AYUBOWAN-! Welcome to Sri Lanka. Upon arrival at Colombo CMB airport, you will meet your tour leader and you will be transferred to your hotel (can pick-up from any hotel at Colombo or Negombo as well). The first destination will be Negombo coastal town, which has long been known as the most popular beach in Sri Lanka, famous for its golden sandy beach, food and fun.

For day one, we haven’t planned any activity, thus you are free to arrive in Sri Lanka at any time. If your flight arrives early in the day, relax on the beach and pool of your cosy hotel. Evening, you may have a walk along the seashore while enjoying the beautiful sunset and the pleasant evening atmosphere of the beachside. Overnight stay in a seafront hotel at Negombo.

After having a delicious breakfast and enjoying a hot cup of Sri Lankan tea or a coffee, you will take a wonderful journey across the stunning Sri Lankan countryside towards Dambulla city, which is the central point of the cultural triangle in the island. En-route, you may also visit the Millenium Elephant Rehabilitation Center, originally created in order to protect and look after the wild elephants found wandering in and around the forests of Sri Lanka. It is always a pleasant experience to give them a bath at the nearby river.

Upon arrival at Dambulla, you’ll enjoy a wonderful cultural village tour while exploring the beautiful countryside (INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE). It will start with a Bullock Cart ride, one of the most ancient and prime transportation systems in Sri Lanka, still used in some villages. While on the tour you will also enjoy a canoeing boat ride across the lake and TukTuk ride before reaching the farmer’s house where you will experience the typical Sri Lankan countryside hospitality.

After breakfast, you will visit Sigiriya Lion Rock Fortress (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE). King Kasyapa (477 – 495 BC) built his palace on the top of this rock and decorated its sides with colourful frescoes. Sigiriya refuses to reveal its secrets easily; in fact, you have to climb a series of vertiginous staircases to reach the top. On the way, you’ll pass quite remarkable frescoes and a pair of colossal lion paws carved into the bedrock. Afterwards, your tour leader will take you to Minneriya/Kaudulla National Park for an afternoon safari, since it is the best time to spot wild elephants on their natural habitat. If you’re up for a serious rumble in the jungle, then Minneriya/Kaudulla is your ideal destination! Spreading over 8800 hectares, this park is mainly a sanctuary for elephants, but it is also home to herds of deer, bulls, wild boars and colorful birdlife. It is always a pleasure to watch baby elephants playing with water by the main lake of the park. This place is well known as the largest elephant gathering place in the world. Overnight stay in a nature-friendly resort – Dambulla.

In the morning, if you are up to it, we could arrange a romantic hot-air balloon tour (sesonal activity/need to be pre-booked). Later on, visit the Golden Buddha Statue and the Royal Cave Temple (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE). Dambulla has the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. It has been treasured by many kings since the 1st century B.C. The rock towers 160 meters over the surrounding plains and houses 5 cave temples with some of the most unique and significant historical drawings. Afterwards, you will visit Matale Spice Garden. Then proceed towards Kandy city, the capital of the last Sinhalese kingdom. It’s set on a plateau surrounded by mountains, which are home to tea plantations and bio diverse rainforests. Kandy is also famous for its sacred Buddhist sites, including the Temple of the Tooth Relic (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE). Thereafter, you’ll enjoy a walk around Kandy’s busy city centre, including a tour of the Central Market, before engaging with a cultural dance show which is inspired by Sri Lankan arts, traditional dance and cultural heritage (INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE). Overnight stay in Kandy.

After breakfast, you’ll have a wonderful journey towards Sri Lanka’s tea region of Nuwara Eliya. It is often referred to as “Little England” because many of the buildings in this city retain from the British colonial period, such as the Queen’s Cottage, the General’s House, the Grand Hotel, the Hill Club and the Town Post Office. Since this amazing town is located in the mountains, it’s characterized by a cool climate all year long. While driving through the cold and misty hills that host lush green tea plantations, stop at a tea factory to observe the rich tradition of making Ceylon Tea kept alive up to date.

