Enchanting Sri Lanka – Women’s Only Tour

After breakfast at your hotel, meet your guide in the hotel lobby for your sightseeing tour of Colombo. Discover the city’s fascinating blend of colonial architecture, Buddhist temples, lively markets and modern influences, while gaining insight into its rich and diverse cultural heritage. Visit key highlights including Independence Square, the Gangaramaya Temple area, Pettah Market, historic colonial buildings and Galle Face Green overlooking the Indian Ocean. Continue to the Saskia Fernando Gallery, showcasing contemporary Sri Lankan art, followed by a visit to Barefoot, renowned for its colourful textiles, artisan crafts, jewellery, books and homewares. Browse the collections before relaxing in the peaceful garden café. This evening, experience a special Saree Draping and Cultural Styling Experience at your hotel. Local women will guide you through the art of saree draping and introduce you to traditional accessories and beauty practices. Dinner this evening is included at your hotel.

After breakfast at your hotel, check out and travel towards Sigiriya. En route, visit the renowned Dambulla Cave Temple, one of Sri Lanka’s most significant cultural and religious heritage sites. Explore its ancient cave shrines, beautifully adorned with Buddha statues, colourful murals and centuries-old paintings, while your guide shares the fascinating history and spiritual significance of this sacred site. Continue to Sigiriya and check in to your hotel. This evening, climb the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as “Lion Rock.” Ascend the ancient stairways, landscaped gardens and rock frescoes, with spectacular views across the surrounding countryside. Hear stories of King Kashyapa, the fortress’s royal past and the remarkable engineering behind this ancient stronghold. Return to your hotel for dinner at Kaludiya Sri Lankan Restaurant.

Breakfast in your hotel and spend the morning at leisure. This afternoon, set out on a safari through Minneriya National Park, a vast wildlife sanctuary renowned for its thriving elephant population. Covering more than 8,800 hectares, the park is also home to herds of deer and an abundance of birdlife.

Travel by safari jeep to the shores of the Minneriya Reservoir, where you may witness herds of elephants gathering on the grassy banks to feed and socialise. Return to your hotel after the safari. Around 6:30pm, visit the Restaurant/Bar for a light meal, accompanied by a drink of your choice, including a local spirit, beer, gin and tonic, or a glass of wine.

After breakfast at your hotel, check out and depart for Kandy. En route, visit a traditional spice garden in Matale, where you will discover Sri Lanka’s famous spices and Ayurvedic herbs. During a guided walk, learn about cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, cloves, nutmeg, vanilla and other plants used in Sri Lankan cuisine and traditional medicine. Continue to a Batik Making Workshop, where skilled local artisans will demonstrate the traditional wax-resist dyeing techniques used to create Sri Lanka’s colourful batik designs. Watch the intricate process from sketching and waxing through to dyeing and finishing, with the opportunity to try your hand at creating a simple batik pattern while learning about this treasured local craft. Continue to Kandy and check in to your hotel.

This evening, experience a vibrant Sri Lankan Cultural Show, featuring traditional Kandyan dancing, drumming, fire performances and folk traditions from across the island. You will also have the opportunity to meet the performers and try your hand at traditional rhythms and dance movements. Later, depart to Bommu Rooftop Bar at the Radisson Kandy, located above the city with panoramic views across Kandy’s hills and rooftops. A drink of your choice is included:
Local gin, beer or wine (additional beverages are at own expense). Dinner own cost tonight.

After breakfast, take a city tour of Kandy, Sri Lanka’s last royal capital and an important centre of culture and spirituality. Visit the sacred Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of the world’s most revered Buddhist sites. Your guide will share the fascinating history, rituals and religious significance of the temple. Continue to a renowned gem centre, where you will learn about Sri Lanka’s celebrated gemstones during a guided visit to the gem museum and see the traditional gem-cutting and polishing process before having time to browse the selection of jewellery and gemstones, with purchases optional. Return to your hotel with the remainder of the day at leisure.

