Finest of Ceylon

This morning, after breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to Habarana, in Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle, in the center of the island. The cultural triangle houses a collection of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, from the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa to the magnificent Sigiriya Rock Fortress to the intricate Cave Temples of Dambulla. It is also home to beautiful wildlife-rich national parks and forest reserves. Check in to your hotel.

In the afternoon, set off for Sigiriya and climb Sigiriya Rock, also known as the "Lion Rock." This "Fortress in the Sky," dating back to the 5th century, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Built by King Kassapa, it was a royal citadel for more than 18 years. This spectacular pillar of rock rises 200 meters from the scrub jungle, and the base of the rock is ringed by a moat and rampart, as well as extensive gardens, including the renowned water gardens. You might like to start with a visit to the Sigiriya Museum to learn more about the site before wandering through the vast landscaped gardens to the base of the rock. The climb to the top is steep and has many steps, with some sections where the path or staircase gets pretty narrow with sharp drops protected by fences. You will pass the famous frescoes of the "Heavenly Maidens" of Sigiriya in a sheltered pocket of the rock and the 10-foot-high Mirror Wall before arriving at the massive stone lion's paws. History depicts that the lion's mouth once served as the entrance to the final staircase leading to the summit, but today only its enormous paws remain. The almost 4-acre mountaintop, was once entirely covered in buildings, but today all that's left are the ruins of the royal citadel and its bathing pools.

(We do not recommend this for those without a head for heights or the less mobile. Depending on your level of fitness, the hike up and back down should take between 1.5 and 2.5 hours.)

Overnight stay in Habarana / Dambulla / Sigiriya

In the morning, after breakfast, leave for the second documented ancient capital, Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World Heritage site and Sri Lanka’s second kingdom that was once a well-planned medieval city defended by enclosing walls and strewn with palaces, monasteries, shrines, pavilions, parks, ponds, and irrigation lakes. By defeating the Chola invaders in 1070 AD to restore local rule to the nation, King Vijayabahu I established Polonnaruwa as the capital city. Over the next three centuries, it developed into a thriving commercial and religious center, reaching its pinnacle in the 12th century under King Parakramabahu I. Ruins in a remarkable state of preservation are found all across the city of Polonnaruwa. You can visit the museum for in-depth details and the Gal Vihara, which translates to "rock monastery" for the intricate sculptures of the reclining, standing, and seated Buddha that were cut from a single granite rock and ranks among the true treasures of Sri Lankan art.

In the afternoon, leave for Minneriya for a Jeep Safari. The park sits close to the giant Minneriya Tank and is hemmed in by Kaudulla National Park and Eco Park; it is where you go for the best chance of finding the Asian elephant in the wild. Between the smaller parks of Wasgamuwa and Kaudulla, Minneriya is part of what is known as the Elephant Corridor. A highlight of Minneriya is an annual event known as "The Elephant Gathering." which happens during August and September when hundreds of elephants migrate along the corridor from neighboring parks to feed on the fresh grass on the lake bed and all gather. At Minneriya, there are 24 resident animal species, including the Indian pangolin, sloth bears, several species of monkeys, and the Sri Lankan leopard. A 170 species of birds have been identified in the park, along with 25 species of reptiles and amphibians, including the critically endangered Slender Wood frog.

(Prepare for some bumpy and dusty roads. National parks can be crowded, particularly on weekends and during festivals. Depending on the movement of the elephants, you may visit the nearby Kaudulla National Park or Eco Park instead.)

Overnight stay in Habarana / Dambulla / Sigiriya

This morning, after breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to Kandy, visiting the Dambulla Cave Temples en route.

Explore the famed Golden Rock cave temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site dating back to the 1st century BC. This massive rock with its five caves, is Sri Lanka's largest and best-preserved cave-temple complex. Intricate Buddhist mural paintings across the sloped ceilings of the caves depicting scenes from Buddha's life (that cover an area of 2,100 square meters) are especially significant, as are the 157 statues, the most fascinating of which is a 47-foot-long statue of the reclining Buddha. This sacred complex was first used as a refuge by an ancient king who, upon regaining his throne, commissioned magnificent images to be carved from the rock. The hike up to the caves is short but steep. When you reach the top, you can explore the caves and take in the breathtaking, expansive views of the surrounding area.

After this, continue to Kandy, the bustling hill country capital that was the last kingdom of Sri Lanka and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is best known for the sacred Temple of the Tooth, and at the heart of the city is the scenic Kandy Lake, built-in 1807. In and around Kandy, there are plenty of things to do and places to see, from taking leisurely walks through the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and Udawatte Kele Forest Sanctuary to experiencing unique cultural events and religious parades.

Check in to your hotel and unwind for the evening.

Overnight stay in Kandy

Today after breakfast, visit the enchanting Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, where you will see a unique collection of exotic tropical and native flora, including the well-known Orchid House. Surrounded on three sides by the Mahaweli River, with origins dating back as far as 1371, these botanical gardens were founded in 1821 and are still home to one of the world’s largest collections of plants and trees. An orchid house, Giant Ficus trees, palms, and many other trees such as ebony, teak, satinwood, mahogany, and tamarind can be seen here. The garden steeped in history, was once reserved only for royalty and served as headquarters for Lord Louis Mountbatten, the supreme commander of the allied forces in South Asia, during the Second World War. In 1957 The gardens were used as a location in the film The Bridge on the River Kwai.

