14 Day Inspired Sri Lanka - A Women’s Only Journey

Welcome to Sri Lanka!On arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, you will be welcomed by your dedicated female tour leader and be transferred to your accommodation, which is situated on the outskirts of Colombo.After checking in, the rest of the day is at your leisure. Special Information Arrival airport transfers are included as part of your package. You will be met upon arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel. If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed. If you are arriving early and have made your own arrangements prior to your tour commencing, airport transfers will not be included. However, if you are purchasing pre-night accommodation as part of your Inspiring Vacations package, airport transfers will still be provided to the starting hotel.

After breakfast, meet your tour leader and fellow travelers for a welcome meeting. Around 10:00 a.m., set out on a guided city tour of Colombo. Begin at the renowned Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple, one of the city's most important religious landmarks, before continuing to Wolvendaal Church, Colombo's oldest Dutch church. Next, visit the Barefoot Gallery, a vibrant hub of art, textiles, and crafts—many created by local women artisans. This visit offers a wonderful opportunity to support women-led creativity while exploring colorful fabrics, handmade products, and artworks that celebrate Sri Lanka's rich culture and craftsmanship. As the tour continues, discover Colombo's unique blend of modern energy and colonial charm, with time to shop at some of the city's popular malls. This evening, enjoy your first meal together as a group at a welcome dinner. Inspiring Highlights City tour of Colombo Visit Barefoot Gallery, a vibrant showcase of art, textiles and crafts by local women artisans

Enjoy breakfast, then stop to visit a cinnamon production center run by local women. Sri Lanka is the world's only producer of true cinnamon—one of the island's proudest exports. Here, you'll see how local women carefully peel and prepare this world-famous spice using traditional techniques passed down through generations. Continue your journey, stopping en route at a local workshop where women artisans skillfully craft traditional Sri Lankan masks from soft kaduru wood. Watch the intricate carving and vibrant hand-painting process, and learn about the cultural stories and rituals behind each unique design. This visit offers a fascinating insight into Sri Lanka's artistic heritage and highlights the empowerment of women preserving this timeless craft. Check into your beachfront hotel, and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Inspiring Highlights Visit a cinnamon production center managed by local women Visit a traditional Sri Lankan mask-making workshop where women artisans keep alive a centuries-old craft Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours.

Start your day with an early morning yoga session, starting at 6:30 am. This gentle and energising routine includes stretches, breathing exercises, and basic poses to release stiffness and boost energy. You'll enjoy breakfast after the session. The afternoon is at your leisure. In the evening, you'll enjoy a tuk-tuk ride through the charming streets of Galle Fort. Driven by a skilled local, this experience allows you to see the historic fort and vibrant lanes. Return to your hotel for dinner. Inspiring Highlights Yoga Session Discover the charm of Galle on a Tuk-Tuk ride Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

After breakfast, proceed to your hotel in Tissamaharama, nestled near the renowned Yala National Park. In the afternoon, enjoy a private jeep safari in Yala National Park. Situated in the southeast of Sri Lanka, Yala offers wildlife enthusiasts a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness wild boar, deer, leopards, crocodiles, and monkeys in their natural habitats. Return to your hotel for dinner. Inspiring Highlights Yala National Park Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours. Yala National Park closes for a period between the months of September and October. The exact closure dates are made clear closer to the time. The closure is due to the prevailing dry weather prior to this time, and taking into consideration the well-being of the wildlife in the reserve. For departure dates that fall over this period, as defined in the departure dates listed below, Yala National Park will be replaced with a visit to Udawalawe National Park, while still being able to visit Block 4 or 5 of Yala National Park.

