Travel with Megan Marx: Sri Lanka & Maldives

Today the journey really begins! We drive to Dambulla and stop by the famous Dambulla Cave Temple to marvel at ancient carvings and statues before heading to a local restaurant to sample the best food Sri Lanka has to offer & then check into our hotel. Have a quick dip in the pool before heading off to Pidurangala Buddhist Monastery for unparalleled 360 degree views of the local area and Sigiriya at sunset.

Accommodation: Twin/Double Rooms – Kashapa Lion Rock (or similar)
Activities: Dambulla Cave Temple & Pidurangala Monastery
Optional Extras: N/A
Meals: Breakfast
Physical Rating: Medium/High

Start the morning by climbing Sigiriya, considered by locals to be the eighth wonder of the world. Over 1500 years of history in one place! We’ll then stop for a fantastic Sri Lankan lunch with a local family. The rest of the day is yours to relax by the pool, book a massage or opt for an elephant safari!

Accommodation: Twin/Double Rooms – Kashapa Lion Rock (or similar)
Activities: Sigiriya Rock Climb
Optional Extras: Extra Safari, Massage
Meals: Breakfast
Physical Rating: High

Today we embark into the Knuckle Mountain Range. We head to a spice garden where you will learn the secrets to Sri Lankan cooking before heading into the country’s second biggest city, Kandy. And what better way to see the city than in the back of some local transport, Tuk Tuks!

Accommodation: Twin/Double Rooms – Queens Hotel (or similar)
Activities: Spice Garden Visit, Cooking Class & Tuk Tuk Tour
Optional Extras: N/A
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Physical Rating: Low/Medium

Start the day by visiting the world famous Temple of the Tooth, then we’re off to the tea country! Tour a working Tea estate, pick tea and taste the finest Ceylon Tea. After lunch, jump on the train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella – voted one of the world’s most scenic train rides!!

Accommodation: Twin/Double Rooms – Ella Gap Hotel (or similar)
Activities: Temple of the Tooth, Tea Estate Visit, Train Journey
Optional Extras: N/A
Meals: Breakfast
Physical Rating: Medium/High

Today you have a day to yourself in the wonderful mountainous town of Ella! Try out many optional activities including hiking Ella Rock or Diyaluma Falls. Treat yourself to a massage or just using the downtime to chill out by the pool!

Accommodation: Twin/Double Rooms – Ella Gap Hotel (or similar)
Activities: N/A
Optional Extras: Ella Rock Hike, Diyaluma Falls, Massage, Yoga
Meals: Breakfast
Physical Rating: N/A

Hike Little Adam’s Peak and visit the world famous Nine Arch Bridge in the morning. Afterwards, we journey out of the mountains and grab lunch on the way to Udawalawe National Park to get up close and personal with the elephants! Post-safari, head to your glamping site for a bbq buffet.

Please bring an overnight bag with you for this night!

Accommodation: Twin/Double Rooms – Athgira River Camping (or similar)
Activities: Guided Ella Hikes & Elephant Safari
Optional Extras: Massage
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Physical Rating: Medium/High

Leave the campsite and head down to the beach in Mirissa! You have a free afternoon to rent a surf board, or sit back and catch some rays!

Accommodation: Twin/Double Rooms – Randiya Beach Hotel (or similar)
Activities: N/A
Optional Extras: Surfing, Massage
Meals: Breakfast
Physical Rating: N/A

Today is a free morning, you can relax at the beach or partake in one of the optional activities. You can do a surf lesson or between October and April you can get up early and embark on a tour to find the worlds largest animal…. The Blue Whale!

Afterwards we will head to our second spectacular beach destination; Hikkaduwa & spend the afternoon relaxing in the oceanfront pool!

Accommodation: Twin/Double Rooms – Coral Sea Hotel (or similar)
Activities: N/A
Optional Extras: Surf Lesson, Whale Watching (Oct-Apr)
Meals: Breakfast
Physical Rating: Low

Start the day with a 12km cycle through the lush southern Paddy Fields, stopping at a local school en-route. In the afternoon, walk around the old Dutch Fort in Galle, buy some souvenirs and taste some of the best ice cream in Sri Lanka!

Accommodation: Twin/Double Rooms – Coral Sea Hotel (or similar)
Activities:Bike Tour, Visit to Local School & Galle Fort
Optional Extras: N/A
Meals: Breakfast
Physical Rating: Low

Spend the morning on the beach before heading to the memorial for the 2004 Tsunami. Afterwards, head over to the Turtle Sanctuary to see some super cute and freshly hatched turtles! We then drive to Colombo for our final night.

Accommodation: Twin/Double Rooms – Pegasus Reef (or similar)
Activities: Tsunami Memorial & Turtle Sanctuary
Optional Extras: N/A
Meals: Breakfast
Physical Rating: Low

Today you’ll head to the Maldives (*flight not included). Check in & after you get settled your local guide will give you a tour of Male, get acquainted with the history and tradition of Maldivians as you see the capital!

Important Note: *Flights from Colombo, Sri Lanka to Male, The Maldives must be booked by you, our guest in advance of the trip. Please feel free to contact us if you need any assistance on how to book this flight.

Accommodation: Twin/Double Rooms – Newtown Inn Hulhumale (or similar)
Activities: Male City Tour
Optional Extras: N/A
Meals: Breakfast
Physical Rating: Low

After breakfast in the hotel, you will head to Villimale island and snorkel with local conservationists and gain an understanding of the Maldivian ecosystems and conservation challenges. In the afternoon you will be transferred to Maafushi island. After your check-in it is time to go local with a Hedika Experience.

Accommodation:Twin/Double Rooms – Stingray Beach, Maafushi (or similar)
Activities: Villimale Snorkeling Tour, Hedika Experience
Optional Extras: Massage
Meals: Breakfast
Physical Rating:< Medium/High

Today you get to relax by the beach, go diving, shop for souvenirs or simply explore the stunning surrounding area that is Maafushi. There are a multitude of activities that you can take advantage of on your day off.

Accommodation: Twin/Double Rooms – Stingray Beach, Maafushi (or similar)
Activities: N/A
Optional Extras:Water Sports, Diving, Beach Dinner, Fishing, Resort visit
Meals: Breakfast
Physical Rating: Low-High

This morning enjoy the underwater beauty of the Maldives. We stop at a sandbank for a picnic lunch with time to swim and snorkel in the lagoon or just lie back and relax.

Heading back to Maafushi we will cruise the Indian Ocean in search of dolphins. Late afternoon there is the option to join a tree planting activity, helping to bring greenery back to the newly reclaimed area of the island.

Accommodation: Twin/Double Rooms – Stingray Beach, Maafushi (or similar)
Activities: Half Day sandbank, snorkeling & dolphin tour
Optional Extras: Tree Planting
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Physical Rating: Medium/High

After breakfast we will take you back to Male airport via speedboat!

We hope you’ve enjoyed your time in Sri Lanka & the Maldives and we would love to see you on another One Life Adventures tour soon! Don’t forget to @onelifeadventures and #onelifeadventures in all your photos to be re posted on our Instagram!

Accommodation: N/A
Activities: N/A
Optional Extras: N/A
Meals: Breakfast
Physical Rating: N/A