Sri Lanka and Maldives

Early morning arrival. Meeting with our representative. Transfer to Negombo. Rest of the day at leisure to relax on the beach.
Overnight stay in Negombo.

Early in the morning departure for Kurunegala, approximately 2 hours. We will spend the day with Selyn Fair Trade, an artisan organization participating in the Altromercato Experience project. You will be introduced to this genuine and interesting fair trade reality: a weaving center where skilled hands “create” magnificent toys and more on handlooms. The first stop of the visit will be the dyeing department, where the textile production process begins with the dyeing of the yarn. Lunch at the center.
We will then move on to observe the manual weaving on handlooms carried out by women artisans and, if you wish, you may also try your hand at this art. We will also visit the Selyn kindergarten and the factory where products are sold through Fair Trade. Finally, we will visit the Wanduragala shop, where you will find numerous products and gift items to take home.
After the visit, transfer to Anuradhapura and hotel check-in.
Overnight stay in Anuradhapura (B,L,D).

After breakfast, visit Anuradhapura, the ancient capital of Sri Lanka from the 4th century BC to the 11th century AD. The city is breathtakingly beautiful. You will see the Jayasri Maha Bodhi (the sacred fig tree), the Samadhi Buddha statue, the stone carvings at the Isurumuniya Temple, the Ruwanweli Stupa and many other attractions in this vibrant 2,500-year-old city. Of great interest are the impressive stone tanks, used to channel and collect monsoon water. This superb and ancient irrigation system, with tanks and canals, is the main attraction of Anuradhapura. Afterwards departure for Aukana (45 minutes), an ancient Buddhist site, to visit its stone sculptures. After the visit, return to Dambulla.
Overnight stay in Dambulla (B, D).

After breakfast, morning departure for Polonnaruwa (1 hour and a half); a UNESCO World Heritage Site, also famous for its resemblance to Angkor Wat, with the Royal Palace and the public audience hall. Near Polonnaruwa, visit to a farm where a special lunch will be served. In the afternoon, excursion to Sigiriya (25 minutes) to visit the Sigiriya Fortress, dating back to the Mesolithic period and over 5,000 years old. Enjoy the climb to this ancient fortress, commissioned by King Kashyapa. Also known as Lion Rock, it features fascinating frescoes and graffiti.
Overnight stay in Dambulla (B, D).

After breakfast, visit the Dambulla Cave Temple complex, where there are five caves carved into a 150-meter-high rock, featuring mural paintings depicting the life of Buddha. Transfer (approximately two and a half hours) to Kandy, whose kingdom resisted European occupation for more than 300 years (from the 16th century until 1815) after the surrender of the coastal cities. Along the way, stop at the cocoa and spice plantations of Matale to discover their processing methods. Visit the organic garden of a cocoa grower to learn about the cultivation techniques of this plant. Traditional lunch with the community. After lunch, transfer to Kandy and visit the Temple of the Tooth of Buddha, a very famous relic venerated by Buddhists.
Overnight stay in Kandy (B, L, D).

After breakfast (around 7:30 am), transfer to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. It was established in 1975 by the Sri Lanka Department of Wildlife Conservation, near the Maha Oya River. Created to provide care and protection to the many orphaned elephants found in the jungles of Sri Lanka, its aim is to create a natural habitat for the elephants. Afterwards departure for the town of Pilimathalawa to visit three important temples in the area: the Hindu temple of Embekke, the Buddhist temple of Lankathilaka and the temple of Gadaladeniya. All three temples are located very close to each other and can be visited on foot, giving you the opportunity to discover a glimpse of rural life in Sri Lanka, walking through the rice fields surrounding the various villages. Return to Kandy. Free time at leisure.
Overnight stay in Kandy (B, D).

Breakfast. Morning visit of Kandy including the famous and beautiful Botanical Garden. Departure by car/minibus; the road winds through hills covered with tea plantations, offering unforgettable views. Arrival in Nuwara Eliya after about two and a half hours; this town was also called “Little England” as it was a hill station where British officials stayed to escape the summer heat of the plains. Visit to some tea plantations and the various processing methods. Return to Kandy in the afternoon.
Overnight stay in Kandy (B, D).

Colombo – Malé – Thinadhoo
Transfer to Cochin airport and departure on an international flight to Malé. Arrival at Malé International Airport and meeting with our operators at the terminal. Then transfer by speedboat to the island of Thinadhoo. Thinadhoo has an official population of only 50 people and most of the island is developed for tourism. The hotel area together with a small village occupies about one third of the island; on the other side there is tropical vegetation and a beautiful 500-meter-long beach. The hotels and guesthouses of Thinadhoo pay great attention to the quality of the service provided and to the cleanliness of the beach and the island itself. Thinadhoo has a rich and beautiful coral reef where you can see a variety of colorful tropical fish, as well as sea turtles and rays. There are several uninhabited islands and sandbanks nearby. Compared to many other islands, Thinadhoo’s tourist beach is quite long (about 500 meters). Sunbeds, umbrellas and hammocks are provided for tourists. In Thinadhoo you can enjoy numerous activities, including Maldivian fishing, snorkeling, diving, water sports and other excursions to both inhabited and uninhabited islands, as well as trips to sandbanks. Thinadhoo is the ideal place for families with children, romantic couples and those who love private, comfortable and peaceful retreats.
Free time to rest and explore the island, or simply relax on the beach.
Overnight stay in Thinadhoo (B, L, D).

