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: Drive 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 Buddhist 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 in to 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: Drive to Nuwara Eliya

This morning we leave Kandy and travel 3 hours to Nuwara Eliya in the heart of tea country, enjoying spectacular views of the countryside and many tea plantations, as we wind through the hill country.

In the afternoon we head to Nanu Oya railway station to board the 3 hour train to Ella / Bandarawela (depending on the location of your hotel) - but be warned, this is an interesting cultural experience. It is not luxurious and the views you get will depend upon the seat you are allocated.

On arrival you will be met at the station and transferred to your hotel in the heart of the Tea District.

Note: Train tickets can only be booked 14 days in advance, with preference given to government officials. We do try to secure 1st class tickets, but air-conditioning is available only on a very few trains. Trains are also often cancelled. If train tickets are not available, a scenic road transfer through the hill country will be substituted.

Day 8: Tea Plantation

Today enjoy a tour of the Tea Plantation to learn more about the process of growing and producing the quality tea that Sri Lanka is famous for.

The rest of the day is free to relax at your hotel and enjoy the tea district.

Note: The tea factory is closed at weekends.

Day 9: Travel to Yala

Today we travel 4 hours from the tea district to Yala National Park.

Along the way we stop to photograph the Nine Arches Bridge that was built at Gotuwala, between the Ella and Demodara stations, during the British Colonial period. You can also walk to the top and bottom viewing points, and maybe even see a train crossing.

We also stop at the cascading Ravana Waterfalls, with its backdrop of mountains and valleys. In Hindu mythology Sita, the wife of Rama, was hidden in caves behind these waterfalls when she was kidnapped from India and brought to Sri Lanka.

Afterwards we continue to Yala National Park, the premier game reserve in Sri Lanka covering an area of nearly 400 square miles (1,000 square km). It is famous for having the highest density of leopards in the world, but sightings of these magnificent animals are not guaranteed and you need to take at least 2 or 3 jeep safaris for a good chance of a sighting.

Day 10: Yala National Park

Rise early today to explore the wildlife of Yala National Park by private jeep safari. Yala is home to over 40 different species of mammals and also known locally as Ruhuna National Park. Whilst famous for its over 35 leopards, you can also see water buffalo, elephants, spotted & barking deer, wild boar, sambar, crocodiles, jackals, monkeys and mongoose. Sloth bears are also present but are rarely seen.

Birdlife is particularly rewarding including excellent raptor sightings, many aquatic birds, wild peacock, jungle fowl (the national bird of Sri Lanka), hornbills, orioles, pelicans and the rare black-necked stork. Over 200 different bird species can be seen, including many that migrate to escape the northern winter such as white-winged black terns, curlews and pintails.

Early morning and late afternoon is the best time to track leopards, but be aware that it is very difficult to find them in the wild and sightings are never guaranteed. Best viewings are generally at the end of the dry season (January to April), when the leopards search out the waterholes.

Two private jeep safaris per day are included - one in the early morning and one in the late afternoon.

Note: Please be aware that although Yala National Park offers a wonderful wildlife experience, it is a very different experience from a traditional African safari as the park is extremely busy. Be prepared for some rough roads, with the park being especially busy over weekends and festivals. Yala is closed during September and early October.

Day 11: Drive to Udawalawe

Today we travel 2 hours from Yala to Udawalawe National Park.

Along the way we visit the pilgrimage town of Kataragama - sacred to the Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and local Vedda people. Here you can view the Kiri Vehera, an ancient Buddhist stupa (sacred mound containing relics) dating back to the 6th century BC. There is also a multi-faith temple on the site.

On arrival in Udawalawe we check in to our hotel situated near the entrance to the park. In the afternoon enjoy a private jeep safari in this wildlife reserve that was created to provide sanctuary for animals displaced by the Udawalawe Reservoir and offers the best sightings of wild Asian elephants in Sri Lanka. It is an important habitat for many water birds, as well as water buffalo, spotted deer, barking deer, wild boar, sambar, jackal, mongoose and jungle cat. The nocturnal fishing cat is also found here, but is rarely seen.

Day 12: Elephant Transit Home & Galle Fort

This morning we visit the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home that cares for orphaned calves and re-introduces them into the wild, where you can observe these youngsters coming in to feed.

We then travel 3.5 hours to the fortified town of Galle. Galle Fort has a colourful history, as it was originally built by the Portuguese and later heavily fortified by the Dutch. It is today a World Heritage Site, with a multi-ethnic and multi-religious population living within its walls. After visiting the town, your guide will drop you off at your beach hotel along this beautiful coast.

Days 13 to 14: At leisure

At leisure to relax on the beautiful beaches of the Galle Coast.

You can swim in the sea, suntan around the swimming pool or indulge yourself with a spa treatment, as this region is renowned for its Ayurvedic remedies that cleanse body, mind and spirit. Enjoy the local culture and food, as well as miles and miles of wide sandy beaches, framed by coconut palms.

Optional excursions are available to explore more of fascinating Galle Fort or visit the old Kathaluwa Buddhist Temple. You can take a canal boat ride to see water birds, monkeys and water monitors, and visit a Turtle Hatchery as sea turtles nest on these beaches from December to April.

From October to May you can take an optional whale watching flight to see enormous blue whales from the air (boat rides are available, but not recommended due to their poor marine animal practices).

A full day excursion is also available to the impressive Mulkirigala Rock Temple.

Day 15: Fly Home

Transfer 3.5 hours to Colombo Airport for your flight home.

PRICING

Price is based on two adults sharing en-suite accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis with half board on safari. English-speaking guide, all transfers, park fees and specified sightseeing are included. International 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.