SRI LANKA Ladies Tour
A 12-day Journey of Women, Culture & Connection.
Why Sri Lanka Should Be on Your Bucket List!
A Journey of Women, Culture & Connection
Sri Lanka is one of those destinations that surprises you.
For a relatively small island, it offers an incredible variety of experiences – ancient cities, misty tea country, wildlife, tropical beaches, colourful markets, sacred temples and wonderfully warm people.
Many South Africans know Sri Lanka by name, but don’t realise just how much there is to see and experience within such a compact country.
One day you could be exploring a village and sharing a home-cooked meal, the next travelling through the hills by train, sipping Ceylon tea, visiting an ancient temple or watching elephants in the wild.
At StoryScape Travel, we believe the best journeys are about more than ticking off famous sights. They are about local food, interesting people, small discoveries and those unexpected moments that stay with you long after the holiday is over.
Our Sri Lanka: A Journey of Women, Culture & Connection brings together culture, scenery, food, wildlife, gentle adventure and time to simply relax and enjoy where you are.
Along the way, you’ll experience village life, tea country, local markets, traditional cooking, historic towns, beautiful landscapes, wildlife and the beaches of Sri Lanka’s southern coast.
We also love supporting local guides, families, cooks, artisans and small businesses wherever possible, helping you experience the country through the people who know it best.
And, as with every StoryScape journey, there is also the joy of travelling with a group of women, sharing meals, laughter, stories and experiences along the way.
If you’re looking for somewhere different, beautiful, fascinating and full of variety, Sri Lanka may just be the destination you didn’t realise was missing from your bucket list.
Fast Facts
Duration: 12 Days
Group Size: Max 7
Destination: Sri Lanka, South Asia
Includes
4-star accommodation as per the itinerary, with meals as mentioned.
Activities as per the itinerary
Private air-conditioned vehicle with a qualified driver / Guide
Entrance fees to all mentioned sites, including jeep hires and boat rides.
Fully Hosted by our Sri Lankan Team
Excludes
Anything not specifically mentioned under Includes or in the itinerary
Meals not specified
Spa treatments
Dambulla Cave Temple
Camera & video permits
Visa fees & travel insurance
Early check-in & late check-out charges
International & South African domestic flights
Personal expenses (laundry, shopping, minibar, etc.)
Tips and porterage
Day 1
Welcome to Sri Lanka
Negombo | A gentle beginning by the sea
Your Sri Lankan adventure begins with a warm welcome on arrival in Colombo, followed by a short transfer to the coastal town of Negombo.
We’ve deliberately kept your first day wonderfully easy. Settle into your hotel, stretch your legs, relax beside the pool or simply enjoy your first taste of the tropical surroundings.
As evening falls, we come together for our Welcome Dinner, a relaxed introduction to Sri Lankan flavours and the perfect opportunity to meet the ladies you’ll be sharing this journey with.
A soft landing, a beautiful setting, and the beginning of something special.
Included meals: Dinner
Hotel: Jetwing Sea, Negombo (Deluxe Room)
Jetwing Sea is a comfortable 4* beachfront hotel overlooking the Indian Ocean, offering a relaxed setting for the beginning of your Sri Lankan journey
Day 2
Into the Heart of Sri Lanka
Negombo to Sigiriya | Village life, local flavours & sunset drinks
Today we leave the coast behind and travel inland towards Sri Lanka’s fascinating Cultural Triangle.
Along the way, we step away from the usual tourist route and spend time in a traditional village, meeting local people and discovering the rhythms of everyday rural life.
Lunch is something special, a home-style Sri Lankan meal prepared with local ingredients and enjoyed in the spirit of true Sri Lankan hospitality. It’s not simply about the food; it’s about sitting together, sharing stories and experiencing the warmth of the people who call this beautiful country home.
Later, we continue to our peaceful lakeside resort, where the afternoon is yours to relax.
For those wanting a little more history, you can visit the remarkable Dambulla Cave Temple.
And then, as the day cools, we gather for sunset drinks beside the pool.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Amaya Lake (Standard room)
Amaya Lake is a peaceful resort set beside a lake and surrounded by tropical greenery, offering a relaxing base for exploring the Cultural Triangle.
Day 3
The Majesty of Sigiriya
Ancient wonders, breathtaking views & a tranquil lake
This morning brings one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic experiences: Sigiriya Rock Fortress.
Those who choose to climb will make their way through the ancient landscaped gardens and past the famous Lion’s Paw before reaching the summit, where extraordinary views stretch across forests and countryside.
