Day 1 : Welcome to Sri Lanka
Your adventure begins from the moment you arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport after your direct Sri Lankan Airlines flight. Here you will be welcomed by one of our representatives, who will drive you to Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo. When you arrive at your hotel you can just relax the rest of the day or can explore the city on your own. It is very easy to get around by tuk-tuk. But a top travel tip is to make sure the tuk-tuk has a working meter.
Day 2: Colombo & Kandy
Today you can enjoy a delicious breakfast before being picked up from the hotel at 9:30am. You will be taken to the last ancient capital of Sri Lanka, Kandy. Once you reach the hotel you can freshen up and stretch your legs from the drive. In the late afternoon you will visit the renowned Kandy Temple, also known as "The Temple of the Tooth", where the tooth relic of the Buddha lies. Once you have soaked in the calming atmosphere of the temple you will be taken to the lively sounds of the traditional Kandyan dance performance. Make sure you have your camera ready to snap photos of this colourful dance.
Day 3: Kandy & Sigiriya
After breakfast you will start your journey towards Sigiriya, the cultural centre of Sri Lanka. On-route you will visit one of the well known spice gardens in Matale, where you will be taken on a tour of the gardens and learn a bit about the different uses of the spices. Then you will be taken on a tour of an artisanal Batik factory. Before reaching Sigiriya you will also stop at the well-known Dambulla Cave Temple which is one of the most famous cave complex of magnificent Buddha images and rock paintings of vivid colours and shapes. In the late afternoon you will visit Sigiriya Rock, which is regarded by many as an architectural wonder of the world. This is a 370-meter granite rock with a magnificent palace that was built around 475 AD. Once you reach the plateau you are faced with breathtaking views of the surrounding area. It’s a place you will want to pull out your selfie stick and take snaps that you will treasure for a lifetime.
Day 4: Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Minneriya National Park
After an early breakfast you will travel to Polonnaruwa, which one of Sri Lanka's ancient cities. Lean how Polonnaruwa was protected by six kilometers of encircling walls. The highlight of Polonnaruwa is the Gal Vihara Rock Sculptures where an unknown 12th century sculptor carved three giant figures of the Buddha plus a chapel into a granite cliff-face. All this sightseeing will mean you have worked up an appetite, which is good, because lunch will be served at Priyamali Gedera. This is a family run restaurant providing you with fresh produce from the surrounding area. The food here is made in the most authentic Sri Lankan way, which you can enjoy overlooking the beautiful rice paddy fields. After lunch you will visit the famous Minneriya National Park, which is home to large herds of elephants. With some luck you will be able to take some amazing shots of these majestic gentle giants. Just imagine coming face to face with these magnificent creatures and watching then trump their trucks. Of course you will get to see various other animals in the park so make sure you do not forget your camera. After a day of culture and wild life you will head back to the hotel and unwind.
Day 5: Sigiriya & Anuradhapura
After breakfast you will visit yet another ancient city of Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura. This is considered to be the sacred city of Buddhism due to Mihintale, where the son of great Indian Emperor Asoka conveyed Buddhism to Sri Lanka. Today you will travel to the top of Mihintale where you will have a breathtaking view of the surrounding area. The city is one of the principle shrines of Buddhism and you can find the famous Bodhi tree, which is said to have been brought down by Lord Buddha during the 3rd century BC. Anuradhapura has remarkable monuments, particularly the Dagabas, placed on circular foundations and surrounded by a ring of monolithic columns, characteristic of the Sinhalese stupas. After absorbing all this culture you will make your way back to Sigiriya. On the way you will stop at the famous Aukana Buddha, which is one of the largest standing Buddhas that has been carved out of a rock boulder.
Day 6: Sigiriya and Chilaw Beach Hotel
Today you can enjoy a late breakfast before heading to your booked beach hotel where you will be able to enjoy the beautiful Indian Ocean whilst sipping on a delicious cocktail for the next 5 days. Feeling the sand between your toes as you stroll the endless beach is just one of the relaxing things you can do to unwind.
Day 11: Goodbye
Unfortunately today is your last day in Sri Lanka. After breakfast you will be taken to the airport for your flight back to the UK.
If you would like to travel in a premium cabin or extend your stay, then please speak with our specialist team.
