Day 1: Arrival & Colombo
Arrive in Sri Lanka, at Colombo’s international airport. You’ll be met by our representative and transfer to your hotel in Colombo.
Enjoy a Colombo Tuk Tuk tour with visits to Gangaramaya temple and Seema malakaya. The colourful and busy streets of capital Colombo will be an exciting treat for all, and riding the tuk tuk driven by your friendly local guide adds to the charm. You get to visit some of our guide’s favorite and secret locations, meet some of his friends and learn about the history of the area. The tour includes visits to a serene temple, a famous red-mosque and a visit to the main vegetable market, all places where you’ll love experiencing different cultures and religions. Enjoy a potent espresso at a coffee export merchant and a cold beer on a rooftop overlooking the port and a lot more.
Hotel: Jetwing Colombo Seven or similar
Day 2: Colombo – Wilpattu
Drive to Wilpattu (4hrs)
Unspoilt and beautiful Wilpattu (‘natural lakes’ in Sinhala) is the largest and oldest National Parks in Sri Lanka. Less visited than Yala, it is ideal for those who prefer a tranquil wildlife quest. Wilpattu’s most famous residents are leopards and sloth bears. Chances of sightings are good. It is also possible to see Elephants, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Wild Pig, Asiatic Buffa-lo and Crocodiles. There are several species of butterflies, endemic birds, reptiles, snakes and amphibians to complement the big game.
Explore Wilpattu on an evening safari.
Hotel: Thimbiri wewa Resort or similar
Day 3: Anuradhapura & Mihintale
Drive to Anuradhapura (1.5hr)
Visit 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.
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.
Drive to Dambulla and check into your hotel (1hr)
Hotel: Amaya Lake or similar
Day 4: Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa
Drive to Sigiriya (2hrs)
Visit and climb up the World Heritage site of 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.
Visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, a World Heritage site. 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.
Hotel: Amaya Lake or similar
Day 5: Dambulla
Visit Dambulla Cave Temples, a World Heritage site 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.
Spend the rest of the day relaxing in the resort and surrounds
Hotel: Amaya Lake or similar
Day 6: Dambulla – Knuckles
After a leisurely breakfast, drive to Knuckles (3hrs)
Relax in the surrounds of your hotel this evening
Hotel: Simpson’s Forest
Day 7: Knuckles
Knuckles Range is the hill country’s last great unspoilt wilderness, an off-the-beaten-track paradise for hikers with stunning mountain views.
Knuckles is a paradise for hikers, offering numerous mountainous trails that journey across clear rivers, through dense forests, and past flowing waterfalls. Enjoy an easy walk of about 3 hours this morning , with stunning views at every turn.
Hotel: Simpson’s Forest
Day 8: Knuckles – Kandy
Drive to Kandy (2hr)
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.
Time to relax and unwind at your hotel this afternoon, or you can explore Kandy’s central water tank, and the local markets. Hela Bojun Hala is worth a visit if you are looking for a spot for delicious Sri Lankan lunch. This open-air food court sells local dishes and provides employment opportunities for local women.
The Kandy Cultural Show is a must-see evening performance of various traditional forms of dance, music, and acrobatics.
The show typically includes Kandyan dances characterized by elaborate costumes and dynamic movements, Drum orchestra playing heart-thumping beats, fire walking and fire breathing demosntrations. Each act is accompanied by a narrative explaining its historical and cultural significance, offering a slice of Sri Lankan history and tradition. It’s an unforgettable cultural feast that both entertains and educates visitors.
Hotel: Amaya Hills
Day 9: Pekoe Trail
The Pekoe Trail is Sri Lanka’s premier long-distance hiking trail that visitors to discover the varying terrain, history, culture, food, and local communities that inhabit the central highlands.
Consisting of 22 stages between Kandy and Nuwara Eliya, the trail takes visitors through hill towns, tea plantations, remote villages, sanctuaries, viewpoints, forests, and cultural and historical locations.
Tackle the Pekoe Trail- Stage 1- Hanthana to Galaha (12.8 kms, easy). Begin your trek at the Ceylon Tea Museum (a place worth visiting if you’re keen on learning about the history of tea in Sri Lanka) and con-tinue to walk in the shade of the tall trees that line the roads of the Hanthana Tea Estate, one of the old-est and largest tea plantations in Sri Lanka.
Walk alongside the rocky ridge of ‘Katusu Konda’ (meaning Lizard’s back in Sinhala) with sweeping views of the seven peaks of the Hanthana range, as well as the nearby peaks of the Knuckles mountain range.
Pass a dramatic mountain facade featured in the movie ‘Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom’.