Thinadhoo
During the next four days on the island of Thinadhoo you will be able to take part in the activities that the selected resort organizes daily with a weekly program such as:

• Visit sandbanks and deserted islands for a half-day or full-day tour;
• Watch dolphins while sailing on a typical Maldivian Dhoni;
• Practice snorkeling on the island’s house reef or on other reefs near the island;
• Swim with nurse sharks, harmless, calm and very common in Thinadhoo and the nearby islands;
• Enjoy a fishing experience, departing by boat early in the morning or in the evening and using a hand line, a typical Maldivian fishing method;
• Visit different local islands and immerse yourself in Maldivian culture.

Depending on the weekly schedule, you will be able to take part in all the activities planned by the selected resort during your stay. Alternatively, if you prefer to remain on the island, you will always have snorkeling equipment, kayaks, SUP boards and access to the resort’s boat for sunset cruises, evening aperitifs or dolphin watching.
Pernottamento a Thinadhoo (B, L, D)

Thinadhoo
During the next four days on the island of Thinadhoo you will be able to take part in the activities that the selected resort organizes daily with a weekly program such as:

• Visit sandbanks and deserted islands for a half-day or full-day tour;
• Watch dolphins while sailing on a typical Maldivian Dhoni;
• Practice snorkeling on the island’s coral reef or on other reefs near the island;
• Swim with nurse sharks, harmless, calm and very common in Thinadhoo and the nearby islands;
• Enjoy a fishing experience, departing by boat early in the morning or in the evening and using a hand line, a typical Maldivian fishing method;
• Visit different local islands and immerse yourself in Maldivian culture.

Depending on the weekly schedule, you will be able to take part in all the activities planned by the selected resort during your stay. Alternatively, if you prefer to remain on the island, you will always have snorkeling equipment, kayaks, SUP boards and access to the resort’s boat to watch sunsets, enjoy evening aperitifs or go dolphin watching.
Overnight stay in Thinadhoo (B, L, D).

Thinadhoo
During the next four days on the island of Thinadhoo you will be able to take part in the activities that the selected resort organizes daily with a weekly program such as:

• Visit sandbanks and deserted islands for a half-day or full-day tour;
• Watch dolphins while sailing on a typical Maldivian Dhoni;
• Practice snorkeling on the island’s coral reef or on other reefs near the island;
• Swim with nurse sharks, harmless, calm and very common in Thinadhoo and the nearby islands;
• Enjoy a fishing experience, departing by boat early in the morning or in the evening and using a hand line, a typical Maldivian fishing method;
• Visit different local islands and immerse yourself in Maldivian culture.

Depending on the weekly schedule, you will be able to take part in all the activities planned by the selected resort during your stay. Alternatively, if you prefer to remain on the island, you will always have snorkeling equipment, kayaks, SUP boards and access to the resort’s boat to watch sunsets, enjoy evening aperitifs or go dolphin watching.
Overnight stay in Thinadhoo (B, L, D).

Thinadhoo
During the next four days on the island of Thinadhoo you will be able to take part in the activities that the selected resort organizes daily with a weekly program such as:

• Visit sandbanks and deserted islands for a half-day or full-day tour;
• Watch dolphins while sailing on a typical Maldivian Dhoni;
• Practice snorkeling on the island’s coral reef or on other reefs near the island;
• Swim with nurse sharks, harmless, calm and very common in Thinadhoo and the nearby islands;
• Enjoy a fishing experience, departing by boat early in the morning or in the evening and using a hand line, a typical Maldivian fishing method;
• Visit different local islands and immerse yourself in Maldivian culture.

Depending on the weekly schedule, you will be able to take part in all the activities planned by the selected resort during your stay. Alternatively, if you prefer to remain on the island, you will always have snorkeling equipment, kayaks, SUP boards and access to the resort’s boat to watch sunsets, enjoy evening aperitifs or go dolphin watching.
Overnight stay in Thinadhoo (B, L, D).

Thinadhoo
During the next four days on the island of Thinadhoo you will be able to take part in the activities that the selected resort organizes daily with a weekly program such as:

• Visit sandbanks and deserted islands for a half-day or full-day tour;
• Watch dolphins while sailing on a typical Maldivian Dhoni;
• Practice snorkeling on the island’s coral reef or on other reefs near the island;
• Swim with nurse sharks, harmless, calm and very common in Thinadhoo and the nearby islands;
• Enjoy a fishing experience, departing by boat early in the morning or in the evening and using a hand line, a typical Maldivian fishing method;
• Visit different local islands and immerse yourself in Maldivian culture.

Depending on the weekly schedule, you will be able to take part in all the activities planned by the selected resort during your stay. Alternatively, if you prefer to remain on the island, you will always have snorkeling equipment, kayaks, SUP boards and access to the resort’s boat to watch sunsets, enjoy evening aperitifs or go dolphin watching.
Overnight stay in Thinadhoo (B, L, D).

Thinadhoo – Malé
Transfer to Malé airport by speedboat and departure on an international flight.