On arrival, you will be warmly welcomed and transferred to hotel. Check-in time at hotel is 14:00 hrs.

Afternoon

Enjoy a city tour of Colombo — the business and commercial centre of Sri Lanka. Visit Fort — the former British administrative centre and military garrison. Explore Sea Street — the Goldsmith's quarters in the heart of Pettah, and the Bazaar area with its Hindu Temple featuring elaborate stone carvings. See the Kayman's Gate with the Belfry, and the Dutch Church of Wolfendaal dating back to 1749.

Visit Kelaniya Buddhist Temple — dating to the 6th century BC. Also visit the Davatagaha Mosque, the Colombo Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the BMICH (Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall) with its Avukana Buddha replica and the Independence Memorial.

Stay overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, proceed to Anuradhapura (approx. 4½ hrs).

Anuradhapura — the capital of Sri Lanka from the 5th century BC to the 10th century AD and the most celebrated of Sri Lanka's ancient ruined cities. Its greatest treasures are its dagobas: the Ruvanveliseya (2nd century BC, 300 feet in diameter), the Jetawanarama (370 feet), and the Thuparama Dagoba — enshrined with the collarbone of the Buddha. The city's most renowned relic is the sacred Bo Tree — grown from a branch of the tree under which the Buddha gained Enlightenment, planted 2,250 years ago. It is the oldest historically authenticated tree in the world. (Excursion approx. 3 hrs)

On completion, proceed to Dambulla. Visit the Dambulla Cave Temple — a vast isolated rock mass 500 feet high and a mile around the base. The Rock Temple dates to the 1st century BC. In the first cave is a recumbent image of the Buddha 47 feet long, cut from the rock. In the second cave — the finest and largest — there are 150 life-size statues of the Buddha, with ceiling frescoes depicting great events in the life of the Buddha and landmarks in Sinhalese history.

Check in at hotel. Stay overnight at hotel.

Morning 

Proceed to Polonnaruwa — the extraordinary ancient city that served as the island's medieval capital between the 11th and 13th centuries. Built alongside a huge man-made lake, there is an outstanding collection of well-preserved remains of palaces, bathing pools, stupas, and exquisite rock sculptures of the Buddha. Visit the Archaeological Museum.

Evening

Minneriya National Park Safari — 8,889 hectares of protected wilderness. Famous for its extraordinary large population of elephants — herds of 100 to 150 roaming in the catchment area of the lake. The park records approximately 300 wild elephants, wild buffaloes, wild boar, spotted deer, sloth bear, sambhur, leopards, crocodiles, jackals, 160 species of birds, and 78 varieties of butterflies.

Return to hotel in Dambulla. Stay overnight at hotel.

Morning 

Sigiriya — the 5th-century "Fortress in the Sky" and perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of Sri Lanka. Known as Lion Rock because of the huge lion that once stood at the entrance to the palace atop a 600-foot rock. On its summit: the foundations of the Royal Palace, water tanks, and guardhouses. On one stairway, the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting — frescoes of 21 life-sized damsels, still shining in their original colours. The Water Gardens, Fountain Gardens, Summerhouses, Boulder Gardens, and Caves within the enclosed area should not be missed.

Proceed to Kandy via Matale Spice Gardens — where cinnamon, cardamom, pepper creepers, and all other spice trees and plants are grown for visitors to see. Products are available to purchase and guides explain each plant and its use in food preparation.

Afternoon — Kandy 

Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic (Dalada Maligawa) — the holiest Buddhist shrine in Sri Lanka, housing the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. Also visit the National Museum (former Queens' Palace), the Audience Hall, Natha Devala, and Vishnu Devala. Drive around the Kandy city and lake, with the island "Kiri Samudraya" (Milk White Ocean) at its centre. Today Kandy is the centre of Buddhism, arts, crafts, dancing, music, and culture. Check in at hotel. Stay overnight at hotel.

Morning

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage — approximately 55 miles from Colombo, started in 1975 to house abandoned and wounded elephants. More than 65 elephants now reside here, including babies brought from various parts of the island as well as over 25 born through the captive breeding programme. Best visited during feeding time (09:30–10:00 hrs and 13:30–14:00 hrs) and bathing time (10:00–10:30 hrs and 14:00–14:30 hrs) when the elephants are taken to the river.

Afternoon

Visit Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens — 147 acres, started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the Kings of Gampola and Kandy. More than 4,000 species of trees, plants, and creepers — including rare and endemic flora and tropical species from around the world. Spice Garden and Orchid House are popular highlights. Five Palm Avenues beautify the gardens — the earliest and tallest (Royal Palm Avenue) was planted in 1905. The Double Coconuts from the Seashell Islands have the largest seed of all plants in the world. (Approx. 2 hrs)

Return to hotel. Stay overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, proceed to Kandy Railway Station and board the 1st class air-conditioned train to Nanu Oya — travelling through man-made tunnels, beautiful mountains, and tea plantations in the hill country. Approximately 4½ hours' journey.

This train journey through the Sri Lankan highlands is one of the most celebrated railway rides in Asia — winding through cloud forest, tea estates, and dramatic mountain scenery that unfolds through the panoramic windows of the 1st class carriage.

Afternoon — Nuwara Eliya

On arrival at Nanu Oya, proceed to Nuwara Eliya — the "Little England" of Sri Lanka, set against beautiful backdrops of mountains, valleys, waterfalls, and tea plantations. Visit a tea plantation and factory. In the evening, walk around Nuwara Eliya town — with its Queen Anne style mansions, Victoria Park, and the colourful blooms of the spring and autumn seasons. Stay overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, proceed to Bentota on the southwest coast — a beautiful beach destination on the Indian Ocean. Arrive in Bentota and check in at hotel. Leisure at the hotel.

Stay overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, the rest of the day at leisure on the beach. The golden sands and warm waters of Bentota's Indian Ocean coastline offer the perfect contrast to the temples, jungles, and ancient cities of the Cultural Triangle.

Stay overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, another full day at leisure on the beach — swimming, exploring the coastline, or simply unwinding after a rich and eventful journey through Sri Lanka.

Stay overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, transfer to Colombo Airport for your departure flight. A journey through the ancient, the wild, the verdant, and the coastal face of Sri Lanka — one of Asia's most rewarding islands — draws to its close.