17 Day Ultimate Sri Lanka & The Maldives Premium Small Group Tour

Welcome to Sri Lanka! On arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), you will be met by your transfer and driven to your accommodation in Colombo. Special Information: Arrival airport transfers are included as part of your package. You will be met upon arrival at the airport by a representative who will escort you through immigration, and be 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. Please note: 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-nights accommodation as part of your Inspiring Vacations package, airport transfers will still be provided to the starting hotel. Check-in: if arriving prior to standard check-in time, which is generally 3pm local time, you are welcome to leave your luggage with hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available, as there are generally no scheduled activities on Day 1 of the itinerary.

This morning after breakfast, meet your tour leader and the rest of your group for a welcome meeting and brief of the day's activities. We then head south towards Galle, with a Colombo sightseeing tour on the way. Colombo offers a blend of modern western and Sri Lankan elements, and you will drive past some of the commercial capital's sites including Old Parliament, President's House, Galle Face Green, Viharamahadevi Park and Independence Square. We will also visit the Colombo National Museum. This museum takes visitors through Sri Lankan history, housed in a neo-Baroque building constructed by William Henry Gregory, Governor of Ceylon, in 1877. Exhibits are dedicated to each of Sri Lanka's historical kingdoms, with informational display boards providing insights such as the meaning behind the mudras (gestures and poses) depicted in Sri Lanka's Buddha statues. Then, in Balapitiya, we take a boat trip on the Madu River to visit 64 scattered islands, including Cinnamon Island, where we learn about cinnamon production. Sri Lanka is the world's largest producer of pure cinnamon. Arrive at your hotel in the evening for dinner. Inspiring Highlights Colombo National Museum Madu River Cinnamon Island Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.Please note that the Colombo National Museum will be closed every Monday for maintenance starting September 1, 2025. As an alternative, Polonnaruwa Museum will be visited instead.

Enjoy a leisurely morning at your hotel, with lunch served at the hotel. This afternoon, set out on a tour of Galle Fort and its fortifications. This is a city that blends past and present. Declared a UNESCO heritage site in 1988, the presence of Portuguese, Dutch and English is evident in the architectural styles of Galle Fort. Return to the hotel this evening for dinner. Inspiring Highlights Galle Fort

In the morning after breakfast, we leave for Yala National Park. On arrival, spend your afternoon on a guided game drive exploring the dynamic wildlife and the most luxuriant plant life in Yala National Park. Being one of the largest parks in Sri Lanka, it is the ideal place to sight the rare leopard! Enjoy dinner at the hotel in the evening. Special Information 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. Your travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours.

You will have an early start today for another safari in Yala National Park by jeep, to spot the diverse wildlife that calls the park home. Return to the hotel for breakfast, then we leave Yala and make a stop in Ella to witness the sceneries of the hill country. Transfer to Ella Railway Station and board the scenic train to Haputale. The journey takes you through tea country with views of rolling hills, waterfalls and plantations along the way. On arrival in Haputale, continue by road to Nuwara Eliya. Often referred to as 'Little England', this genteel highland community has a vaguely British-country-village feel to it, with its colonial-era bungalows. Check in to your Inspiring Stay for the next two nights, the Grand Hotel. Built in 1891, this was the palatial residence of the former Governor of Sri Lanka, Sir Edward Barnes. The Grand Hotel is an enduring icon of Nuwara Eliya, perched on a mountain ridge overlooking green countryside in tea country. It retains a romantic, old-world ambience alongside modern comforts, with well-appointed rooms, magnificent gardens and an array of amenities and activities including music therapy, yoga and more. The Grand Hotel is also renowned for its traditional afternoon tea, a quintessential British tradition which you will experience on this tour. In the evening, enjoy dinner at your hotel. Inspiring Highlights Yala National Park Scenic Train Journey Nuwara Eliya & The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours. It is not possible to confirm the train ticket reservation in advance, as Sri Lanka Railway has a manual system for reservations. Tickets can only be booked 30 days prior to departure. The 1st and 2nd class is basic but has air-conditioning. The non-air conditioned 3rd class sometimes is the only option based on availability. On the rare occasion the train is fully booked we will conduct the route by road. A smart casual dress code applies for dinner at all restaurants and bars. Guests in short trousers and sleeveless shirts and rubber slippers will not be permitted to enter the restaurants.

Today you will have a leisurely morning at your hotel. This afternoon, enjoy an Inspiring Taste at probably the most talked of outlet in Nuwara Eliya, the Grand Tea Lounge. Here we enjoy an iconic High Tea at the Grand Hotel. Dinner this evening will be enjoyed at your hotel. Inspiring Highlights Grand Tea Lounge

After breakfast, depart Nuwara Eliya for Kandy. En route, take in the scenery of the tea country with views of rolling hills and waterfalls along the way. Stop to visit a tea plantation and factory. Here you will enjoy the absolute tea experience, from the moment the young tea leaves are plucked to being processed in the factory to make a cup of tea. If you are interested, the tea factory is a good place to purchase quality tea. Continue on to Kandy, with lunch at a local restaurant en route. On arrival in Kandy, check in to your hotel before dinner at a local restaurant with the rest of your group. Inspiring Highlights Tea Plantation and Factory Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

