In the Footsteps of Buddha
An Exclusive Group Journey
Through Sri Lanka
9–22 January 2027
Together with Sri Lanka specialist Lena Skogström, experience Sri Lanka’s temples, cultural traditions, misty highlands and peaceful southern coast in a slower and more thoughtful way.
Small personal group • Boutique hotels • Swedish tour leader • International flights included
Limited number of places available.
More Than a Classic Round Trip
This is a journey through Sri Lanka at a slower pace — where the experiences, the people and the feeling of the country are given space to truly be felt.
Over two weeks, we travel through ancient temple cities, lush highlands and Sri Lanka’s southern coast, with time for both meaningful experiences and moments of rest along the way.
Temple Rituals & Buddhist Traditions
Experience Sri Lanka’s Buddhist traditions, temple ceremonies and sacred historical sites together with one of Sweden’s most experienced Sri Lanka specialists.
The Highlands & Sri Lanka’s Lush Landscapes
Travel through Sri Lanka’s misty highlands with rolling tea plantations, cool mountain air and lush green landscapes where the pace becomes slower and nature takes on a greater presence.
Boutique Hotels & Atmosphere
Stay at handpicked boutique and heritage hotels carefully selected for their atmosphere, character and sense of place.
The South Coast & Slower Days
End the journey along Sri Lanka’s peaceful southern coast with time to unwind, reflect and embrace a slower rhythm by the ocean.
9–22 January 2027
Join Lena Skogström and Palmaer Travel on a carefully designed journey through Sri Lanka’s ancient temples, Buddhist traditions, lush highlands and peaceful southern coastline.
This is more than a classic roundtrip.
It is a journey created with depth, balance and presence in mind, where meaningful experiences are combined with handpicked boutique hotels, beautiful landscapes and time to truly take it all in.
Travel through Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Sri Lanka’s southern coast while experiencing temple ceremonies, historic sites, tea plantations and moments of stillness along the way.
Led by one of Sweden’s most experienced Sri Lanka voices, this journey offers a rare opportunity to experience the country beyond the surface in a smaller, personal group setting.
From 47,950 SEK per person
Including international flights
• Small group journey
• Swedish tour leader
• Boutique & heritage hotels
• Carefully curated experiences
• Swedish travel protection via Travel Experts
Limited number of places available.
1. Arrival & A Gentle Beginning
Day 1
The journey begins at a slower pace, allowing time to truly arrive — both in Sri Lanka and within yourself.
Surrounded by tropical greenery and stillness, your first night is spent at an elegant boutique hotel near the airport, where the body can gently settle into the rhythm of the journey ahead.
2. Sri Lanka’s Historic Heart
Day 2–3
Travel through ancient temple cities and sacred places where Buddhist traditions have lived on through generations.
In Anuradhapura, you experience Sri Lanka’s spiritual and historical heart through ceremonies, temple surroundings and quiet moments that allow the atmosphere of the place to truly unfold.
3. Sigiriya & Stillness in Nature
Day 4–6
The landscape gradually changes as the journey continues toward Sigiriya and Sri Lanka’s greener regions.
Here, historical sites, nature and time for restoration come together in a slower rhythm, where the days balance meaningful experiences with rest, ayurveda and stillness surrounded by lush greenery.
4. Kandy & Buddhist Traditions
Day 7–8
In Kandy, you encounter Sri Lanka’s living Buddhist traditions through temple ceremonies, conversations and experiences that offer a deeper understanding of the country and its culture.
The journey then continues toward places where nature, open views and quiet surroundings create space for reflection and presence.
5. The Highlands & Tea Plantations
Day 9
The journey continues into Sri Lanka’s cooler highlands where mist-covered hills, rolling tea plantations and colonial charm set the tone.
A slower day unfolds among beautiful landscapes, afternoon tea and an atmosphere that feels as though it belongs to another era.
