Day 1: Arrival & Dambulla
Arrive in Sri Lanka, at Colombo’s international airport. You’ll be met by your Instep Adventures representative and transfer to your hotel in Dambulla (3hr).
Day 2: Colombo – 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.
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 has great sculptures of the Buddha.
Hotel: Amaya Lake or similar
Day 3: Sigiriya – Peradeniya Botanical Gardens – Kandy
An early morning visit and climb up the World Heritage site of the Sigiriya before the weather gets too warm. The rock fortress 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.
Drive to Kandy (2.5 hrs)
Visit Peradeniya botanical garden near Kandy. 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 garden, 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 was planted and now is one of the most photographed places in the gardens.
Hotel: Amaya Hills or similar
Day 4: Kandy
Hike along the Pekoe Trail this morning near Kandy. We shall pick a section best suited to your abilities. The hikes range from 10 to 20km in length.
Later in the day, 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.
In the evening, watch the Kandy Cultural Show – a must-see 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 demonstrations. 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 or similar
Day 5: Kandy – Nuwara Eliya
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. Depending on the availability, we will provide you A/C first class/observation train tickets.
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: Jetwings St Andrews
Day 6: Nuwara Eliya – Ella
Hike along the Pekoe Trail this morning, near Nuwara Eliya. We shall pick a section best suited to your abilities. The hikes range from 10 to 20km in length.
Drive to Uda Walave (3.5 hrs), stopping at Ella enroute.
Explore the beauty of Ella’s iconic landmarks like Ella Rock and Nine Arches Bridge. Depending on time available, you can explore the area around Ella or continue to Uda Walave after a brief stop.
Hotel: Centuria Wild or similar
Day 7: Uda Walave
Enjoy a morning safari at Uda Walawe National Park – one of Sri Lanka’s best-known National Parks due to its proximity to Colombo and the predictability of elephant sightings, often in large herds and family groups.
Visit the Elephant Transit Home. The elephants are fed 3 times a day, at 0900,1500 and 1800 hrs.
Later, drive to Yala (1.25hrs)
Hotel: Tamarind Tree or similar
Day 8: Yala
Drive to Galle (2hrs)
Enjoy a full day safari in 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.
Hotel: Fort Printers or similar
Day 9: Yala – Wadduwa
After breakfast, drive to Wadduwa (3.5 hrs).
Check into your hotel and relax for the last evening of your holiday on Wadduwa’s fine beach.
Hotel: Blue Water Wadduwa or similar
Day 10: Departure
Enjoy a leisurely morning at the beach. Depending on the time of your flight, you’ll be driven to the airport (about 1.5hrs).
