• Meet and greet your guide and driver at the Bandaranaike International Airport/your hotel/any other preferred location.

• Drive towards Negombo and check in at the hotel. Depending on the time of your arrival, a short drive around or a half-day sightseeing tour of Negombo can be arranged. Known as “Little Rome”, Negombo is home to most of Sri Lanka’s Christians. There are around 50 churches in the area. You can also visit the fish market, Hamilton Canal, Dutch Fort and the local beach.

Overnight at Negombo hotel.

• After breakfast at the hotel, check out by 8 am and begin your road trip to one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka. 

• Reach Anuradhapura by noon, have lunch, and check in to the hotel.

• Proceed for a sightseeing tour of this UNESCO Heritage city.

• Drive through the ancient ruins dating back to the 1st century BCE while the guide tells you all about Sri Lanka’s ancient kingdoms. Stop for photo-ops as per your interest. You will see the Abhayagiri Dagoba, Ruvanvelisaya Dagoba, Sri Maha Bodhi, and several other stupas and temples on the drive.

• In the evening, drive to Mihintale – a hilltop where locals believe Buddhism was introduced in Sri Lanka. The guide would help you understand more about the stories surrounding the serene space. Enjoy the sunset here.

• Drive back to your hotel in Anuradhapura.

Overnight in Anuradhapura.

• Have breakfast, check out, and start early at 6 am for a full day of activities.

• Drive to Polonnaruwa – another ancient capital city with fascinating ruins. On arrival, go sightseeing around Polonnaruwa and see the Royal Palace, King’s swimming pool, court, sacred quadrangle, several Dagobas and Buddha statues.

• Have lunch at a local restaurant and continue your journey to Sigiriya to reach by late afternoon.

• Head straight to the UNESCO Heritage rock fortress. Start the climb up the “Lion Rock” and reach the ancient citadel in time for the sunset. 

• Climb back down, and don’t miss the stunning view on the way.

• Transfer to a hotel in Sigiriya and check-in for the night.

• Early morning, check out from the hotel and depart for Dambulla.

• On arrival, make your way directly to the famous cave temple – the largest and best-preserved in the country. Magnificent Buddha statues and vibrant frescos adorn the five caves that are open to tourists. Watch out for the monkeys on your climb up, and once inside, you will admire the fantastic décor and learn more about its history.

• After exploring the caves, continue your journey towards Kandy – the last capital of the Sinhalese kings. On the way, we can stop at a Spice & Herb Garden, the Nalanda Gedige, and the vibrant Hindu Temple in Matale. 

• Have lunch on the way and reach Kandy by afternoon; check in at the hotel.

• Next, you can either relax at the hotel till the evening or go on a shopping tour. Kandy is well-known for gemstone shopping; your guide can recommend some shops. Ceylon tea, batik textiles, and local crafts can also make good souvenirs.

• Later in the evening, take a walk around Kandy Lake – located in the heart of the city, right next to the Temple of the Tooth. Enjoy the views and take some stunning photographs.

• Proceed to visit the famous Buddhist Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. The temple itself is a sight to behold. You will also see beautiful white and gold stupas around. There is also a small museum here that showcases stories and information on Buddhism. Catch a moment of peace in the serene environment as the evening ceremony begins at 6 pm. You can feel the shift in mood as devotees light lamps, make floral offerings and queue up for a fleeting glimpse of the relic. You can choose to join them and enter the temple or observe from outside.

• Proceed for dinner, and we can also go to enjoy a cultural program showcasing Kandyan drums, traditional dance and music. (Optional)

Overnight stay at a hotel in Kandy.

• After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Pinnawala. 

• Spend the morning at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, watching the daily activities of the gentle giants. At noon, you can also feed them for a unique experience. Have lunch at Pinnawala with a view of the elephants bathing and frolicking in the river.

• Continue your journey to Nuwara Eliya - Sri Lanka’s breathtaking tea country. En route, see tea plantations and spectacular views, including those of waterfalls. 

• Reach “Little England” in the evening and enjoy the change of scenery as well as the weather, which is a welcome relief from the sweltering cities.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

• In the morning, after breakfast at your hotel, proceed for a sightseeing tour of Nuwara Eliya.

• You can choose to go boating on Gregory lake, take a stroll in Victoria Park, visit the Post Office operating in a colonial Tudor Manor or the Hakgala Botanical Garden, or explore the markets, farms and tea plantations.

• By noon, head to Nanu Oya Railway Station to catch your train to Ella.

• Enjoy one of the most sought-after train journeys in the world – though it is only a short distance, the train meanders through tea plantations, hills and simply untouched nature, giving you about 3 hours of uninterrupted picturesque views.

• On arrival in Ella, de-board and meet your driver outside the station.

• Begin the drive towards Yala and reach by evening. 

Overnight in Yala.

• Early in the morning, go on a game drive in Yala National Park.

• Later, after having breakfast, get back on the road to Mirissa. 

• Reach Mirissa by the afternoon. Enjoy the untouched beauty of this quaint beach town for the rest of the day.

Overnight in Mirissa.

• Early in the morning, you could go on a whale watching tour. (Optional).

• Spend the day on the beaches of Mirissa and enjoy activities like diving and snorkelling.

• In the evening, drive to Galle.

Overnight in Galle. 

• Wake up in the beach town of Galle, have breakfast and set out for a full-day sightseeing tour. There’s so much to see in this vibrant city – from colonial remnants to hip and happening boutique restaurants and shops.

• Visit the UNESCO Heritage-listed Galle Fort - a Portuguese-built and Dutch-fortified 16th-century fort. You will also see the lighthouse here.

• Take a walk through old town Galle and the Dutch Hospital – now home to a myriad of upmarket boutiques and restaurants.

• Have lunch at the Dutch Hospital – choose one of the lively boutique eateries and enjoy a relaxed time.

• Head over to Flag Rock, at the southernmost end of the Fort. You might see daredevil locals leaping into the waters below. We will witness a beautiful sunset here. 

  • (Or we can visit the Flag Rock and head to the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery on the way to Colombo and see how they are attempting to raise the survival rate of sea turtles. You will see tiny turtles in tanks and learn about their lifecycle.)

• Hop back into the car for your drive along the coast to Colombo. 

• Reach Colombo late in the evening.

Overnight in Colombo.

• Have a relaxed breakfast at your hotel.

• Go on a sightseeing tour of Colombo, depending on the time of your departure. 

  • In Colombo, you can opt to see the colonial buildings, the National Museum, Independence Memorial, Gangaramaya Temple and other attractions. Take a stroll in Viharamahadevi Park or go boating in Beira Lake. You could also go on a shopping tour of Pettah for good bargains or enjoy the local cuisine on the streets or at a good restaurant by the beach.

• According to your departure timings, the driver will drop you off at the international airport/your hotel for your onward journey.