6. The South Coast & A Gentle Ending
Day 10–14
Along Sri Lanka’s southern coast, the pace slows even further.
The days are shaped freely with time by the ocean, long lunches, quiet mornings and the opportunity to explore small coastal villages, cafés and beaches along the way.
A soft and relaxed ending to a journey that stays with you long after returning home.
More Than a Classic Roundtrip
This journey through Sri Lanka has been carefully designed for travelers seeking more than simply seeing as much as possible in a short amount of time.
Instead of rushing between destinations, the journey moves in a softer rhythm where culture, history, nature and moments of stillness are allowed to coexist naturally.
You will experience ancient Buddhist sites, temple ceremonies, tea-covered highlands and the peaceful southern coastline while staying in handpicked boutique and heritage hotels chosen for their atmosphere, character and sense of place.
Throughout the journey, there is space to pause, reflect and truly connect with both the destination and the experience itself.
This is Sri Lanka experienced with depth, presence and care.
The small group size allows space for presence, connection, and a truly personal experience throughout the journey.
What Is Included
This small group journey through Sri Lanka has been carefully designed to create a balanced travel experience where culture, nature, relaxation and comfort come together naturally throughout the journey.
Included in the journey:
• International return flights
• 14 days through Sri Lanka
• Handpicked boutique and heritage hotels
• Daily breakfast
• Selected dinners and experiences according to the program
• Swedish tour leader with Lena Skogström
• All transportation and transfers within Sri Lanka
• Temple visits and cultural experiences according to the itinerary
• Visits to Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Sri Lanka’s southern coast
• Time for relaxation and experiences in a slower rhythm
• Swedish travel protection via Travel Experts
From 47,950 SEK per person
Including international flights
Limited number of places available.
The Journey Experience
Spiritual Sri Lanka is a carefully curated group journey departing in January 2027, created for those who wish to explore the island’s spiritual and cultural depth at a calm and considered pace.
The journey is shaped by long-standing experience and close collaboration with trusted local hosts, offering access to authentic experiences beyond the usual highlights—without compromising on comfort or safety.
Every element of the journey is thoughtfully composed to create a sense of continuity, presence, and deeper connection. The detailed itinerary and full programme are shared through personal contact.
Your Swedish Tour Leader – Lena Skogström
Lena Skogström has had Sri Lanka as part of her life for nearly 50 years. Her relationship with the country extends far beyond travel — it is rooted in people, culture, and a deep understanding of Sri Lanka’s history and traditions.
Throughout the journey, she shares her knowledge and personal experiences, helping to create meaningful connections between the places we visit. She provides context, answers questions, and offers a steady presence that brings clarity and reassurance to the experience as a whole.
Lena also has a personal interest in Ayurveda and appreciates how Sri Lanka’s traditional knowledge systems remain a natural part of everyday life.
Travelling with Lena in a small group is a rare opportunity. Through decades of dedication and experience, she has become one of Sweden’s most respected names in Sri Lanka tourism.
Lena Skogström – Experience & Background
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Nearly 50 years of connection to Sri Lanka
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Extensive experience working with Sri Lanka as a destination
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Has represented leading Sri Lankan hotel and travel industry partners
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Engaged in Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)
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Deep knowledge of Sri Lanka’s culture, history and societal development
Highlights along the way
Spiritual Sri Lanka is a carefully composed group journey exploring Sri Lanka’s spiritual and cultural landscapes — at a calm pace and with a strong focus on comfort.
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Visits to Buddhist temples and places of deep historical and spiritual significance
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Encounters and ceremonies offering insight into Buddhist tradition and daily life
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Time for restoration, with elements of Ayurveda, stillness, and nature
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Carefully chosen settings that invite presence and quiet reflection
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Travel through varied landscapes, from cultural heartlands to lush highland scenery
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A gentle conclusion that brings together the impressions and experiences of the journey.
