Accessible Sri Lanka Tour

Accessible Sri Lanka Tour Itinerary

DAY 1
Airport – Negombo

Arrive at the Bandaranayke International Airport and transfer in one of our customized wheelchair-accessible Mini-Vans to your first hotel in Negombo. Negombo is famous for its beach, the Dutch Heritage Sites, and, of course, fresh seafood.
Acclimatize & relax at the beach restaurant or swimming pool.
Depending on your arrival time, we can also arrange for a special ‘open air’ sightseeing tour of Negombo in a specially modified Tuk-Tuk (local three-wheeler)
Overnight at the Goldi Sands Hotel, Negombo.

DAY 2
Negombo – Dutch Canal – Waikkal

After breakfast embark on a boat ride on the Colonial Dutch Canal. The boat ride/safari takes you along the old canal which runs through Waikkal, providing you with the opportunity to see tropical birds close up; waders, stunning kingfishers, rare pied kingfishers, bee-eaters, Brahminy kites, etc. Water monitors, bearing an uncanny resemblance to crocodiles, are also bound to make an appearance, so keep your eye out for a glimpse! If you like, you can prolong your boat journey by following the canal into the Indian Ocean, where you continue to travel onwards to Negombo town.
Overnight at the Goldi Sands Hotel, Negombo.

DAY 3
Negombo – Elephant Orphanage – Sigiriya

After breakfast leave Negombo for Sigiriya. On the way visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, established in 1975 to shelter and care for wounded elephants and abandoned baby elephants found in the jungle. The main daily activities within the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage are feeding milk to baby elephants and bathing sessions. The Elephant Orphanage is wheelchair-accessible.
On the way to Sigiriya, you can watch the traditional village life and bountiful nature passing by.  The amazing birdlife, butterflies, and possible sightings of crocodiles only add to the charm of seeing the villagers as they go about their daily tasks. This is also a great opportunity to sample the authentic local cuisine at one of the roadside restaurants.
Overnight at the Kassapa Lions Rock Hotel, Sigiriya.

DAY 4
Sigiriya Rock Fortress

The UNESCO World Heritage Site Sigiriya Rock, is a part of Sri Lanka’s ‘Cultural Triangle, where you will have a chance to gaze over the stunning views of Central Sri Lanka. On top of the Sigiriya Rock are the ruins of an ancient palace/rock fortress, overlooking the beautiful plains of North-Central Sri Lanka. Built by an exiled Indian prince, the breath-taking ruins are one of Sri Lanka’s main attractions and date back to AD 477. Despite its age, Sigiriya still retains much of its former beauty and features some of the finest examples of ancient wall paintings, as well as a network of attractive gardens and reservoirs, and Sigiriya’s namesake – a gigantic pair of lion’s paws cut into the rock. With its fascinating history and unerring beauty, Sigiriya is often referred to as the 8th wonder of the world and the UNESCO-sponsored Central Cultural Fund has even restored Sigiriya’s 5th century Water Gardens, so that you can get a glimpse of what Sigiriya might have been.
Sigiriya Rock is not wheelchair accessible but you can book a 6 am accessible Hot-Air Balloon Ride (1 hour) from where you can see all of the area’s great attractions and breath-taking views. Float over Sigiriya, see jungle wildlife waking up, water buffaloes standing in the paddy fields and monkeys swinging from the trees. The Buddha statue at Aukana is the tallest ancient Buddha statue in Sri Lanka and rises to a height of 11.36 meters.
Alternatively, we’ll arrange a specially modified Tuk-Tuk to drive you to the scenic viewpoints surrounding Sigiriya.
After lunch, enjoy an afternoon jeep safari in the Minneriya National Park, where you can see wild Asian elephants. They are particularly numerous in August and September when they migrate along a corridor from neighboring parks to feed on the fresh grass on the lake bed – an annual event known as “The Gathering”. Please note: Guests with limited mobility will need some upper-body strength for the safari, as it will take place in a game-viewing vehicle with no seatbelts.
Overnight at the Kassapa Lions Rock Hotel, Sigiriya.

