Compare Sri Lanka Photography Holiday by Creative Escapes vs Sri Lanka by Travel for All

DAYS 1 & 2 : COLOMBO

On arrival to your Sri Lanka photography holiday, we whisk you straight off for some rest and recuperation at our luxury private hideaway, The Walawwa, a hip refurbished colonial house set in stunning 4-acre gardens just outside Colombo. Unwind into your holiday with a dip in the 16-metre pool, or catch some zzz’s in one of the sunkissed hammocks, then later grab your camera for the first session on camera basics, all in non-techy language.

Next day, we try out our new found skills at the nearby fishing port of Negombo, shooting the colorful catamaran fleet of large-sailed or was boats returning with their catch of ocean fish, crab and lobster, providing ample temptation to tuck into some of the island’s finest seafood for dinner. Yum.

DAYS 3 & 4 : KANDY & DAMBULLA

Considered to be one of the finest train journeys in the world, this morning we board the train with the locals and spend 3 hours climbing through stunning tropical plantations, jungle waterfalls and rolling valleys up to Kandy, the hill capital of Sri Lanka.

We’ll take a hike through the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens to shoot the majestic Javan fig tree, dressed in scores of fruit bats, before a dusk visit to Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist shrine, The Temple of the Tooth.

The next day, at our mountain retreat hotel – set in over 50 acres of organic farmlands, with long, lush views over forested hills and the Mahaweli river snaking through the valley below – we’ll build on our new skills, exploring techniques used by professional photographers to shoot still life, interiors and architecture.

Today, we visit one of Sri Lanka’s most important temples, at Dambulla, with over 2 kilometers of murals in a temple underneath a majestic 160m rock. A sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, this cave monastery, with its five sanctuaries, is the largest, best-preserved monument in Sri Lanka. Outside, 157 statues, incredible sweeping vistas; chance to generate some incredible imagery for your collection.

DAY 5: ELLA

Next morning ,we board the mountain train, and head south, journeying at a leisurely pace through the heartland of Sri Lanka’s hill country, and chance to shoot incredible landscapes of hill stations, carpeted tea plantations, mountain ranges, plus railway life as we stop off at rural stations to stock up on sweet tea and snacks.

This is a traveling classroom, our team roaming the carriages helping you craft fine art landscapes of these ever-shifting vistas, giving individual tuition on tripod use, composition, styling and impact. You’ll even get chance to shoot some people; we’ve plenty of tips to make those images sing too.

After a long day’s photographing, we relax in the canopied jungles of Ella, everyone’s favorite hill country village. We’ll have a review of the finest of the day, and get chance for a walk through tea plantations to temples, waterfalls and viewpoints.

DAYS 6 & 7 : YALA & TANGALLE

It’s only a short hop to Yala from here, so early we’ll board our 4×4 elevated Jeep, and entering the realms of the leopard, crocodile and sloth bear at Yala National Park, touring at speed to capture nature in the wild. Monkeys crashing through the trees in this vast region of dry woodland and open patches of grasslands; with elephants and crocodiles ambling about and cunning leopards sliding like shadows through the undergrowth. This the Jungle Book brought to glorious life – and enormous fun.

Later, we’ll review our best images of the day on our big screen by the pool at Tangalle, then kick back and relax beachside, enjoying a glass of something cold. Next day is a you day, chance to take a breath and enjoy some seclusion on Sri Lanka’s southernmost shores overlooking the Indian Ocean.

Beach-blessed Tangalle is the go-to place for laid-back, forget-about-everything lounging.

