11 Days of Beaches & Ancient Ruins

After breakfast, your guide will give you a brief introduction before we make the drive along the South Coast. Before departing, we explore the capital of Colombo. Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, has a long history as a port on ancient east-west trade routes, ruled successively by the Portuguese, Dutch and the British. This heritage is reflected in its architecture, mixing colonial buildings with high-rises and shopping malls.    We will also visit the Colombo National Museum. This charming museum takes visitors on a fascinating journey through Sri Lankan history. Housed in a stunning neo-Baroque building, which was specifically constructed by William Henry Gregory, Governor of Ceylon, in 1877, the museum boasts a gleaming white façade. As you make your way through the various rooms, you'll encounter exhibits dedicated to each of Sri Lanka's historical kingdoms. Informational display boards provide intriguing insights, such as the meaning behind the mudras (gestures and poses) depicted in Sri Lanka's Buddha statues. On arrival, we check in to our hotel before we set out on a tour of the Galle Fort and its fortifications (may occur on day 3). This is a city that exudes an essence with a perfect blend of past and present. Declared as an UNESCO heritage site in 1988, the presence of Portuguese, Dutch and English is very evident in the fascinating architectural styles of the Galle Fort. You will arrive at your hotel in the afternoon, where you will have the evening at your leisure.   Special Information  Your travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours.

• Breakfast followed by guide’s brief introduction
• Drive along the South Coast
• Explore Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital with a rich colonial history (Portuguese, Dutch, British influences)
• Visit the Colombo National Museum, a journey through Sri Lankan history in a neo-Baroque building
• Exhibits on Sri Lanka's historical kingdoms
• Learn about Buddha statues and their mudras
• Check-in at hotel
• Tour of Galle Fort, an UNESCO World Heritage site with a blend of colonial architecture (Portuguese, Dutch, English)
• Evening at leisure at the hotel

Today is a full day to enjoy the coastal beauty of Sri Lanka's coastline. These areas are renowned for their sandy beaches, palm tree lined points and exude a cool coastal vibe.      

• Full day to enjoy Sri Lanka's coastal beauty
• Renowned for sandy beaches and palm tree-lined points
• Experience the cool coastal vibe of the area

We enjoy breakfast at the hotel before making the drive to Yala National Park.  Here, spend your afternoon on a guided game drive exploring the dynamic wildlife and the most luxuriant plant life in Yala National Park. Being one of the largest parks in Sri Lanka, it is the ideal place to sight the rare leopard! The game drive will take place in the late afternoon, returning around sunset, as this is an optimal time for animal viewing.   Special Information  Your travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours, not including Game Drives.

• Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before driving to Yala National Park
• Afternoon guided game drive to explore dynamic wildlife and luxuriant plant life
• Yala National Park is one of the largest in Sri Lanka
• Ideal spot to sight the rare leopard
• Game drive scheduled for late afternoon, returning around sunset for optimal animal viewin

After a leisurely breakfast, we leave for Haputale. En route, we witness the picturesque waterfall, Rawana Waterfall before checking into our hotel.  This afternoon we will drive to Nine Arch Bridge - also called the Bridge in the Sky is one of the best examples of colonial-era railway construction in the country. The construction of the bridge is generally attributed to a local Ceylonese builder, in consultation with British engineers. It is located in Demodara, between Ella and Demodara railway stations. The surrounding area has seen a steady increase of tourism due to the bridge's architectural ingenuity and the profuse greenery in the nearby hillsides. Tonight, enjoy an evening at leisure.   Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

• Leisurely breakfast before departing for Haputale
• Visit the picturesque Rawana Waterfall en route
• Afternoon visit to the iconic Nine Arch Bridge, a colonial-era railway marvel
• Located between Ella and Demodara railway stations
• Evening at leisure to relax

Enjoy a leisurely departure from Haputale after a early breakfast, as we travel by train into the region of Nuwara Eliya, arriving into Nanuoya Station. On arrival we visit a tea plantation and factory. Here you will enjoy the absolute tea experience, taking you to the moment the young tea leaves are plucked from the plantation to being processed in the factory to make a steamy cup of tea. If you are interested, the tea factory is the best place to purchase good quality tea. Enjoy an evening at your leisure.   Special Information It is not possible to confirm the train ticket reservation due to the fact that Sri Lanka Railway has a manual system for reservations. Tickets can only be booked 30 days prior to departure. The 1st and 2nd class is basic but has air-conditioning. The non-air conditioned 3rd class sometimes is the only option based availability. On the rare occasion the train is fully booked we’ll conduct the route by road and the train journey would be conducted on day 8.

