Our chauffeur guide & your travel companion during your tour in Sri Lanka will meet you at the airport and you will be transferred to Colombo.

(Private Transfer – approximate driving duration 45 minutes–1 hours)

Colombo, Sri Lanka‘s bustling commercial hub, is located on the country’s west coast and with a population of between 800,000 and one million is by far the country’s biggest city, as well as the most developed. Its natural harbour at the mouth of the Kelani River was a magnet for successive traders and conquerors – initially the Arab merchants, then Portuguese, Dutch and British imperialists. Originally named Kolomthota, Colombo was the main seaport of Kotte, the country’s 15th and 16th century capital.The oldest districts of the city, which are nearest the harbour and north of Beira Lake, are known as the Fort and the Pettah. The Fort is still a focal point of government and commercial activity and Pettah has become a district of small shops, markets, and sidewalk stalls, with all the characteristic features of an Oriental bazaar. There is a lively nightlife at a number of International standard hotels, clubs, pubs and dining venues while it is limited mainly to the high end customer. During the day, Colombo’s colourful street markets, colonial-era buildings, museums and galleries, churches, mosques and temples, and the lovely Viharamahadevi Park with it beautiful trees, makes it a great place to explore on foot.

On arrival check in to the hotel & relax.

Overnight accommodation at a hotel in Colombo

Colombo is the largest city and former capital of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital. Colombo is a busy and vibrant city with a mixture of modern life and colonial buildings and ruins and a city population of 647,100. Due to its large harbour and its strategic position along the East-West sea trade routes, Colombo was known to ancient traders 2,000 years ago. However it was only made the capital of the island when Sri Lanka was ceded to the British Empire in 1815, and its status as capital was retained when the nation became independent in 1948.

When administrative functions were moved to Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Colombo was designated as the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. The main city is home to a majority of Sri Lanka's corporate offices, restaurants and entertainment venues. Famous landmarks in Colombo include the Galle Face Green facing the Indian Ocean, the Viharamahadevi Park as well as the National Museum.The Independence Square, is also a must visit, which today has become a major tourist attraction due to its historical significance and extraordinary work of architecture.. Colombo is a shopper’s paradise! Choose from the many branded wear available at a fraction of the price. Don’t limit yourself to the many department stores and malls; remember to visit the bazaar area of Pettah which is the very heart of trading in Colombo. Remember to wear comfortable shoes!

On completion return back to the hotel & relax

Overnight accommodation at a hotel in Colombo

Today after breakfast at the hotel proceed to Habarana

En route visit Millennium Elephant Foundation.

(Private Transfer – approximate driving duration 2–3 hours)

Millennium Elephant Foundation (MEF) a family run non-government organization (NGO) which is dedicated to improving the welfare of domestic elephants throughout Sri Lanka. It houses elephants rescued from aggressive mahouts, and elephants retired from working in temples. We provide and fund the care, medical treatments, food, mahout salaries, the running costs of the charity as well as having an on call Mobile Veterinary Unit which travels around the country treating sick elephants in need. Its two kilometers from Pinnawala, on the Karandupona–Kandy road. Elephant Walk is the new and exclusive home for Elephant lovers, elephant rides for tourists is an alternative option. It’s an up-close and personal experience which is unique to MEF. Most tourists enjoy it as it is the most interactive way to connect with them. An international elephant foundation program is run every 365 days per year dedicated to the daily care of our elephants by our team. Applicants are welcome from all over the world.

On completion proceed to Habarana

(Private Transfer – approximate driving duration 2–3 hours)

Sitting on a major road junction almost equidistant between Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura and Dambulla (and close to Sigiriya and Ritigala), the large village of HABARANA is of little interest in itself but has a decent spread of relatively upmarket accommodation, making it a convenient base from which to visit any of the Cultural Triangle’s major sights. It’s also the handiest point of departure for trips to Minneriya and Kaudulla national parks, which offer some of the island’s best elephant-spotting. The main attraction in Habarana is the fine Habarana Lake, encircled by a small footpath around which it’s possible to walk in 90min or so. Alternatively, a number of hotels and tour operators offer elephant rides by the lake and elsewhere (around $25 for 1hr), although the sight of these mighty animals trudging lugubriously through town beneath a surfeit of chains may leave you feeling almost as uncomfortable as the elephants themselves.

