• • Climbing the 1,600-year-old “Lion Rock” of Sigiriya, a rock fortress “in the sky” that rises more than 600 feet out of the jungle. 
  • Visiting the emerald-green tea gardens in the cool air around the town of Nuwala Eliya, a British-colonial-era hill station. 
  • Searching for elephants, leopards, and monkeys in the Yala and Udawalawe national parks. 
  • Relaxing on sandy beaches at one of many resorts along the coasts. 
  • Discovering the capital of Colombo, a mix of colonial architecture and modern-day amenities. 
  • Marveling at the colossal rock sculptures of Buddha in the island’s medieval capital of Polonnaruwa.
  • Touring the old town of Galle, a Dutch-influenced seaport with a huge fort and a UNESCO World Heritage designation.

One week in Sri Lanka

Day 1: Colombo

      Day 1: Arrive in Colombo and transfer to your hotel. Spend the evening exploring Colombo.

Day 2-3: Dambulla

      Day 2: Head out on the road toward Pinnawala, where you will visit an elephant orphanage. First founded in 1975 with just five elephants, there are now over 100 today. Continue towards Dambulla. Visit the Rock temple, that has five cave temples and over 150 Buddha statues.

      Day 3: Spend the day visiting the Sigiriya fortress, that sits over 200 meters above a rainforest. Check out the gardens, moats, and the mirror wall that could be polished enough, the king could see his reflection. Climb to the top and take in the surrounding landscape and views. Return for another night in Dambulla.

Day 4-5: Kandy

      Day 4: After breakfast, the tour will continue on towards the city of Kandy. Stop on the way at an herb and spice garden, and learn about how these ingredients are used in cooking and medicinally. Spend the afternoon touring the city.

      Day 5: The morning is spent at leisure exploring Kandy. Late morning, the group will gather up and visit a tea plantation. Explore the fields that contain the tea, and visit the factory that processes the tea. Make sure to try the tea before you leave!

Day 6-7 Nuwara Eliya and Negombo

      Day 6: Spend the morning at Nuwara Eliya, enjoying the countryside, and the steep, windy roads through the luscious green tea bushes. A hike through the grass will present gorgeous views. Arrive in Negombo.

      Day 7: Spend the morning exploring Negombo before being transferred to the airport for the departing flight back.

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Two Weeks in Sri Lanka

Day 1-2: Anuradhapura

      Day 1:  After arriving into Colombo, transfer to the historical city of Anuradhapura.

      Day 2: Wilpattu National Park: After breakfast, head towards Wilpattu National park. Join a game drive while searching for Sri Lankan wildlife. Once the safari is over return to Anuradhapura to explore more of the city.

Day 3-4: Polonnaruwa

      Day 3: An early morning departure leads to the former ancient capital city of Sri Lanka, Polonnaruwa. The city is filled with man-made reservoirs, preserved monuments, and buildings. The afternoon is spent exploring Sigiriya and the “Lion Rock.” The climb up the rock offers beautiful countryside views.

      Day 4: Dambulla Cave Temples: Spend the morning visiting the famous caves before heading through the jungle, rice paddies and tea plantations towards Kandy.

Day 5: Kandy

      Day 5: The day in Kandy is to be spent in leisure. Make sure to head toward the complex to check out the Temple of the Tooth, where a tooth of Buddha’s is kept! The royal botanical garden is another must see.

Day 6-7: Knuckles Forest Reserve/Knuckles Valley

      Day 6: After breakfast, load up and head towards the knuckles mountain range. The mountain range got its name due to the resemblance of a clenched fist. Experience nearly every climate in Sri Lanka while exploring the mountain range – the base of the mountain is dry with lemongrass and further up, there are waterfalls, wildlife and misty forest.

      Day 7: Trek through the jungle (around 3 hours) until reaching a Meemure, a farming village. Stroll around the village and try hot sweetened tea, made from coconut sap. Head back out of the valley and spend the evening at the lodge.

Day 8: Adam’s Peak

      Day 8 is spent at Adam’s Peak, a mountain located in Central Sri Lanka. The peak is known for it’s range of religious significance, especially to Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam. Start climbing in the middle of night towards the summit, watching the sunrise from the top.

Day 9: Bandarawela

      Day 9: Start the morning with a drive through the famous countryside of Nuwara Eliyah, offering some of the best scenery in Sri Lanka. Head towards Pattipola Railway Station, where visitors will take a scenic train towards Bandarawela.

Day 10: Namunukula Range

      Day 10: Transfer to Namunukula Range, for a full day of trekking. Start at the top of green hills, and walk down the tea country through local villages and farms. Learn about the people living in the mountain’s farm. In the afternoon, continue the journey towards Udawalawe.

Day 11: Udawalawe

      Day 11: Spend the morning at the Elephant Transit home, where injured or orphaned baby elephants are are reintroduced into the wild once they are rehabbed. Continue into Udawalawe National Park for some more wildlife sighting. Animals in the park include elephants, birds, deal, boar, and jackals, to name a few.

Day 12-13: Mirissa

      Day 12: Offering some of the best beaches in Sri Lanka, enjoy a relaxing day on the golden sand, under the shade of a palm tree, or take a swim in the water. If you visit during whale and dolphin season, optional boat trips are offered.

      Day 13: Spend the day visiting the Dutch port of Galle. Many people say this area reminds of Europe, thanks to it’s Portuguese, Dutch and British architecture. Watch the sunset from the walls, do some shopping in some of the boutiques, or enjoy the cafes.

Day 14: Negombo

      Day 14: After breakfast, head to the airport for your departure flight.

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One week Wildlife in Sri Lanka

Day 1: Horathapola

      Day 1: After you arrive in Sri Lanka, you will meet your tour guide who will drive you North to Horathapola. You’ll stay at Horathapola Estate, allowing visitors to soak in the jungle and rural village in Sri Lanka. Spend the evening learning about the Sri Lankan coconut industry, while visiting a coconut estate.

Day 2-4: Wilpattu

      Day 2: After eating breakfast, the tour will continue two hours north to Wilpattu National Park. Enjoy an afternoon ride in search of some animals, before a campfire cookout dinner.

      Day 3: Spend the entire day on a safari, with breakfast and lunch enjoyed out in the jungle. Staying in the park rather than backtracking to eat will allow better opportunities to see more wildlife.

      Day 4: One more final morning game drive completes your visit to Wilpattu. Drive north to Vil Uyana. Afternoon is spent at leisure, before joining an evening walk to look for Loris in the wild.

Day 5: Bird Island/Minneriya

      Day 5: Wake up early to start the drive to Parakrama Samudraya. Here, you will take a boat to Bird Island, the home of hundreds of bird species. Keep driving to Minneriya and join a park guide to observe elephants in the wild.

Day 6: Kandalama

      Day 6 calls for another elephant experience. Kep Ela is home to domesticated Sri Lankan elephants. Ride in a catamaran boats, where you can watch the elephants bathe.

Day 7: Kandy and departure

      Day 7: The final morning will be spent driving to Kandy. Transfer to the airport for Departure flight.

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