Journeys
The Trails of Sri Lanka
Safari, mountains and sacred mysteries
From the elephants of Yala to the misty tea plantations, from the legendary mountain train to the Lion Rock, this journey crosses the island's most breathtaking landscapes in six days. You travel in a small group with a private driver, on an itinerary we designed and experienced ourselves. Every stop, every viewpoint, every address chosen with care. All you have to do is let yourself be carried along.
Duration
6 days / 5 nights
Route
Departing from La Maison VEDA, returning to Colombo airport
Who it is for
1 to 17 people, by car, van or bus depending on numbers
Price
€100 to €150 per day per person, depending on group size
Stops
Yala → Ella → Haputale → Kandy → Dambulla → Sigiriya
To be confirmed: Is the price indeed "per person"? This reading is still to be confirmed by Aurélie.
Day by day
- 01
Day 1, Habaraduwa to Yala: safari in the national park
Early departure from La Maison VEDA (around 2½ hours' drive). Lunch, then a jeep safari in Yala National Park from 2 pm to 6 pm: elephants, leopards, crocodiles, birds. Dinner and night near the park.
- 02
Day 2, Yala to Ella: mountains and waterfalls
Drive to Ella (around 3 hours) with stops at viewpoints and waterfalls. Lunch in Ella, then the Nine Arch Bridge and sunset at Little Adam's Peak. Dinner and night in Ella.
- 03
Day 3, Haputale: deep in the tea plantations
Dawn departure for Haputale (1½ hours' drive then a tuktuk climb) for sunrise at Lipton's Seat, a legendary panorama over the plantations, and a visit to a Hindu temple. Back to Ella, lunch and a free afternoon. Optional: the climb up Ella Rock if the sky is clear, or a tea factory visit. Night in Ella.
- 04
Day 4, Ella to Kandy: the mountain train and the Temple of the Tooth
Board the legendary mountain train at 6:40 am (around 3½ hours through the plantations). Tea factory visit, lunch, then on to Kandy. Late afternoon, the Temple of the Tooth, one of Buddhism's most sacred places. Night in Kandy.
- 05
Day 5, Kandy to Dambulla and Sigiriya: sacred caves and the Lion Rock
Morning drive to Dambulla (around 3 hours) and a visit to the listed cave temples. Lunch, then the climb up Sigiriya's Lion Rock in the late afternoon, a fifth-century fortress rising above the jungle. Dinner and night in Sigiriya.
- 06
Day 6, Sigiriya to Colombo: the return
Optional sunrise from the top of Pidurangala, facing the Lion Rock. Then the drive to Colombo airport (around 3½ hours), lunch on the way, arriving in the early afternoon.
What is included
- Private driver and all transport
- Airport transfers
- Accommodation with breakfast
- All scheduled activities and visits, entrance tickets included
What is not
- Lunches and dinners
- Personal expenses
Optional extras
- Ella Rock climb on day 3, weather permitting: free
- Tea factory visit: around €4
- Bullock cart ride and cooking class on day 5: around €20
- Sunrise at Pidurangala on day 6: around €5
Extend at La Maison VEDA
This journey starts at La Maison VEDA: add a few nights before you leave or on your return to enjoy Koggala Lake, the yoga studio, the beach and the massages. On request, the itinerary can end in Habaraduwa rather than at the airport.
