri Lanka’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) System, as well as an onward/return ticket and proof of sufficient funds. While the ETA system is available online or at the port of entry, visitors are strongly urged to use the online system to avoid lengthy delays at the port of entry. If you are not a US citizen, please contact your nearest Sri Lanka Consulate to determine your visa requirements.
While we will assist when possible, please note that passport, visa, and vaccination requirements vary from country to country and are the sole responsibility of the traveler.
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