Sri Lanka and South India Tour

The journey begins right now with "The Best Travel Agent in India." Our representative will meet you in the arrival hall at Kochi airport and escort you to your hotel in your city. The rest of the day is free. Cochin still has numerous spice warehouses and is a thriving trading city. The city is spread across several peninsulas and islands. You'll find accommodation in the heart of the city, in the historic Fort Kochi district.

In the morning, you will enjoy a guided tour of Cochin. This city boasts a rich colonial past. You will discover numerous remnants from the Portuguese, British, and Dutch periods. This strategically located port was particularly important for the spice trade. Chinese fishing nets are also a familiar feature of the cityscape. During the tour, you will visit Mattancherry Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace, where you will admire frescoes depicting episodes from the great Hindu epics, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. Originally built by the Portuguese, the palace was renovated by the Dutch in the 17th century. You will also visit the synagogue, the oldest in India (closed to visitors on Fridays and Saturdays). You will also see numerous spice warehouses, still in operation and testaments to a once-thriving trade.

In the evening, you will attend a traditional Kathakali dance performance. The plot and complex symbolism may seem a bit over the top, but the costumes, masks, and colorful makeup of the actors are worth the price of admission alone.

In the morning, leave for Munnar (about a three-hour drive). Due to its higher altitude, the area enjoys a pleasant climate, slightly cooler than Cochin. This is why it was already a popular weekend getaway during the colonial era, and remains so today. Munnar is particularly famous for its numerous plantations spread across the hills. You'll find plenty of tea and cardamom here.

Today, you'll explore the surroundings of Munnar. In the tea plantations, you'll see women plucking leaves. They carry traditional bamboo baskets on their backs, tied with ropes to their foreheads. You'll visit Lockhart Gap, where you'll enjoy spectacular views of the Annamalai Hills and tea plantations. With some luck, you might even spot the Nilgiri Tahr, a rare mountain goat. A visit to the Tea Museum is also great (closed on Mondays, as tea-picking is a holiday).

After breakfast, you'll head to your next destination: Emerald Isle (about a three-hour drive). This island is nestled in the heart of the Backwaters Nature Reserve. You'll appreciate the hospitality of this small, historic building, run by a loving and welcoming family.

In the afternoon, you can participate in a variety of (optional) activities, such as boat trips. You can also enjoy traditional Ayurvedic treatments—a moment of relaxation! Or simply stroll along the waterfront. You'll see constant activity: children going to school, women washing dishes on the riverbank, and men training for the annual regatta. The gardens offer beautiful relaxing spots, perfect for relaxing with a book.

You'll be taken to the jetty where you'll board a houseboat. Today and tomorrow, you'll explore the Backwaters Nature Reserve, a must-see in Kerala. Truly a unique experience! You'll cruise through lagoons, lakes, rivers, and canals, passing through villages, and watching fishermen bring in their daily catch. The backwaters form a unique ecosystem, as freshwater rivers flow into the Arabian Sea at several points. They are home to many animal species, such as cormorants, kingfishers, otters, herons, and turtles. The shores are fringed with palm trees and bushes, creating a refreshing view.

In the evening, the boat anchors in a quiet spot, and the cook prepares dinner on board. The sunset, with the gentle lapping of the water against the hull, is often spectacular. You will spend the night on the boat, where you will have a cabin and bathroom.

In the morning, you will enjoy the tranquillity of the lagoon. After breakfast, you will return by boat to the mainland (Alleppey), and then be taken by car to Cochin Airport with a private driver. From there, a regional flight will take you to Colombo. Your Sri Lankan guide/driver will wait for you and take you to a hotel near the airport in Negombo.

Today, head for Sigiriya. On the way, you'll stop in Dambulla to see the magnificent Dambulla Rock Temple. It houses approximately 150 Buddha statues. The temples, located halfway up the rock, are accessible only by steep concrete stairs. After arriving in Sigiriya, you'll check in at your accommodation and relax for the rest of the evening.

Get up early to visit Sigiriya Rock, also known as "Lion Rock." This approximately 200-meter-high rock rises steeply above the surrounding forest. To reach it, you'll have to walk through the "Water Garden." Halfway up, a spiral staircase leads to a spot where frescoes are painted. At the top, you can see the foundations of a palace that once stood on this very spot. A spectacular view awaits you. Even those who find climbing too challenging will find this excursion worthwhile. An easily accessible viewpoint awaits you halfway up.

