SOUL CITY 

What You’ll Experience on this 13 day, 12 night retreat In Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a treasure trove of culture, aromatics, nature, Buddhism, historical wonder and more. On this yoga adventure, you’ll feel the hum of city life in Kandy and Colombo, smell (and taste!) the curry, hike, immerse, dine with locals, spy for leopards and sink your toes into the ocean. You’ll experience Buddhism, ancient and contemporary, and admire the Dutch and British colonial architecture of the past. You’ll ride the rails and wander the tea plantations. Sri Lankan history and culture are topped only by its natural beauty—from verdant forests to diverse mangroves, coral reefs and vast nature reserves. On this yoga retreat in Sri Lanka, you’ll learn why this island is called the Pearl of the Indian Ocean.
Did we mention you’ll also relax by the beach and safari through a nature reserve?! You’ll let the (curry) dust settle after each day of adventure with yoga sessions amongst new friends. 

The day to day schedule can be found on the Travel Yogi website:
https://thetravelyogi.com/yoga-retreats-adventures/sri-lanka/

DAY ONE
Ayubowan! Welcome to your magical yoga retreat Sri Lanka.Transfer from the airport to Negombo
Check in and chill out before a relaxing deplane-ing yoga session.Enjoy a welcome dinner and a recharging night’s sleep
DAY TWO
Explorations begin early today as we jump into the heart of Sri Lanka and the cultural triangle
Venture into Dambulla and awe at a site that has been venerated for over 22 centuries
This cave temple complex’s artistic intricacy beggars belief with carvings and murals that depict the life of the Buddha.
153 Buddha statues, as well as those of gods, goddesses and kings and queens adorn the five caves of this complex.Watch out for curious and mischievous macaques (ha!)Head to Sigiriya and absorb the day’s adventure on your mat
DAY THREE
This morning we’ll start early with a hike to the top of the stunning Sigiriya Rock Fortress
We’re starting out early to beat the crowds up the 1,200 steps so that reaching the top gives you unadulterated access to the crazy amazing view
Beautiful frescos and giant lion paws guarding the main gateway are two highlights of ‘Lion Rock’.Lunch today will be at a local restaurant with a twist.Here our Sri Lanka travel turns into a day-as-a-local as we get our hands into the mix learning how to create traditional, and uniquely Sri Lankan, Pol Sambole. With full bellies we head back out to explore the lesser explored Ritigala
This forest monastery is tucked away on the slopes of a densely wooded mountain side and protected by the Ritigala Strict Nature Reserve
get your Indiana Jones on as you head through the woods on ancient meditation paths to a complex dripping with ancient lore and centuries of worship.With heads and hearts full of stories we’ll head to our hotel and some grounding time on our mats.Dinner will be at our hotel with beautiful lake and paddy views
DAY FOUR
This morning we’ll start early with a hike to the top of the stunning Sigiriya Rock Fortress
We’re starting out early to beat the crowds up the 1,200 steps so that reaching the top gives you unadulterated access to the crazy amazing view
Beautiful frescos and giant lion paws guarding the main gateway are two highlights of ‘Lion Rock’.Heading back to the hotel we’ll unwind and relax from the climb and stunning morning adventures.Enjoy lunch with views out to Sigiriya and enjoy the afternoon in the pool, the spa or catching a nap With renewed energy we’ll head for some yoga.
DAY FIVE
At almost the halfway point in the adventure, we’ll have a day to relax, sleep in and choose your own adventure (or relaxation) Later morning yoga class and leisurely breakfast. Enjoy a stroll down memory lane with a retired planter and his stories and history. With today at your disposal you can lounge by the pool or book a mountain bike or walking trek, explore Aligala caves or hit the spa. With plenty of adventure still ahead, today’s choice is yours.A lovely group dinner at the hotel closes out this relaxation day
DAY SIX
Welcome the morning with a flow and a beautiful sunrise.Depart for Kandy and a day of local culture and tradition. Upon arrival in the colonial city of Kandy we’ll enjoy lunch and explore the local market and stalls. This afternoon we’ll meet up with our local Kandyan friend and his wife at their home and enjoy local tea, sweet treats and smiles. Go light at lunchtime so you can enjoy and indulge in the exquisitely homemade konda kavum, kokis and undu walalu. With friendships solidified over tea and treats, our friends will take us to the Temple of the Tooth Relic. With their help we’ll go through the local methods of adoration of this sacred Buddhist shrine and reliquary. From an afternoon of local culture, sweet treats and smiles, we’ll head back to the hotel for evening grounding yoga and dinner
