Sri Lanka & Maldives Adventure
14 days
from Negombo to Male
From
$ 2869
Duration14 days
This 14-day combo trip brings together the best of Sri Lanka's cultural highlights and the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sail the islands of the Maldives aboard a dhoni boat. Experience a safari in Udawalawe National Park, discover cultural treasures of Negombo and Kandy, and then spend an entire week cruising from one tiny and perfect atoll island to another, snorkelling in crystal-clear waters and stretching out on blazing white-sand beaches. From culture to paradise, this tour's got it all.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 14 daysService level: Standard
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Starts in: NegomboPhysical Grading: Average
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Ends in: MaleAges: 12+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Negombo
There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.
Arrive at any time.
Day 2: Negombo/Kandy
Drive to Kandy, visiting a spice plantation en route. Enjoy lunch at G Adventures-supported Sthree Craft Shop and Café. Later, explore Temple of the Tooth.
Meals: B, L
Day 3: Kandy
Explore Kandy with a free day.
Meals: B
Day 4: Kandy to Ella area
Livelihood opportunities in the valley of Bandarawela, Sri Lanka are limited for low income community members. Many rely on agricultural work, especially in the tea plantations, which can be arduous with little financial gain. Amba Estate came to the area with the purpose of promoting economic growth through their organic tea plantation, paying fair wages, sharing their profits with their workers, and creating opportunities for growth. Having established its place in the travel market, Amba is now ready to support community cooperatives as a means of better spreading the income of tourism throughout the valley.
Planeterra is working alongside Amba Estate by supporting the initial investment for the first community-led microenterprise that will work in partnership with Amba. Planeterra’s catalyst grant covers the equipment, training and setup costs for a group of six women to formally become a chutney co-operative. The chutney will be sold back to Amba Estate for travellers to consume, as well as sold to guests and in markets throughout Sri Lanka. G Adventures travellers began visiting Amba in July 2018. They now have the opportunity to eat the delicious chutneys, meet the women and see how it’s made!
Planeterra is working alongside Amba Estate by supporting the initial investment for the first community-led microenterprise that will work in partnership with Amba. Planeterra’s catalyst grant covers the equipment, training and setup costs for a group of six women to formally become a chutney co-operative. The chutney will be sold back to Amba Estate for travellers to consume, as well as sold to guests and in markets throughout Sri Lanka. G Adventures travellers began visiting Amba in July 2018. They now have the opportunity to eat the delicious chutneys, meet the women and see how it’s made!
Travel by private vehicle to the historic town of Nuwara Eliya and enjoy some free time. Continue the journey to the rolling green valleys of the Ella area and spend 2 nights at the G Adventures-supported AMBA estate, an organic farm and guest house.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Ella area
In the morning, enjoy a tour through the tea plantation and learn about one of the nation's most popular exports followed by a tea tasting. After enjoy free time to soak in the stunning scenery, opt to hike to Ella Rock, or visit Ella town by tuk tuk. This evening, enjoy a cooking demonstration of classic homestyle Sri Lankan dishes, a delicious mixture of savoury and sweet.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Ella/Udawalawe National Park
Depart Amba Estate in the morning after enjoying a delicious home cooked breakfast. Begin the journey to Udawalawe National Park and visit the Elephant Transit home before enjoying an afternoon wildife safari through Udawalawe National Park. Afterwards, head to a tented camp by the lake on the boundary of National Park and relax with a BBQ dinner around the campfire.
Meals: B, D
Day 7: Udawalawe National Park/Unawatuna
After breakfast transfer from Udawalawe to Galle for a tour of the fort and city. Later, head to Unawatuna, on the south coast, for a final night with the group.
Meals: B
Day 8: Unawatuna/South Malé Atoll
You will be met by airport representatives who will transfer you to the Malé town waterfront to meet our boat captain and crew. Once settled into our cabins, we will depart.
Cruise south for 2-3 hours through the Vaadhoo Canal to a nearby island in South Malé Atoll; probably Guraidhoo, a small inhabited island where the plan is to moor in (or just outside) the small harbour for the first night on board.
Cruise south for 2-3 hours through the Vaadhoo Canal to a nearby island in South Malé Atoll; probably Guraidhoo, a small inhabited island where the plan is to moor in (or just outside) the small harbour for the first night on board.
Hop on a flight to Malé for the Maldives portion of your trip. Transfer to South Malé Atoll. Settle in, and set sail on a voyage of discovery.
