Welcome to Sri Lanka! Upon arrival in Colombo a travel-to-nature Asia Tour Leader/Guide will be at the airport to greet and take us to our hotel, who will accompany us throughout the tour. Please look out for your name-card once you exit out of arrival area.

Here you can relax after your long flight and acclimatize near the pool or in the gardens of your hotel. Please meet your tour leader in the hotel reception for a tour briefing in the evening.

Accommodation: Goldi Sands Hotel
Meal: Dinner

We will have our breakfast at hotel and leave for Sigiriya.

Afternoon proceed on a sightseeing tour of Polonnaruwa which was the 2nd capital city of Sri Lanka, built in the 11th and 12th centuries AD, and which is a world heritage site. Here you can see the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya where 4 splendid statues of the Buddha in ‘Upright’, ‘Sedentary’ and ‘Recumbent’ postures carved out of rock, the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, king Parakramabahu’s statue, and the Parakrama Samudraya lake built by King Parakramabahu the great. There are also monuments of famous places of worship such as the Shiva Temple, the Lankathilake, the Watadage, the Galpotha, the Kiri Vehera and the remains of a former Temple of the Tooth Relic.

On completion return to hotel.

Accommodation: Sigiriya Village
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Experience Village Walk and Ride on Catamaran & Bullock Cart

Today we will visit the scenic village of Hiriwadunna with its unpaved gravel paths and humble village folk. Shaded on either side by dry zone shrub forest, the dusty gravel path and subsequently the red soil of the tank bund will lead the visitors to an indigo reservoir which sets a stunning contrast of colors. A line of cormorants flying in formation will eventually stop to rest on a cormorant tree and the butterflies and dragonflies found at the edge of the shrubs create a kaleidoscope of colour that rivals the equally vibrant wild flowers.

As we walk further the sight of Sigiriya rock fortress appears in the vicinity against the silent and still waters of the reservoir which is rippled only by a lone fisherman mounted on his catamaran. Soon it’s already time to take a catamaran ride! Across the reservoir awaits a chena farmer’s modest home; a setting that takes you back a few decades to enjoy a black Ceylonese tea brewed by the farmer’s wife. Experience the simple pleasures of village-life as you walk across the chena cultivations and through the nearby woods, to board a bullock cart – yet another ancient mode of the humble villagers’ transportation. Return to Hotel. Rest of the day at leisure to enjoy the Pool.

Accommodation: Sigiriya Village
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast at hotel. Today we will take a cycle ride through the village pathways to Sigiriya passing village houses and paddy fields. We’ll have the opportunity to climb to the summit of Sigiriya famous Lion Rock using a series of steps and walkways which zig-zag their way up the seemingly impenetrable rock cliffs. The site was occupied long before the citadel was built at the end of the 5th century, and it later became a monastery before falling into disrepair. From the base, a moat surrounds impressive water gardens of landscaped beauty. To reach the summit, you’ll ascend 200 m, passing an overhanging rock under which superb portraits of native maidens holding flowers and temple offerings still adorn the rock wall, ‘the world-renowned frescoes of the ‘Heavenly Maidens’ of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway. Crowning the flat-topped summit of the rock are the extensive remains of King Kasyapa’s summer palace from where there are breathtaking views. Back to hotel for lunch!

Return to your Hotel. Evening at leisure.

Accommodation: Sigiriya Village
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast at hotel. Morning we explore Dambulla properly, to learn its fascinating history. The Sinhalese King, Valagam Bahu, took refuge here when he was ousted from his capital. He transformed the five caves of this granite outcrop into a rock temple, decorated by statues of Buddha and frescoes, some of which are over 2,000 years old but still as brightly painted as ever. The steep 150 m ascent to the top of the rock rewards you with more magnificent views down to the jungle and forest below. We then travel southward along the main trunk road to Sri Lanka’s second city, Kandy, a journey of around 2-3 hours. We’ll pass through a fertile spice-growing area and plantations where coffee, cacao and rubber are cultivated.

Afternoon take an opportunity to visit spice garden in Matale, to see the different spices, which Sri Lanka is famous for. We will be introduced to different spices and shown how some of these spices are grown and processed. The Family will join for a cookery demonstration at the spice garden. Also, if everyone interested, on route we will go for a village lunch on the hills of Aluwihare. Here lives Mrs De Silva, a renowned batik artist, and former friend of late architect Geoffrey Bawa, she oversees a co-operative of women who run a handicraft and batik workshop. Kids, have you ever seen batik made.

