Driving time approx. 3.5 minutes Upon arrival our representative will meet you and introduce you to your driver/ guide who will accompany you on your tour of Sri Lanka. Sit back, relax and enjoy the drive through woodlands, rice paddies and marshes into the rural heartland of tropical Sri Lanka. Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight stay at your selected hotel in Sigiriya / Habarana or Dambulla.  Accommodation – 3 nights – Bed & Breakfast

Driving approx. 1.5 hours After breakfast leave on a sightseeing tour of the ancient ruins of the 4th century BC capital city of Anuradhapura. A tour of the ancient ruins include places of veneration such as gigantic Stupas’ second in size to the Pyramids of Egypt and the Sri Maha Bodhi; or the Sacred Bo tree as it is known to the Buddhists. It is said to be the oldest documented tree on earth. Continue to Mihintale, birthplace of Sri Lankan Buddhism. The best time to climb the mountain is early morning or late afternoon when it is not so hot. A climb of 1840 small steps will take you to the summit of the sacred mountain. Return to your hotel for overnight stay.

Driving approx. 1.5 hours This morning you will head off early to climb the Rock fortress of Sigiriya. This really is a wonderful excursion and is well worth the climb when you see the magnificent 360 degree views across Sri Lanka. If you decide not to climb up it then you can enjoy a leisurely walk around the old water gardens, of which most have dried up now and see the ruins. Continue on a sightseeing tour of Polonnaruwa, a city with ruins of Royal Palaces, king’s council chambers, Royal baths and ruins of Buddhist shrines such as the ‘Vatadage’, a circular relic house. The Gal Vihara (Stone Temple) has four Buddhist statues (standing 7 metres high and reclining 14 metres long). You will also visit Lankathilaka, Kiri Vihara, Thuparama image house, 12th century ‘Lotus Mandapaya’ and The Parakramabahu statue. Return to your hotel for overnight stay.

Driving approx. 2.5 hours Today you leave for Kandy en-route visiting the 1st century BC rock cave temple of Dambulla with some of the most impressive statues of the Buddha in the world, a spice garden and a batik factory. In the evening your will be taken to a traditional performance of Kandyan dancing. This will involve over 6 different types of dancing from various regions in Sri Lanka and concludes with a dramatic display of fire walking and breathing. Complete your day with an evening visit to the Temple of the Tooth, which houses the most sacred relic of the Buddha, where the casket the tooth is contained in is brought out. Overnight stay at your selected hotel in Kandy – 2 nights – Bed & Breakfast.

Early Breakfast and depart for the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage established to provide care for orphaned baby Elephants found in the wild. Witness these gentle giants frolic in the river during their bath time and the babies being fed their quota of milk at the feeding time. After lunch, commence a City tour of Kandy visiting the upper lake drive which offers you a bird’s eye view of the man built Kandy Lake and the hustle and bustle of the Kandy market place, a visit to the Gem museum and Arts & Crafts Centre. Return to your hotel.

Driving approx. 2 hours After breakfast take a stroll through the Royal Botanical gardens of Peradeniya; started off as a pleasure gardens for Sinhalese Royalty it was turned into a Botanical garden by the British in 1843. It has an amazing collection of over 300 varieties of orchids, probably the largest collection in Asia. Proceed to Nuwara-Eliya, en-route visiting a working Tea factory. After lunch will commence a city tour taking in some of the colonial landmarks include, the old post office, the Grand hotel, St Andrews hotel, the racecourse, Lake Gregory and Victoria Park to name a few. Evening will be at leisure. Overnight stay at your selected hotel in Nuwara Eliya – 1 night – Bed & Breakfast.

Depart Nuwara Eliya along one of Sri Lanka’s most scenic roads passing the St Clare and Devon waterfalls. The route pass Kitulgala overlooking the site used for the filming of Bridge over the River Kwai.  Proceed to Airport or your selected beach resort. Journey times vary depending on your chosen hotel and may take up to 5 hours.