| Your Detailed Itinerary |
| Day 1: Arrival |
| Arrive in Sri Lanka, at Colombo’s international airport. You’ll be met by our representative and transfer to your beachside hotel in Chilaw (2hrs) |
| Enjoy a relaxed evening. |
| Hotel: Anantaya Resort |
| Day 2: Chilaw |
| Enjoy a relaxed morning with a leisurely breakfast. |
| Visit Munnesvaram temple, one of the four most important Shiva temples in Sri Lanka. |
| Explore the Anawilundewa wetlands, one of Sri Lanka’s six designated Ramsar wetlands of international importance, and home to more than 150 species of birds, 20 species of mammals, 70 species of butterflies, and over 50% of Sri Lanka’s freshwater fish species.
The sanctuary converges three distinct ecosystems: forest wetlands (including mangrove and freshwater swamps), the coast’s saltwater ecosystem, and freshwater lakes. This varied environment is a nesting and breeding ground for hundreds of bird species. |
| Hotel: Anantaya Resort |
| Day 3: Chilaw – Wilpattu |
| Enjoy a relaxed morning with a leisurely breakfast. |
| Drive to Wilpattu (2.5hrs) |
| 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 buffalo and crocodiles. There are several species of butterflies, endemic birds, reptiles, snakes and amphibians to complement the big game. |
| Explore Wilpattu National Park on a half day safari. |
| Hotel: Thamaravila |
| Day 4: Wilpattu |
| A full day safari is the best way to explore Wilpattu National Park for wildlife watching. |
| Hotel: Thamaravila |
| Day 5: Wilpattu – Dambulla |
| Drive to Dambulla (2hrs) |
| 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. |
| The Dambulla Painting Museum showcases the rich history of Sri Lankan wall paintings. Its collection spans various periods of Sri Lankan art, from ancient cave paintings to more modern works, showing the evolution of Sri Lankan Cave and Wall Paintings.
The museum also houses artifacts such as pots, ceramics, and other items from ancient archaeological sites in the region. |
| Visit the Loris Conservation Project at Jetwing Vil Uyana – one of Sri Lanka’s most acclaimed wildlife research and conservation programs. It is one of the best places to see the endangered and shy creature on a late evening walk with the wardens. |
| Hotel – Amaya Lake |
| Day 6: Polonaruwa – Kandalama Lake |
| Visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, a World Heritage site, on a cycling tour. 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. |
| Enjoy one of the most beautiful boat rides in Sri Lanka on the beautiful Kandalama Lake. Glide on the still waters as the beauty of nature and the calling of birds surround you. Experience splendid sunsets and hear the stories of the local boatmen. |
| Hotel – Amaya Lake |
| Day 7: Sigiriya – Kandy |
| Enjoy an experience of a lifetime on a hot air balloon ride early morning, when the weather is most stable. You’ll fly at various heights – from tree top level to several thousand feet up: the perfect vantage point to observe the majesty of Dambulla – Kandalama area which includes lakes, tropical jungles, villages, farmlands and the geographical formations of Sri Lanka. The flight has a duration of roughly 1 hour, depending on weather conditions. |
| 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. |
| Drive to Kandy (2hrs) |
| Hotel – Ellerton Bungalow |
| Day 8: Kandy |
| 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. |
| This afternoon, enjoy a cooking lesson/demonstration. Then visit the busy colourful markets of Kandy |
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 – Ellerton Bungalow |
| Day 9: Pekoe Trail |
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 continue to walk in the shade of the tall trees that line the roads of the Hanthana Tea Estate, one of the oldest 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. |
| Drive to Nuwara Eliya (2.5hrs) |
| Hotel – Broomfield |
| Day 10: Nuwara Eliya |
| Enjoy a relaxed morning. Explore the town of Nuwara Eliya and some of its colonial buildings. |
| 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 – Broomfield |
| Day 11: 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 Hor-ton 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. |
| Visit Hakgala Botanical Gardens, one of the five botanical gardens in Sri Lanka. Situated about 1745 m above mean sea level, these gardens lie under the shadow of the Hakgala Rock which towers to a height of about 2,200m behind the gardens and the surrounding forest reserve. The gardens cover several terraces upon the lower slopes of the rock and offer magnificent views of nearby mountain ranges. The flora of the gardens is distinctly sub tropical and consists of representatives of the indigenous, montane flora intermingled with those introduced from other subtropical countries, systematically planted in various sections of the gardens. |
| Hotel – Broomfield |
| Day 12: Nuwara Eliya – Ella |
| 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. |
| Hotel – EKHO Ella |
| Day 13: Pekoe Trail |
| Tackle Pekoe Trail stage 13 Ella-Demodara (8.8 km, moderate). This stage is a very scenic route that takes you from Haputale, one of the major towns in the tea country to one of the tea country’s better-known landmarks where Sir Thomas Lipton would survey his favourite tea estates.