On arrival check in to the hotel & relax

Overnight accommodation at a hotel in Habarana

Today after breakfast at the hotel proceed to visit Hiriwadunna village including cookery demonstration + Lunch

Today, you will drive to a village that lies lain around a reservoir located off the main Habarana road - Hiriwadunna. This is a typical countryside experience with bullock cart rides and rural vegetable cultivation. You'll be departing early from the hotel to begin a beautiful walk over village paths, a tank bund and forest. A ride on a bullock cart along a dirt track and through rice paddies down to the picturesque Hiriwadunna Lake will leave you with a sense of peacefulness. A catamaran ride on the lake with its large variety of dry zone bird life and views of the surrounding forest, marshland and vegetable plots of local farmers, will be an unforgettable experience for visitors and will most definitely be one of the places they feel most at peace, during the time spent in Sri Lanka. You will also indulge in an authentic village type lunch prepared by our host.

On completion proceed to visit Polonnaruwa city on Bicycle Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka’s splendid medieval capital was established as the first city of the land in the 11th Century, A.D. Kings ruled the central plains of Sri Lanka from Polonnaruwa 800 years ago, when it was a thriving commercial and religious centre. The glories of that age can be found in the archaeological treasures that still give a pretty good idea of how the city looked in its heyday. You'll find the archaeological park a delight to explore, with hundreds of ancient structures – tombs and temples, statues and stupas – in a compact core. The Quadrangle alone is worth the trip.

On completion return back to the hotel & relax

Overnight accommodation at a hotel in Habarana

Today after breakfast at the hotel proceed to visit Sigiriya lion rock. Built by an obsessed monarch in the 5th century, Sigiriya or Lion Rock is an astonishing feat of engineering and construction. The most striking portion of Sigiriya, a terracotta and grey core of rock set in the cultural heart of Sri Lanka, rises a sheer 200 metres above a forested plain, its flattened summit sloping gently. A series of moats, ramparts and water gardens — remnants of an ancient city — spread out on two sides of the rock, with the remains of a pair of giant stone lion’s paws still guarding the staircase that leads to the summit, once occupied by a royal palace. Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982, Sigiriya is Asia’s best preserved city of the first millennium, showing complex urban planning around the base of the rock, combined with sophisticated engineering and irrigation skills in the palace perched on the summit. It is considered it to be one of the oldest tourist attractions in the world with visitors recording their impressions in some of the earliest-known graffiti. The pleasure gardens include a series of symmetric pools, channels and fountains that still spurt water after 1,500 years. Partway up the rock are the famous Sigiriya frescoes, featuring 21 bare-breasted damsels that may represent celestial nymphs, but were surely modeled on Kasyapa's own consorts. Halfway you'll encounter a pair of giant lion's paws, part of the original entrance, which required visitors to pass through the open mouth of a lion. The summit yields a dramatic vista of the surrounding jungle and contains the foundations of the palace complex, replete with bathing pools.

On completion return back to the hotel & relax. Afternoon proceed to visit Lanka Wild Elephant Safari

On completion return back to the hotel & relax

Overnight accommodation at a hotel in Habarana

Today after breakfast at the hotel proceed to Kandy.

En route visit Dambulla cave temple.

(Private Transfer – approximate driving duration 30–35 minutes)

Dambulla Cave Temple is a vast isolated rock mass and it was here that king Valagambahu took refuge in the 01st century B.C. when fleeing from his enemies. He later turned the caves into a rock temple. The Golden Temple of Dambulla has been the centre of pilgrimage for Buddhists and Hindus like for 22 centuries. It is Sri Lanka’s most popular historic site. The Cave monastery, home to Buddhist monks is covered with exquisite 2,000 year-old murals depicting the life and times of the Lord Buddha. The shrines also house a collection of 157 statues of Buddha in various sizes and poses, including a 15 metre long reclining Buddha and vividly coloured frescoes on the walls and ceiling, making this the largest antique painted surface in the world. To reach Dambulla’s rock temples, pilgrims and tourists alike must climb barefoot up the sloping ground and several series of stairs almost to the summit, 100 metres above the plain. From here, the strikingly distinctive rock fortress of Sigirya is visible, but the five caves or shrine rooms of Dambulla lie just ahead. All of these house multiple images of the Lord Buddha, either lying, standing or seated. The astonishing frescoes and the sheer size and antiquity of the caves convinced UNESCO that Dambulla should be preserved as a World Heritage Site.

