• 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 Pinnawala. (~3 hours)

• 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 elephants – both young and adults – can be seen bathing and playing. After lunch, proceed to Dambulla to reach the UNESCO World Heritage cave complex.

• Climb 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 for dinner and an overnight stay.

Spot guide needed during the day.

• 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 about the ancient capital, climb back down, 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, we 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.

Spot guide needed during the day.

• Start the 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 make good souvenirs.

• After lunch, get back on the road to Nuwara Eliya. 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 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, and 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.

Spot guide needed during the day

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

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

• Enjoy the untouched beauty of this quaint beach town for the rest of the day.

Overnight in Bentota.

Spot guide needed during the day

• Get up for an exciting day in Bentota. Have breakfast and enjoy the seashore scenery in Bentota. 
• Take a beautiful boat ride over River Madhu overlooking the majestic islets. 
• Visit the must-visit Turtle Hatchery, where you have the chance to see hatchlings and baby turtles.
• In the evening, drive to Galle. 

Overnight in Galle.

Spot guide needed during the day

• 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 catch a beautiful sunset at Flag Rock.

• After the sunset in Galle, hop back into the car for your drive along the coast to Colombo. 

• Reach Colombo late in the evening.

Overnight in Colombo.

Spot guide needed during the day

• Have a relaxed breakfast at your hotel. Go on a sightseeing tour of Colombo. (Half-day or full-day tour, depending on the time of your departure.)

  • In Colombo, you can see the colonial buildings, the National Museum, the 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 for your onward journey.

Spot guide needed during the day