DAY SEVEN
Enjoy the morning with a flow and delicious, river-side breakfast. This morning we’ll drive into the countryside and jump aboard a train.Traveling like the locals in 2nd class (first class is for tourists) we’ll chug through the Sri Lankan hill country and its stunning train-only villages and vistas
We’ll disembark in the hilly lushness of Ella in time for some relaxation or a light hike before a late afternoon yoga class. Enjoy an evening dinner surrounded by the sounds of nature and a stunning sunset
DAY EIGHT
This morning we’ll be up early for a hike up to the two most famous sights in Ella: Little Adams Peak and Nine Arch Bridge. Our early morning hike to Little Adams Peak will beat the heat and other hikers for the best views and photos of this gorgeous green giant.We’ll trek back for breakfast, but keep the trek shoes on as we set off for Nine Arch Bridge.A beautiful bit of architecture from when Sri Lanka was known as British Ceylon, we’ll arrive just in time to see a train cross the iconic bridge (pro tip: have your cameras ready).We’ll head back for lunch and this afternoon is all about tea.Giving the large plantations a miss, we’ll head to a small, family run, estate to learn how they hand-produce local artisanal tea. Depending on the point of production, we may get to give plucking or rolling a go – tea tasting will be a must! Back ‘home’ we’ll enjoy some hamstring relaxing yoga and a wonderful dinner in the hilly jungles of Ella.
DAY NINE
This morning we’ll head to support the helping hands at the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home
The rehabilitation center for injured and orphaned baby elephants is a research and conservation based center. Dedicated staff heal and train these babies with the skills their mom/herd would have given them so that they can be released into the wild to survive and thrive.We’ll hit a feeding time and watch these little guys run in to (loudly) slurp up their fill. With hearts full from the little ellies we’ll head out on safari in Udawalawe National Park. This elephant-centric national park steers clear of the crowds and traffic jams of Yala and allows nature to take center stage.
Elephant sightings are the main attraction in Udawalawe but keep your eyes open for wild buffaloes, jackals, crocodiles and (if we’re lucky) maybe even the elusive sloth bear or leopards
Leaving Udawalawe we’ll take off for the coast.
DAY TEN
Morning yoga on the stunning Sri Lankan coast and a relaxing breakfast. These next two days will be all about relaxation and/or (your choice) beach action. We’ll be staying right on the beach and you can choose to swim, surf, stroll the gardens, hit the spa, SUP, visit Bundala National Park or simply take a dip in the pool and chill
Arrival signals some well deserved time to sink your feet into the sand and relax.We’ll come together for evening yoga (if you can pull yourself away from the beach!) and group dinner.
DAY ELEVEN
Today is your last day to chill and make the most of the beautiful Sri Lanka coast.This morning we’ll start yoga a bit later to start the chill-day off on the right foot. We’ll enjoy a post-yoga breakfast together and then today’s activities are up to you
Lunch will be on property and wave hopping will be sure to get you in in time to fill your hungry belly. With sandy toes we’ll come together for this evening’s yoga retreat practice and seaside group dinner.
DAY TWELVE
This morning will be our closing yoga practice for the trip and a goodbye to the coast as we make our way to Colombo. Take in the Sri Lankan countryside as we head towards the largest city, and capital, of this island nation. En route to Colombo we’ll stop at the Galle Fort which has seen over 400 years of Sri Lankan history
This remarkable fort bears the influence of the Arab merchants, Portuguese sailers and colonizing Dutch who all set foot or made claim to this Indian Ocean island. Reaching Colombo we’ll head out to explore the ‘unseen Colombo’ with our local expert. As the sun sets we’ll head out on a leisurely walk through the Galle Face green and into the local neighborhood known as Slave Island
Colombo is an ever evolving city and the architectural gems of Slave Islands and its Dutch colonial past may not survive the renovation
Our final group dinner will be out on the amazing streets of Slave Island where we’ll partake in the not-to-be-missed street food of Colombo.
DAY THIRTEEN
Today is goodbye to our Sri Lanka travel and each other. Breakfast this morning is our chance to collect emails for photo sharing and final packing
Transfers to the airport, hugs and goodbyes.