Arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport, meet our representative and transfer to Habarana, a town in the central highlands of the country. Enroute, visit the Dambulla Cave Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple is a complex of five caves that are home to over 1500 statues of Buddha, paintings depicting scenes from the life of Buddha and other Hindu deities. Continue to Habarana, arrive, and check in at your hotel. Rest of the evening is at leisure.
Overnight.
After breakfast, check out and visit Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city was once the capital of Sri Lanka, and is home to ancient ruins, including the Royal Palace, the Quadrangle and the Gal Vihara.
In the afternoon, drive to Minneriya National Park for a safari. The park is home to elephants, deer, monkeys, and crocodiles. In the evening, return to Habarana and relax by the pool or enjoy local cocktails at your own expense.
Overnight.
After breakfast, climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fortress is a massive rock that rises to 660 feet Built in the 5th century by King Kashyapa, it is home to several ruins, including the Lion’s Paw Terrace, the Mirror Wall, and the frescoes. The climb to the top of the fortress is challenging, but the views from the top are worth it.
In the afternoon, return to Habarana. This evening, enjoy a cooking demonstration at the hotel to learn how to make traditional Sri Lankan dishes.
Overnight.
After breakfast, drive towards Kandy, the former capital of Sri Lanka visiting a spice garden enroute at Matale and continue to Kandy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This afternoon, enjoy a city tour, visit the Temple of the Tooth – the most important Buddhist shrine in Sri Lanka, Kandy Lake, the Peradeniya Gardens, and the Kandy Esala Perahera. In the evening, enjoy a cultural dance show.
Overnight.
After breakfast, transfer to Nuwara Eliya, a hill station in the central highlands. Visit a tea factory to learn about how tea is manufactured and graded. In the afternoon, arrive in Nuwara Eliya. There are several hiking trails in the area and opportunities for fishing, golfing, and horse riding.
Overnight.
After breakfast, transfer to Nanu Oya Station for a train ride to scenic Ella, a popular tourist destination in the hill country. In the afternoon, climb Little Adams Peak for stunning views of the surrounding area. Visit the beautiful Demodara Nine Arch Bridge, hidden between lush green tea fields.
Overnight.
After breakfast, transfer to Yala National Park, the most visited and second largest national park. Enjoy a jungle safari and spot elephants, leopards, bears, boars, crocodiles and more. The park’s ecosystems, include marine wetlands, sandy beaches, rocky outcrops, moist monsoon forests and grasslands. Yala is known for its high density of leopards.
Overnight.
After breakfast, transfer to Bentota, a beach resort town on the south coast via Galle. Visit Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that the Portuguese built in the 16th century. In the afternoon, continue to Bentota. Arrive, check in at your hotel, and relax for the rest of the day.
Overnight.
After breakfast, relax on the beach or enjoy optional water sports: Learn bodysurfing or diving, go jet-skiing, windsurfing, or parasailing. Or take an optional Culture Tour which includes a visit to an Ayurveda clinic, a toddy production facility, a mask-making workshop, a traditional puppet show and a turtle hatchery. Or take a romantic river safari on the Bentota River and Lagoon.
Overnight.
After breakfast, drive to Colombo, the capital of the country. Arrive and enjoy a city tour: visit Colombo Fort, the Old Parliament Building, a Hindu Temple, a Dutch Church, the BMICH, and Independence Square. Also go shopping at ODEL, House of Fashion and Laksala, which are famous fashion and souvenir centres in Sri Lanka. Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
End of Tour.