This journey is designed for travellers seeking a more considered way of exploring Sri Lanka — where content, pace, and overall balance matter more than seeing “everything.” It offers space for both experience and reflection, supported by a safe, well-established arrangement and long-standing expertise.
The journey day by day
A journey that moves in a natural rhythm between experience, stillness, and restoration.
Here is an overview of how the days unfold, thoughtfully designed, yet with space for what naturally arises along the way.
Day 1–3
Arrival & the cultural heart of
Sri Lanka
Your journey begins in a peaceful setting near the airport, allowing you to gently arrive – both in the country and within yourself.
You then travel north to Anuradhapura, one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities and a sacred center of Buddhism.
Here, you take part in ceremonies, explore temple grounds, and gain your first insight into the spiritual life that shapes Sri Lanka.
Day 4–6
Nature, stillness & Sigiriya
The journey continues through historical landscapes to Mihintale and onward to Sigiriya.
You experience a balance of nature and history – from sacred sites to peaceful walks in lush surroundings.
A visit to Ritigala offers a deeper sense of stillness, while climbing Sigiriya at sunrise becomes a defining moment of the journey.
Day 7–8
Kandy & meaningful encounters
In Kandy, the journey deepens further.
Through personal conversations with a monk, you gain insight into Buddhist philosophy and daily life, followed by an evening visit to the Temple of the Tooth – one of Sri Lanka’s most sacred places.
These days allow space for reflection, presence, and perspective.
Day 9–10
The highlands & tea country
The landscape shifts as you ascend into the cool highlands, surrounded by rolling hills and endless tea plantations.
You gain insight into the craftsmanship behind Ceylon tea before arriving in Nuwara Eliya – a place shaped by colonial heritage.
The day concludes with a classic afternoon tea in an atmosphere from another era.
Day 11–14
South coast & a gentle ending
The final days unfold along Sri Lanka’s southern coast.
Here, the pace slows. Days are open, shaped by the ocean, the light, and the rhythm of the surroundings.
There is space to explore – or simply to be.
A soft ending where the journey is allowed to settle before returning home.
Carefully Selected Accommodations
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Boutique and characterful heritage hotels
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Peaceful retreats in natural surroundings
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Carefully selected properties reflecting local architecture and atmosphere
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Comfortable accommodations designed for rest and reflection
Throughout the journey, accommodation is chosen with great care to support the overall pace, atmosphere, and intention of the experience. Rather than focusing on large or generic hotels, we prioritise places that offer calm surroundings, personal service, and a strong sense of place.
The selected accommodations are chosen for their character, comfort, and location, allowing time to unwind and reflect at the end of each day. Wherever possible, they are closely connected to nature or cultural settings, creating a natural extension of the journey itself.
Accommodation details are shared as part of the personal programme presentation.
Practical Considerations
Is this a group journey or a private tour?
In the Footsteps of Buddha is a group journey with a limited number of participants. The format allows for a personal and cohesive experience, while being professionally guided and organised throughout.
When does the journey take place?
The journey is scheduled to depart in January 2027. Exact dates and practical details are shared through personal contact.
What is included in the journey?
The journey includes accommodation at carefully selected properties, transportation during the trip, and planned experiences as outlined in the programme, along with local expertise throughout. Full details are provided in the detailed itinerary.
How physically demanding is the journey?
The journey is designed at a calm and considered pace. Some walking and light activity may be involved, but no special physical preparation is required. The programme allows time for rest and recovery.
What kind of accommodation can I expect?
Accommodation is carefully selected with a focus on comfort, character, and surroundings, supporting the overall flow and intention of the journey.
Who is this journey suitable for?
This journey is ideal for travellers seeking a more thoughtful way of exploring Sri Lanka, with an emphasis on culture, spirituality, and overall balance rather than a fast-paced itinerary.
How do I receive the full itinerary?
The detailed itinerary is shared through personal contact, where practical arrangements and any questions are reviewed together.