On completion proceed to Kandy. Check-in at Earls Regent. Evening at leisure.

Accommodation: Hotel Topaz
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast at hotel. Morning proceed to visit the magnificent Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, with their immense fig tree and exquisite orchid collection. Wander around the Royal Botanical Gardens and spot the bats hanging from the trees! Did you know that “The Jungle Book” was filmed here and “Tarzan” and “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

This evening we’ll visit the Dalada Maligawa, the famous Temple of the Tooth. This is the major shrine where pilgrims have revered Buddha’s tooth since the 16th century; its gilded roof seems to act as a beacon to visitors throughout the day and into the evening. Thereafter witness a cultural show featuring traditional Sri Lankan dancing. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation: Hotel Topaz
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast at hotel. Leave for Kitulgala through the green ranks of tea bushes which cover the higher hillsides on our way to Kitulgala. We continue your drive through this beautiful landscape, descending to Kitulgala, to arrive around lunchtime. Located amidst thick forest on Sri Lanka’s second-longest river, the Kelani, Kitulgala is rapidly becoming something of an adventure centre and is a great place for a variety of activities. The Kelani River is famous for its rafting on Grade 3 and 4 rapids. Check-in at Plantation Bungalow 3* or similar.

The breathtaking scenery here was used for the filming of the Oscar-winning classic ‘The Bridge over the River Kwai’. Is an ideal location for swimming and other water-based activities. The surrounding forests with their wide variety of flora and fauna offer you a variety of spectacular walks, with some stunning views over the valley.

This afternoon you will first cross the Kelani River on a suspension bridge used by the local villagers. Then you’ll proceed to walk through the small village and the forest reserve on the opposite bank and finally re-emerge on the bank of the Kelani River to take a canoe to get across to the right.

Accommodation: The Plantation Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast at the hotel drive about 80 km (approx 3hrs) along windy roads lined by green slopes of tea leaves. There’s plenty of interest along the way however, including a stop at some waterfalls. Upon arrival in Nuwara Eliya check-in at Heaven Seven  – heart of the tea growing industry and full of colonial charm.

Built entirely during the 19th century, its quirky architecture reflects what you’d normally expect to find in an English country town, which will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. En route you will visit Devon and St Clare’s waterfalls.

This afternoon we make a visit to a tea factory to see the process of making one of our favorite drinks in action. We’ll see every step of the tea making process, from bush to cup and learn tasting tea.

Accommodation: Galway Heights
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast at hotel. Driving southwards we head towards Yala National Park but en route will make various stops to break the journey. After about 3.5 hours you should finally reach Yala. Check-in at Elephant Reach.

The afternoon will be free for relaxation at the Hotel and to enjoy the hotel pool and the surrounding.

Accommodation: Cinnamon Wild Yala
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Morning proceed on a Jeep Safari to visit the Yala National Park. This Park is famous for its high density of leopards, perhaps the highest in the world. We are also sure to see elephants – grumpy loan males during the dry months and large herds in the wet season. Sloth bears are also a big draw. We will also see mammal such as wild boars, several species of deer and wild buffalo. There is a plethora of reptilian species and platoons of crocodiles.

As is common in Sri Lanka there is a huge diversity of stunning birdlife including migratory species such as the flamingo. It is also one of the few places in the world where the severely endangered black necked stork can still be seen.

The uniqueness of the park is the sheer diversity of the habitat: dense jungles suddenly give way to lagoons and open plain areas and the park has a simply beautiful sea front. Huge, stark boulders dominate the horizon and the elegant, languorous leopard can often be seen basking atop the sun baked rock. On completion return to hotel, rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Cinnamon Wild Yala
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

We will have our breakfast at hotel and leave for Beruwala, en route visit Galle Dutch Fortress at Galle. The Galle fort was built first by the Portuguese, and then modified by the Dutch during the 17th century. Even today, after 400 years of existence, it looks new and polished with reconstruction work done by Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka.

Today Sri Lankan government and many Dutch people who still own some of the properties inside the fort are looking at making this one of the modern wonders of the world.

Continue to Beruwala. Check in at The Palms.

Accommodation: The Palms
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast at Hotel – Day at leisure.

Also known as Golden Mile Beruwala’s beautiful golden beaches lined with green palm trees makes it a perfect place to unwind and relax. Beruwala’s lighthouse looks breathtakingly beautiful during dawn and so is the fishing harbor.

Accommodation: The Palms
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast at hotel. Our guide pick us up from the hotel and transfer to the airport for our onward journey back home.

Meal: Breakfast