Day 1: Colombo - Pinnawela
Let’s set off to the Cultural Triangle! First stop and a chance to stretch your legs at Kadjugama, the Cashew Nut town of Sri Lanka. Purchase some of Sri Lanka’s finest nuts. A great gift for someone back at home or to keep as a snack whilst travelling around the island. If it’s your dream to feed an elephant then you must not miss Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage – home to many abandoned or injured elephants. It is one of Sri Lanka’s most visited sites.Our guests love it! Before arriving at your overnight destination - Sigiriya - make a stop at Dambulla and discover the Dambulla Caves Rock Temple dated from First Century B.C.
Day 2: Pinnawela - Dambulla
In the morning around 7:30 am leave for Polonnaruwa - a UN World Heritage Site and was the Capital of Sri Lanka from 11th - 13th Centuries. It contains some splendid and spectacular statues. After exploring the ancient ruins, head back to Sigiriya with a stop in Habarana for an 1 hour elephant back safari into the surrounding jungles.
See the 5th century B.C Aukana Buddha. The most magnificent & most well preserved ancient image in Sri Lanka. Visit our most extensive & important ancient city of Anuradhapura from 4th century B.C. Stop of at the 7th century Mahakandarawa stone bridge situated a midst a forest. Visit the local village temple and get an inside into Buddhism from the head monk.
Day 4: Sigiriya
Climb to the top of the UN World Heritage Site of Sigiriya at 7am. An ancient rock fortress from the 5th Century. Amazing views of the Cultural Triangle!
Day 5: Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa
Explore the city’s Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
Day 6: Polonnaruwa - Habarana
Train journeys in Sri Lanka are an absolute must. Take the most magical train journey through Sri Lanka’s tea country. A fabulous way to see Sri Lanka’s hill villages, tea country and see the daily lives of the local people. (Observation carrage seats only on availability )
Its a early start today at 5:30 am! Take a jeep ride around Horton Plains national park a beautiful, silent, strange world with some excellent hikes in the shadows of Sri Lanka. The ‘plains’ themselves form an undulating plateau over 2000m high, covered by wild grasslands and interspersed with patches of thick forest, rocky outcrops, filigree waterfalls and misty lakes.
Day 8: Sigiriya
Wind past misty mountain peaks and cascading waterfalls and drive down to Yala. After a long journey, we suggest that you spend the rest of the vening unwinding, relaxing and taking in the beauty of the natural surroundings.
Day 9: Sigiriya - Anuradhapura
It’s Safari time! Leopard, elephant, crocodiles, bears, deer, amazing birds….they are all here in Yala National Park. For many people, a safari here is an essential part of their visit to the island
Day 10: Anuradhapura - Aukana
Stop off at Dondra – Sri Lanka’s southern tip and visit the oldest stone building in Sri Lanka.
Day 11: Aukana - Sigiriya
Drive along the west coast to Colombo. The sandy beaches are the main attraction in the string of small towns such as Kalutara, Beruwela, Bentota, Ambalangoda, Ahungalla and Hikkaduwa, but they also share a vibrant cultural heritage including folklore, music and dance as well as architectural influences from the Dutch period.