Stunning Sri Lanka

DAY 1 Colombo
Welcome to Sri Lanka! Your tour commences with an arrival transfer to your hotel. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure.

Stay at: Cinnamon Lakeside (4 star) or Hilton Colombo Hotel (5 star)

DAY 2 Colombo – Sigiriya
This morning explore the vibrant city of Colombo. It is a diverse mix of people, architecture and religion influenced by ancient kingdoms and European settlers and a great starting point for your Sri Lankan adventure. You will explore with your guide the highlights of this wonderful capital which include Pettah Bazaar, Wolvendaal Dutch Church, Gotami Vihara and Hindu Kovil at Slave Island, one of Colombo’s most impressive Hindu Temples.

Depart Colombo and travel north to the cultural Triangle, on arrival check in to your hotel. This afternoon join a jeep safari in the Minneriya National Park*, one of the best places in Sri Lanka to see wild elephants. Enjoy this evening’s dinner at the hotel.

*At certain times of year, the safari in Minneriya may take place in the connecting areas of Kaudulla National Park or Eco Park where the elephant herds may be roaming.

Stay at: Aliya Resorts and Spa (4 star) or Jetwing Lake Hotel (5 star)
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 3 Sigiriya - Anuradhapura - Sigiriya
After breakfast drive to the ancient city of Anuradhapura. This city is famous for its well preserved ruins of an ancient civilization. It’s also considered a sacred place by the Buddhists as it is surrounded by various monasteries. Visit the Sacred Bo-tree said to be the oldest historical tree in the world. Also see Ruwanwelisaya, Thuparama Dagoba and more.

Stay at: Aliya Resorts and Spa (4 star) or Jetwing Lake Hotel (5 star)
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 4 Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa - Sigiriya
Today explore the ancient royal capital of Polonnaruwa, one of the most beautiful centres in Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage. Discover on foot, or by bicycle, the wonderful treasures that remain in the archaeological park including the four beautiful rock-cut Buddha statues at Gal Vihara Temple. This afternoon drive to the nearby Sigiriya Rock Fortress, or Lion Rock, one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic sights. Take the opportunity to climb to the top of this striking rock with its sheer vertical walls supporting the remnants of an ancient 5th century city.

Stay at: Aliya Resorts and Spa (4 star) or Jetwing Lake Hotel (5 star)
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 5 Sigiriya – Nuwara Eliya
Your tour continues to the hill station of Nuwara Eliya, also known as ‘Little England’. En route to Nuwara Eliya, discover the journey from tree to cup of the world-famous high-grown Ceylon Tea. With your expert guide, walk through a local tea plantation, meet with a Tea plucker and visit the factory to see the processing stage followed by a tea-tasting session.

This afternoon discover the beauty of Nuwara Elia, set against beautiful backdrops of mountains, valleys, waterfalls and Tea Plantations. See the colonial bungalows, well-tended lawns and red telephone boxes - evidence of the British influence.

Stay at: Araliya Green Hills (4 star) or Grand Hotel (5 star)
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 6 Nuwara Eliya - Horton Plains National Park - Nuwara Eliya
Enjoy the views as you depart early for Horton Plains National Park, travelling on scenic village roads past Ambewela and Pattipola. This stunning National Park lies in the shadows of some of Sri Lanka’s highest peaks and offers excellent hikes for all levels including World’s End and Baker’s Falls. You can choose to hike, or simply enjoy the stunning scenery and wait for wildlife to appear. Return to Nuwara Eliya, with the remainder of the day at leisure or experience an optional high tea at the iconic Grand Hotel where you can enjoy a selection of small sandwiches washed down with a cup of local tea.

Stay at: Araliya Green Hills (4 star) or Grand Hotel (5 star)
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 7 Nuwara Eliya – Udawalawe National Park
Descend from the high country and journey to Udawalawe National Park which is undoubtedly the best place in Sri Lanka to see wild Asian Elephants in their natural habitat.

This afternoon visit the Elephant Transit Home, where orphaned or sick elephants are fed and cared for until they are strong enough to be returned to the wild. A highlight of the of the visit is feeding time, whilst you cannot feed the elephants yourself, you can watch them ambling along behind a keeper, into the compound where they will be fed milk through plastic hoses with funnels attached.

Stay at: Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort (4 star) or Centuria Wild (4 star)
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 8 Udawalawe National Park
Depart early for your jeep safari in Udawalawe National Park home to a great diversity of water birds and Sri Lankan elephants. The rusty spotted cat, fishing cat and Sri Lankan leopard are also present in the National Park. Tonight, enjoy a barbeque dinner by campfire.

Say at: Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort (4 star) or Centuria Wild (4 star)
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 9 Udawalawe National Park – Galle
Travel the scenic route along the coast to Galle in the southwest. Once in Galle, an historic fort town, you will enjoy a tour of the Heritage listed fort area with its charming laneways, rich trading history and Dutch-colonial buildings.

Stay at: The Fort Printers (3 star) or Radisson Blue Resort (5 star)
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 10 Galle
A free day to relax and explore the area. Wander around the historic fort area, enjoy a drink or lunch in one of the beautiful old buildings now transformed into trendy cafes and restaurants. You might like to try an optional cooking class to learn how to cook the local cuisine, followed by lunch where you can enjoy the tasty dishes you have just learnt how to cook.

We highly recommend ending your day with a sunset walk along the fort’s wall, a truly memorable experience.

Stay at: The Fort Printers (3 star) or Radisson Blue Resort (5 star)
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 11 Galle – Mirissa
Travel to Mirissa a tropical paradise located in the South. Whale and dolphin watching activities are popular in this area as well capturing the most stunning sunsets and sunrises.

Stay at: Mandara Resort Mirissa (4 star) or Triple O Six (4 star)
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 12 Mirissa
Enjoy an early morning whale and dolphin watching tour in this magnificent location in the Indian Ocean. Mirissa is famous for its sightings of blue whales and sperm whales but also a great place to see dolphins and other wonderful marine life.

Stay at: Mandara Resort Mirissa (4 star) or Triple O Six (4 star)
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 13/14 Mirissa
With two days at leisure there is plenty of time to enjoy the exotic cuisine, laid-back pace and fiery red sunsets of this magic spot on Sri Lanka’s south coast.

Stay at: Mandara Resort Mirissa (4 star) or Triple O Six (4 star)
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 15 Mirissa – Colombo
Your tour concludes with a departure transfer to Colombo Airport for your onward journey.

Meals included: Breakfast