Kerala & Sri Lanka

Overview

To club Sri Lanka with Kerala, which is a unique destination in itself sounds like an interesting idea. Negombo in Sri Lanka is the best way to begin exploring this fabulous country. It has the first beach resort developed in this beautiful land.  Just 15kms away from the airport, the city was once the cinnamon port of the country - primarily a fisherman’s abode and a sea foodie’s paradise. Negombo still has the old fishing techniques which are an interesting sight.

The catamarans the fishing nets are happy impressions of the times when this part was ruled by the Dutch, the Portuguese later and then the British too. It is a place worth discovering through its canals that are picturesquely connected to the lagoon. Further ahead the tour takes you to Kandy which is the most sacred city of Sri Lanka. It is world famous for the sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. The colourful pageant that venerates the Tooth Relic once a year is a great spectacle.

The Sri Lankan journey continues with Galle which is a spectacular sample of a fortified city built by the Europeans built in Asia. Galle also has the Maritime Museum and Shiva Temple worth a visit. The lovely journey then brings you for the back waters, house boats and the coconut grove experience to Kerala. That makes this tour all the more interesting and adds a different charm to it. The kettuvellums and the serene rivers along with tranquillity do not let you feel the change in the national boundaries.

After exploring Kochi and Kovalam beaches along with the churches and the temples, one feels rejuvenated when one returns to Negombo again!!

Outlined Itinerary

Day 01 - Cochin

Arrive Colombo and transfer to your onward flight to Cochin 0940-1100. Meet in Cochin and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax after your flight.

Day 02 - Cochin

After breakfast, you will take a private guided tour of Cochin. Visiting the Dutch Palace you will see some of India’s most beautiful murals. The Jewish Synagogue in the heart of Jew Town and the cantilevered Chinese fishing nets. See St. Francis Church where Vasco da Gama was originally buried and the Santa Cruz Church with its pastel coloured interior and carved wooden panels. Later in the evening proceed for Kathakali dance show.

Day 03 - Backwaters

After breakfast, you will drive from Cochin to Alleppey jetty point to board your houseboat for enjoying an overnight stay. Kettuvallams, the stitched boats provide the best way to experience the colourful backwaters of Kerala. FULL BOARD

Day 04 - Kovalam

After breakfast, you will disembark from the houseboat in Alleppey and drive to Kovalam (3.5 hrs). Arrive Kovalam and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 05 - Kovalam

After breakfast, day is at leisure to relax at the hotel.

Day 06 - Kovalam

After breakfast day is at leisure to relax at the hotel.

Day 07 - Negombo

Today at an appropriate time, you will be met and transferred to Trivandrum International airport [30 Minutes’ drive] to connect with your flight to Colombo in Sri Lanka 0730-0850. Meet on arrival at the Bandaranayake International Airport by a Mystic India Representative and transferred to Negombo. The rest of the day is then at leisure.

Day 08 - Negombo

Breakfast at your hotel then the rest of the day is then at leisure.

Day 09 - Kandy

Breakfast at Hotel then proceed to Kandy - En route visit the Elephant Orphange in Pinnawela - This orphanage is the home for about 89 elephants, out of which some are baby elephants found abandoned or orphaned in the wild. They are being cared, fed and trained by the wild life authorities. The best time to visit is during the feeding times, when one will have the opportunity of seeing the baby elephants being bottle-fed. Also could accompany the elephants to a river close-by and see them having their daily bath. Arrive Kandy this afternoon then at leisure. Evening proceed to visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic and thereafter witness a cultural show featuring traditional Sri Lankan dancing.

Day 10 - Kandy

Breakfast at Hotel – Morning proceed to visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. This botanical garden was first built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala king and was expanded by the British. It is 147 acres in extent and provides an amazing variety of trees, plants and flowers. Also take a city tour of Kandy. Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings, and is a World Heritage Site. The name Kandy conjures visions of splendor and magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. Drive around the Kandy Lake built by the last Sinhala king Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798. Visit the Kandy town and Bazaar, the arts & crafts centre and a gem museum and a lapidary. In the evening visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic and thereafter witness a cultural show featuring traditional Sri Lankan dancing. On completion return back to the hotel.

Day 11 - Galle

Breakfast at Hotel then depart for Galle. On arrival after check in you are then at leisure

Day 12 - Galle

Breakfast at you hotel then the rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 13 - Galle

Breakfast at you hotel then the rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 14 - Colombo

This morning depart for the airport for your home-bound flight.

All our tours and holidays are tailor made so can be amended to suite your budget. Click on our from prices below to see what hotels you can expect based on the cheapest time to travel in High Season per person based on two people sharing a room. We can design this tour for you at a lower or higher price, basically to suite your budget, style and comfort. Contact a specialist to discuss your requirements. International flights are not included.