On completion proceed to Kandy

(Private Transfer – approximate driving duration 2–3 hours)

Kandy, perhaps is Sri Lanka’s most beautiful town. Set 488 meters above sea level, Kandy is Sri Lanka’s most visited place after Colombo. Kandy is the English name for the city of Maha Nuvara (Senkadagalapura) in the centre of Sri Lanka. It was the last capital of the ancient kings' era of Sri Lanka. The city lies in the midst of hills in the Kandy plateau, which crosses an area of tropical plantations, mainly tea. Kandy is one of the most scenic cities in Sri Lanka; it is both an administrative and religious city. It is the capital of the Central Province and also of Kandy District. Kandy is the home of The Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) one of the most venerable places for the Buddhist community of Sri Lanka and all around the world. It was declared a world heritage by the UNESCO in 1988. There are a number of shrines and temples in and around Kandy, where you will see rare paintings, frescoes, and stone carvings from the Kandyan period.

On completion return back to the hotel & relax. Afternoon proceed to visit Peradeniya royal botanical garden Peradeniya is a suburb of Kandy and it is famous for the Royal Botanical Gardens, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in Asia. It is situated in a slope of the Mahaweli river and attracts many visitors from Sri Lanka as well as from abroad.Royal Botanical Garden, Peradeniya is situated about 5.5 km to the west from the city of Kandy in the Central Province of Sri Lanka and attracts 2 million visitors annually. It is renowned for its collection of a variety of orchids. It includes more than 4000 species of plants, including of orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palm trees. Attached to it is the National Herbarium.The classical Avenue of Palms is located in this Garden. One tree with a significant history is the Cannonball Tree planted by King George V of the United Kingdom and Queen Mary in 1901. The tree is bent with its fruits, which look like cannonballs.

On completion proceed to visit Kandy lake view

On completion proceed to visit Cultural show

These classical dance forms are associated with the performance of various rituals and ceremonies which are centuries old and are based on the folk religion and folk beliefs going back to times before the advent and acceptance of Buddhism by the Sinhalese people in the third century B.C. These rituals and ceremonies reflect the values, beliefs and customs of an agricultural civilization of Sri Lanka.

On completion return back to the hotel.

Overnight accommodation at a hotel in Kandy

Today after breakfast at the hotel proceed to visit Kandy war cemetery. On completion proceed to visit Ambuluwawa and visit Kandy market. On completion proceed to visit Temple of the tooth Kandy, perhaps is Sri Lanka’s most beautiful town. Set 488 meters above sea level, Kandy is Sri Lanka’s most visited place after Colombo. Kandy is the English name for the city of Maha Nuvara (Senkadagalapura) in the centre of Sri Lanka. It was the last capital of the ancient kings' era of Sri Lanka. The city lies in the midst of hills in the Kandy plateau, which crosses an area of tropical plantations, mainly tea. Kandy is one of the most scenic cities in Sri Lanka; it is both an administrative and religious city. It is the capital of the Central Province and also of Kandy District. Kandy is the home of The Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) one of the most venerable places for the Buddhist community of Sri Lanka and all around the world. It was declared a world heritage by the UNESCO in 1988. There are a number of shrines and temples in and around Kandy, where you will see rare paintings, frescoes, and stone carvings from the Kandyan period. The scared Temple of the Tooth in the historic city of Kandy houses one of Buddhism’s most sacred relics and draws followers of the Buddhist faith from all over the world. The Royal Complex situated around the Temple of the Tooth and Kandy Lake – comprising of the King’s Palace, the Queens Palace, the Audience Hall, the Royal Boathouse and the Royal Summer House, represent the zenith of ancient Sri Lankan architecture. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth enshrines Sri Lanka’s most important relic of Lord Buddha. Constructed during the 17th and 18th centuries, this temple is surrounded by a deep moat. Nearby are three impressive shrines or devalas dedicated to guardian deities: Natha, Vishnu and Pattini. A fourth devala a short distance away, the Kataragama shrine, is famed for its wooden columns with exquisitely carved panels. The temple was part of a complex of buildings that included the 16th century King’s Palace (part of which now houses the Archaeological Museum), while the Queen’s Palace, home to the National Museum, has a collection of royal regalia. Kandy’s pleasant Lake in the centre of the old city was created by the last Sinhalese King in 1807.