DAY 8: GALLE

This morning, we’ll take a look at the masters of portrait photography, and understand how to craft people images with impact, before venturing inland to the world-renowned 140-year-old Handunugoda Tea Estate, where you’ll learn about the plantation history and try out documentary & portrait photography – right in the plantations where they make the world’s most expensive and renowned Ceylon Virgin White Tea. Later, we’ll capture stunning architecture shots in the grounds of historic Galle Fort – a World Heritage site and Sri Lanka’s most perfectly preserved colonial town – where time-warped streets lined with historic Dutch villas sit hidden behind enormous ramparts. Late afternoon, we shoot fishermen at Unawatuna, a picturesque bay with ramshackle charm, then come evening dine out in one of the many candle-lit cafes strewn along the horseshoe-shaped beach.

DAYS 9 & 10: COLOMBO

We’ll slowly make our way north, and discover the delights of Colombo, before editing down all of your best images of the week, and get ready for our final night pop-up exhibition in the grounds of the hotel – first a cocktail reception, then a gourmet dinner to celebrate all our exploits.

Next morning, chance to get some final 1-on-1 feedback from your professional tutors on your progress emerging style and tips on where next to take your photography. Before lunch, we sadly say our farewells, exchange email addresses with new found friends (and creative collaborators) – chance to reflect on 10 days on world-famous trains, adventure-laden safaris, stilt fishermen, World Heritage sites and the fine taste of the world’s most expensive cuppa.

Day 1: Arrival In Colombo – Negombo

Welcome to Sri Lanka!

We have conceived with care, itineraries comfortably designed to welcome manual wheelchair users, answering the needs of less mobile travelers to enable an exciting and serene visit of Sri Lanka.

We wish you a great trip to Sri Lanka, rich in encounters and discoveries.

Upon arrival, warm welcome at the airport by your guide and your driver.

Drive to the local market of Negombo located nearby the airport. This market is the 2nd most important one of the island. You will find there all kinds of fishs and sea shells displayed directly on the floor. This visit is an ideal occasion to immerse yourself sofly in the local ambiance.

Tour of the little town of Negombo.

After those visits, check in at your hotel located by the sea, in the little town of Negombo.

Lunch at the hotel.

Free time in the afternoon to relax.

Day 2: Negombo - Sigiriya

Today, drive to the center of Sri Lanka, to explore the great treasures of the island.

You will cross a part of the island of Ceylon with its rich landscapes and lush vegetation. Do not be surprised if elephants cross the road in front of your vehicle!

North of Sri Lanka offers one of the best highlights of the island with its former capitals Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura.

Lunch will be served on the way in a comfortable local restaurant.

In mid-afternoon, you will reach the great rock of Sigiriya. It is an enormous red stone overlooking by 150 meters a lush forest. Photo stop to admire this spectacular landscape.

Check-in and dinner at your hotel

Day 3: Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa - Sigiriya

In the morning, drive north bound to explore the great archeological site of Polonnaruwa. This site was at the 11th century the capital of the kingdom of Ceylon. Numerous palaces and temples were built there, making this area the most active place of the island for art and religion.

Now that this site has been invaded by the forest, it has become a peaceful archeological park.

Have a tour of 2 to 3 hours to explore the major sites of this area.

Visit a wood art factory located nearby the site.

Lunch in a local restaurant with a fantastic view on the lake.

After lunch, drive back to your hotel.

Enjoy some time to relax in the afternoon.

Day 4: Sigiriya

In mid-morning, departure to the country side of Sri Lanka for a moment among nature.

In a traditional house of the region, be welcome by a local family for an unforgettable encounter.

In company of your host, learn about the local gastronomy and give a hand in the kitchen to help preparing the traditional meal: “Rice and Curry”!

Local lunch in a traditionnal house.

Back to the hotel for some free time.

At the end of the afternoon, head to a massage parlor for 1h30 of Ayurveda massage. Select the treatment of your choice.

Day 5: Sigiriya - Matale - Kandy

Today, drive to the city of Kandy, the spiritual capital of the island.

On your way, in Matale, visit spices gardens with pepper, cardamom, chilly etc.

With your local guide you will learn plenty about those condiments and plants.

Lunch at the spice gardens.

