Day 1

Depart London Heathrow on your direct flight to Colombo.

Day 2

On arrival you will be met and transferred to the Beach Hotel at Negombo for overnight.

Day 3 Sigiriya

Depart Negombo, and heading north, stop at the magnificent caves in Dambulla and climb up to the Dambulla Rock Temple. Dambulla is a World Heritage Site and is the most impressive of Sri Lanka’s cave temples. The complex of 5 caves has over 2000 sq. metres of painted walls and ceilings, and they contain over 150 images of Buddha. Continue to Sigiriya. The citadel of Sigiriya, founded over 1500 years ago, is also known as Lion Rock due to the huge crouching lion image that is carved at the entrance to the fortress. Climb up to the Sigiriya Hilltop fortress for stunning views to the forests below. Two nights Deer Park Hotel.

Day 4 Polonnaruwa

Before breakfast there is a chance to take an optional elephant back safari into the dry zone forest. Alternatively, there is an option for a wildlife safari into Minneriya National Park by 4WD jeep. Large herds of elephants are common in the park, along with rarer sightings of jackal and leopard. Continue to Polonnaruwa. Polonnaruwa was the island’s 2nd medieval capital between the 11th and 13th century. Built along side a large ancient artificial lake there are well-preserved ruins of palaces, bath pools, stupas and exquisite rock sculptures of Buddha.

Day 5 Kandy

Drive to Kandy via one of Sri Lanka’s famous spice gardens. Kandy is a pleasant mountain town lying 500m above sea level, and the most spiritual town on the island. Early evening, in time for the evening pooja, visit the Temple of the Tooth, housing a relic from the Lord Buddha which was collected from his funeral pyre and brought to Sri Lanka over 1500 years ago. Two nights Mahaweli Reach Hotel.

Day 6 Kandy

Visit Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage.

Day 7 Nuwara Eliya

Today take the scenic drive via a tea factory to the tea country of Nuwara Eliya. In 1826 British Officers established a station for convalescent soldiers here due to its cool climate and fresh mountain air. Flowers, plants and vegetables were brought from England transforming the area into a “little England”, complete with Victorian style houses and the essential golf course. Two nights at The Tea Factory Hotel.

Day 8 Nuwara Eliya

Carry a packed breakfast and leave for Horton Plains. Horton Plains and World’s End is a windswept plateau over 2000 metres high, forbidding and awesome and interspersed with forest and the country’s second and third highest mountains, Pattipola and Totapola. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 9 Beruwela

Drive to Beruwela for a beach stay. 5 nights at the Eden Hotel.

Day 10 Galle

Visit Galle and Galle Fort for the day.

Days 11-13

At leisure.

Day 14 Negombo

Drive to Colombo where you will be given a short sightseeing tour. Continue to Negombo and overnight at the Beach Hotel.

Day 15 UK

Early transfer to the airport in time to check in for your return flight to the UK.