On completion return back to the hotel & relax Overnight accommodation at a hotel in Kandy.

Today after breakfast at the hotel proceed to Ella

En route visit Ramboda Falls

(Private Transfer – approximate driving duration 1–2 hours)

On completion proceed to visit Tea plantation in Nuwara Eliya Pure Ceylon Tea is regarded as the finest tea in the world and visiting a tea estate will be an unforgettable experience for any visitor to Sri Lanka. There is an oasis of calm and quiet in the middle of a tea estate. Tea estates in Sri Lanka are wonderful places to chill out and breathe in the fresh mountain air while enjoying great views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Tea plucking is an initial step in the tea making process. It is a delicate act that is artfully done by hand in order to eventually produce the finest quality tea. If desired, the visitor can join the tea puckers, collecting unforgettable memories to take back. The heart behind the tea process is the tea factory. It is a vast building where all the miracles happen to help create the perfect cup of tea.

On completion proceed to visit the mountains and afterwards visit Gregory lake
Set in the middle of the Nuwara Eliya town, Gregory Lake was built by Governor William Gregory between 1872 and 1877. The green around the Gregory Lake is famous for sunbathing, picnicking and generally relaxing with families. This area becomes crowded during the spring festival in April with carnivals and various other family friendly activities.

On completion proceed to Nanu Oya railway Station (Nuwara Eliya) to take a train ride journey to Ella. (Train timings to be notified) The route from Nuwara Eliya to Ella is considered the most scenic train journey in Sri Lanka. This train ride will take you through stunning landscapes of green and lush tea plantations and mountain views, small villages, longstanding bridges, waterfalls, as you are greeted by local kids running along the train tracks.

Once arrived to Ella railway station proceed to the hotel in Ella by road.

(Private Transfer – approximate driving duration 2–3 hours)

Ella is blessed with some of the most beautiful views, you could find in Sri Lanka. Only 8 km from Bandarawela, this small town is used as a base for plenty of trekking expeditions to the surrounding countryside. A taste of the breathtaking scenery of Ella could be had, if you just walk into the Garden of the Grand Ella Motel (Formerly Ella Rest House), where you seem to be standing at the edge of the world, and everything around you seems to disappear at your feet.

On arrival check in to the hotel & relax. Afterwards do a city tour in Ella and return back to the hotel

Overnight accommodation at a hotel in Ella

Today after breakfast at the hotel proceed to visit Nine arch bridge.
Built at 3100m above sea level, among the craggy peaks of the Central Highlands; the Nine Arches forms a viaduct between the Demodara and Ella railway stations. Built entirely out of brick, rock and cement; without a single piece of steel; the bridge has stood solid from 1921, its time of creation. One of the highlights in the mountain village Ella is the 30-meter high Demodara Nine Arch Bridge. With a small 30- minute walk through the jungle, you will reach a piece of beautiful architecture that is hidden between lush green tea fields. It is allowed to walk on the bridge and it’s one of the few things to do in Sri Lanka. Train tours in the highlands of Sri Lanka, is rated as one of the best train tours in the world. And of course, the majestic Nine Arch Bridge is one of the many reasons for that. The glorious Nine Arch Bridge between Ella and Demodara station is one of the engineering marvels in the early 20th century. The best time to visit the Nine Arch Bridge is when the train is passing as it has an amazing view.

On completion proceed to visit little Adam’s peak. The Little Adam`s Peak got it`s named after it`s big brother, the holy mountain Adam`s Peak, because of the similar shape. Adam`s Peak is further west in Sri Lanka, close to Nuwara Eliya, and is 2243 m high and a much more exhausting and more challenging climb! The mountain has however three names; Adam`s Peak (this is where Adam first set foot on earth after being cast out of heaven), Sri Pada (Buddha`s footprint left by the Buddha as he headed towards paradise) and Samanalakande (Butterfly mountain, where butterflies go to die). We had plans of climbing Big Adam`s Peak, but Espen hurt his knee so we settled for the “little brother” instead.

