Tour Itineraries

After an early breakfast transfer to Sigiriya. In the afternoon visit the Minneriya national park. The Minneriya national park is famous for its large herds of elephants and is also home to a large number of fauna and flora. Spend the day observing the wild life in a safari jeep.

After breakfast visit the Sigiriya rock fortress. Sigiriya is famous for the ancient rock fortress from the 5th Century. This magnificent complex was built by a prince who was fleeing from the consequences of patricide. Today it is a tourist hot spot where visitors come and marvel at the royal palace complex and fortress built upon a rock that rises 200 meters above the surrounding landscape this was an ideal vantage point for the troubled prince. There are many architectural, artistic and engineering marvels to explore in Sigiriya. The Sigiriya complex consists of a royal palace and citadel consisting of an inner city and outer city with the palace surrounded by three ramparts and two moats. Within the palace there are elaborate gardens with fountains watered by elaborate water retaining systems together with surface and sub-surface hydraulic systems. One of the crowning highlights is the beautiful frescos of heavenly maidens which are painted on the western rock face about 100 meters from ground level. They are remnants of a much larger collection that covered an area nearly 140 meters long! Arrive back at the hotel in the afternoon and spend the rest of the day relaxing by the pool.

Spend the late morning visiting a local village farmer and learn about their various farming practices and livelihood and enjoy a delicious home cooked meal.

Travel to Kandy from Sigiriya, the last Capital of the Sri Lankan kings. Enroute to Kandy stop at the cave temple complex in Dambulla. The Dambulla rock temple complex is home to a well-preserved collection of ancient Buddhist paintings and statues. The creators of Dambulla have carved out a gutter in the stone that prevents the temple inside from getting damaged. The creative work spans many centuries and the temple has been maintained under the patronage of many kings during their respective reign. From Dambulla proceed to Kandy, a remarkable city known for its natural beauty with a scenic lake at its center. The palace buildings, shrines and the British period buildings give it a special character. With the fall of the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa kingdoms the capital and the royal residence moved to the hill country. The geographical location of Kandy was critical in creating a natural defense strategy and the city was built in a valley surrounded by three mountain ranges and encircled by the Mahaveli River. This evening you will have a chance to visit the sacred shrine that houses the tooth relic of Lord Buddha. It is the former royal palace and a marvelous example of the Kandyan architecture. There are also some colonial structures in close vicinity that are definitely worth a visit. In the evening return to the hotel for some rest and relaxation.

After breakfast spend the day sight-seeing in Kandy. You can visit the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya which is one of the finest gardens in Asia. The Royal Botanical Gardens covers a land extent of 147 acres and has a collection of over 4000 species of orchids, bamboo, ferns, spices, palms and many more plants. The history of the gardens dates back to the era of the Kandyan Kings. Enjoy the morning exploring the Royal Botanical Gardens. You can go for a walk around the Kandy Lake and if time permits in the evening witness a Kandyan dance performance which is complete with acrobatic performances such as fire walking!

In the morning set off on a train journey into the island’s tea country. The cool climate in the town of Haputale and its surroundings offer much needed peace and quiet compared to the hustle and bustle of Kandy. This is an ideal time to relax and enjoy the fresh air. Spend the evening enjoying the scenic views of Thotalagala.

After breakfast indulge in a Ceylon tea experience by visiting a tea estate to observe tea been plucked followed by a factory visit to witness the process of processing Ceylon tea. Ceylon tea has a rich heritage and is enjoyed by many tea lovers around the world. At the factory you will be taken through each of the key processes that are followed to transform fresh tea leaves into the final product. You could also visit Lipton’s seat the location Sir Thomas Lipton the founder of Lipton tea used as an observation point of the vast tea estates that were under his watch.

Yala, possibly Sri Lanka’s most visited park is home to a wide array of wildlife. Due to its relatively small size it boasts of dense population of leopards which are relatively easier to observe. Apart from the leopards, Yala is also famous for its sloth bear population which are most prominently visible during the Palu season which falls around June and July each year. Palu, the berry like fruit of the Ceylon Ironwood tree is an irresistible treat for these furry omnivores as well as the other forest dwellers.

Set off for a full day safari in the Yala national park. It is best to enter Yala at dawn, this is the ideal time to observe the animals as they are most active and are out and about feeding. The park is alive with many species of birds congregating at the waterholes. You will see the primates and other mammals foraging as well. It is important to keep a keen eye as a surprise encounter could be around the corner! As the heat of the day begins to rise the animals will venture deeper into the forest to seek shelter under the cool shade of the trees away from the busy jeep tracks. Following their lead, you could head back to your hotel for a few hours or enjoy a packed lunch in a shaded area of the national park and continue your safari experience thereafter. Return to the hotel in the evening.

Head off to Yala national park for the second day to enjoy another fun filled day of safari. If you missed out on any mammals during the first day this will be a great opportunity to witness them. Alternatively you can visit the Bundala Bird sanctuary early morning and spend the rest of the day relaxing at the hotel.

After breakfast travel to Weligama, a coastal town in the south of Sri Lanka. Spend the rest of the day relaxing at the hotel. In the evening you can go for a walk along the beach.

Spend the morning whale watching on a private speed boat departing from Mirissa harbor (which leaves at 6.30 a.m.) where it is possible to see the great blue whale, the largest mammal on earth. Whales and dolphins are most frequently seen from November to early April. Return to shore and spend the afternoon relaxing or exploring the area.

Spend the last day of your holiday relaxing at the hotel. You can also visit the beach in the morning for a dip in the sea.

Today, transfer back to Colombo Airport for your onward flight.