Meet & Greet: On arrival in Colombo you will be welcomed to Sri Lanka by your private driver and transferred to your hotel in the countryside near Kegalle. Depending on traffic conditions, this journey should take around an hour and a half. On arrival, check-in and relax in the peaceful surroundings.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Rosyth Estate House (Interconnecting Lime & Coconut Rooms)

Meals: Dinner

Day at leisure: Today is at leisure to relax at your hotel or explore independently. The staff at Rosyth will be more than happy to show you around the rubber plantation and take you up to the tea factory to learn about the production process. You can also hire bicycles to explore independently, set off on a trek or arrange a market visit and cookery class from the Rosyth chef (best to ask about this the day before).

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Rosyth Estate House (Interconnecting Lime & Coconut Rooms)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Morning city tour of Kandy: After breakfast you will be driven into Kandy (about an hour away) for a tour of the city. First, head up the hill to the south of the lake to a special vista point, where you can get a bird's eye view of this remarkable city. The famous Kandy Lake was built in 1807 and forms an attractive centre-piece for the town. Return to the city centre, where your guide will take you on a walking tour around the famous shopping streets and to points of interest such as the central market and the historic railway station. Later in the morning, you will be taken to visit the famous Temple of the Tooth, one of the most revered sights for Buddhists in Sri Lanka. If you wish, there will be an opportunity for you to have lunch before heading back to your hotel (payable locally - speak to your guide to arrange this).

Afternoon visit to the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens: This afternoon, visit the beautiful Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya, where a rare collection of tropical exotic and indigenous flora including the famous Orchid House could be viewed. The Gardens are renowned for the collection of a variety of orchids and include more than 4000 species of plants, including of orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palm trees. Attached to the gardens is the National Herbarium. Your guide will leave you to have some time at leisure to potter around the area and explore independently.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Rosyth Estate House (Interconnecting Lime & Coconut Rooms)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day at leisure: Today is at leisure to relax at your hotel or explore independently.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Rosyth Estate House (Interconnecting Lime & Coconut Rooms)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Road journey to Habarana, 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, 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. At the top you are rewarded with 5 magical and dimly lit caves crammed with Buddhist statues and murals. The caves date back over 2000 years and 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. Continue by road to your hotel in the nearby town of Habarana, about 30 minutes' drive from Dambulla.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Cinnamon Lodge (2 x Superior Rooms)

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 Cinnamon Lodge (2 x Superior Rooms)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Cycling tour of Polonnaruwa: This morning you will be transferred by car to Polonnaruwa and then provided with rental bikes taken on a tour of this important ruined ancient city by bicycle. 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 Cinnamon Lodge (2 x Superior Rooms)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Road journey to Alankuda Beach, stopping for a safari in Wilpattu National Park en-route: After breakfast, check out of your hotel and head north to the Wilpattu National Park, around 2 hours’ drive away. En-route, you will be taken on a safari in Wilpattu, one of Sri Lanka's largest and most interesting national parks. The wildlife population is starting to return after years of abuse and the park today is home to countless mammals, reptiles and rare birdlife. After your safari, continue to Alankuda Beach, about another 2 hours’ drive away and check into your idyllic beachside eco-resort.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Dolphin Beach Resort (Family Tent)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Days at leisure: These days are at leisure to do as much or as little as you choose. A wide range of activities can be arranged through the resort including Dolphin and Whale watching, kitesurfing, windsurfing, kayaking, donut rides and other water sports, fishing, snorkelling, diving and cycling in the local countryside.

Accommodation: Stay these nights at the Dolphin Beach Resort (Family Tent)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Road journey to Negombo: Today you will travel from Alankuda beach, down the west coast to the town of Negombo, near to Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport. The total journey time today is approximately 4 hours.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Jetwing Blue (Family Room)

Meals: Breakfast