On completion proceed to do Ravana zip line and return back to the hotel & relax Overnight accommodation at a hotel in Ella.

Today after breakfast at the hotel proceed to Yala. En route visit Ravana Falls. Ravana Falls is another must visit in Ella. Hill country of Sri Lanka is quite popular for beautiful waterfalls and Ravana Falls is right at the top. It currently ranks as one of the widest falls in the country. This waterfall measures approximately 25 m (82 ft) in high and cascade from an oval-shaped concave rock outcrop. During the local wet season, the waterfall turns into what is said to resemble an areca flower with withering petals. Although during the dry season it reduces dramatically. The falls is a part of the Ravana Ella Wildlife Sanctuary, and is located 6 km away from Ella Railway station. The falls have been named after the legendary king Ravana, which is connected to the famous Indian epic, the Ramayana. According to legend, it is said that Ravana (who was the king of Sri Lanka at the time) had kidnapped princess Sita, and had hidden her in the caves behind this waterfall, now simply known as the Ravana Ella Cave. At the time, the cave was surrounded with thick forests in the midst of wilderness. It is also believed that Rama’s queen bathed in a pool that accumulated the water falling from this waterfall.

On completion proceed to visit Buduruwagala buddha statue. The mysterious stone sculptures Buduruvagala amidst the jungle. A walk of 3 km from the main road to see the sculptures. Buduruwagala is an old Buddhist temple with a secret. The complex consists of seven statues and belongs to the Mahayana school of Buddhism. The statues were probably the 10th century bc . Giant Buddha statue still has traces of the original stucco and colors. It is interesting to note that one can see several mythological figures of Mahayana worship such as Vajrapani , Avalokitesvara and his wife, Tara , together with the main character of the Buddha.

On completion proceed to Yala.

(Private Transfer – approximate driving duration 1–2 hours)

On arrival check in to the hotel & relax. Overnight accommodation at a hotel in Yala

Today packed breakfast from the hotel proceed to visit Yala national park. Yala National Park is located in the south eastern region of Sri Lanka and extends over two provinces of Hambantota district of southern province and Monaragala district in Uva province.The gateway to Yala National Park is Tissamaharama. A 20 km drive via Kirinda takes the visitors to the Palatupana. At Palatupana, the well-designed visitor center provides the information to the tourists and assign a tracker to all incoming vehicles. The park provides jeeps with soft– tops which gives the opportunitiy to view wild life. Dawn and dusk bring about the best timing for Safari tours in the Yala National Park. Being located in one of the arid regions of Sri Lanka, the Climate of Ruhuna National Park is usually hot and dry.Yala National Park that consists of five blocks is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka.

On completion return to the hotel & relax

Overnight accommodation at a hotel in Yala

Today after breakfast at the hotel proceed to Mirissa

En route visit Hummanaya blow hole.

(Private Transfer – approximate driving duration 1–2 hours)

On completion proceed to visit coconut tree hill and afterwards proceed to do snorkelling On arrival check in to the hotel & relax

Overnight accommodation at a hotel in Mirissa

Early morning proceed to Whale watching. Today packed breakfast at the hotel proceed to Hikkaduwa

En route visit whale watching In Mirissa (Optional) On arrival check in to the hotel & relax. Afternoon proceed to visit Turtle hatchery.

On completion return back to the hotel & relax

Overnight accommodation at a hotel in Hikkaduwa.

Spend full day at leisure at your own pace.

Today after breakfast at the hotel proceed to proceed to do Madu ganga boat ride including visit to Cinnamon Island. Snorkelling & Scuba diving (Optional and Not Included) or spend the rest of the day at leisure

Overnight accommodation at a hotel in Hikkaduwa

Spend full day at leisure at your own pace.

After Breakfast check out from the hotel and proceed to airport for your safe departure back home.

Today you will be transferred to the Colombo International airport accompanied by all the happy memories of the tropical isle, Sri Lanka

(Private Transfer – approximate driving duration 2-3 hours)

End of the holiday!