Tag: 21 Days

THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH

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Experience

THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH

NEGOMBO I ANURADHAPURA I DAMBULLA I JAFFNA I TRINCOMALEE I KANDY I NUWARA ELIYA I ELLA I YALA I GALLE I BENTOTA I COLOMBO

WHEN TO GO

NOVEMBER – MAY

IDEAL LENGTH

21 DAYS

FLIGHT TIME

15 HOURS 45 MINUTES FROM AUCKLAND

DESTINATIONS

12

The Greatest Show on Earth tour explores this bountiful and spirited nation based on Active Asia’s in house Sri Lankan enthusiast and Creative Director. A one-off journey covering all the must-see spots, Valentina shares with you the places,experiences and people she fell in love with. 

MAKE THIS ITINERARY YOURS

Inspired by what you see? Remember we design each itinerary around you, so this suggested itinerary is a starting point that we can tweak or transform into something that is entirely you. If we need to start from scratch, lets start with a conversation.

START PLANNING HERE

WILDLIFE & HISTORY

Begin your journey in Negombo,a fishing village with old-world charm before heading to Anaradhapura. Once serving as Sri Lanka’s capital, the city is home to a large collection of well-preserved architectural achievements. Next turn your focus to wildlife, with jeep safaris in both Wilpattu and Minneriya National Parks. Boasting a treasure trove of historical monuments, continue on to Dambulla. Visit the famed Sigiriya Rock Fortress and the ruins of Polonnaruwa. Once a medieval capital, this amazing citadel boasts historic archaeological relics. 

TEA PLANTATIONS

Travel north to Jaffna. Lying close to India, the city presents a largely Indian influence and offers a different perspective from the rest of the country. Then head east to Trincomalee, recognised for its natural harbour and an abundance of water related activities. Offering an urban buzz, head inland to Kandy. Bordered by beautiful hills and countryside, explore the city before travelling to Nuwara Eliya, a quaint town with colonial English charm. Surrounded by tea plantations, with tea pluckers working the slopes,the area affords a delightful landscape, as does a trek through the Horton Plains National Park where high-altitude grasslands border dramatically plunging cliffs

THE EPIC TRAIN RIDE

Take to the train as you journey into Ella – the track snakes along the edge of the mountains overlooking breath-taking valleys of rolling tea plantations and small villages. Considered the most famous national park in Sri Lanka, head to Yala National Park for a jeep safari in search of leopards, elephants, sloth bears plus more. Continuing along the southern coastline, a stay in Galle rewards you with a unique fusion of European and Arabic charm. Nearing the end of your journey, Bentota offers a relaxing beach stay. Small and buzzing with a friendly local atmosphere, one can spend the days languidly walking the streets,partaking in water adventures or merely enjoying the sunshine. Colombo is your final stop. This vibrant capital city offers a whirl of commotion and the perfect spot to reflect on your adventures.

WHAT’S IN STORE FOR YOU

NEGOMBO LOCAL MARKET I RUINS OF ANURADHAPURA I JEEP SAFARIS IN WILPATTU, MINNERIYA, YALA AND UDAWALAWE NATIONAL PARKS SIGIRIYA ROCK FORTRESS EXPLORATION I POLONNARUWA CITADEL I JAFFNA CITY TOUR I DELFT ISLAND VISIT I TRINCOMALEE CITY TOUR WALKING TOUR OF KANDY I TEA PLANTATION VISIT I SCENIC TRAIN JOURNEY TO ELLA I GUIDED TOUR OF GALLE FORT RELAXATION IN BENTOTA I COLOMBO STREET FOOD TOUR

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DISCOVER VIETNAM & THE MEKONG WATERWAYS

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Experience

DISCOVER VIETNAM & THE MEKONG WATERWAYS

HANOI I HALONG BAY I HOI ANIHUE I HO CHI MINH CITY I CAI BE I TAN CHAU I PHNOM PENH I KAMPONG CHAM I KAMPONG I SIEM REAP

WHEN TO GO

NOVEMBER – APRIL

IDEAL LENGTH

20 DAYS

FLIGHT TIME

16 HOURS 30 MINUTES FROM AUCKLAND

DESTINATIONS

10

The Mekong River is the seventh longest river in Asia flowing through Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Historically it has been a major trade route, a natural border and a cultural melting pot for the region. This relaxed journey combines the fascinating natural and historical highlights along its banks in two of these countries.

MAKE THIS ITINERARY YOURS

Inspired by what you see? Remember we design each itinerary around you, so this suggested itinerary is a starting point that we can tweak or transform into something that is entirely you. If we need to start from scratch, lets start with a conversation.

START PLANNING HERE

CAPITOL INFLUENCES

Your journey begins in Hanoi, the economic capital of Vietnam and centre of the French and American 20th century influences. Venture off on a unique guided tour of the sites followed by a delicious spread at a local restaurant Black Lotus supports. Without a doubt, the best way to enjoy Halong Bay is by cruising through the sparkling turquoise waters by boat –admire the limestone islands, the floating villages and the intriguing caves.

