On arrival at the airport, transfer to the hotel in Colombo. In the evening enjoy a brief visit in Colombo city, a mixture of colonial and modern architecture. As you drive through, learn the interesting stories of the Colonial history of Sri Lanka, in which Colombo and its port played a significant role. Visit Colombo Fort area, which was originally built by the Portuguese in 16th century, old parliament, Galle face, Dutch hospital, town hall and Independence Square.

Check out and proceed to Dambulla. Visit the Golden Cave Temple of Dambulla, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Climbing up the steps toward the top of the Rock, you will see the 2000-year old cave temple carved in the enormous isolated rock mass. Visiting inside the caves you will be amazed as you would not find a single empty space on the rock wall or the ceiling which is not picturesquely covered by amazing mural painting, with each of them narrating a story.

Continue on to your hotel in Dambulla.

After breakfast, leave for Anuradhapura – an ancient city where the documented history of the Island began 2500 years ago. Visit the resplendent ruins of the old city. Explore the stunning gigantic 03 stupas of Ruwanweliseya, Jetavanarama and Abhayagiri – the architectural marvels regarded second in size only to the great Pyramid of Giza in the ancient world. Among the other notable sites of interest are ‘Sri Maha Bodhi’ – the sacred Bo-tree which is known to be the world’s historically documented oldest tree and view the remnants of Brazen Palace – the nine-storey Buddhist monastery and serene Samadhi Buddha statue.

In the afternoon we visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa in a tuk-tuk, the second capital of ancient Sri Lanka, declared as a UNESCO world heritage site. Visit the temple of Gal vihara where you can see the statues carved into the rock and many other ruins of the tenth century.

Polonnaruwa is the second largest city in North Central Province and is known as one of the cleanest and more beautiful cities in the country. The green environment, amazing ancient constructions, the massive tank of Parakrama Samudra, make it a famous tourism hotspot.

Leave Dambulla and proceed to visit the spice garden in Matale. Gain an insight into how spices that you have used to flavour your food at home and many other tropical herbs that you have known or heard of, are grown.

Later on, transfer to the city of Kandy, which is another UNESCO world heritage site. In the afternoon, set out on a city tour of Kandy, which also offers great shopping opportunities. In the evening, enjoy a cultural dance performance, followed by a visit to the Temple of the Tooth Relic which houses the most revered Buddhist relic on the island – a tooth of the Lord Buddha.

Sit back and enjoy spectacular views of endless lush tea fields as we drive this morning to Nuwara Eliya, a mountainous town located at 1800 m above sea level. On the way, visit the beautiful Ramboda Falls and visit a tea factory. At the factory, experience picking tea with your own hands. Explore the town of Nuwara Eliya. Spend the afternoon leisurely.

This morning enjoy a train ride from Nanu Oya to Ella, which is rated one of the most scenic train rides in the world. On arrival in Ella, visit the famous nine-arch railway bridge of Demodara. The iconic bridge was built almost a century ago during the British Era. Today it is still in use and offers great photo-shoot opportunities.

From the cool hill country, descend to Yala, the dry zone rich in wild life. On the way, spend a blissful moment at the Ravana Falls in Ella. And visit the mystic rock carvings in Buduruwagala, dating back to the 10th century AD. The complex consists of seven colossal Buddha-Bodhisattva statues. One of the gigantic carvings, that of the standing Buddha – at 16m, is the tallest in the island.

Check-in to the hotel in Yala. In the afternoon you will be taken on an exciting jeep safari in the Yala National Park. Yala is known for the highest density of leopards in the world, although seeing one is pure luck. Spotted deer, wild boar, wild buffalo, crocodiles, macaques and elephants are common here, but sightings of sloth bears and leopards are rare.

Check-out from Yala and proceed to Weligama, a vibrant beach town in the southern coast. Day at leisure.

Spend the morning hours at leisure at the beach. Optionally, you can enjoy an early morning whale watching tour (to be booked in advance).

In the afternoon, drive to Galle Fort. Explore the Dutch Fort of Galle (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Engage in an interesting and informative walking tour with local expert Shanjey. At the site of the present Fort, back in 1588 the Portuguese colonizers built a modest fort using palm trees and mud. As you stroll along the 400-year-old streets, learn many interesting stories of the colonial era. On completion transfer back to your hotel in Weligama.

Your last day in Sri Lanka! Check out from hotel and visit the Turtle Hatchery in Kosgoda. Beaches in Sri Lanka are the nesting grounds for five species of marine turtles. Turtles are known to lay eggs instinctively in the same area where they were born. The Hatchery administration at Kosgoda carries out constant night-watch along the coast to find laid eggs or purchases them from the fishermen, incubate them for a specific period, then feed and keep the hatchlings up to 3 days at the farm before releasing to the ocean at night.

Transfer to the airport for departure. Reach 3 hours before the flight.