DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive in Colombo

You will be met at Colombo Airport and taken on an orientation tour of this city, which is the commercial and industrial centre of Sri Lanka. The city was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century and today consists of an eclectic mix of grand colonial buildings, modern offices and bustling local shops.

We visit the vibrant Pettah Market and the National Museum, with its fine collection of antiques and Sri Lankan art. We also visit a Buddhist temple and a Hindu Temple, to experience the diversity of religion and customs of the people of Sri Lanka.

Then check in to your hotel and relax in this harbour city, situated on an ancient trading sea route.

Day 2: Travel to the Cultural Triangle

This morning your driver/guide will collect you from your Colombo hotel and introduce you to the beauty of central Sri Lanka as we travel 4.5 hours to the Cultural Triangle.

Along the way we stop at the Millennium Elephant Foundation, that works to improve the lives of domesticated Asian elephants. You can interact with the elephants and watch them bathe. As they have only a small number of elephants, this offers a very personal experience. If you don't mind getting wet, you can get into the river with them, so take your swimsuit.

On arrival check in to your hotel in the heart of this historic region.

Day 3: Sigiriya Rock & Minneriya

This morning we travel 30 minutes to Sigiriya - also known as Lion's Rock -  a massive 5th century fortress and palace ruins surrounded by extensive gardens and reservoirs.

Here you can visit the small museum located near the entrance, before climbing 1,200 steps to the top of this amazing fortress in the sky that is now a World Heritage Site, with the reward of incredible views. Ancient rock paintings can be seen in one section of your ascent.

After returning to your hotel for lunch, enjoy an afternoon jeep safari in Minneriya National Park, where you can hope to see wild Asian elephants. The elephants are particularly numerous in August and September, when they migrate along a corridor from neighbouring parks to feed on the fresh grass on the lake bed - an annual event known as "The Gathering". Birdlife is also prolific in this park.

Note: If you have mobility issues, you can still view Sigiriya Rock from the gardens at the bottom. Please expect Minneriya to be very busy, with many vehicles.

Day 4: Polonnaruwa

This morning we drive 1 hour to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa - the capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th to 13th centuries following the fall of Anuradhapura and today a World Heritage Site.

Here you can explore these magnificent ruins, which contains some fine examples of Buddha statues and marvel at this ancient civilisation, before returning to Habarana.

The afternoon is free to relax at your hotel, where optional activities include riding an elephant, touring the local town in a bull cart or enjoying an Ayurvedic spa treatment.

Note: Please dress appropriately when visiting sacred sites, with shoulders and knees covered.

Day 5: Dambulla Cave Temple & Kandy

This morning we travel 3 hours to the bustling hill capital of Kandy.

Along the way we stop at Dambulla to explore its famous Golden Rock Cave Temple, a sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site for 22 centuries. This vast isolated rock mass with five caverns filled with statues is the largest and best preserved cave monastery in Sri Lanka and is a World Heritage Site.

We also visit a Spice Garden, before checking into your Kandy hotel in this religious and ancient capital of kings.

Note: Please dress appropriately when visiting Dambulla Temple, with shoulders and knees covered. There is a steep uphill walk to the temple, so this excursion is not suitable for people with mobility issues.

Day 6: Temple of the Tooth & Botanical Gardens

Today we visit the sacred Temple of the Tooth, that houses a tooth relic of the Buddha. Religious pooja ceremonies, when the golden casket containing the tooth is revealed, are held daily at 05.00, 09.30 and 18.30 - so this is the best time to visit.

Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is a World Heritage Site partly due to this temple. Its principal Buddhist complexes have considerable importance – the high priests of the two best known, Malwatte and Asgiriya, are the most important in Sri Lanka and the Asgiriya Maha Vihara has a large reclining Buddha image.

Afterwards we visit the beautiful Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. Dating back to colonial times, this magnificent property has abundant birdlife, including a bat colony. It also has a rare collection of indigenous tropical flora, including an Orchid House. We suggest you ask your hotel to pack a picnic today, so that you can enjoy it in these gardens.

Note: Please dress appropriately when visiting the temple, with shoulders and knees covered.

Day 7: Travel to Colombo

Today we leave Kandy and travel 4 hours through central Sri Lanka to Colombo.

You will be dropped off at your hotel situated near the airport, with balance of day at leisure.

Day 8: Fly to Maldives

Transfer to Colombo Airport for your flight to Male in the magnificent Maldives archipelago. Here you will be met and transferred by speedboat or plane to your resort.

Kick off your shoes and relax on the dazzling white powder-soft sands of your secluded paradise island, backed by swaying palm trees and lapped by turquoise waters.

Days 9 to 12: At Leisure

At leisure to relax on your small atoll in the beautiful Maldives.

With its warm crystal clear turquoise waters, these paradise Indian Ocean islands offer some of the best snorkelling and scuba diving in the world - as well as the opportunity to completely unwind and escape the pressures of modern life.

The underwater world is a kaleidoscope of colour, where you can have close encounters with gentle giants like whale sharks, manta rays, dolphins & turtles. Water sports such as kayaking, kitesurfing, windsurfing, wakeboarding and deep sea fishing are also on offer.

Enjoy relaxing spa treatments or picnic on a private shell-strewn beach. Then take a sunset cruise on a wooden dhoni before dining feet-in-the-sand under the stars. Seafood is a speciality, but you will find a wide variety of delectable cuisine on offer.

Day 13: Fly Home

Transfer by speedboat or plane to Male Airport for your flight home.

Note: You will have access to the airport lounge.

PRICING

Price is based on two adults sharing en-suite accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis in Sri Lanka and half board in the Maldives. English-speaking guide in Sri Lanka, all transfers, specified sightseeing and Maldives resort transfers are included. International and domestic flights are not included and will be quoted separately.

We offer a choice of hotels at different prices, so please discuss your requirements with us. All hotels are subject to availability.

It is essential that you have personal holiday insurance. The FCO should also be consulted.