After breakfast, visit a local farm and experience the art of curd-making with local women who have mastered this traditional craft over generations. Observe their dedication, patience, and care poured into each step, and try your hand at creating creamy, fresh curd under their guidance. This immersive experience offers an authentic glimpse into rural life and celebrates the vital role of women in preserving Sri Lanka's culinary heritage. Thereafter, board a train from Ella Railway Station for a scenic journey to Nanu Oya, the nearest station to Nuwara Eliya. This train ride is a truly memorable experience—an adventure that showcases the breathtaking beauty of Sri Lanka's hill country, with rolling tea plantations, misty mountains, and cascading waterfalls. It also offers a wonderful opportunity to interact with local travelers along the way. Upon arrival at Nanu Oya Railway Station, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Nuwara Eliya. Check into your hotel in the afternoon, and enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure. Inspiring Highlights Visit a local curd-making farm and experience the art of curd-making from local women Scenic train ride Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.As a result of Cyclone Ditwah, certain rail routes are temporarily out of service. If a scheduled train journey cannot operate, we will provide private road transport to ensure your tour continues smoothly. Whenever feasible, and where services are running, we'll still incorporate rail segments into your itinerary. It is not possible to confirm the train ticket reservation due to the fact that Sri Lanka Railway has a manual system for reservations. Tickets can only be booked 30 days prior to departure. The 1st and 2nd classes are basic but have air-conditioning. The non-air-conditioned 3rd class is sometimes the only option based on availability. On the rare occasion the train is fully booked, we'll conduct the route by road.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, with the morning free to relax or join an optional excursion. In the afternoon, proceed on a sightseeing tour of Nuwara Eliya. Nestled in the heart of Sri Lanka's tea country, Nuwara Eliya is a charming town where the British once recreated the ambience of an English countryside. Elegant homes reflecting Georgian and Queen Anne styles, neatly kept lawns and hedges, an Anglican church, a renowned golf course, and beautifully landscaped parks lend the town an old-world charm. Situated 6,200 feet above sea level, Nuwara Eliya offers cool, crisp air and a tranquil escape from the bustle of city life. Return to your hotel for dinner. Inspiring Highlights Sightseeing tour of Nuwara Eliya

After breakfast, proceed to Kandy. En route, visit a tea plantation and discover the fascinating journey behind Sri Lanka's world-famous tea. Learn about the dedication and expertise of the women who play a vital role in tea picking and processing. Immerse yourself in the aromas, flavors, and stories that make each cup special, celebrating the skill and contribution of women to Sri Lanka's proud tea heritage. Thereafter, take part in a cooking demonstration guided by local women. Experience the rich aromas of Sri Lankan spices and watch how they are masterfully used to prepare delicious traditional dishes—an authentic showcase of the island's vibrant culinary culture. Arrive in Kandy in the afternoon and check into your hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Inspiring Highlights Visit a tea plantation and learn about the vital role of women in tea picking and processing Enjoy a cooking demonstration guided by local women Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

Breakfast at the hotel. Thereafter, visit the Kandy Market, a vibrant and bustling hub that captures the essence of local life in Sri Lanka. Explore a colorful array of fresh produce, spices, clothing, and handicrafts as you mingle with friendly vendors and discover authentic souvenirs. The lively atmosphere offers an exciting glimpse into the daily rhythm of Kandy. Next, visit a Batik factory and witness the artistic process led by local women. Watch as vibrant dyes and intricate designs are carefully applied to fabric using time-honored techniques. Experience how skill, creativity, and cultural heritage blend beautifully to produce these stunning handcrafted textiles. In the afternoon, visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of Sri Lanka's most revered Buddhist sites. The sacred relic, believed to be the tooth of Lord Buddha, was brought to Sri Lanka in the 4th century A.D. and has long been regarded as a symbol of sovereignty and devotion, enshrined in grandeur and reverence. In the evening, witness a traditional Kandyan dance performance, a vibrant expression of Sri Lankan culture. Return to the hotel for dinner. Inspiring Highlights Kandy market Visit a Batik factory and see women artisans bring this traditional art to life Temple of the Tooth Relic of the Buddha Kandyan dance performance

