LGBTQ+ Sri Lanka Adventure

Land of Serendipity

February 10-17, 2027

$2950 per person

Perfect addition to Maldives liveaboard
February 17-27, 2027

While you're already on this side of the world to dive the Maldives, why not take the opportunity to explore the wonders of Sri Lanka? In the words of UnderseaX diver Christine Simon, it's "like India with the volume turned down."

Home to multiple sacred Buddhist sites and UNESCO World Heritage monuments, as well as fine Ceylon tea, Sri Lanka is the ancient land of Serendip, from which the word "serendipity" derives: an unexpected pleasant discovery.

Planned Itinerary

The adventure has been planned around our Maldives liveaboard February 17-27.
Plan to arrive in Colombo on the morning of February 10 or earlier. Early arrivals can book Jetwing Beach Hotel, which is a good place to store your large dive bags. We'll return here for our last night.

Land Tour Tentative Itinerary

• February 10 (Wednesday) Airport / Kandalama
  
  On arrival at the Bandaranayaka International Airport, you will get your first taste of warm Sri Lankan hospitality. A representative will welcome you at the airport and transfer you to Kandalama with a comfort stop along the way.
  
  Tonight's planned evening entertainment is the Disney Nature movie, Monkey Kingdom.
  
  Dinner & Overnight stay at Heritance Kandalama (5*)
  (Airport to Kandalama – Approximately 4 hrs with one comfort stop)
  
  
• February 11 (Thursday) Kandalama / Polonnaruwa / Elephants
  
  

  After breakfast, we leave the hotel at 8.30 am to visit Polonnaruwa, the 2nd capital city of Sri Lanka built in the 11th and 12th centuries AD, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Built alongside a large ancient artificial lake, there are well-preserved ruins of palaces, bathing pools, stupas and exquisite rock sculptures of Buddha at the Gal Vihara.
  
  Polonnaruwa was also the location where the Discovery Channel movie “The Monkey Kingdom” was filmed. The two main species that you will see here are grey langurs and toque macaques. Their unerring resemblance to humans, their social behavior patterns, and their obvious intelligence make them fascinating to observe! 
  
  You will be treated to a traditional Sri Lankan lunch in Polonnaruwa, with rice and a variety of curries.

  On your way back from Polonnaruwa, you will visit a national park by jeeps in the afternoon.
  There are several National Parks located close to each other where elephants roam freely in search of water and food. You might also see a variety of birds, crocodiles, deer and other reptiles during this visit.
  
  You will return to the park gates around 6.00 pm and return to the hotel.
  Dinner & Overnight stay at Heritance Kandalama

• February 12 (Friday) Kandalama / Sigiriya / Matale / Kandy
  
  

  Early breakfast in the hotel. Check out from the hotel at 7.30 am and travel to Sigiriya.

  You will arrive in Sigiriya at around 8.15 am and start the climb to the Sigiriya rock fortress.
  The magnificent Sigiriya Rock Fortress, an awe-inspiring rock complex sitting atop a 200 m rock outcrop. Built in the 4th century by a King Kasyapa, this fortress, now rated, as the eighth wonder of the world, is an enthralling architectural marvel. The Sigiriya Rock is also famous for its’ frescoes of ‘Celestial Maidens’. Although it is a steep climb, the views and frescoes are definitely worth the effort.

  On the way to Matale we will pass spice plantations that grow a variety of spices such as cinnamon, pepper and nutmeg, for which Sri Lanka was renowned and initially colonized by the Portuguese, Dutch and British. We will enjoy a Sri Lankan rice and curry lunch.

  We continue our trip to Kandy and visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. Ever since it was founded in the 16th Century, it has housed one of the most sacred relics of Buddhism – a tooth of Buddha that was smuggled into Sri Lanka in the Princess’s hair. We will see the blessing ceremony with all the fanfare, drums, trumpets and brightly coloured Monks performing their rituals.

  We will then check in to the historic Hotel Suisse for overnight stay. Dinner at a nearby restaurant.

• February 13 (Saturday) Kandy / Nuwara Eliya / Ella
  (Approx. 150 kms / 7-8 hours with train and lunch)
  
  

  After a breakfast, checkout from the hotel at 8.00 am and travel to Ella.

  It may be possible to travel a part of the journey between Kandy and Nuwara Eliya by train.
  Arrive at the predetermined station and your coach will pick you up and continue with travel to Nuwara Eliya by road.
  
  Arrive in Nuwara Eliya and take a tour of Nuwara Eliya. Aptly called the ‘little English town’, Nuwara Eliya wаs founded by the English as a hill retreat to escape from the warm weather of the lowlands. It is popular for the lush tea plantations that cover the mountain ranges like a blanket. The English architecture, the inglenook fireplaces, well-manicured gardens and paved walkways bear testimony to the British era that ended not too long ago. Enjoy lunch in Nuwara Eliya.

  Continue by road to Ella, enjoying the scenery along the way.  You will arrive in Ella at around 4 - 4.30 pm. Check in to the 98 Acres resort in Ella.

  After sunset, you will be taken to the Ella town for dinner in a nice restaurant.
  Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

• February 14 (Sunday) Ella / Yala (Approx. 115 kms / 3-3½ hours)
  
  

  Breakfast in the hotel.

  Check out from the hotel and proceed to Yala, driving by the famous Ravana Falls. 

  Arrive in Yala in the early afternoon. Lunch and check in to the Cinnamon Wild Hotel.

  As it's Sunday, expect some crowds on our afternoon Valentine's Day safari in the Yala National Park. (Leave the hotel at 2.30 pm)

  Return to the hotel in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.
  (Opportunity for stargazing this evening)

• February 15 (Monday) Yala Safaris
  
  

  Visit Yala National Park early in the morning. (Leave the hotel at 5.30 am. You could either take packed breakfast for this excursion, or return to the hotel at around 10.00 am for a late breakfast.)
  This park is famous for its leopards and the visitors usually have a high chance of spotting a leopard or two in these safaris!

  Return to the hotel later in the morning. Lunch in the hotel.

  Take an afternoon safari in the Yala National Park. (Leave the hotel at 2.30 pm)
  Return to the hotel in the evening.

  Dinner and overnight stay in the Cinnamon Wild Hotel.

• February 16 (Tuesday) Yala / Galle / Negombo
  
  

  After breakfast, checkout from the hotel and proceed to Negombo.

  You will stop over in Galle to visit the Dutch Port City. It is also a great place to have lunch!

  Proceed to Negombo on the Southern Expressway.  You will arrive in Negombo in the late afternoon.

  Check in to the Jetwing Beach Hotel and relax by the pool and enjoy the beach.

  Farewell Sri Lankan buffet dinner and overnight stay.

• February 17 (Wednesday) Negombo / Airport
  
  

  Breakfast in the hotel at 7.00 am. Check out at 8.00 am and transfer to Colombo Bandaranaike International airport for the flight to Maldives – Fly Dubai at 11.15 am.

Itinerary subject to modification.

Included:

• Welcome & assistance at the Colombo International Airport.
  
• Accommodation for seven nights
• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily
• Entrance fees
• Air conditioned transportation with an English-speaking local guide.
• All government taxes

Not included:

• Airfare to Colombo (CMB), Sri Lanka (Arrive February 10 or earlier, depart the morning of February 17)
• Any additional hotel nights for early arrival
• Travel Insurance
• Gratuities and beverages not outlined in itinerary
• Single rooms on the tour are available for a supplement of $1500, or we can match you with a roommate of the same gender and approximate age.

Deposit:
A $500 deposit is due upon booking. Balance due 90 days prior to departure.