But this is a StoryScape journey, not a race. If the climb isn’t for you, there is plenty to enjoy at ground level, including the gardens, museum and surrounding archaeological area.
Later, the pace changes completely as we enjoy a peaceful excursion on Thalkote Lake. Glide across the calm water, take in the countryside and simply enjoy having nowhere else you need to be.
A lovely contrast of history, achievement and serenity.
Included meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Hotel: Amaya Lake (Standard room)
Amaya Lake is a peaceful resort set beside a lake and surrounded by tropical greenery, offering a relaxing base for exploring the Cultural Triangle.
Day 4
Local Flavours & Women’s Stories
Sigiriya to Kandy | Spices, tuk-tuks & a home-cooked lunch
Today is all about getting closer to the real Sri Lanka.
We begin with a visit to a traditional spice and Ayurveda garden, discovering the cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, cloves and herbs that have shaped both Sri Lankan cooking and traditional wellness practices for generations.
Then comes a little fun: we climb aboard local tuk-tuks and wind our way through the countryside past rice fields, rivers, village homes and temples.
One of the loveliest experiences of the journey follows: time spent in the home of a Sri Lankan woman, cooking alongside her rather than simply watching a demonstration. There will be stories, laughter, local ingredients and undoubtedly a few cooking secrets shared along the way.
Then we sit down together to enjoy the meal we’ve helped prepare.
This is exactly the kind of experience StoryScape loves: personal, genuine and difficult to capture from the window of a tour bus.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Amaya Hills, Kandy (Standard Room)
Amaya Hills is set among the green hills surrounding Kandy, offering beautiful views, peaceful surroundings and a relaxed mountain atmosphere
Day 5
Kandy: Culture, Connection & Wellbeing
Markets, inspiring women & time for yourself
This morning we explore the vibrant heart of Kandy, beginning at its colourful local market.
Wander among stalls piled with fresh produce, spices, flowers, and everyday goods, and enjoy the energy of local life unfolding around you.
Later, we meet a group of Sri Lankan women entrepreneurs and hear some of their stories. Through crafts, batik, traditional products and food, we get a glimpse into their creativity, determination and everyday lives.
The afternoon belongs to you.
A wellness specialist will introduce the traditional treatments available, including the natural oils and herbal preparations used. Choose a treatment if you feel like a little pampering, explore Kandy further, relax at the hotel or simply enjoy some quiet time.
Sometimes the best part of travelling is having time to do absolutely nothing.
Included meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Hotel: Amaya Hills, Kandy (Standard Room)
Amaya Hills is set among the green hills surrounding Kandy, offering beautiful views, peaceful surroundings and a relaxed mountain atmosphere
Day 6
The Magic of Ceylon Tea
Kandy to Nuwara Eliya | Sacred traditions, tea country & High Tea
Today takes us from the cultural heart of Kandy into Sri Lanka’s beautiful hill country.
We first visit the revered Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of the country’s most important religious sites, before travelling into a landscape of misty valleys, waterfalls and endless green tea-covered slopes.
At a working tea plantation and factory, discover the story behind world-famous Ceylon Tea, from the plants growing on the hillsides to the careful harvesting, processing and grading of the leaves.
And of course, there will be tea to taste.
Later we exchange tea fields for a touch of old-world elegance with traditional High Tea at the historic Grand Hotel in Nuwara Eliya.
Tea, sweet treats, savouries and a little colonial charm- a lovely way to end the afternoon.
Included meals: Breakfast, High Tea & Dinner
Hotel: Araliya Green Hills Hotel, Nuwara Eliya (Deluxe Room)
Araliya Green Hills offers a comfortable stay in Nuwara Eliya’s cool climate, close to the town’s colonial heritage and mountain scenery.
Day 7
Slow Down & Enjoy
Nuwara Eliya | A day with room to breathe
Not every memorable travel day needs to be packed with sightseeing.
Today is intentionally slower.
Enjoy a gentle exploration of Nuwara Eliya, with its cool mountain air, gardens and distinctive colonial character, before enjoying an afternoon completely at your own pace.
Book an optional spa or wellness treatment, wander around town, curl up with a good book, enjoy a cup of tea or simply spend time chatting with your fellow travellers.
In the evening, we come together again for a special Ladies’ Dinner, with Sri Lankan cuisine, local storytelling and plenty of time to laugh, talk and enjoy the friendships that have begun to form.
