Meet & Greet: On arrival in Colombo, you will be welcomed to Sri Lanka by your private driver and transferred to your hotel in nearby Negombo to check-in and relax for the rest of the day by the pool or on the nearby beach.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Pledge 3 (Deluxe Room)

Road journey from Negombo to Dambulla: 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.

Guided tour of Dambulla Cave Temple: On 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. 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 and drive on to your nearby hotel to check-in and relax for the rest of the day.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Sigiriana Resort by Thilanka (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Morning climb 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).

Afternoon Safari in the Minneriya National Park or the Hurulu Eco-Park: In the afternoon, you will be driven about 30 minutes north-east from Sigiriya for 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. Return to your hotel after your safari and spend the evening at leisure.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Sigiriana Resort by Thilanka (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Guided tour of Polonnaruwa: After breakfast this morning you will be taken on a tour of the ruined ancient city of Polonnaruwa. 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.

Exploring the ruins by bicycle is also a great way to see Polonnaruwa. Please ask your consultant about this at the time of booking.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Sigiriana Resort by Thilanka (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey to Kandy: After breakfast, head south by road to Kandy. En-route, stop near the city of Matale to visit a Spice Garden before continuing to your hotel in the city. The total journey time is approximately 4 hours.

Afternoon city tour of Kandy: In the afternoon, you will set off on your guided tour of Kandy. Start with a drive 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 afternoon you will be taken on a stroll along the lakeside to visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic, one of the most important places in all of Sri Lanka, housing the country's most sacred religious relic, the tooth of the Buddha. Depending on the time of your visit, you may catch the evening ‘Puja' or ceremony which lasts for around one hour and involves lots of noisy drumming and excitement. Most of the ceremony actually takes place behind closed doors, but at the end, the tooth relic is opened to the public gaze. Return to your hotel afterwards for an evening at leisure or head out to explore the Kandy nightlife.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the OZO Hotel (Sleep Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Guided visit to the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens: After breakfast 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 before being taken back into Kandy, where you will have the opportunity if you wish to visit a local gem museum to learn about the vast selection of gems that are mined in the nearby countryside.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the OZO Hotel (Sleep Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey  to Nuwara Eliya: This morning, depart your hotel and head up into the hill country through the tea plantations towards the town of Nuwara Eliya. If you wish, your driver will take you to see a working tea factory en-route. Here you can learn about the process involved in the manufacturing of tea from plucking the green leaves on the hill side to packing up the processed tea ready to export around the world. Enjoy a fresh cup after looking around the factory before continuing to Nuwara Eliya.

Afternoon tour of Nuwara Eliya: After checking into your hotel, you will be shown around the town of Nuwara Eliya by your driver-guide. The tour will include sights of interest around Nuwara Eliya including the Haggala Botanical Gardens, Gregory Lake and the Golf Course.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Ferncliff Bungalow (Double Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Morning trek in the Horton Plains National Park: Rise early this morning, collect your packed breakfast from reception and leave for the Horton Plains National Park, the highest plateau in the country. Horton Plains is one of the most important national parks in Sri Lanka particularly for its topographical variations. It has unique vegetation and is famous for many rare and endemic highland birds. The most awesome physical feature of the Horton Plains is the escarpment that falls 880 meters to the lowlands of the southern region of the island. Aptly known as the ‘World's End' the view from the precipice of the countryside below towards the south coast is breathtaking. There are a number of trekking routes around the park which you can take depending on how long you would like to walk for. Your driver will wait for you at the park entrance and you will be accompanied on your trek by a local English speaking guide.

Train journey to Ella: After your exploring the Horton Plains National Park, your driver will take you to the nearby train station in Ohiya, where you can board your train for the scenic afternoon journey to Ella. The ride is slow but unforgettable and you will take in some breath-taking vistas as you pass through the small villages and tea plantations of this scenic region. The journey to Ella takes around 2 hours; your driver will go by car with your luggage and meet you at the station the other end and transfer you to your hotel.

Please note that whilst we will endeavour to get the best available seats for you on the train, the facilities on board will not be as comfortable as you are used to on western trains.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Mountain Heavens (Superior Room)

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.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Mountain Heavens (Superior Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey a to the Yala National Park: After breakfast, your driver will transfer you south-west, out of the hill country to the Yala National Park on the south coast. This is a journey of 2-3 hours. On arrival, check-in to your hotel and prepare for your afternoon safari in the Yala National Park.

Afternoon Safari in the Yala National Park: This afternoon, you will be taken on a safari tour of the Yala National Park in a private open-air jeep. Yala is the most famous park in Sri Lanka and boasts one of the most abundant and accessible wildlife populations in Asia. Keep your eyes peeled for Elephants, Deer, wild Boar, wild Buffaloes, Monkeys, Sloth-Bears, Crocodiles and Leopards, as well as a huge variety of exciting birdlife.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Chaarya Resort & Spa (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Early morning Safari in the Yala National Park: Early this morning, collect your packed breakfast and set off for a morning jeep safari in the park, returning to your hotel in the mid-morning to freshen up.

Road journey to Galle: Set off from your hotel later in the morning, heading west along the south coast of the island towards the famous Dutch settlement of Galle, now one of Sri Lanka's largest cities. En route, pass through the sleepy coastal village of Tangalle and stop to visit the famous lighthouse at Dondra Head. Dondra Head is the southernmost point in the Indian sub-continent. Your total driving time today is approximately 5 hours.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Mango House (Balcony Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Walking tour of Galle Fort: Today you will be taken on an entertaining walking tour of Galle Fort. Expect the unexpected with a charismatic local as your guide. Take in the maze of hidden back streets, meet local characters, reveal secret spots and explore extravagant 18th century merchant houses. The walks last around an hour and can take in a number of themes, depending on your particular interests. The tours are very much designed to get you underneath the skin of this atmospheric fort city. After your tour, the rest of the day is at leisure to explore the fort some more independently, dine in some of Galle's revered restaurants or head out to a nearby beach.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Mango House (Balcony Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey to Colombo, via Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery: This morning you will be taken to visit Kosgoda turtle hatchery outside Galle, en-route to the capital, Colombo. The beaches of Sri Lanka are the nesting grounds for five species of marine turtles: the Green turtle, the Leatherback, the Hawksbill the Loggerhead and the Olive Ridley. All 5 species have been recorded to nest along specific areas of Sri Lanka’s coast. Turtles are known to lay eggs instinctively at the same area where they were born. The Hatchery administration carries out constant night-watch along the coast to find laid eggs or purchases them from the fishermen, incubates the eggs for a specific period, then feeds and keeps the hatchlings for up to 3 days at the farm before releasing them into the ocean at night. After your visit to the turtle hatchery, continue north along the scenic coastal road, through the village Bentota into Colombo, a journey of around a couple of hours, depending on stops.

Afternoon walking tour of Colombo: After checking into your hotel, you will be met and taken on a 2.5 hour walking tour of Colombo with a charismatic local resident. You will be picked up from your hotel and taken to the Dutch Hospital where the walk begins. The walk places focus on photography, architecture and history in two stages; stage one covers the Fort while stage two covers the Pettah markets. The walk includes a break for tea and stops along the way to sample street food. Water will be provided if required along the way. The walk ends at the Old Dutch Hospital.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Galle Face Hotel (Superior Room)

Meals: Breakfast