Sri Lanka National Discovery

Your Sri Lankan journey begins on arrival at Colombo airport, where a representative will meet you and assist with your transfer to Negombo. Settle in for your first night in Sri Lanka at your hotel in Negombo.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel before spending the day at your own pace in Negombo. This coastal town is known for its vibrant fishing industry and Dutch colonial heritage, offering a relaxed atmosphere to explore or simply unwind. In the evening, we will have dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Negombo.

After breakfast, we set off for Sigiriya, stopping en route at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. This pioneering sanctuary cares for around 60 elephants, including orphaned calves, providing expert protection and a social environment. You will have the chance to observe the herd as they take their daily bath in the nearby rivera memorable experience for many visitors. We then continue to Kandy, where you will have dinner and spend the night. Please note that visits to Pinnawala are permitted between 8.00 am and 5.00 pm, with health and safety measures including mask-wearing, hand sanitising, and social distancing in place.

After breakfast at the hotel, explore Kandy the last royal capital of Sri Lanka and a designated World Heritage Site. We drive around Kandy Lake, created in 1798 by the last Sinhala king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe. Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic, a significant Buddhist shrine housing a sacred tooth of the Buddha. Afterwards, we proceed to Peradeniya Botanical Garden, located about four miles from Kandy. Originally a royal pleasure garden, it was expanded during British rule and now spans approximately 147 acres. The garden features well-maintained lawns, pavilions, an octagonal conservatory, a fernery, a giant Javan fig tree and numerous flower beds, with the orchid house being a particular highlight. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay in Kandy. Please note, visits to the temple and botanical garden require adherence to health protocols, including wearing masks, using hand sanitiser and maintaining social distancing. The temple is open to visitors on weekdays from 11.30 am to 1.30 pm, and the botanical garden from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm.

After breakfast at the hotel, we transfer to Sigiriya to explore the famous Rock Fortress. This 5th-century citadel, built by King Kashyapa, rises 200 metres above the surrounding jungle and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We climb the fortress to see the extensive moat, ramparts, water gardens and the renowned frescoes of the Heavenly Maidensdelicately painted in earth pigments within a sheltered rock pocket. In the afternoon, we visit Kaudulla National Park, known for its large elephant gatherings and diverse birdlife, including species such as the Spot-billed Pelican and Grey-headed Fish Eagle. After the safari, we return to Kandy for the evening. Please note that walking up the rock fortress and visiting the national park require adherence to health protocols, including mask-wearing, hand sanitising and social distancing. Overnight in Kandy.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before travelling to Nuwara Eliya. You will explore the town from the vehicle, as stops are not permitted during the city tour. Known as Sri Lankas premier hill station, Nuwara Eliya is famed for its cool mountain climate and scenic beauty. It lies at the heart of the countrys tea-growing region, producing a significant portion of the worlds finest tea. The area is also home to Pidurutalagala, Sri Lankas highest peak at 8,282 feet, and boasts one of South Asias best 18-hole golf courses. Overnight in Nuwara Eliya.

After breakfast, we transfer to Yala National Park for an afternoon safari. Covering 1,259 square kilometres, Yala is Sri Lankas premier wildlife reserve, featuring diverse habitats including grasslands, shrubs, tanks and dunes. As we enter the park, you step into an area rich in both natural beauty and historical significance, once home to ancient Sri Lankan kingdoms. The park is renowned for its abundant wildlifeelephants, sloth bears, spotted deer, jackals, and a wide variety of bird species. Notably, Yala holds the worlds highest density of leopards, making it one of the countrys top wildlife destinations. Experience the thrill as our jeep navigates rugged tracks and narrow bends under the tropical sun, accompanied by the sounds of the wilderness. After the safari, we check in to the hotel where dinner awaits. Yala National Park is open daily from 6.00 am to 6.00 pm. Please remember to wear masks, use hand sanitiser and maintain social distancing throughout the visit. Overnight in Yala.

After breakfast at the hotel, we travel to Galle for a city tour. Galle, the vibrant capital of the south, is where classic Dutch architecture meets a tropical setting, creating a unique atmosphere. We explore the forts original ramparts and bastions, preserved for over three and a half centuries, including the old gate bearing the British coat of arms, the Zwart Bastionthe oldestand the lighthouse beside the Point Utrecht Bastion. Walking clockwise within the fort, youll see streets laid out in a rectangular grid, lined with Dutch colonial verandas. We visit the Dutch Hospital Shopping Complex, offering a variety of souvenirs. The fort remains a lively community with administrative offices, courts, churches and local residents, reflecting a rich heritage. Afterwards, we continue to Ahungalla for check-in and dinner at the hotel. Please note, during the Galle city visit, you remain on board the vehicle.

After breakfast, we transfer you to Colombo International Airport for your departure flight, concluding your Sri Lankan journey. Your chauffeur will ensure a comfortable and timely transfer, allowing you to reflect on the experiences of your trip as you prepare to leave.