Flight: EK348 Dubai - Colombo 07.45 - 13.20

Meet & Greet: On arrival in Colombo, you will be welcomed to Sri Lanka by your private driver and transferred to nearby Pannala. This is a journey of approximately 45 minutes.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Horathapola Coconut Estate (Family Suite)

Meals: Dinner

Day at leisure: Today is at leisure to relax by the pool or explore the estate by bicycle or by bullock cart.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Horathapola Coconut Estate (Family Suite)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Road journey from Pannala to Sigiriya, via the Dambulla Cave Temples: After breakfast, your driver will meet you at your hotel and you will set off for Dambulla, in the cultural triangle region, a journey of approximately 3 hours. Upon arrival in Dambulla, you will be taken on a tour to the famous Golden Rock Cave Temple complex. The caves are located at the top of a hill and the only access is on a pathway and stairs carved into the hillside. The path is steep in sections and the walk from the bottom to the summit is quite tough, however, it is possible to drive up to a point about half way up for those who don't fancy walking all the way from the bottom. The walk from halfway up will still require a good level of fitness, but at the top you will be rewarded with 5 magical and dimly lit caves crammed with Buddhist statues and murals. Dating back over 2000 years the caves are of huge significance to Sri Lanka's Buddhists. After exploring the caves and taking in the impressive views from the top (on a clear day you will get a very good view of Sigiriya Rock), descend the hill, back to the comfort of your air-conditioned car. Please be aware that those visiting the cave temples at the summit will be required to remove your shoes before entering the site. Continue by road to your hotel nearby.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Wild Grass Nature Resort (2 Bedroom Family Villa)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Morning climb of Sigiriya Rock: Early this morning, you will be driven to the bottom of the Sigiriya rock, one of Sri Lanka's most famous and striking attractions. The rock is best climbed early in the morning and depending on your time of departure, you may wish to arrange for a packed breakfast to be taken with you, this can be arranged at your hotel the night before. On arrival at the rock you will commence the climb with an expert local guide who will explain the ancient history of this unique rock fortress. Walk through the extensive gardens, ringed by an intimidating moat, and up the steep steps, passing through the famous Lion's Paw to the summit where you will enjoy the jaw-dropping views out over the Sri Lankan countryside. After some time to rest, descend the rock and meet up with your driver who will take you for lunch at a local restaurant (payable locally). Visitors should be aware that sections of the climb are steep and the upmost care should be taken when ascending and descending the rock. The last section up to the summit is on a narrow metal staircase and to reach the summit requires a good level of fitness. Many people decide to stop by the Lion's Paw, about two-thirds of the way up and enjoy the view from there.

Afternoon safari in Minneriya National Park or Hurulu Eco-Park: This afternoon, you will set off on a private jeep safari. Depending on the season and conditions on the ground, the safari will either be in the Minneriya National Park or the Hurulu Eco-Park, both famed for their elephant populations. This area is known locally as the ‘elephant corridor' due to the large number of elephants that pass through at certain times of year when the water dries up in different parts of the country. As well as elephants you are also likely to see deer, monkeys and many rare species of bird.

Your safari today will be with a local tracker who will endeavour to help you have the best wildlife sightings possible. Conditions of the tracks around the park differ, depending on the time of year, but generally you should expect them to be bumpy and dusty. Please also be aware that the park is a popular place to visit and can get busy with other jeeps.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Wild Grass Nature Resort (2 Bedroom Family Villa)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Bicycle tour of Polonnaruwa: Today you will be taken on a bicycle tour of the ruined ancient city of Polonnaruwa. Your driver will transfer you from your hotel to Polonnaruwa and on arrival, you will be provided with bicycles to explore the ruins on two wheels.  A well-planned city defended by enclosing walls (around 5 km of which still remain), graced by palaces, shrines, monasteries, pavilions, parks, ponds and irrigation lakes. Polonnaruwa is strewn with ruins in a resplendent state of preservation and is a delightful place to explore.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Wild Grass Nature Resort (2 Bedroom Family Villa)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Road journey to Ella: Today you will be transferred into the hills to the sleepy village of Ella, due south from Sigiriya. This is a long journey of around 5-6 hours and the road gets quite windy as you approach Ella. On arrival, check into your hotel and relax for the rest of the day.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the 98 Acres Resort & Spa (2 Superior Rooms)

Meals: Breakfast

Explore Ella & the surrounding area: There are lots of opportunities to set off for a day trekking or cycling from your base in Ella and today's itinerary is flexible for you to explore, with your driver-guide at your disposal. Little Adam's Peak, Ella Rock and the Ravana & Bambaragama Falls are all within easy striking distance of your hotel. The hotel can also arrange cookery classes.