Visit a tea plantation (INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE). Sri Lanka, tea and tourism are words which cannot be separated. Explore the cold and misty hills that host lush green blankets of tea plantations. You also have the opportunity to visit a tea factory processing the prestigious brand of Ceylon Tea, to observe a rich tradition kept alive up to date. Make sure to end your factory visit in style over a perfectly blended cup of tea. Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.

In the morning, you will enjoy a spectacular train journey from Nanu-oya station to Ella village. It is known as one of the most picturesque hill country train journeys in the world. Ella is everyone’s favorite hill country village that anyone who is visiting Sri Lanka should not miss out. Thereafter, check-in to a wonderful resort, surrounded by the magical forest. The resort is located within close reach of the famed Lipton’s tea estate, Little Adams peak and Udawalawe National Park. There’s no shortage of wonderful places to relax – the infinity pool sits right above paddy fields and it is a great spot to sit back and take in the views. The rooms offer guests a chance to really connect with nature, in a unique and romantic setting. For those who want to explore, there are 80 acres of stunning forest to walk in, and it’s a perfect base if you want to discover more of the wonders the island has to offer. Overnight stay in a mount view resort – Ella Village.

After breakfast, depart from Ella towards Tangalle. En-route, you will visit Ravana waterfall, one of the most popular sightseeing attractions in Ella. It currently ranks as one of the widest falls in the country; in fact, this waterfall measures approximately 25 m (82 ft). Later on, you will proceed towards Tangalle, a delightful beach characterized by white sands and coconut palms growing right from the edge of the sea as if in imitation of a postcard of the perfect tropical beach. Upon arrival, you will check into your cozy hotel, where you could spend the rest of your day relaxing by the pool or at the beach while exploring the beauty of the surrounding nature. Overnight stay in seafront resort – Tangalle.

Early in the morning, hit back to the beautiful golden sandy beach and jump into a boat for an amazing ride on the sea to capture the blue whales and dolphins. Mirissa is one of the best places in the world to spot the biggest creature on the planet. Enjoy as blue whales swim and dive around you and be blown away by their size. Please note that whale watching is a SEASONAL activity. After two hours on the boat, you will head back to your hotel and you will spend the rest of your day relaxing at your hotel. Overnight stay in a seafront resort – Tangalle.

After breakfast, your tour leader will drive you along the southwest coast towards Galle, a city well known for its Fort (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE). It is the intersection where classic Dutch and British architecture meets a tropical setting, creating a vivid atmosphere in beauty. Walk through the streets listening to the creaks of wooden saloon doors and observe how European architecture mingles with South Asian traditions nowadays flooding cultural enthusiasts on a global scale. Historical Galle Lighthouse stands proudly on the southeast tip of the fort. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a Madu river-boat tour, which offers several memorable experiences such as fish foot therapy and cinnamon state visit. Thereafter, you’ll visit a turtle hatchery center where baby turtles learn to take their first swim and injured adults are rehabilitated back into the wild. Both locals and international volunteers are battling for the protection of sea turtles since they are endangered creatures. Overnight stay in a beach resort – Bentota.

It is a free day in Bentota; today you could spend your day relaxing at your cozy beachfront hotel while enjoying the magnificent view of the Indian Ocean. If you are looking to spend a relaxing time and to give yourself a calm and natural treat, this is the ideal place for you. Bentota beach, which extends across 7-8 kilometres, is truly a symbol of peace, calmness and cleanness. There is plenty of space for everyone to settle in perfectly and to enjoy a sunbath to the fullest. Overnight stay in a beach resort – Bentota.

After breakfast, you have the opportunity to take an optional city walk with your tour guide to visit the most highlighted places in the city and also do some last-minute shopping as well. Perhaps, you may intend to pop into a famous and internationally renowned restaurant in Colombo to end your trip over an unforgettable meal. Thereafter, proceed to the airport in time for the return flight.