This evening, take part in an authentic Sri Lankan Cooking Class hosted by a local family in Kandy. Begin with a visit to a local market, with fresh vegetables, fragrant spices, herbs and tropical ingredients that form the foundation of Sri Lankan cuisine. With the family, learn to prepare traditional dishes such as rice and curry, dhal curry, coconut sambol, vegetable curries and local snacks. At the end of the class, sit down together and savour the delicious meal you have prepared.

After breakfast, time free for a morning of shopping and local discovery. Explore the colourful and bustling Kandy Municipal Central Market, where stalls are filled with fragrant spices, fresh produce and local goods. Continue through the city’s batik shops, known for their handcrafted textiles and traditional dyeing techniques, before browsing the boutiques and modern stores at Kandy City Centre. For lunch, choose from the range of eateries at Kandy City Centre or make your way to the Grand Sky Lounge at the Grand Serendib Hotel for a rooftop dining experience overlooking the city (own cost). This evening, visit The Pub, one of Kandy’s well-known social venues, famous for its long association with legendary Sri Lankan cricketers and lively atmosphere. Your choice of local and international dishes. Dinner own cost this evening.

After breakfast, travel to Nuwara Eliya, journeying through the spectacular hill country with winding mountain roads, cascading waterfalls, lush tea plantations and misty landscapes.
En route, visit a tea plantation and factory to discover the fascinating story of Sri Lanka’s world-famous Ceylon Tea. Walk through the verdant tea fields alongside estate workers and try your hand at traditional tea plucking, learning how the delicate leaves are carefully harvested by hand. At the factory, observe the various stages of production, from withering and rolling to fermentation, drying and grading. Complete the experience with a freshly brewed cup of Ceylon Tea while taking in the beautiful surroundings. Continue to Nuwara Eliya, affectionately known as “Little England”, renowned for its cool climate, colonial architecture and charming English countryside atmosphere. During a city tour explore the charming town and surrounding countryside, passing historic colonial bungalows, manicured hedgerows, rolling tea-covered hills, colourful tea pickers and the picturesque shores of Lake Gregory. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and relax. This evening, experience traditional High Tea at the Grand Hotel, set within its elegant colonial surroundings. Savour an assortment of pastries, sandwiches and freshly brewed tea before returning to your hotel for a relaxing evening at leisure.

After breakfast, spend the morning at leisure or choose an OPTIONAL excursion to Horton Plains National Park. Depart early with a packed breakfast and journey into the spectacular highlands of Sri Lanka, where misty mountains, cloud forests and rolling grasslands create a breathtaking natural setting. Guided walk through the park, keeping watch for endemic flora and wildlife while taking in the peaceful surroundings and panoramic mountain views. Continue to the famous World’s End viewpoint, where dramatic cliffs plunge almost 1,000 metres, offering spectacular vistas on clear days.

This afternoon transfer to Pattipola Railway Station and board one of Sri Lanka’s most scenic train journeys to Ella (Please note train tickets are subject to availability and can only be confirmed 21 days prior). Travel through lush tea plantations, mist-covered mountains, waterfalls, tunnels and charming villages, offering wonderful views of the hill country and an authentic glimpse into local life. On arrival in Ella, transfer to your hotel. Dinner own cost tonight.

Optional Horton plains Excursion: NZD $120 per person
Horton Plains National Park Excursion Time: approx. 4 Hrs

After breakfast, spend the morning discovering the charming hill country town of Ella. Take a leisurely stroll, explore the local surroundings or simply relax while taking in the spectacular views of tea-covered hills. Check out of your hotel and travel towards Udawalawe. On arrival, check in and take some time to relax and refresh after the journey. Later this afternoon, set out on a jeep safari through Udawalawe National Park, one of Sri Lanka’s most renowned wildlife reserves. This park is famous for its large population of wild elephants, along with water buffalo, deer, crocodiles, monkeys and an abundance of birdlife. Return to your hotel following the safari and spend the remainder of the evening at leisure. Dinner included tonight.

