Sri Lanka – the Essentials

After breakfast you will drive to Pinnawala to visit the famous elephant orphanage. Continue to the cave temple in Dambulla and the Golden Temple.

Pinnawala: The elephant orphanage in Pinnawala is a sanctuary for orphaned elephants. Here you can see the elephants being fed, bathing and playing in the river.

Dambulla: This is a cave temple complex with five caves in the rock. The first three caves are older and larger than the other two. Some caves date back to the 1st century BC. In all five caves the walls and ceilings are covered with Buddhist murals and there are more than 130 Buddha statues; there are also statues of gods and kings.

Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Dambulla.

After breakfast you will climb the 1,200 steps up Sigiriya Rock.

Sigiriya: Here stands the 5th-century "Fortress in the Sky", perhaps the island's most spectacular single wonder. A lion gate once stood at the entrance to the fortress. Inside the triple moats the enormous rock rises almost vertically to a height of approximately 152 metres. On its summit are the foundations of what was once a magnificent palace with gardens and a pool. Along one of the stairways are the only known ancient Sinhalese secular paintings preserved, in the form of frescoes depicting life-size women.

Take part in a popular village tour.

Hiriwadunna Village: A small village in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. It is rarely crowded with tourists. The few visitors to Hiriwadunna have the chance to explore the village by ox cart, take boat rides, walk briefly through rice fields and vegetable plots and enjoy a homemade traditional Sri Lankan lunch of rice and several local vegetable curries.

Afterwards you will travel to the city of Kandy, known for the Buddhist Temple of the Tooth.

Temple of the Tooth: Since the 4th century AD, when the Buddha's tooth was brought to Sri Lanka hidden in the hair of a princess from Orissa to protect it from desecration, the relic has grown in esteem and sanctity in Sri Lanka and throughout the Buddhist world.

It is regarded as Sri Lanka's most precious relic.

Also visit the Royal Botanical Garden before enjoying a city tour of Kandy covering the square, an arts and crafts centre, a walk around Kandy Lake and the local market.

Stroll by Kandy Lake and around the market for spices, crafts and batik.

Visit a local craft workshop and learn about wood carving or brass work.

Dinner and overnight in Kandy.

After breakfast you will visit the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya.

Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya: Near Kandy this is one of Sri Lanka's most highly regarded natural attractions. Over 57 hectares it displays a spectacular collection of more than 4,000 plant species, including orchids, palms, spices and medicinal plants. The site was once a royal pleasure garden during the Kingdom of Kandy and was later developed by the British into a world-class botanical garden.

Journey up into the hills to Nuwara Eliya. On the way you will stop at Ramboda Falls.

Nuwara Eliya: Often called "Little England" in Sri Lanka, it is a picturesque hill station in the central highlands. Surrounded by rolling tea plantations, mist-shrouded hills and a cool climate, it offers a refreshing break from the island's tropical heat. The town's colonial charm is reflected in old British bungalows, gardens and the famous Nuwara Eliya Golf Club. Visitors can tour tea factories, walk around Gregory Lake and visit nearby attractions such as Horton Plains and the Lovers’ Leap waterfall.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast you will take a scenic train journey from Nuwara Eliya to Ella.

The train journey to Ella is one of the most scenic in the world, with breathtaking views over Sri Lanka's green highlands. It winds through tea plantations, mist-clad hills, waterfalls and charming villages. The trip, especially from Kandy or Nuwara Eliya, captures the island's natural beauty at its best. The slow, tranquil ride allows you to take in the panoramic views and greet the locals along the way.

Continue by road to Yala National Park.

Yala National Park: The park lies in south-eastern Sri Lanka and is the country's best-known wildlife reserve and a must for nature lovers. The park is famous for one of the world's highest leopard densities and offers superb safaris through varied landscapes of dry forest, grasslands and lagoons. You can also see elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, deer and a rich birdlife.

Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Yala.

After breakfast you will travel to the tropical coastal town of Bentota. On the way you will stop at Coconut Tree Hill in Mirissa.

Galle's Dutch Fort: Explore the historic fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with colonial architecture and beautiful views.

Galle Lighthouse: Visit the lighthouse, which offers picturesque views over the Indian Ocean.

City tour of Galle: Discover more of Galle's charming alleyways and its cultural heritage.

Dinner and overnight at a beach hotel.

After checking out from the hotel you will be dropped at Colombo's airport or another central location in Colombo.

Please note there is the option to extend your relaxing stay in Sri Lanka.