Walk through a cool and humid forest reserve towards a mountain that takes you to the Thotalagala – Dambatenne Valley. Climb uphill on beautiful tea trails, past an organic bio-tea producing estate and on-to walking paths with views across the valley to Lipton’s Seat. |
| Hotel – EKHO Ella |
| Day 14: Ella – Wellaweya |
| Drive to Wellawaya (1 hr) |
| Explore the Ellewala waterfall on a cycling tour. |
| Enjoy a relaxed evening. |
| Hotel: Jetwing Kaduruketha |
| Day 15: Wellaweya |
| 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. |
| Enjoy a relaxed evening. |
| Hotel: Jetwing Kaduruketha |
| Day 16: Wellaweya – Uda Walawe |
| 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. |
| Drive to Uda Walawe (1.5 hr) |
| Uda Walawe National Park is 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. |
| Explore Uda Walawe National Park on a half day safari. |
| Hotel – Kalus Hideaway |
| Day 17: Uda Walawe – Galle |
| Visit the Elephant Transit Home. Located within Udawalawe National Park, it was established by Sri Lanka’s Department of Wildlife Conservation together with the Born Free Foundation with the primary purpose of rehabilitation and release of isolated baby elephants to the wild. There are normally between 40 to 60 orphaned elephants and visitors can watch them being fed, from the safety of a viewing platform about 8m away, at one of the four daily feeding sessions, held every three hours from 9am until 6pm.
The elephants are never chained, and are allowed to roam and play as they wish. Human contact is limited in order to maximize their chance of rewiliding. For visitors, there is no touching, washing or posing alongside elephants. |
| Drive to Galle (2hrs) |
| Visit a low altitude tea plantation famed for ‘Virgin white teas’ – so pure they are never touched by the human hand. The only tea estate closest to the ocean, the Handungoda Estate takes you through tea fields and enlightens one on the noble heritage of white tea, the art of plucking and a tour of the antiquated factory. Halfway through the tour enjoy a refreshing cup of tea with cake. |
| Hotel – The Fort Printers |
| Day 18: Galle |
| 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 guided tour, relax in the hotel, or explore the small museums and boutique shops of Galle. |
| Hotel – The Fort Printers |
| Day 19: Galle |
| Optional visit to Mirissa for whale watching. Boats leave around 6am from Mirissa harbour which is an hour’s drive awy, so this will be an early start. Otherwise, enjoy a relaxed morning in Galle. (Book tickets directly the day before) |
| Later in the day, discover the captivating world of cinnamon at a beautiful villa in Ahangama, explore the plantation and learn how cinnamon is harvested. |
| Hotel – The Fort Printers |
| Day 20: Galle – Bentota – Negombo |
| Lunuganga Garden in Bentota is a fine example of an iconic country house and garden created by Sri Lanka’s finest architect, Geoffrey Bawa over a period of 40 years. The gardens are a revelation of his architectural evolution where many of his trademark innovations sit alongside experimental flourishes. |
| Bevis Bawa, a landscape architect (elder brother to Geoffre Bawa, Sri Lanka’s finest architect) started to work at the family rubber farm in 1929 and transformed it into the magnificent Brief Garden we see today. His former country estate, Brief Garden is an intimate property, with its structured gardens and low slung, simplistic house brimming with detailed murals, ghoulish statues, personal photos and colonial-era antiques. |
| Visit the Victor Hasselblad Turtle Hatchery, which is among the oldest and most reputed hatcheries on the island. Here, you can see 4-5 species of turtles at very close quarters, and even get to touch and hold little hatchlings. Learn about the threats to turtles, and how hatcheries are helping conserve turtles.
Check into your hotel in Negombo for the last evening of your holiday.
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| Hotel – Villa Hundira |
| Day 21: Negombo – Departure |
| Enjoy an early breakfast this morning and depart for your return flight to Colombo airport (~30 min) |
