Splendours of Sri Lanka

What better introduction to the island than taking in the colours and flavours of Colombo on a tuk-tuk, market and culinary adventure?

Journey the narrow streets of Pettah by tuk-tuk before wandering the Spice Street on foot. Here, master chefs and housewives alike shop through mounds of spices to create their signature curry blends.

Later in the day, drive north towards Wilpattu (4.5 hrs). Although you’ll cover a long distance, there will be leisure stops along the way.

Enjoy a full day safari at Wilpattu National Park. A packed breakfast and packed lunch will be provided.

Just as beautiful and teeming with wildlife as Yala National Park, Wilpattu is less visited than Yala, allowing you to enjoy your wildlife exploration with greater solitude.

The biggest draws in Wilpattu are Leopards and Sloth bears. Alongside these, it is possible to see Asian Elephants, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Wild Pig, Asiatic Buffalo and Mugger Crocodiles. Endemic birds include the Ceylon Junglefowl, Browncapped Babbler, Ceylon Woodshrike and Black-capped Bulbul in riverine habitats. Muntjac or Barking Deer are more easily seen in Wilpattu than any other national park. Butterflies recorded include the Great Eggfly, Great Orange Tip, Glad-eye Bushbrown, Blue Mormon, Common Mormon, Common Rose and Crimson Rose.

After the safari, leave for Anuradhapura and check into your hotel.

Today, you’ll start with a visit to Anuradhapura’s ancient sacred ruins.

Anuradhapura is considered the most extensive and the most important of the ancient cities in the northern region. It served as a capital city of this region for over 1000 years and hence was residence to many ancient kings from 377 BC. The city prospered and became a centre for Buddhist devotion.

Next you’ll visit the sacred mountain of Mihintale, the location where Buddhism was first introduced to the island of Sri Lanka. Learn about the historical and mythological versions of how Buddhism arrived at Mihintale. The mountain peak of Mihintale is approached by a grand stairway of 1840 granite steps, has many temples, lodgings for monks and several splendid statues of the Buddha.

After breakfast, leave for Dambulla.

Visit a local village for a village tour and a cookery demonstration by local chefs, introducing you to the spices and flavours of the region.

Check into your hotel and enjoy a relaxed evening.

This morning, begin with a visit and climb up the Sigiriya Rock Fortress which dominates the landscape and was both a military refuge as well as an aesthetic refuge for king who was a patron of the arts. Sigiriya became world famous for the frescos found on the western surface of the rock about 100 mts above the ground level. Ancient gardens from the 5th century survive at the foot of the rock.

Afterwards, visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa.

From the tenth century AD the capital of the most powerful kingdom in the island shifted to Polonnaruwa from Anuradhapura. The greatest king of Polonnaruwa was Parakramabahu I (1153 –1186 AD). In his ‘golden reign’ the whole area flourished and several new building projects were started. The buildings were grand and impressive such as the Royal Palace and the Lankathilaka image house. The Gal Vihara with its great sculptures of the Buddha was created.

Return to your hotel for a relaxed evening.

After enjoying your breakfast, leave for Kandy.

En-route visit Dambulla Cave Temples which is famous for  rock paintings and sculptures. Dambulla is considered as the oldest art gallery of the country. The paintings found on the rock ceiling shows the influence of Kandyan School of paintings became prominent in the 18th – 19th century in Sri Lanka.

Afterwards, arrive in Kandy and check into your hotel.

Later in the evening, enjoy a cultural show.

This morning visit the Temple of the Tooth where the Sacred Tooth Relic is an object of veneration to Buddhists. The temple is one of the most sacred Buddhist sites. From ancient times kings have kept the Sacred Tooth Relic in their kingdoms as a symbol of power. It is a traditional belief that whoever takes possession of the Tooth Relic has the power to rule the people.

Afterwards visit Peradeniya botanical garden. This is a much acclaimed botanical garden, which is also good for birds. It is bounded on three sides by the Mahaveli River, which snakes around the 60-hectare gardens. Before its use as a botanical gardens it had served as a royal pleasure garden. Peradeniya is the second largest botanical garden in Asia. Don’t miss the orchid house. In 1905, an avenue of palms were planted and now is one of the most photographed places in the gardens.

This morning, you’ll experience the most scenic train journey in Sri Lanka. Your guide will drop you at Kandy railway station and pick you again from Nanu Oya railway station.

After the train ride, you’ll take a short drive to the nearby town of Nuwara Eliya and check into your hotel.

This afternoon, visit a tea plantation and the tea factory to learn all about tea estates and cultivation of one of Sri Lanka’s finest exports.

A relaxed evening back at the hotel.

This morning, visit Horton Plains National Park. Horton Plains National Park is the only National Park in Sri Lanka where visitors are allowed to walk freely inside. It is situated 2200 m above sea in the central highlands of SriLanka, approximately 20 km south of Nuwara Eliya and covers 3162 hectares in extent. The climate here is a wet montane climate with a mean annual temperature of 15 centigrade. The vegetation in Horton Plains is defined as Montane Rainforests or Cloud Forests which shows gnarled and stunted growth not exceeding 15 meters in height. Horton Plains is famous for the World’s End, a stunning viewpoint, which is a sheer drop of 870 meters hidden in clouds, and Baker Falls.

Later, enjoy a session of white water rafting at Kithugala, a perfect way to feel energised and get a rush of adrenaline. If you prefer to stay on dry ground, you can take an alternative tuk-tuk trip to nearby prehistoric caves at Belilena.

Check in to your hotel in Wadduwa and relax for the rest of the day.

Today, enjoy the beach and seaside at your leisure.

The unspoiled beaches of Wadduwa, with their golden sands and lush palm fringes, provide a picturesque setting that captures the essence of tropical paradise. The local fishermen add to the charm of this hidden gem, as they skilfully navigate the waters with their nets and outriggers.

This morning after breakfast, you’ll visit the World Heritage Fort of Galle (1.5hrs drive away)

Walk around and visit the Fort’s many bastions, and the spot where the first Breadfruit tree was planted by the Dutch, and the Old Gunpowder Magazine. Walk along the narrow streets, including the Lighthouse Street, Leyn-Baan (rope walk) Street, and Modarabaay (Mud bay) streets, see the Old Dutch Houses and the private museum of Dutch antiques. There are many streets and restored colonial mansions to explore and admire, boutique shops to browse and friendly local vendors to chat to.

Return to your hotel in Wadduwa to soak in some more sun on pristine sands.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast on your last day of your holiday.

You’ll be driven to the airport (1.5hrs) in time to catch your return flight home.