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and travel towards the coastal town of Tangalle. En route, visit the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home, a dedicated rehabilitation centre caring for orphaned elephant calves. Observe the feeding sessions and learn about the important conservation work being carried out to protect Sri Lanka’s elephant population. Continue with a traditional farming and toddy-tapping experience at Athgira, offering a fascinating insight into rural Sri Lankan life. Accompanied by local farmers, stroll through lush paddy fields, vegetable gardens, coconut plantations and spice groves while learning about traditional cultivation methods and sustainable farming practices. A highlight of the experience is witnessing the skilled art of toddy tapping, as local tappers climb towering coconut palms using traditional techniques to collect fresh sap from the coconut flowers – subject to availability. Continue your journey to Tangalle. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and take time to relax and unwind.

After breakfast, spend the day at leisure. During the day, experience an optional 1-hour Anantara Signature Massage, a restorative wellness treatment combining traditional Eastern and Western massage techniques.
This evening, visit the renowned Rekawa Sea Turtle Conservation Project and learn about Sri Lanka’s ongoing efforts to protect these endangered marine creatures.
Discover the life cycle of sea turtles, observe different species and gain an insight into the conservation initiatives helping safeguard their nesting grounds and future survival. Following the visit, return to your hotel. Dinner own cost tonight.

Earlybird special inclusion offer:
Book and deposit by 15 October to receive a complimentary Anantara Massage today.

Or Optional: Anantara 1-hour massage NZD 160.00pp/AUD 136pp

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and travel towards the historic coastal city of Galle.
Upon arrival join a guided exploration of Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site steeped in colonial history. Wander through its narrow cobblestone streets, lined with beautifully preserved Dutch-era buildings, churches, boutique shops, cafés and art galleries, while learning about the fort’s fascinating history and maritime heritage. En route, experience a scenic Madampe River boat excursion. Cruise through tranquil waterways and village landscapes, passing paddy fields and traditional homes. Continue to Ambalangoda, renowned for its traditional arts and crafts. Discover the cultural heritage of Sri Lanka through its famous mask-making traditions and local handicrafts, with time to explore the coastal surroundings. Continue to your hotel and check-in and spend the remainder of the day at leisure, perhaps relaxing by the beach or unwinding at the property. This evening, dine at a local restaurant.

Breakfast in your hotel. Spend your final full day in Negombo at leisure, with time to relax at your hotel, explore the nearby beach or discover the local surroundings at your own pace. This evening, gather for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

After breakfast, take some final free time at the hotel, depending on your flight schedule. Transfer
to Bandaranaike International Airport for your departure flight.

• 14 nights’ accommodation in Deluxe 5-star and some 4-star hotels
• Transport in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking chauffer
• Hosted by a licensed Sri Lankan tour guide from Day 1 to Day 15 farewell
• Welcome cocktail and canapes in Colombo
• Dinner at Shangri-La
• Saree draping experience in Colombo
• Dinner at Heritance Kandalama (Kaludiya Restaurant)
• Late afternoon Safari at the Minneriya National Park
• Light meal and one drink (local spirit, beer, or gin and tonic) at Heritance Kandalama
• Cooking class experience in Kandy followed by dinner
• Tea Plantation visit in Nuwara Eliya
• High Tea in Nuwara Eliya at the historic Grand Hotel
• Train Ride from Pattipola to Ella (Please note that the tickets will be confirmed only 15 days prior travel)
• Visit to Elephant Transit Home
• Country Farming Experience Excursion
• Late afternoon Safari at the Udawalawe National Park
• Rekawa Sea Turtle Conservation Project  
• Madampe Lake excursion
• Dinner at local restaurant in Negombo
• Negombo farewell dinner
• Entrance tickets to: Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo Museum, Dambulla Cave Temple, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Minneriya National Park, Udawalawe National Park, Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, Elephant Transit Home, Turtle Hatchery and Galle Museum
• VAT (Value Added Tax) & Tourism Tax
• Hotel porterage
• Travel Notes as provided by Innovative Travel
• 24/7 full local support in Sri Lanka

• International flights and departure taxes
• Tipping/Gratuities (USD$160 will be included on the final invoice for included group activities)
• Personal expenses
• Meals not specified or hotel / cruise minibar
• Beverages with meals
• Optional sightseeing or activities
• Check in prior to 2pm
• Excess luggage over 23 kgs on domestic flights
• ETA Mandatory VISA on Arrival
• Travel Insurance (compulsory)
• Any other services not clearly mentioned in the inclusions above