After breakfast, explore the beautiful city of Kandy with an included Tuk Tuk and Bazaar tour, followed by lunch at a local restaurant. Kandy, once known as Senkadagala, was the Hill Capital from 1514 to 1815 AD and was named a UNESCO heritage site in 1988. Take in the city's lake, historic temples and well-preserved royal palace ruins. This afternoon, visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Lanka's most revered Buddhist site. Set within the old royal palace complex on the edge of Kandy Lake, the temple houses a tooth relic of the Buddha brought to the island in the 4th century. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Sri Lankan cultural performance before returning to the hotel for dinner. Inspiring Highlights Kandy Lake Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic Traditional Sri Lankan cultural performance

After breakfast, depart Kandy for Sigiriya, stopping en route at Dambulla Cave Temple. This UNESCO heritage site dates back to the 3rd Century BC and boasts 157 statues and extraordinary paintings covering a vast 2100 m² area, making it the most impressive cave complex in Sri Lanka. Continue to Sigiriya, arriving in time for lunch and hotel check-in. This afternoon, enjoy a jeep safari at Minneriya National Park. Located in the districts of Matale and Polonnaruwa and bordered by the Mahaweli and Amban rivers, this park stretches across 36,948 hectares. It was declared a National Park in 1984 and is one of the best places in Sri Lanka to observe elephants. This evening, enjoy an Inspiring Taste with a sundowner pre-dinner Arrack (a local cocktail) or something else to suit your taste, along with canapés, followed by dinner at your hotel. Inspiring Highlights Minneriya National Park Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours. Since elephants are migratory animals, we may visit Kaudualla or Eco Park on this day instead, based on the elephant locations.

This morning will be an early start, where we'll climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress (also known as Lion's Rock) - an extraordinary artistic complex dating back to 477-498 AD. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has become a global attraction due to its unique architecture. For lunch, participate in an Inspiring Taste cooking demonstration where you'll learn to prepare Sri Lankan rice and curry (5-6 curries). Savour your meal while overlooking the beautiful gardens. In the afternoon, we'll take a sightseeing tour of Polonnaruwa, the medieval capital city of Sri Lanka (1017-1235 AD). Polonnaruwa was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 after the fall of Anuradhapura. In the evening enjoy a cocktail and dinner at your hotel. Inspiring Highlights Sigiriya Rock Fortress Polonnaruwa

Spend the day at leisure to enjoy the hotel and its surrounds. Lunch and dinner are served at your hotel.

Today you will travel from Sri Lanka to The Maldives. Departing from Sigiriya, you will arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in time for your included flight to Malé, The Maldives. On arrival into Malé, you will be met and transported to your included speedboat transfer which will take you the 40 minute journey to Kaafu Atoll where you will spend the next few nights in paradise. Experience paradise in the Maldives, a breathtaking tropical nation located in the Indian Ocean, consisting of 26 vibrant coral atolls and hundreds of picturesque islands. With its pristine beaches, crystalline lagoons and abundant coral reefs, the Maldives is a true dream destination. Once checked in, take the time to explore the stunning tropical scenery at your own leisure. Special Information Today you will say goodbye to your Tour Leader in Sri Lanka, and the rest of your tour will be Independant. Your included flight allows one checked bag up to 30kg (66lbs), and one 7kg (15 lbs) carry-on, with options to increase your luggage allowance at the airport if needed. Your flight will be unescorted, however your tour guide will assist you to ensure that your journey is trouble free. Your All-Inclusive Maldives package includes: Breakfast, lunch & dinner daily. Snacks & cakes are available outside main mealtimes Tea, coffee, iced tea, cordials & water, which are availalbe from 07.30am to midnight Whisky, brandy, gin, vodka, rum, draft beer, house wines, soft drinks, selected cocktails & mocktails Drinks are served up to midnight. Extra charges apply during excursions. Meals and drinks are included until midday on the date of departure. No alcoholic drinks will be served to guests under the age of 18

Indulge in a scrumptious breakfast while marveling at the picturesque low-lying islands that make up the breathtaking Maldives archipelago. Each atoll here is a result of centuries of coral reef growth, surrounded by shallow lagoons protected by reef systems. The Maldives boasts idyllic islands with tropical features such as tall coconut palms, white sandy beaches, and clear lagoons. Spend your day at leisure enjoying a wide range of thrilling activities offered on the island. Our hotel offers excellent snorkeling opportunities for those interested in exploring the shallow oases at the edge of the islands. You can also opt for exhilarating water sports activities like catamaran sailing and windsurfing, experiencing the thrill of riding the winds and speeding through the crystal waters. For a more serene experience, canoeing is also available for you to relish the natural beauty surrounding the islands. The adventurous can choose from jet-skiing, parasailing, and scuba diving to make the most of their stay in the Maldives. The possibilities are endless, and the Maldives awaits your exploration.

Starting off another day with a delightful breakfast, today promises to be another day of blissful relaxation in the Maldives. The options for activities and adventure are limitless and cater to all interests, ensuring that you will never have a dull moment during your stay. Alternatively, bask in the tranquility of the pristine beaches and soak in the picturesque surroundings, as you indulge in the crystal-clear turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. The serene atmosphere of the luxurious white sandy beach is sure to leave you rejuvenated and refreshed like never before.

Enjoy your morning today with a scrumptious breakfast while taking in the fresh breeze as you are serenaded by the sound of the waves lapping the beach. Admire the view beyond the horizon of the Indian Ocean and prepare for another day of leisure and exciting optional activities in the Maldives.

Following breakfast this morning, you will be transferred by speed boat to Valena International Airport (MLE) in time for your departure flight. Special InformationPlease note that lunch may be forfeited depending on the timing of your departure flight. 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. Note that there isn't a fixed schedule for the boat transfers. Your transfer will be coordinated based on your flight times. 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.

Arrive home today, with memories to last a lifetime.