DAY 5
Sigiriya – Ayrvedic Spice Garden – Temple of the Tooth – Kandy

Leave in the morning for Kandy, Sri Lanka’s Cultural Capital. On the way visit the Spice Garden in Matale. Since ancient trading days, Sri Lanka is world-renowned for its Quality Spices. In the 16th century Ceylon, as it was then known, was discovered by the Portuguese who soon began trading in cinnamon and other spices. The Dutch and British followed, bringing with them their own history and influences, forming a strong Western presence that created a history of food expressed with spices that can be tasted in the dishes today. Spices are an essential element of the cuisine of Sri Lanka and the Ayurvedic tradition and a visit to a garden specializes in the cultivation of these substances and is an excellent way for purposes of new uses of certain ingredients that perhaps they knew well. Find cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, vanilla, cardamom, and black pepper, to name a few. Visitors can buy the products in their natural state or in the form of oils and potions that are used by Ayurvedic medicine.
Proceed to Kandy.
Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy. Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy is the most prominent and sacred Buddhist shrine in Sri Lanka, even in the world. The relic of the tooth is kept in a two-story inner shrine fronted by two large elephant tusks. The relic rests on a solid gold lotus flower, encased in jeweled caskets that sit on a throne. The temple is joined by the Pattiripuwa (Octagon) tower, built in 1803, that was originally a prison but now houses a collection of palm-leaf manuscripts. The king’s palace is also in the temple compound. The temple is wheelchair accessible and buggy car services are also available on request.
Overnight at Suisse Hotel, Kandy.

DAY 6
Kandy – Botanical Garden – Cultural Show

Breakfast at the hotel. Explore the Peradeniya Botanical Garden. Botanical Garden in Peradeniya is Sri Lanka’s largest garden, an elegant and spacious 147-acres (60-hectares) where plenty of time is needed to stroll along Peradeniya’s imposing Avenue of Royal Palms. There are some 4,000 different species of plants at Peradeniya Gardens. The 10,000 or so trees, which are the stars, are mature, lofty giants, many of them tropical timber trees. Highlights of the collection include the Giant Bamboo of Burma, capable of growing to 40 meters height (130 feet) with a 25-centimeter (10-inch) stem diameter. And it can grow by a rapid 30 centimeters a day (12 inches). Absolutely sensational is the century-old giant Javan fig tree, its tentacle-like roots spread across the enormous area of about 1,800 square meters (19,375 square feet) a massive central trunk beneath the tree’s vast canopy ‘umbrella’. The Cannonball tree is also intriguing, with its cannonball-like fruit hanging off the trunk and large open, waxy pink-white flowers. So is the Double Coconut Palm, one of 200 types of palms displayed at Peradeniya – originating from Seychelles, this tree produces the largest seed known to man. Its fruits take five years to mature. The gardens showcase all of Sri Lanka’s flora and representative species from around the tropical world. Luminaries as varied as Queen Elizabeth II, Marshal Tito and Yuri Gugarin have planted trees to mark their visits to the garden.

In the evening visit a Cultural Show. Believed to be originally performed by Indian shamans who came to the island many centuries ago, Kandyan dancing is a celebration of the rich traditions of Sri Lankan culture. The dance which traces its origin to the ancient ritual known as the Kohomba Kapkariya, focuses on dynamism, powerful footwork, leaps, and whirls that imitate several movements from birds and animals. The whole performance is graced by colorful costumes, masked dances, and thrilling fire acts! To make the show more exciting, some men perform a series of acrobats and stunts such as plate-spinning.
Overnight at Suisse Hotel, Kandy.

DAY 7
Kandy – Tea Plantations – Nuwara Eliya

No visit to the hill country is complete without a visit to a tea estate, where you can view the vibrant green fields of tea which for so many people epitomize the image of Sri Lanka. Surrounded by the breath-taking, idyllic landscape, you will also get a chance to taste and purchase some of the world’s finest tea. Nuwara Eliya is situated at around 2000m above sea level and surrounded by lush tea plantations.
Once a pleasure retreat of the European planters the town is still very much an English town with many English-style bungalows and buildings. Nicknamed “Little England” it is one of the coldest cities in the country. All around Nuwara Eliya you will see evidence of the British influence including red telephone boxes and well-tendered hedgerows. The town’s high altitude affords visitors breath-taking vistas over the valleys, grasslands, and mountains. Some of the finest teas in the world are produced here, and a visit to a tea factory and a tea plantation is a must. The process is unchanged since Victorian times, and you can follow it through from picking, drying, and crushing to fermenting, packing, and finally tasting.
Overnight at Araliya Red Hotel, Nuwara Eliya.