Continue your journey to Kandy. Located at 350 meters of altitude and surrounded by hills, Kandy is the cultural center of the country.

The city became British in 1815. Nested between rice fields and tea plantations, circled by the great river of Mahaweli, Kandy is a handicraft, art and dance jewel.

Arrival at your hotel in Kandy and check-in into your rooms.

At the end of the afternoon, head to the central lake of the city to enjoy a traditional dance show: dance of the fire, dance of the harvest, dance of the offerings etc are performed in colorful traditional costumes along with musicians.

Continue to the Temple of the Tooth. Not to be missed in Kandy, this temple which was achieved in 1782. It hosts one of the most precious relic of Buddhism: the tooth of the “illuminated”, the tooth of Buddha. This tooth would have been saved from the flames in 543 BC, then after epic stories, it would have traveled to Ceylon. It has become the most precious treasure of the island.

Day 6: Kandy - Pinnawela - Kandy

This morning, departure for the Elephants sanctuary!

The place belongs to a local family taking care of retired elephants.

Visit of the foundation.

At the artisanal workshop, the elephants’ poo is recycled to make … writing paper!

It is now time for the bath of the elephants. The peaceful giants invite you to come and scrub their back!

Lunch by the river, in the park of the foundation.

On your way back to Kandy in the afternoon, stop for a nice promenade in the great gardens of

Peradeniya : the largest botanical garden of the island, covering 60 hectares nested by the banks of the river Mahaweli. This garden offers an impressive collection of orchids and of palm trees planted in 1950.

Moment of leisure at your hotel and departure for dinner in a restaurant offering a fantastic panoramic view on the city.

Day 7: Kandy - Nuwara Eliya

This morning, departure to a hilly region of Sri Lanka: the region of Nuwara Eliya.

You will explore today the country of Tea! Landscapes of the plantations are unique. The quality of the tea depends on the altitude at which it is cultivated. The harvest is, still today, done by hand by women generally dressed in their traditional outfit: the longhi.

Visit of a tea plantation and tasting of one of the best tea in the world !

Lunch in Nuwara Eliya.

The afternoon will be dedicated to a visit of the small town of Nuwara Eliya. Nuwara Eliya is an enchanting place located in the mountains, which is very different from the rest of the country. Your are transported to the ancient colonial atmosphere of Sri Lanka, surrounded by English cottages, golf courses and colonial buildings.

Arrival in mid-afternoon at your hotel.

Day 8: Nuwara Eliya - Yala National Park

Departure to Yala, at the extreme south of the island.

You will take the most scenic road of the country before going back down the southern meadows.

Arrival in Yala National Park. Check-in in your hotel located in the heart of the National Park. You will probably witness elephants crossing the yard of your hotel.

Lunch in your lodge in Yala National Park.

In mid-afternoon you will get onboard a Jeep for an adventurous tour in the National Park. Created in 1899, this reserve is 1200 km. It is a great spot to watch wildlife.

Day 9: Yala National Park - South of Sri Lanka

Beginning of the morning to enjoy the park before driving on the beautiful road along the coast of the island.

Lunch with a great view on the ocean.

Arrival at your hotel for 4 nights.

Day 10: South of Sri Lanka - Galle

In the morning, departure for a tour to the city of Galle.

Galle is an ancient Dutch counter and is one of the most charming place of the island. Inside the fort, you will enjoy wandering in the small streets.

This quiet city of 76.000 people used to be the main Dutch counter for the trade of spices. You will see colonial buildings as well as the « Groote Kerk », a church built in 1754.

Time at leisure for souvenir shopping.

Back to the hotel in the afternoon.

Day 11: South of Sri Lanka

Day at leisure to enjoy your hotel and its surroundings.

Day 12: South of Sri Lanka - Departure

Morning at leisure to prepare your suitcase.

Transfer to the airport depending on the schedule of your international flight.

Say good-bye to the land of tea and spices!