You’ll leave the departures area at Colombo International airport and be greeted by your personal driver and guide who after providing some light refreshments will take you to the town of Negombo for your first day in Sri Lanka.

Although a busy town it isn’t as busy as the capital and a good starting point for your adventures ahead. You’ll find this old Dutch Fort has many remnants of European influence with it being an important hub for both the Portuguese and British over the centuries.

Today is more of a relaxing day before you venture into the cultural heartlands of Sri Lanka and what better way to unwind then a tranquil walk down the beach watching the local fishermen taking their handmade boats out to catch fish. If you fancy something a bit more then head over to the Lellama fish market and watch as the fishermen come to sell their freshly caught fish.  

After breakfast you’ll be driven to the ancient town of Anuradhpura where you’ll spend the next two days. The legendary town is believed to be the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka so where better place to start then the Old Bodhi tree where it is said the Buddha attained enlightenment. There are a number of old ruin temples and spiritual sites to visit. 

A great way to get around is by bicycle as you can continue exploring old temples which during the Anuradhapura dynasty which survived for over a 1,000 years left a lasting legacy on the region and covers a large area.  Move onto the local villages and cycle by the busy streets and locals going about their daily business.  

Visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa and the ancient temple ruins that have stood for over a 1,000 years.  The ruins are surrounded by emerald green forests and the perfect setting for the Palaces and stupas. The towering granite Buddha is a spectacular site and a definite highlight.

After stepping back in time to an era forgotten you can take to the local village on a cycle and see how traditional Sri Lankan life now thrives. The tour includes a traditional lunch with the remainder of the day at your leisure. 

You’re day will be filled by visiting another of the oldest temple ruins found in Dambulla. Known as the Golden temple of Dambulla this UNESCO world heritage site is the largest of its kind in the country. The five caves perched high on a stone cliff face are painted in history with the remanence of Buddhist’s Gods and Goddesses from murals on the cave walls to statues adorning them.

You can either spend the remainder of the day by your hotel pool or visit the splendours of the nearby national park, Minneriya. The National park covers a large expanse of land which boasts dry tropical wetlands and grasslands and is home to a large herd of wild elephants and other game animals. Hiring a 4x4 jeep a specialist guide will take you on an adventure of a lifetime through streams and dry terrains on a search for these unusually elusive creatures.     

An early start today before the sweltering heat of the day takes effect, you’ll head over to Sigiriya, One of the most renowned rock fortresses in Sri Lanka. The climb up the steps to the summit of this 500ft rock face although pretty tough is worth every trickle of sweat. The views from the top are simply spectacular of the lush landscaped gardens and surrounding vast forests below. This is made all the more dramatic with the backdrop of the mountains in the horizon.    

Be sure to wear comfortable footwear and loose clothing and take plenty of water. Oh and make sure you take your camera as you’ll get carried away snapping away.

After the climb you’ll drive to the city of Kandy where you’ll spend the next two nights. On the way you’ll have the option of visiting the Spice gardens for some lunch. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. 

The most spiritually revered sites in Sri Lanka is found in Kandy at the Temple of the tooth relic. In the 4^th century the tooth of the Buddha was taken and secretly hidden in the temple. Today the temple attracts Buddhists from across the globe to pay their respects and warmly invites visitors too.

The nearby Botanical gardens is a lovely place to relax and have lunch whilst being surrounded by exotic flowers.

In the evening you’ll be treated to a traditional Kandian dinner and dance and dance the evening away till the early hours of the morning.  

Take the train through the scenic highlands to Bandarawela. Visit a local home and learn how to cook a traditional Sri Lanka dish for you to enjoy and try back home. The local town is busy and attracts many locals especially on a Sunday morning when the lively local market opens.   

Today you’ll take another local train to the nearby village of Udeweriya before you begin your hike. You’ll hike through stunning tea plantations where the local tea pickers are quietly working away. Walk by small Tamil villages and take pictures of the stunning plantations in all its glorious beauty.   

Its advisable to take decent walking shoes as the terrain can change quickly from rocky surfaces to muddy fields so a pair with good grip is a must.  

Set off on another walk as we know you’ll want to take in more of the stunning hill country. You can set the pace of the journey and stop by local villages and meet the locals who are always happy to greet visitors and showcase their spectacular surroundings.   

After a few days of hiking you’ll want to take some time to just relax and while the days away.  You’ll be heading to the Southern tip of Sri Lanka to the beach town of Mirissa. On the way you can stop at the Elephant transit home to visit the orphaned Elephants and help during their feeding time. Here the guides explain how they are cared for and helped back into their natural environment.

You’ll arrive at the paradise town of Mirissa ready to hit the beach and doze off in a hammock. This will be your home for the next two nights so get use to taking things at a beach-life pace.   

You might just want another day of doing nothing besides working on your tan and sipping cocktails but if you wanted to venture out then the local fishing village of Weligama is a great place to visit. Local fishermen drift ashore with baskets full of exotic and unusual seafood.   

Heading off to the old Dutch fortress of Galle, this UNESCO World heritage site is packed with old colonial architecture and buildings. Be sure to head to the fortress walls later in the afternoon and sit and watch as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean.     

You’re almost nearing the end of your epic adventure in Sri Lanka and where better to end your time then in the hustle and bustle of the Capital, Colombo. A walking tour is a great way to get around and see the main attractions such as the National Museum, Parliament, Independence Square and the local market is a great place to get your fill on some presents for the family back home. 

Your voyage of a lifetime has come to an end and after breakfast you’ll be driven back to the airport leaving behind this small island behind but which will have left a big impression in your memories for years to come.