In the evening, enjoy exploring Kandy with your guide. Take a stroll along the town's beautiful centerpiece, the renowned Kandy Lake; walk through the busy streets of shops and the central market; and visit the local church, the garrison cemetery, the clock tower, and the historic railway station. Visit a gem museum, a traditional hand-carved wood factory, a batik studio where you will see the artisanal craft of creating traditional batik fabric, and the towering Bahirawakanda statue.

After this, visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic, housed within the royal palace complex of the ancient Kingdom of Kandy. Locally known as Sri Dalada Maligawa, it is considered the most sacred temple in Sri Lanka. It is within these magnificent temple walls that the sacred Tooth relic (Danta Dhatu), said to belong to Siddhārtha Gautama, Buddha himself is enshrined. This sacred relic is revered by Buddhists all over the world. Inside the temple the walls are adorned with intricate carvings and traditional art some of which depict stories of how Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. During the daily evening ‘puja’ crowds of pilgrims visit the temple to make offerings of flowers and line up to catch a glimpse of the golden casket said to hold the sacred relic.

Enjoy the cultural performance that follows at the Kandyan Arts & Cultural Center. The performance features beautiful and rhythmic and sometimes acrobatic traditional dancers and drummers and ends with an exciting fire walking display.

On completion, head back to your hotel and unwind for the evening.

Overnight stay in Kandy

After breakfast check out of your hotel and leave for Ella a little village nestled in the Sri Lankan hills. Ella town is surrounded by high mountains peaks that are covered with cloud forests and luscious green tea plantations, with breathtaking views of the central hills. It is well known for the for the Ella Gap. Ella is the starting point for many amazing trekking and hiking expeditions within the surrounding country side, with beautiful waterfalls to dip in and plenty of adventure to get into.

En-route visit a Tea Factory and a Tea Plantation where the best tea in the world is being produced. Enjoy a tour of the plantation, where you will learn the history of Sri Lankan tea, how its grown, watch how tea is plucked and even try it for yourself, after which you will tour the factory with a staff member who will explain the process of fermentation, rolling, drying, cutting, sieving and grading of tea. There are machines for almost every part of the process except of course the all-important tea tasting at the end of the process to determine the quality of the tea, which you get to do.

Afterwards, check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the evening.

Overnight stay in Ella

After breakfast, explore Ella town with your guide. Take a drive to a viewing point for the Ella Gap – a stunning gap in the mountains where you can see all the way up to the ocean on clear days. Visit the world-famous Nine Arch Bridge, hidden amidst lush tea plantations – also known as the “Bridge in the Sky” – it was built by connecting two mountains during the construction of the Badulla – Colombo railway by the British and can be accessed by a short hike or tuk tuk ride. Enjoy an exhilarating trek up to Little Adam’s Peak, wandering through tea estates and a well-marked trail to reach the summit with undisturbed views of the surrounding hills and valleys, including Ella Rock and the mythical Ravana Falls. The stunning Rawana Falls in Ella, is a sight to behold with a scenic backdrop of mountains and valleys. It is featured in the legendary Rawana epic, where Sita is said to have bathed from this waterfall while she was in captivity by King Rawana.

Afterwards, head back to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the evening.

Overnight stay in Ella

This morning, after breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to Weligama, which means "sandy village," a tranquil fishing village on the south coast, with a sweeping sandy bay, low curling waves, and spectacular orange sunsets. It is known for its distinctive stilt fishermen and beeralu lace-making, an intricate traditional art of lace-making. A hot spot for surfing, it is one of the best places to surf on the south coast; whether you are an expert or a beginner, you will find a beach to suit your skill level. Enjoy some sun, seafood, and cocktails on the beach in the lovely coastal town of Weligama.

Enjoy your day on the beach at leisure.

Overnight stay in Weligama

After breakfast, explore the city of Galle with your guide. Take a walk around the 17th-century Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is considered one of Asia's best-preserved colonial architectural gems and one of the very few living forts left in the world. Spend the day exploring its historical streets and quaint buildings, including churches, museums, and merchant houses, many of which have been restored and now house trendy shops, fusion restaurants, and cafes. The fort also offers stunning views of the Indian Ocean and the nearby harbour and a glimpse into Sri Lanka's rich cultural and colonial history. Wander around the streets of the fort, learning about its past from your guide; a walk along the fort walls from the lighthouse takes you around the fort, where you can watch the waves crash, catch a beautiful sunset across the sea, and see the old Dutch hospital, the court square, the clock tower and the famed Galle cricket stadium

Optional Activities you can choose for the afternoon:

Village bike ride –Further inland from the city you will find yourself in a rural village setting that you can explore by bike and surround yourself in the local way of life.

Visit to a cinnamon plantation - An insightful and hands on experience learning about the ins and outs of Sri Lankan cinnamon and its history.

Overnight stay in Weligama

Today spend your day indulging in some sun, seafood and cocktails on the beach.

Overnight stay in Weligama

Today head to the BIA international airport for your departure flight.