DAY 8
Nuwara Eliya – Ella Wildlife Sanctuary – Udawalawe National Park

After breakfast leave for Udawalawe National Park. On the way visit the Ravana Waterfall. This waterfall measures approximately 25 m (82 ft) in height and cascades from an oval-shaped concave rock outcrop. During the local wet season, the waterfall turns into what is said to resemble an areca flower with withering petals. But this is not the case in the dry season when the flow of water reduces dramatically. The falls form part of the Ravana Ella Wildlife Sanctuary, and are located 6 km from Ella.
Proceed to Udawalawe.
Jeep Safari at the Udawalawe National Park.This Park comprises grasslands and thorn scrubs and many valuable species of trees, especially teak.
It is largely inhabited by elephants, spotted deer, sambhur, water buffaloes, mongoose, bandicoots, foxes, water monitor lizards, crocodiles, wild boars, Toque Monkeys, Grey Langur, leopards and 30 varieties of snakes.
Bird life of Uda Walawe (Udawalawe) National Park includes Sri Lanka Jungle Fowl, Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Wooly-necked Stork, Black-headed Ibis, Black-shouldered Kite, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Changeable Hawk Eagle, Shikrs, Sirkeer Malkoha, and Blue-faced Malkoha. 
Overnight at The Grand Udawalawe Hotel.

DAY 9
Udawalawe National Park – Tangalle Lagoon – Mirrissa

The Tangalle Lagoon is a haven for a myriad of birdlife and marine life. Located towards the south of Tangalle, the lagoon provides a great day trip for those in the area. One of the best ways to explore the Tangalle Lagoon; especially at your own pace is by embarking on a kayaking or canoeing excursion along the gentle, emerald waters. As you paddle along the lagoon; keep an eye out for the various wildlife that calls the lagoon and the bordering mangroves; home. From birds to crocodiles, kayakers are in for an exciting safari! This off-the-beaten-path attraction in Tangalle is ideal for those looking to escape the crowds from the nearby more popular beach towns. Explore the mangroves, and remember to duck under low-hanging branches!
On the way to Mirissa Beach, we stop at the Turtle Hatchery in Rekawa, a state-of-the-art sea turtle hatchery and rescue center, complete with water tanks to care for newborn turtles, along with adult turtle species that have been rescued from the sea due to injuries.
Overnight at Paradise Beach Club, Mirissa.

DAY 10
Mirissa – Surf Beach – Hikkaduwa

Located on Sri Lanka’s picturesque South Coast, Mirissa still offers the charm of an idyllic fishing village. Enjoy walks along uncrowded beaches, still untouched by mass tourism, and be fascinated by the famous stilt fishing men. Mirissa is more than beach life. Much more. Surrounded by rubber and coconut plantations, ancient temples and spice gardens, natural sanctuaries and exotic wildlife, Mirissa offers something for everybody.

Especially surfing. If you are up for it, catch some waves in the easy shore breaks with a local pro as coach. Assisted Body Surfing – all you need is the provided Bogie Board. Hang Loose…

Next, you will be visiting the Galle Fort. A Unesco World Heritage Site, this historic city is easy to explore on foot, an endlessly exotic old trading port blessed with imposing Dutch-colonial buildings, ancient mosques and churches, grand mansions, and museums. Most travelers are utterly seduced by Galle’s ambiance, and it’s undoubtedly southern Sri Lanka’s one unmissable sight.
Overnight at Paradise Beach Club, Mirissa.

DAY 11
Mirissa – Airport – or Extention

End of the Accessible Sri Lanka Tour. Depending on your travel plans, you can extend your stay with our Special Ayurveda Package or one of our other Sri Lanka Tour Packages, or be driven back to the airport.

Book Accessible Sri Lanka Tour 11 Days

or

Book Accessible Sri Lanka Tour 15 Days
(including All-Inclusive Ayurveda Beach Extension)

This tour is fully customizable, or our Sri Lanka Experts can help you to create a unique Sri Lanka Experience from scratch.

USD 650 pp sharing a double room * 6 pax traveling together
USD 680 pp sharing a double room * 4 pax traveling together
USD 800 pp sharing a double room * 2 pax traveling together

4 nights extension Life Ayurveda Resort in Wadduwa USD 370 pp

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