Sri Lanka National Highlights

On arrival at Colombo Airport, we will meet you and assist with your transfer to your hotel in Seeduwa. Once you have checked in, you can relax and settle into your room. The remainder of the day is yours to spend at leisure. Overnight in Seeduwa.

After breakfast, we travel to Pinnawala to visit the renowned Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. Established as the world’s first sanctuary of its kind, the orphanage provides care and protection for abandoned and disabled elephants, while allowing them to live and socialise freely. We observe the herd, including young elephants rescued from the wild, and accompany them to the nearby river to watch their daily bath – a memorable insight into Sri Lanka’s respect for these remarkable animals.

We then continue to Kandy, where we take a scenic drive around Kandy Lake and explore the town’s bustling bazaar, an arts and crafts centre, and a gem museum and lapidary. Our visit includes the Temple of the Tooth Relic, an important Buddhist site housing a sacred relic of Lord Buddha. Later, we experience a cultural show featuring traditional music and drumming, offering a glimpse into the region’s vibrant heritage. After the performance, we return to the hotel for dinner. Overnight in Kandy.

After breakfast, we visit the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya, just outside Kandy. Originally developed as a royal pleasure garden and later expanded under British influence, these gardens now cover 147 acres and are renowned for their impressive collection of plants, including an orchid house and a giant Javan fig tree. There is a cafeteria near the entrance if you wish to pause for refreshments during your visit.

We then continue to a tea plantation and factory, where you can observe the full process of tea production – from plucking the leaves to grading and drying. This experience concludes with a tasting of authentic Ceylon tea at the factory.

Our journey continues to Nuwara Eliya, a lakeside town often called ‘Little England’ and the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea country. Here, you can admire the well-kept colonial bungalows, rose gardens, Victoria Park, the racecourse, and the renowned 18-hole golf course. The town is also close to attractions such as Lovers’ Leap waterfall and Pidurutalagala, Sri Lanka’s highest mountain. Overnight in Nuwara Eliya.

After breakfast, we drive to Ella to explore this scenic hill country town. We take in the impressive Ella Gap, known for its panoramic views across lush valleys and distant mountains. We also visit the renowned Nine Arches Bridge, an iconic example of colonial-era railway engineering set amidst tea plantations and dense greenery.

From Ella, we continue to Yala and proceed to our hotel in Tissamaharama. The remainder of the day is yours to relax at leisure before enjoying dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Tissamaharama.

After breakfast, we transfer to Yala for a morning safari in Yala National Park. As we journey through the park by jeep, you’ll experience Sri Lanka’s most visited national park, renowned for its diverse wildlife and historical significance. The park is home to elephants, sloth bears, spotted deer, jackals, a rich variety of birdlife, and boasts one of the world’s highest densities of leopards. The safari offers a chance to observe these animals in their natural habitat, set against a backdrop of ancient landscapes.

Following the safari, we continue to Galle. On arrival, we explore the area, where you can stroll along the well-preserved ramparts and bastions of Galle Fort. Built by the Dutch in the 17th century, the fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a testament to the blend of European and South Asian influences. You’ll notice the unique architecture and vibrant atmosphere as you wander the historic streets.

Later, we transfer to Mount Lavinia and check in to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to explore the area at your leisure. Overnight in Mount Lavinia.

After breakfast, we transfer you to Colombo Airport in time for your departure flight. Please ensure your travel documents are ready and allow sufficient time for check-in and security procedures. Safe onward journey.