BECOME A LOCAL

Next, it’s the beautiful heritage town of Hoi An, a highlight of Vietnam. The architecture remains as it was centuries before, faded yellow coloured facades with Chinese-style roofing, creating a setting reminiscent of an ancient far east fairy tale. During your down time, we highly recommend trying one of our favourite tours, maybe learn to cook with a professional, take a jeep off the beaten track and visit the locals or take a leisurely bike ride through the rice paddies. It’s time to relax and take a drive over the Hai Van Pass to Hue,this tranquil city is home to Vietnam’s most celebrated (and spicy) cuisine and is known as a centre of literature and arts. Time to head to the glitz and glamour that is Ho Chi Minh City where the possibilities are endless.

CAMBODIA EXPERIENCE

Saving the splendours of Cambodia for your final last days, highlights of this itinerary include a luxury cruise from Saigon to Cambodia on The Lost Civilization, life on board is going to be full of pinch your self-moments, adventures to luxury,Khmer temples to French colonial elegance, hospitable locals and incredible landscapes – Cambodia’s charms cast a spell over all who visit. A century has passed since explorers rode elephants through Cambodian jungle and discovered the temples of Angkor Wat, this incredible complex of creeper-clad ruins outside of Siem Reap has been wowing travellers for years.

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12 NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION IN 4 STAR HOTELS I 7 NIGHTS ABOARD A LUXURY RIVER CRUISE IN THE MEKONG DELTA I BREAKFAST DAILY I 12X LUNCHES I 8X DINNERS I ALL TRANSFERS I SIGHTSEEING AND ENTRANCE FEES I PORT TAXES I THE SERVICES OF AN ENGLISH SPEAKING GUIDE AND DOMESTIC FLIGHTS WITHIN VIETNAM I HANOI-DANANG I HUE-HO CHI MINH CITY

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FEELING WILD

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Experience

FEELING WILD

KALPITIYA I KANDY I NUWARA ELIYA I YALA I HAMBANTOTA I MIRISSA I SINHARAJA I GALLE I COLOMBO

WHEN TO GO

DECEMBER – MARCH

IDEAL LENGTH

18 DAYS

FLIGHT TIME

15 HOURS 45 MINUTES FROM AUCKLAND

DESTINATIONS

9

As the name suggests, this is the perfect trip for adventurous wildlife and nature enthusiasts of any age and with a good sense of fun. Sri Lanka’s rich biodiversity and untouched natural habitats have been carefully protected and nurtured for generations. Both ancient and contemporary Sri Lankan rulers have continually made it a priority over time to preserve the land and its wildlife, where there are hundreds of species of mammals, reptiles and birds that all call the island home.

MAKE THIS ITINERARY YOURS

Inspired by what you see? Remember we design each itinerary around you, so this suggested itinerary is a starting point that we can tweak or transform into something that is entirely you. If we need to start from scratch, lets start with a conversation.

START PLANNING HERE

ADVENTURE AWAITS

Easing into your adventure, start with a stay in Kalpitiya, a small fishing village that’s free from the hustle and bustle of city life. It offers an ideal gateway for your next step – a jeep safari in Wilpattu National Park, which, among its abundant array of wildlife, is also renowned for its leopard population. Explore the tranquillity of the hill country with a trek in the Knuckles Mountain Range. With an experienced trekker, an outdoor enthusiast and knowledgeable naturalist accompanying you, experience jaw-dropping cliff views on the surreal Horton Plains National Park trek, where you are very unlikely to see another soul along the way.

EPIC

The last half of your journey encompasses a few more national parks after an epic scenic train journey to Ella. A second jeep safari in both Yala and Udawalawe National Parks gives you the opportunity to see herds of elephants and possibly even leopards. The chances of witnessing a herd of Sri Lankan elephants is extremely high, particularly near the rivers and the reservoir of Udawalawe. Less crowded with tourists is Bundala National Park, an important area for coastal wetlands and an important wintering ground for migratory birds.

OCEAN & RAIN FORESTS

Then, continue on to Mirissa for an exciting whale watching experience before heading off to Sinharaja Forest Reserve for an eco-friendly rainforest trek. As a biodiversity hotspot, this tropical rainforest is believed to be home to almost 50% of Sri Lanka’s endemic wildlife, which are well worth looking out for and listening to during this amazing trek. As your adventure slowly draws to an end, Galle offers a fascinating insight into the city’s mixed past whilst in Colombo you will surely reminisce about all the highlights and those moments to cherish!

WHAT’S IN STORE FOR YOU

JEEP SAFARIS IN WILPATTU, YALA & UDAWALAWE NATIONAL PARKS I KANDY WALKING TOUR I TREK THE KNUCKLES MOUNTAIN RANGE I TEA EXPERIENCE A TREK IN THE HORTON PLAINS NATIONAL PARK I TRAIN JOURNEY TO ELLA I MIGRATORY BIRD VIEWINGS IN BUNDALA NATIONAL PARK WHALE WATCHING EXPERIENCE I RAINFOREST TREK IN SINHARAJA FOREST RESERVE I TOUR OF GALLE I COLOMBO STREET FOOD TOUR

OTHER EXPERIENCES YOU MAY LIKE

 
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Didn’t see anything for you? No worries. Let us know what your dream trip is and we’ll help you create it.