Homestay Tour

Your driver welcomes you upon arrival at Bandaranaike Airport, . You are greeted by the tropical air of this magical island, you have reached the ideal place for a holiday under the sun! Take the road to the Cultural Triangle, your first stop is Kurunegala, a pretty little tourist town surrounded by coconut plantations and rubber trees. After settling into your accommodations located in the countryside, explore this city which was the royal capital for 50 years in the thirteenth century. Take a bike ride, or drive up the hill to the feet of the giant Buddha overlooking the city. It is also an opportunity to visit Selyn, a social fair trade company specializing in artisanal weaving. You will learn about the textile manufacturing process and observe the everyday life of the workers from the surrounding villages. Dinner at your leisure.

After Breakfast start the day exploring the UNESCO World Heritage site of Anuradhapura. Discover the beautiful ruins and remains of the ancient capital of the Sinhalese kings, and admire the impressive dagobas, including Jetavanarama, the one of the greatest ancient monuments in the world after the pyramids of Egypt. This cultural day continues with the Buddhist site of Mihintale, after a 1800 step-climb! Considered to be the place where Buddhism was introduced in Sri Lanka, Mihintale is an important pilgrimage site. If possible, go at the end of the afternoon and enjoy the evening sun setting over the paddy fields, the hills, and the jungle, as well as the sacred city of Anuradhapura in the distance. Dinner at your leisure.

After breakfast leave for the north of the country. Cross the Vanni area which was the battlefield between the Tamil Tigers and the Sri Lankan army. Settle in at your hotel before leaving to visit the city of Jaffna. Discover its unique atmosphere. Start with the Fort which dates back to the colonial era, then head to the famous Jaffna Library, which was once one of the richest in Southwest Asia, but was unfortunately burned down in 1981. Finish with Temple of Nallur and attend a ceremony. Dinner at your leisure. We recommend a typical dish from Jaffna such as dosai.

While on your stay in Jaffna, we recommend a trip to one of the islands in the south-west of the peninsula, such as Delft and / or Nainativu. Delf is the only island that has kept a Dutch appellation and its particularity comes from its dirt roads lined with coral walls and its population of wild horses, descendants of mounts left by the Dutch. The island of Nainativu will astonish you by the diversity of its places of worship. There are Christian and Muslim places of worship and two well-known temples: Nagapoosani Amman Kovil (Hindu) and Nagadipa Vihara (Buddhist). It is possible to combine a visit to these 2 islands. Dinner at your leisure.

Early in the morning, explore the area around the Jaffna Peninsula, where you can visit Point Pedro, a village on the northern-most point of the island, where you can meet ray fishers along the coast. Transfer to Trincomalee, a town on the north-east coast of the country for your seaside holiday. After settling into your accommodations, enjoy a relaxing afternoon on a white sandy beach, and in the evening take a city tour of Trincomalee. Do not leave without visiting the famous Fort Frederick which houses the temple "Kovil Koneswaram" and the famous "Swami Rock". Dinner at your leisure.

Enjoy this relaxing day exploring the waters at the Pigeon Island Nature Reserve. This beautiful island is bordered by white sand beaches and crystal clear waters. You will see beautiful fish, maybe some turtles and with a little luck you could see a shark! Dinner at your leisure.

Drive south along the coast to reach Batticaloa, a small town on the east coast, far from mass tourism. This city is deserted due to the 2004 Tsunami and conflicts during the civil war, however it has many attractions. On the program: discovery of the Fort, visit Hindu temples or walk in the bustling city center. You can rent bikes and ride around town. Our advice: walk along the lagoon and pass the lighthouse, you will find beautiful white sand beaches. Dinner included.

A multitude of excursions are offered to you in the vicinity of Batticaloa. You have the opportunity to explore the beautiful coast and its wild beaches, snorkel, or go fishing with locals, take a trip to the sea (sailboat) or possibly take a cooking class. Dinner included.

After breakfast, leave for Sigiriya. Visit the famous "Lion Rock", classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your guide will show you the different parts of the site: gardens, caves and ruins of Kasyapa Palace at the top. In the afternoon, visit either Polonnaruwa by bike or Minneriya Park in a jeep. Polonnaruwa was the island's royal capital in the past and is nowadays registered on the World Heritage List. Discover, preferably by bike, this city by strolling from ruins of palaces to dagobas. Or go on a jeep safari in the Minneriya National Park. If you travel between June and November, you will certainly have the chance to attend the largest gathering of Asian elephants. Dinner at your leisure.

Your stay ends with a visit to the incredible site of Dambulla. This religious site has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991. A major pilgrimage site, this cave-like temple is composed of five caves decorated with multiple Buddha statues and covered with remarkable frescoes. Once at the top, enjoy an extraordinary view of the surroundings. You can also take a walk to the fruit and vegetable market in Dambulla where you will discover many unfamiliar fruits and vegetables before heading to the airport.