• In the morning, meet the guide and driver at your Colombo or Negombo hotel. Pick-up can be arranged from Bandaranaike International Airport for morning arrivals only.

• Hop into your private air-conditioned vehicle and start the drive to Pinnewala. Reach Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in time to see the orphaned baby elephants being bottle-fed. You can also feed and pet them. Have lunch at the restaurant overlooking the river, where the young and adult elephants can be seen bathing and playing.

• After lunch, proceed to Dambulla to reach the UNESCO World Heritage cave complex. Climb up to the world-renowned cave temples and admire the fascinating interiors with vibrant décor and impressive Buddha statues. The guide will tell you all about the history and stories of these caves.

• Later in the evening, get back on the road to Sigiriya. Check-in to the hotel in Sigiriya.

Dinner and overnight in Sigiriya.

• Have an early breakfast at the hotel and head straight to the Sigiriya Lion Rock. This is the ideal time to beat the heat and crowds at this popular tourist attraction and UNESCO World Heritage rock fortress. Make your way up the “Lion Rock” to the ancient citadel on top, taking in the breathtaking scenery around you.

• After walking around the terraced summit and learning all about the ancient capital, climb back down and explore the Royal water gardens at the base and take stunning photos of the rock.

• Proceed for lunch, followed by the drive to Kandy. En route, you can visit a Spice & Herb Garden, the Nalanda Gedige, and the vibrant Hindu Temple in Matale.

• Reach Kandy by evening and check in to the hotel.

Overnight in Kandy.

• Early in the morning, start your day with a visit to the world-famous “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. Make sure you are there early for the “ceremony” and join the devotees to get a glimpse of ‘Buddha’s tooth’.

• Later, proceed for a sightseeing tour of Kandy or go shopping. 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.

• After lunch, get back on the road for the drive to Nuwara Eliya. On 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 at a hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

• In the morning, after breakfast at your hotel, proceed for a sightseeing tour of Nuwara Eliya. We 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, and explore the markets, farms and tea plantations.

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

• After dropping you off at the station, your driver will travel to Ella with your luggage by road and wait for your arrival.

• Enjoy one of the most sought-after train journeys in the world – though it is only a short distance, the trail 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. (~3 hours)

• 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. (Price not included in tour cost – optional).

• Spend some time on the beach or enjoy activities like diving and snorkelling till noon.

• After lunch, pack up and start your drive along the coast to Colombo.

• On the way, we can stop by to see the Galle Fort or take a quick tour of the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery, where you learn all about how they are attempting to raise the survival rate of sea turtles.

• Reach Colombo by evening and get dropped off at a hotel or place of your choice within the city.