After breakfast, explore the Spice Garden in Matale, where you can discover the wide variety of spices for which Sri Lanka is renowned. Enjoy a brief Ayurvedic massage at the spice garden (10–15 minutes), followed by a traditional rice and curry lunch on site. Thereafter, visit the Dambulla Cave Temple, a magnificent rock temple and UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 1st century BC. This remarkable sanctuary is the largest cave temple complex in the world, featuring over 2,000 m² of walls and ceilings adorned with more than 150 Buddha images. The largest statue, carved directly into the rock, stands an impressive 14 meters tall. Arrive in the afternoon and check into your hotel in Sigiriya — a remarkable property that stands as Sri Lanka's first hotel to be entirely managed and staffed by women.Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure. Inspiring Highlights Ayurvedic massage Spice Garden visit Dambulla Cave Temple Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before proceeding to Sigiriya Jungle. Begin your experience with a yoga session, a gentle and energising routine designed to awaken the body and focus the mind. Following this, indulge in a relaxing Ayurvedic massage at SigiriyaJungles. This traditional wellness treatment uses warm herbal oils and gentle techniques to relieve stress, improve circulation, and restore balance to the body and mind. In the afternoon, embark on a sightseeing tour of the medieval capital of Polonnaruwa (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Explore the well-preserved ruins of royal palaces, audience halls, and sacred stupas that reflect the grandeur of 11th–13th century Sinhalese civilization. Highlights include the majestic Gal Vihara rock sculptures, the Royal Palace of King Parakramabahu, and the impressive Parakrama Samudraya reservoir. This historic city provides a fascinating glimpse into Sri Lanka's rich cultural and architectural heritage, set against serene and scenic surroundings. Enjoy your evening at leisure. Inspiring Highlights Yoga session and Ayurvedic massage Polonnaruwa Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.

Early in the morning, climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress (Lion's Rock), one of the most extraordinary artistic complexes of its time (477–498 AD). This magnificent citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982, captivates visitors from around the world with its remarkable architecture, frescoes, and gardens. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Afterward, partake in a Farmer's Lunch—a true celebration of Sri Lankan country cuisine. Enjoy traditional rice accompanied by freshly ground coconut sambol, fish curry made from the catch of the day, lentils, young jackfruit curry, and the freshest local greens. This sumptuous meal, prepared before your eyes, offers an authentic taste of rural life and the island's rich culinary heritage. In the afternoon, embark on an exclusive jeep safari at Minneriya National Park, renowned for the spectacular gathering of elephants. During the dry season (June to September), hundreds of elephants congregate around the Minneriya Tank, creating a unique wildlife spectacle found nowhere else in the world. In the evening, enjoy a sundown cocktail followed by a special Sri Lankan dinner at SigiriyaJungles. Return to the hotel for your overnight stay. Inspiring Highlights Sigiriya Rock Fortress Farmer's Lunch Minneriya National Park Sundown cocktail Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours. Depending on elephant migration patterns, the safari may be conducted in Minneriya, Kaudulla, or Eco Park.

After breakfast, proceed to Waikkala. En route, visit Selyan Fairtrade Handloom and explore beautiful handwoven textiles created by skilled women artisans. Learn about the fairtrade process that empowers women, supports local communities, and preserves traditional weaving techniques. This visit offers a wonderful opportunity to celebrate women's talent, creativity, and entrepreneurship while discovering authentic Sri Lankan handloom products. Next, visit a local garment factory, an important contributor to Sri Lanka's economy. Observe the production process from fabric cutting to finishing, witnessing the skill and precision behind each piece. With a majority of employees being women, the visit highlights their vital role and craftsmanship in the country's apparel industry. Check into your hotel and enjoy the afternoon at leisure. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow travellers. Inspiring Highlights Visit Selyan Fairtrade Handloom and explore textiles created by skilled women artisans Local garment factory visit Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

Unfortunately, today marks the end of your incredible tour through Sri Lanka. At the appropriate time, you will be transferred to the Colombo airport to board your flight home. You will have access to your hotel room until 8 pm. Thank you for travelling with Inspiring Vacations. We hope you had a memorable experience. Special Information Departure transfers are included as part of your package. You will be collected from your hotel at the appropriate time and transferred to the airport to meet your flight. If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.