Accommodation: Stay these nights at the 98 Acres Resort & Spa (2 Superior Rooms)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey to Gal Oya National Park: This morning, you will be transferred north-east to the Gal Oya Lodge on the edge of the the Gal Oya National Park. Depending on road conditions, this is a journey of around 3-4 hours.

Afternoon in Gal Oya: In the afternoon, you are free to relax at the lodge, and partake in one of the many activities on offer. You might like to relax around the pool, potter around the 20-acre private forest, or learn more about local culture. Alternatively, there is plenty of exploration on offer including jungle drives, bicycle tours, riverside picnics, bird walks, naturalist treks and park hikes. As each stay is 100% customised no activities are booked in advance, and are thus payable locally. Please ask your consultant for more details and rates for what is on offer.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Gal Oya Lodge (2 Bungalows)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Full day in Gal Oya National Park: Today you have a full day at the Lodge to relax, explore, or join in activities. If there are activities you would particularly like to include please let your consultant know and they can be arranged in advance. Activities that the lodge can arrange include nature safaris by jeep or by boat around Sri Lanka's largest lake and a visit to meet the local village chief from the indigenous Veddha tribe.

Please be aware that some activities are not included and will cost extra, but there are also local treks and bicycle tours that that are included in your stay.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Gal Oya Lodge (2 Bungalows)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Road journey from Gal Oya to Passekudah: Set off after breakfast this morning from Gal Oya towards the Eastern coast of Sri Lanka. You are heading towards the fast-developing resorts of Passekudah and Kalkudah. Deserted a few years ago, these small villages are home to two beautiful bays and a growing number of excellent resorts. Driving time today will be approximately 3 hours, checking in at your beach resort in the early afternoon.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Uga Bay Resort (2 x Beach Studios)

Meals: Breakfast

Days at leisure: These days are at leisure to relax on the beautiful beach and swim in the pool at your hotel. Bicycles can be hired locally to explore the local area, the nearby village and beach at Kalkudah are certainly worth exploring. A range of watersports and other activities can also be arranged through your hotel and paid for locally.

Accommodation: Stay these nights at the Uga Bay Resort (2 x Beach Studios)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey to Colombo, with sightseeing en route: After breakfast you will set out on the 7 hour drive back to Colombo with a few stops along the way. The first part of the journey takes you to the famous 18 hairpin bends, or ‘Daha Ata Wanguwa' as they are popularly known, which form part of the spectacular drive down the Kandy to Mahiyangana Road. The road is wide, the bends are broad with wide shoulders and the view is breathtaking. Once one of the most challenging, and dreaded drives, in the country, it is now smooth and enjoyable! Later on you will visit the British-built Victoria Dam, at a height of 118m it is the tallest in Sri Lanka, lying across the Mahaweli River - the longest river in the country. There is a viewing platform from where you can take pictures. Afterwards continue the journey on to Colombo arriving mid-afternoon.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Galle Face Hotel (2 x Landmark Rooms)

Meals: Breakfast

Colombo Jeep Tour: At the advised time today, you will be met at your hotel in a vintage jeep or Land Rover and taken on a 3 hour tour of Colombo with an expert guide. Seeing Colombo in an open air jeep will give you 360 degree visibility which is great for taking photographs and filming while sightseeing. Starting with Galle Face Green, your tour will cover Colombo’s most famous and most spectacular sites including Aththidiya bird sanctuary.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Galle Face Hotel (2 x Landmark Rooms)

Meals: Breakfast