Because sometimes the conversations become as memorable as the places.
Included meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Hotel: Araliya Green Hills Hotel, Nuwara Eliya (Deluxe Room)
Araliya Green Hills offers a comfortable stay in Nuwara Eliya’s cool climate, close to the town’s colonial heritage and mountain scenery.
Day 8
One of Sri Lanka’s Great Journeys
Nuwara Eliya to Ella & Udawalawe | Scenic train, Nine Arch Bridge & waterfalls
Today we board the train at Nanu Oya for one of Asia’s most famous railway journeys.
As the train winds towards Ella, the scenery constantly changes: tea plantations, misty mountains, deep valleys, tiny villages and lush green countryside rolling past the windows.
On arrival in Ella, you’ll have time for a relaxed lunch at the popular Cafe Chill before continuing to explore.
We visit the famous Nine Arch Bridge, beautifully framed by forest and tea-covered hills, and stop at spectacular Ravana Falls before continuing towards Udawalawe.
It’s a full day, but one filled with those wonderful “this is why we travel” moments.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: The Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort (Deluxe Room)
Experience luxury at Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort with 4-star facilities, elegant rooms, and seamless access to Sri Lanka’s top wildlife attractions.
Day 9
Elephants & the Wild Side of Sri Lanka
Udawalawe | Conservation, wildlife & safari
Today belongs to nature.
We begin at the Elephant Transit Home, where orphaned young elephants are cared for and rehabilitated with the aim of eventually returning them to the wild. It’s an opportunity to learn more about conservation and some of the challenges facing Sri Lanka’s elephant population.
Later we head into Udawalawe National Park by private safari jeep.
Keep your eyes open as we travel through grasslands, forests and wetlands. Wild elephants are the stars here, but we may also encounter water buffalo, monkeys, crocodiles, deer and an extraordinary variety of birdlife.
Back at the hotel, there will undoubtedly be plenty of photographs, and perhaps some friendly debate about who spotted what first.
Included meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Hotel: The Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort (Deluxe Room)
Experience luxury at Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort with 4-star facilities, elegant rooms, and seamless access to Sri Lanka’s top wildlife attractions.
Day 10
From Wildlife to the Sea
Udawalawe to Unawatuna | Galle Fort & the southern coast
After breakfast we make our way towards Sri Lanka’s beautiful southern coastline.
Our main stop is historic Galle Fort, where centuries of history sit comfortably alongside cafés, boutiques, galleries and small local businesses.
Wander its atmospheric streets, browse at your own pace, stop for a coffee or simply enjoy the character of this fascinating old quarter.
From Galle we continue to Unawatuna, where the pace slows once again.
The afternoon is completely free. Find a spot beside the pool, head for the beach, explore the surrounding area or perhaps treat yourself to another optional wellness experience.
Shoes off. Shoulders down. We’re at the coast.
Included meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Hotel: CocoBay Unawatuna (Sea Escape Deluxe)
CocoBay offers a relaxed coastal setting where you can slow down after your journey through Sri Lanka’s cultural and hill-country regions.
Day 11
A Day to Be Yourself
Unawatuna | Beach time, relaxation & our farewell evening
Your final full day in Sri Lanka has no fixed programme.
And that is entirely intentional.
Sleep a little later. Spend time on the beach. Relax by the pool. Wander into town. Enjoy a leisurely lunch, book a treatment, read, chat or simply do whatever feels right.
After eleven days of discovering Sri Lanka together, today is about enjoying it on your own terms.
In the evening, we gather one last time for our Farewell Dinner, a relaxed celebration of the places we’ve seen, the experiences we’ve shared and the friendships made along the way.
One last evening. Plenty of stories.
Included meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Hotel: CocoBay Unawatuna (Sea Escape Deluxe)
CocoBay offers a relaxed coastal setting where you can slow down after your journey through Sri Lanka’s cultural and hill-country regions.
Day 12
Until Next Time, Sri Lanka
A relaxed farewell
Enjoy an unhurried final morning beside the coast.
There’s time for breakfast, perhaps one more walk outside and, naturally, one last cup of Sri Lankan tea.
At the appropriate time we transfer privately to Colombo International Airport for the journey home.
You’ll leave with photographs and souvenirs, of course, but hopefully also with something rather more valuable: memories of extraordinary places, encounters with remarkable people, new friendships and a deeper connection with this beautiful island.
Sri Lanka may be where the journey takes place. The stories you bring home are what make it yours.
Included meals: Breakfast