The rest of the afternoon is free.

Note: If you still have energy at the end of the day, we recommend climbing Pidurangala Rock. At the top, you won't find any archaeological wonders, just bare rock. The most striking feature is the view. And it's truly spectacular! The sunset over Lion Rock and the surrounding plains is stunning!

This day, you will travel to Polonnaruwa. The Chola dynasty of India established it in the tenth century, making it the second royal city on the island, following Anuradhapura in that regard. Over the course of the previous century, this old metropolis was "rediscovered" amid the jungle. Any visit of Sri Lanka should include a stop at the remnants of palaces, monasteries, temples, and water reservoirs. These ruins were discovered after the city was rediscovered and archaeological excavations were conducted. Notable features include the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Audience Hall, the Vatadage Dagoba, which features four sculptures of Buddha seated in a seated position, and the twelve ruins that are located in the square. Obviously, a trip to Gal Vihira is something that should not be skipped. From a single block of stone, the four Buddha sculptures that are displayed here were carved: one standing Buddha, two seated Buddhas, and one reclining Buddha. The total length of the statues is fourteen meters. You have the option of unwinding for the remainder of the afternoon.

We are able to organize a safari for you in either Minneriya or Kaudulla National Park, if that is what you would want. On the other hand, during the winter months, you won't be able to witness the dozens of elephants that these parks are famous for. Upon request, we will provide you with the various options and rates.

Note: If you like, you can also ride a bicycle around Polonnaruwa. When you rent a bicycle, there is an additional fee of five euros per person.

After breakfast, you will head to Wilpattu National Park. Wilpattu is one of Sri Lanka's oldest national parks and is located on Sri Lanka's northwest coast. The park's unique feature is its abundance of "villus" (natural lakes). Because the park is located in a dry area, rainfall is highly seasonal. A striking feature of the park is that much of it is covered in dense forests. Elephants, leopards, sloth bears, water buffalo, and spotted deer are among the large mammals. Because of the coastal strip and villus, there are a large number of birds, including storks, white ibis, cormorants, and kingfishers. In the afternoon, you will embark on a jeep safari in Wilpattu National Park.

Today's drive of less than two hours will take you through the jungle to the Kalpitiya Peninsula on Sri Lanka's east coast. Kalpitiya remains an undiscovered seaside resort, with the sea to the west and the Puttalam Lagoon to the east. It doesn't have a real center with bars and restaurants, boulevards, or vendors, so it still has a real sense of tranquility. The beach is clean and quiet. We chose a small accommodation right on the seashore.

A relaxing day at the beach in Kalpitiya. Obviously, you can just relax, but there are plenty of options for those looking for something more active. Kalpitiya's main attractions are kitesurfing and whale and dolphin watching. Winter is the best season for water sports, as the sea is a little calmer. For less experienced kitesurfers, kitesurfing can be done in both the open sea and the calm lagoon. The best times for whale watching are March/April and, to a lesser extent, November/December. Those interested in the Dutch cultural heritage remaining in Sri Lanka from the VOC era will find it beneficial to visit the Dutch Fort and the Dutch Reformed Church in Kalpitiya. The Dutch Fort, with walls approximately 4 meters high, is roughly square in shape. Here and there, you can clearly see the coral structures used to build the walls. It has only one entrance, which somewhat resembles a church. This is no coincidence, as it is said that the King of Kandy gave the Dutch permission to build a church, not a fort. The church-like arch may have led the king to believe that this was simply a fort, not a fort.

Tip: Whales are spotted near the coast here during the winter season. You can go whale watching from your accommodation. Please check with your neighbours about the next day's opportunities and whether the seas are too rough. This tour usually begins early in the morning, around 6:00 AM.Note: Kitesurfing, whale watching, and dolphin watching are not included in the tour price.

A full day to relax on the Kalpitiya beach and reflect on all the experiences you've had on this trip. And in the evening, the chef will entertain you again—what fun!

You will be taken to Colombo airport in time for your return flight. This drive takes about 4 hours. Flights often depart in the evening. If your flight departs very late, we can also arrange a day room for you in Colombo so you can rest and refresh yourself before departure. Please inquire about these possibilities.