• Leisurely departure from Haputale after early breakfast
• Train journey to Nuwara Eliya, arriving at Nanuoya Station
• Visit a tea plantation and factory for a complete tea-making experience
• Opportunity to purchase high-quality tea at the factory
• Evening at leisure

Today after breakfast we leave for Kandy. The journey is truly a rare experience and is an adventure itself! Apart from the breathtaking sceneries of the tea country and picturesque waterfalls, it is a chance for you to stop at some photo-worthy spots. Kandy, the Hill Capital (1514 – 1815 AD). Originally known as Senkadagala, the city eventually came to be known as Kandy. Kandy was declared as an UNESCO heritage site in 1988. The style and character of the Sri Lankan civilization at the time is well articulated in the heart of the city itself, with its lake, the temples including the Temple of the Tooth Relic and the well preserved ruins of the royal palaces. On arrival, we check in to our hotel, allowing you time to explore the town.  This evening enjoy a typical Sri Lankan Cultural Performance with Kandy Market & Bazaar tour.  Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

• Departure for Kandy after breakfast, an adventure filled with breathtaking scenery
• Experience the tea country and picturesque waterfalls along the journey
• Chance to stop at photo-worthy spots
• Kandy, the Hill Capital (1514 – 1815 AD), originally known as Senkadagala, is a UNESCO heritage site
• Explore the Temple of the Tooth Relic and well-preserved ruins of royal palaces
• Check-in to the hotel upon arrival and time to explore the town
• Evening features a typical Sri Lankan cultural performance and tour of Kandy Market & Bazaar

After breakfast we proceed to Sigiriya, stopping on route to visit Dambulla cave temple. Built in the first century BC, it is recognized to be the largest cave sanctuary in the world with its 2000 m2 of walls and ceilings painted more than 150 Buddha images whose largest engraved in the rock reaches 14 metres high.  After the cave, arrive at your Inspiring Stay - the 5-star Sigiriya Jungles Resort which offers views of the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress. This afternoon, set out on an exclusively private jeep safari at the Minneriya National Park to witness the unique phenomenon of elephant gathering. During the dry season, from June to September, hundreds of elephants gather around the Minneriya Tank for water. Such a large number of elephants could not be sighted at one place, anywhere else in the world!  Tonight, enjoy a group dinner and celebrate your new friendships.   Special Information  Since elephants are migratory animals, we may visit Wasgamuwa National Park on this day instead, pending elephant locations. Your travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours, not including Jeep Safari.

• Morning departure to Sigiriya after breakfast, with a stop at Dambulla Cave Temple
• Dambulla is recognized as the largest cave sanctuary in the world, with over 150 Buddha images and a 14-meter high statue
• Arrival at the 5-star Sigiriya Jungles Resort, offering stunning views of the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress
• Afternoon private jeep safari at Minneriya National Park to witness the unique phenomenon of elephant gathering
• Experience the incredible sight of hundreds of elephants gathering around Minneriya Tank during the dry season
• Group dinner in the evening to celebrate new friendships

After breakfast we proceed to Sigiriya Rock Fortress and climb the Sigiriya Rock, one of the most extraordinary artistic complexes of its time (477 – 498 AD). Declared as an UNESCO heritage site in 1982, this magnificent citadel allures artistic and architectural curiosity from around the globe.  Return to the hotel to relax before taking part in an Inspiring Taste cooking demonstration of Sri Lankan rice and curry preparation (5-6 curries including a specialty crab dish) and enjoy the typical Sri Lankan lunch overlooking the paddy fields.  This afternoon enjoy a sightseeing tour of the medieval capital city of Polonnaruwa. This was declared as an UNESCO heritage site in 1982. After the demise of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa became the middle historic capital of Sri Lanka (1017 – 1235 AD). Enjoy a second night in your Inspiring Stay and its surroundings.

• Morning visit to Sigiriya Rock Fortress to climb one of the most extraordinary artistic complexes (477 – 498 AD)
• Sigiriya was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982, renowned for its artistic and architectural significance
• Return to the hotel to relax before participating in an Inspiring Taste cooking demonstration, focusing on Sri Lankan rice and curry preparation (including 5-6 curries and a specialty crab dish)
• Enjoy a typical Sri Lankan lunch with views overlooking the paddy fields
• Afternoon sightseeing tour of the medieval capital city of Polonnaruwa, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982
• Polonnaruwa served as Sri Lanka’s middle historic capital from 1017 to 1235 AD
• Spend a second night at your Inspiring Stay, enjoying the beautiful surroundings

Today, after breakfast, depart the beauty of Sigiriya as we make the drive back to Negombo. On arrival, enjoy the afternoon free at leisure to explore the coast and the local activity or simply relax by the pool. 

• Depart from Sigiriya after breakfast, heading back to Negombo
• Arrive in Negombo for an afternoon free at leisure
• Options to explore the coast, engage in local activities, or relax by the pool

This morning, enjoy a visit to the Fish Market. Negombo is home for the Island’s second largest fish market, as locals call – “Lellama” At an appropriate time, make your own way to the airport in time for your onward flight - you will have access to your room until 8pm this evening, should your flight be later in the evening.