Gentle Sri Lanka for Senior Citizens – Stories & Scenery

13N/14D

Day 01: Arrival in Colombo / Transfer to Negombo / Sunset on Negombo Lagoon / Overnight in Negombo

Welcome drink at the hotel. Gentle boat ride through lagoon canals to see stilt fishermen at sunset. Optional local seafood tasting at a family-run restaurant.

Day 02: Negombo cultural walk / Fish market & Dutch Canal cruise / Overnight in Negombo

A slow, guided morning walk through colonial-era streets. Visit the fish market with an expert explaining local traditions. Afternoon canal cruise in shaded boats with storytelling about the town’s history.

Day 03: Drive to Sigiriya / Scenic lunch stop / Afternoon at leisure / Overnight in Sigiriya

Comfortable air-conditioned drive with intermittent stops at scenic viewpoints. Leisure afternoon to enjoy the hotel gardens, maybe a traditional mask-making demonstration onsite.

Day 04: Sigiriya from the base / Traditional village visit / Overnight in Sigiriya

Explore Sigiriya’s surroundings with a knowledgeable guide. Visit a nearby village, meet local artisans, and participate in a short handicraft or cooking demonstration—no climbing required.

Day 05: Minneriya National Park jeep safari / Elephant “gathering” viewing / Overnight in Sigiriya

Early morning jeep safari to observe elephants congregating at the waterholes. Guides tell stories about elephant families and Sri Lanka’s wildlife. Return for a relaxed afternoon tea.

Day 06: Polonnaruwa ruins by golf cart / Storytelling tour / Overnight in Polonnaruwa

Explore ancient ruins with golf-cart access and frequent seating stops. Hear stories of kings, irrigation systems, and legendary architecture. Optional pottery or weaving demonstration by local artisans

Day 07: Drive to Kandy / Temple of the Tooth visit / Evening cultural performance / Overnight in Kandy

Temple visit with elevator access where possible. Evening Kandyan dance and music performance with a seated experience.

Day 08: Peradeniya Botanical Gardens / Tea & spice tasting / Optional short market stroll / Overnight in Kandy

Enjoy fragrant gardens at a gentle pace. Tea and spice tasting paired with stories about Sri Lankan flavors. Afternoon free for rest or shaded market exploration.

Day 09: Scenic train ride Kandy → Nuwara Eliya / Tea estate visit / Overnight in Nuwara Eliya

First-class train carriage with panoramic views. Light walking at tea estates with shaded stops to observe plucking and processing. Afternoon at leisure in colonial-style hotel.

Day 10: Gregory Lake / Optional hotel wellness session / Overnight in Nuwara Eliya

Short lakeside stroll or enjoy hotel spa treatments. Optional talk by a local historian on the British era and tea culture.

Day 11: Drive to Bentota / Leisure afternoon / Overnight in Bentota

Gentle drive to the coast with ocean views. Afternoon at leisure to enjoy hotel amenities or quiet beach seating.

Day 12: Bentota river safari / Coconut grove walk / Overnight in Bentota

Boat safari through calm backwaters, with birdwatching and mangrove storytelling. Short guided walk through coconut groves with explanations of local uses.

Day 13: Ayurveda wellness morning / Sunset river cruise / Overnight in Bentota

Morning wellness session with light treatments. Sunset boat cruise with music and snacks, enjoying river and lagoon scenery.

Day 14: Colombo city drive / Airport transfer

Optional brief stops at Galle Face Green, Independence Square, or Colombo’s colonial quarters for photographs. Airport transfer in comfort.