Ayu-bowan! Welcome to Sri Lanka. Upon leaving the arrivals hall look out for your driver and personal tour guide throughout your time in Sri Lanka. Your adventure begins in the town of Negombo, located close to the International airport. You’ll be driven to your first hotel where you can spend the day at leisure.  

Check out and drive to Habarana (Approx 4 hours). En Route you’ll stop to explore the amazing Dambulla Cave Temples which are located high on a stone cliff face. Some 150 Buddah images adorn the five caves, with fascinating frescoes and paintings on the walls and roofs.

Notes: There are numerous steps to get to the caves. You will need to remove your shoes and be dressed appropriately, with shoulders and legs covered, to enter.

Hereon you’ll continue onto your hotel for the next three nights and have the rest of the day at your leisure.

After a leisurely breakfast you’ll be taken to Polonnaruwa, the capital of the Indian Chola Dynasty after Anuradhapura was conquered in the late 10^th century. These ruins are close together and generally in much better repair than those at other historical sites in Sri Lanka. Once the heat of the day has eased you’ll visit more Palaces, temples and stupas. One of the highlights will be the massive stone Buddhas: 14 metre-high granite carvings of the iconic reclining Buddha which represent the Zenith of Sinhalese rock carving. You'll also visit the well laid-out museum, which has scale models of many of the buildings to show how they would have lived.

Today will be a real treat. First up you’ll be taken to Sigiriya Rock Fortress – Home to the 5th century “Fortress in the Sky” which is perhaps one of the most fascinating single wonders in Sri Lanka. Be sure to wear comfortable loose clothing and trainers or climbing boots as it is a climb to the summit. The views from the top will most certainly make it all worthwhile. It is known as the Lion rock because of the huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the fortress. Within its triple-moated defence the huge rock rises almost 500ft. On its summit are the fountains of what once was a great and Palace and gardens.

Upon your decent and after catching your breath back, you’ll be driven to Minneriya National Park. Your driver can help you source a good Jeep, professional driver/guide and entrance fee to the National Park all at a reasonable cost. Be sure to sit back and hold on tight as your Elephant trek begins. If you’re lucky and within the migration season you could be treated to a large number of elephants gathering at one of the water tanks to drink, bath and socialise.

The rest of the day will be at your leisure. 

pool.

You should have started to notice a pattern beginning to emerge, early morning starts! After breakfast your guide will drive you to Trincomalee.
Discover the beach vibes of Trincomalee, relax in the shade of a palm tree whilst sipping a lovely cocktail. Trincomalee is said to be one of the world’s finest deep-water harbours, attracting famous sailors like Marco Polo to its shores. Your guide can take you around for a City tour or you can simply sit back and relax by the pool.

Take the day to enjoy a range of optional activities like snorkelling at Pigeon Island, or climb aboard a boat for some whale and dolphin watching in the bay. Don’t feel like doing anything? Then simply sit back, relax and enjoy the peaceful beach lifestyle.

Onwards to the physical and spiritual heart of the country the former home of the last Sri Lankan king, another world Heritage City. Traditions and culture remains undisturbed by European influence in the colonial era, the royal Palace called as “The Temple of the Tooth Relic”, but the temple visit will be left for tomorrow. On your drive to Kandy your driver will take you to the Spice market in Mathale. If you like vibrant colours and aromatic spices then you’ll love it here.

You’ll continue onto Kandy where you’ll check into your hotel and with the rest of the day at your leisure. 

Observe locals worshiping in Kandy’s Temple of the Tooth, one of Sri Lanka’s most sacred shrines and home to the tooth relic of the Buddha. Ever since the 4th Century A.D when the Buddha’s Tooth was brought to Sri Lanka hidden from sacrilegious hands in an Orissa, the Relic has grown in popularity and holiness in Sri Lanka and throughout the Buddhist world. It is considered Sri Lanka’s most prized possession.

You’ll be taken to the wonderful Botanical Gardens and around the City for a Tour before being taken back to your hotel.

Another early start but today’s drive will be one of the most spectacular drives you’ll ever embark on. Past lush green hills and gushing waterfalls (approximately 3 hours). This old British hill station is the heart of the tea growing industry and full of colonial charm. Built entirely during the 19th century, its quirky architecture reflects what you'd normally expect to find in an English country village, which will make you feel like you've stepped back in time. Once known as 'Little England' by British colonialists, it’s a fascinating mix of Victorian buildings, golf courses and tea plantations. You’ll visit a Tea factory and get to understand the processes of making that small little teabag we all enjoy drinking in the morning. Head to your accommodation and enjoy the views across the hills and tea plantations.

Today will be an early start and probably the most challenging of your trip. Rising early to head to Horton Plains for a trek through the UNESCO World Heritage site. Perched on the very edge of the hill country midway between Nuwara Eliya and Haputale, Horton Plains National Park covers a wild stretch of bleak, high-altitude grassland bounded at its southern edge by the dramatically plunging cliffs that mark the edge of the hill country, including the famous World’s End, where the escarpment falls sheer for the best part of a kilometre to the lowlands below. Set at an elevation of over two thousand metres, Horton Plains are a world apart from the rest of Sri Lanka, a misty and rain swept landscape whose cool, wet climate has fostered the growth of a unique but fragile ecosystem.

Upon completing the trek you’ll be taken back to your hotel for some well earned R&R for the remainder of the day.

Checking out and leaving the beautiful Hill country behind you’ll take the long drive to your final destination for the next three nights, Bentota. This beach resort will be the perfect place to just relax and reflect on your great Sri Lankan adventure.     

The day is yours and a great way to spend it would be a spot of snorkelling, diving or water sports. Away from the beach you can find a number of islets surrounded by coral formations. You’ll get to see a diverse range of marine fish and large water turtles that congregate around the reefs. For diving enthusiasts there are also diving schools nearby that offer PADI courses and equipment and you can explore up to four shipwrecks for that extra wow factor.   

You’ve almost come to the end of your memorable journey so take in as much of Sri Lanka as you can. If that doesn’t appeal then why not visit one of the specialist Ayurveda treatment spa’s leaving you refreshed and rejuvenated for your journey back home tomorrow?  

Your adventures are drawing to an end and with the short drive to the airport you’ll say your goodbyes to your private guide at the airport and head back home with lasting memories of this spectacular country.