On arrival, transfer to the beach or lagoon-front resort on Kalpitiya Peninsular. Kalpitiya is all about bar reefs, sand dune beaches, mangrove swamps and of course, water sports. Unwind and relax after your long flight.

This morning, hop aboard a boat for a dolphin-watching adventure. Kalpitiya is a celebrated location to spot large pods of dolphins that can count up to hundreds at times and from recent, sperm whales have begun frequenting these waters too. Spend the rest of the day leisurely.

After spending the morning hours leisurely, check out by noon and leave for a thrilling jeep safari in the Wilpattu National Park, the oldest and the largest wildlife park in the island. Mugger crocodiles, leopards, wild boar, spotted deer, sambar deer, wild buffaloes, sloth bears and elephants could be seen here.

Move on to the hotel in Anuradhapura.

After breakfast, visit the resplendent ruins of Anuradhapura – an ancient city where the documented history of the island began 2500 years ago. Today it is a UNESCO-preserved world heritage site. 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 Ficus-tree which is known to be the world’s historically documented oldest tree and the remnants of Brazen Palace – the nine-storey Buddhist monastery from 01st century BC, as well as the serene Samadhi Buddha statue.

Between Anuradhapura and Dambulla is the 05th century AD colossal statue of Avukana Buddha. The legendary precision and symmetry of the statue is such that a raindrop dripping from the tip of the nose lands right down to a tiny depression carved between the toes. The Avukana Buddha statue is a masterpiece of an unknown sculptor.

Thereafter head south to Dambulla town. 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. The ceilings and walls of the caves are picturesquely covered in centuries-old amazing murals, with each of them narrating a story. The bowl that collects water droplets from a ceiling of a cave is a mystery, as this dripping never ceases even in a severe drought and is said to have been there for the past 2000 years. Proceed to your accommodation in Dambulla (or Kandalama or Sigiriya).

After an early breakfast climb the Sigiriya Rock, the most visited tourist attraction in Sri Lanka. Half way up you will see the fascinating ancient frescoes ‘the damsels of Sigiriya’ and the giant paws of a huge carved lion. The mirror wall displays some of the world’s earliest known graffiti. At the summit of the rock you will see the ruins of the monarch’s palace from the 5th century AD.

Afterwards, visit a 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.

Continue on to Kandy (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the island’s second largest city and the last stronghold of the Sri Lankan monarchs before it fell to the British in 1815. Embark on a city tour – visit the famous vista point up at the upper-lake drive from where you will catch a panoramic view of the city below. Drive around the man-made Kandy Lake and visit a gem museum.

The city boasts enough historical sites and landmarks to keep you occupied for days. Now it rises through the ranks as an excellent shopping destination worth exploring in between your delightful sightseeing too. This afternoon a couple of hours are at your disposal to browse through fabulous gift stores, wooden handicrafts, silk and batik stores before we proceed to a cultural dance show at 17:00, followed by a visit to the Temple of the Tooth Relic. The golden-roofed Temple houses Sri Lanka’s most revered Buddhist relic – a tooth of the Lord Buddha.

This morning, take a delightful excursion to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya which is located on the banks of Mahaweli River, just a few miles off Kandy city. A number of dignitaries including the Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, Emperor Nikolai II the last Tsar of Russia and Queen Elizabeth II have planted trees to mark their visits here. One of the key highlights of the gardens is the exquisite and rare orchid collection.

Later on sit back and enjoy spectacular views of endless lush tea fields as we drive 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. Factory-fresh tea can be purchased at the factory store. At the tea plantation, try out picking tea leaves with your hands. In the evening explore the Nuwara Eliya town. Spend the rest of the evening leisurely.

After breakfast check out of the hotel. Proceed to your beach-front hotel in Bentota or Kalutara via picturesque mountainous Thalawakele and Hatton towns. On the way, view the beautiful Devon and St Claire waterfalls. Spend the rest of the day leisurely at the beach hotel.

Unwind, relax and catch a tan as you enjoy your free days by the Indian Ocean.

Check out of the hotel and be transferred back to the airport. Reach 3 hours before the flight.