Encounter smaller villages scattered across the trail, and along this stage you’ll find the community of Kithulmulla, which takes you to the end of Stage 1, near the post office in Galaha.
Hotel: Amaya Hills
Day 10: Kandy – Ceylon Tea Trails
Drive to Castlereigh Reservoir (2 hrs) and check into your luxury bungalow set amongst the best tea landscapes of Sri Lanka. Relax in sheer elegance.
Ceylon Tea Trails comprises five restored historic tea planter residences, called bungalows, perched at an altitude of 1250 metres in Sri Lanka’s panoramic Ceylon tea region. Complete with period furnishings, gracious butler service, and gourmet cuisine, the non-hotel ambiance has made Tea Trails the gold standard for luxury in Sri Lanka.
The hotel was featured in BBC’s Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby (Series 5: episode 4). Situated within a few miles of each other, each bungalow has up to 6 guest rooms, its own lounge, bar and dining room and offers exceptional service and cuisine.
Norwood and Tientsin have superb hill and valley views; Castlereagh, Dunkeld and Summerville are excellent for lake views.
Hotel: Ceylon Tea Trails
Day 11: Ceylon Tea Trails
Relax in your luxury resort
Hotel: Ceylon Tea Trails
Day 12: Castlereigh Reservoir – Horton Plains
After a relaxed morning, check out and drive to Nuwara Eliya
Visit a tea plantation and the tea factory to learn all about tea estates and cultivation of one of Sri Lanka’s finest exports.Taste fine Ceylon teas with a tea master.
Hotel: Jetwing St Andrews
Day 13: Horton Plains
Visit Horton Plains National Park, 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.
Return from your walk in the National Park to relax in your camp
Hotel: Jetwing St Andrews
Day 14: Horton Plains – Ella – Wellaweya
Experience the most scenic train journey in Sri Lanka. Your guide will drop you at Nanu Oya railway station and pick you again from Ella railway station. (3 hours train ride). Depending on the availability, we will provide you A/C first class/observation class train tickets.
Explore the breathtaking beauty of Ella, where lush tea plantations, cascading waterfalls, and iconic landmarks like Ella Rock and Nine Arches Bridge await. This picturesque hill town offers a perfect blend of adventure, serenity, and stunning views.
If time permits, enjoy a gentle climb to Little Adam’s Peak, which takes 1.5 hours. The eye-catching views are not to be missed.
Drive to Wellaweya (1hr) and check into your hotel
Hotel: Jetwing Kaduruketha
Day 15: Wellawaya village experience
Explore the Wellawaya village, where you’ll meet the friendly and welcoming locals going about their daily lives. An excellent opportunity to engage in local cultures and soak in the unique ambiance of local life. Another highlight of your visit will be a home cooked meal full of customary Sri Lankan flavours, followed by hot tea and sweets.
Hotel: Jetwing Kaduruketha
Day 16: Buduruwagala
Visit the ancient Buddhist temple of Buduruwagala. The complex consists of seven statues dating back to the 10th century. The gigantic Buddha statue still bears traces of its original stuccoed robe and a long streak of orange suggests it was once brightly painted. The central of the three figures to the Buddha’s right is thought to be the Buddhist mythological figure-the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. To the left of this white painted figure is a female figure in the thrice-bent posture, which is thought to be his consort-Tara.
Rest of the day at leisure
Hotel: Jetwing Kaduruketha
Day 17: Yala
Drive to Yala (1hr)
Explore Yala, the most visited National Park in Sri Lanka, offering dense jungles, lakes, lagoons, grasslands, riverine and coastal areas. Famous for its leopards, Yala’s wide spectrum of habitats makes it hospitable to a range of flora and fauna.
Explore Yala on an afternoon safari.
Hotel: Wild Coast or similar
Day 18: Yala
A full day safari is the best way to explore Yala’s rich wildlife and birds. A packed lunch is taken on the safari, and all vehicles congregate at the lunch point by the beach to enjoy lunch within the jungle, avoiding lost time driving out and back in.
Hotel: Wild Coast or similar
Day 19: Yala – Galle – Mirissa
After a relaxed morning enjoying your resort, drive to Galle (2.5hrs)
Visit the historic city of Galle, where you will enjoy a guided tour of the World Heritage city of Galle, with its colonial fort, churches and lighthouse. The city has a quaint laid back charm, inviting leisurely exploration.
After the Galle tour, drive further north to Bentota (1.5 hrs) and check into your beachside resort
Hotel: Club Villa Bentota
Day 20: Bentota
A full day to relax at the beach in Wadduwa on the last day of your trip
Hotel: Club Villa Bentota
Day 21: Departure
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast. Depending on the time of your flight, you’ll be driven to the airport (1.5 hr) to end your Sri Lankan holiday