Meals: D
Day 9: South Malé Atoll/Felidhu Atholhu
Start place: South Male Atoll
Cruise to the southernmost point of South Malé Atoll before crossing the channel into Felidhu Atoll. The main industry here is fishing and there is typically an opportunity to see traditional boat-building on at least one of the islands.
Spend the next five days cruising around the South Malé and Felidhu atolls, disembarking to visit islands and sandbars along the way. On Fulidhu, mingle with locals and experience a traditional drumming performance. Bodu Moro Island is home to idyllic uninhabited beaches – the perfect photo opt.
Aboard the dhoni, spend free time as you please – lounge on the sundecks and take in the views, relax with a good book, or socialize with fellow travellers as you enjoy delicious local seafood.
Off the boat, opt to swim and enjoy snorkelling about twice a day amongst the spectacular marine life of the Maldives. The shallow islands and amazing coral reefs make it a key feeding ground for many species of tropical fish. Keep an eye out for turtles, reef sharks, stingrays, and octopuses.
Aboard the dhoni, spend free time as you please – lounge on the sundecks and take in the views, relax with a good book, or socialize with fellow travellers as you enjoy delicious local seafood.
Off the boat, opt to swim and enjoy snorkelling about twice a day amongst the spectacular marine life of the Maldives. The shallow islands and amazing coral reefs make it a key feeding ground for many species of tropical fish. Keep an eye out for turtles, reef sharks, stingrays, and octopuses.
End place: Felidhu Atholhu
Meals: B, L, D
Day 10: Ambara/Fenboa Finolhu
Cruise south for 2-3 hours, crossing to Meemu Atoll. As with the rest of the journey, stick close to shore (weather permitting) and cruise close to many of the stunning islands.
Meemu Atoll has 34 islands of which 25 are uninhabited. Here more than anywhere, we are likely to experience the true Maldivian way of life.
Meemu Atoll has 34 islands of which 25 are uninhabited. Here more than anywhere, we are likely to experience the true Maldivian way of life.
Cruise across the Meemu Atoll and arrive to Fenboa Finolhu, another beautiful uninhabited island. Stay the night with plenty of time to enjoy the beach and snorkel amongst the reefs.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 11: Fenboa Finolhu/Dhiggaru
Head east towards the island of Djiggaru, stopping along the way to snorkel on a reef, arriving in the late afternoon. Spend the evening enjoying the laid back pace and traditional way of life of the locals. With some luck, get an invitation for an evening performance of Bodu Beru (Big Drum), the traditional folk music of the country.
End place: Digaru
Meals: B, L, D
Day 12: Dhiggaru/Felidhu Atholhu
Start place: Digaru
Head back to Felidhoo Atoll and its administrative centre, Felidhoo. Take time to wander through the village and learn something new about the lives of the islanders.
End place: Felidhu Atholhu
Meals: B, L, D
Day 13: Felidhu Atholhu/Eboodhoofinolhu
Start place: Felidhu Atholhu
Enjoy the longest journey of the trip back through the islands of Felidhoo and South Malé atolls. There are plenty of opportunities to swim and snorkel or to explore the islands en route. The day's destination is Emboodhu Finolhu, one of the northernmost islands of South Malé Atoll.
End place: Eboodhoofinolhu
Meals: B, L, D
Day 14: Eboodhoofinolhu/Male
Start place: Eboodhoofinolhu
In the morning, make the short crossing to Malé. The tour ends on arrival at Malé International Airport.
Your CEO can offer assistance with any onward travel you may require.
End place: Male
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Your G for Good Moment: Lunch at Sthree Craft Shop and Café, Kandy Your G for Good Moment: AMBA Estate, Ella Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
- Spice plantation visit
- Temple of the Tooth visit
- Tea plantation visit
- Cooking demonstration
- Safari in Udawalawe National Park
- Elephant Transit Home visit
- Galle City and Fort tour
- Seven days aboard a dhoni boat (Maldives)
- Fulidhoo Island visit and Bodu Beru performance
- Felidhu Island visit
- Bodu Mora Island visit
- Snorkelling equipment
- Beach time in the Maldives
- Internal flight
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Private vehicle, Trains, 4x4, Local bus, Walking, Plane, Dhoni boat -
Accommodation
Standard hotels/guest houses (6 nts), Tented camp (1 nt), Dhoni boat (6 nts)