AYUBOWAN-! Welcome to Sri Lanka! Upon arrival at Colombo CMB Airport, you will meet your tour leader and then you will be transferred to your hotel. The first destination will be Negombo coastal town, which has long been known as the most popular beach in Sri Lanka, famous for its golden sandy beach, food and entertainments. For day one, we haven’t planned any activity, thus you are free to arrive in Sri Lanka at any time. If your flight arrives early in the day, relax on the beach and pool of your cosy hotel. Evening, you may have a walk along the seashore while enjoying the beautiful sunset and the pleasant evening atmosphere of the beachside. Overnight stay in a seafront hotel – Negombo.

After enjoying a delicious breakfast with a hot cup of Sri Lankan tea or a coffee, you will take a journey across the stunning Sri Lankan countryside towards Dambulla city, which is the central point of the cultural triangle in the island. En-route, you may also visit the Millenium Elephant Foundation, originally created in order to protect and look after the wild elephants found wandering in and around the forests of Sri Lanka. It is always a pleasant experience to give them a bath at the nearby river.

Upon arrival at Dambulla, you'll enjoy a wonderful cultural village tour while exploring the beautiful countryside (INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE). It will start with a Bullock Cart ride, one of the most ancient and prime transportation systems in Sri Lanka, still used in some villages. While on the tour you will also enjoy a canoeing boat ride across the lake and a TukTuk drive, finally you will reach a farmer’s house where you will experience the typical Sri Lankan countryside hospitality and visit his farm. Overnight stay in a nature-friendly resort-Dambulla.

After breakfast, you will visit Sigiriya Lion Rock, an ancient rock fortress located near the town of Dambulla. King Kasyapa (477 – 495 BC) built his palace on the top of this rock and decorated its sides with colourful frescoes. Sigiriya today is a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE and it is one of the best-preserved examples of an ancient architecture. Sigiriya refuses to reveal its secrets easily; in fact, you have to climb a series of vertiginous staircases to reach the top. On the way, you’ll pass quite remarkable frescoes and a pair of colossal lion paws carved into the bedrock.

Afterwards, your tour leader will take you to Minneriya/Kaudulla National Park for an afternoon safari, since it is the best time to spot wild elephants on their natural habitat. If you're up for a serious rumble in the jungle, then Minneriya/Kaudulla is your ideal destination! Spreading over 8800 hectares, this park is mainly a sanctuary for elephants, but it is also home to herds of deer, bulls, wild boars and colorful birdlife. It is always a pleasure to watch baby elephants playing with water by the main lake of the park. This place is well known as the largest elephant gathering place in the world. In the evening, perhaps you could enjoy an “Ayurvedic” herbal treatment. Overnight stay in a nature-friendly resort – Dambulla.

In the morning, if you are up to it, we could arrange a hot-air balloon tour (optional activity-subject to availability due to weather conditions). Later on, visit the Golden Buddha Statue and the Royal Cave Temple (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE). Afterwards, visit Matale Spice Garden. Then, proceed towards Kandy city, the capital of the last Sinhalese kingdom. It's set on a plateau surrounded by mountains, which are home to tea plantations and bio diverse rainforests. Kandy is also famous for its sacred Buddhist sites, including the Temple of the Tooth Relic (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE). Overnight stay in Kandy.

After breakfast, you will visit the Royal Botanical Garden, renown as one of the best botanical garden in the Asia. Afterwards, you’ll have a wonderful journey through the lush green tea plantations, the scenic view of the mountains and the waterfalls towards the tea region of Nuwara Eliya. It is often referred to as “Little England” because many of the buildings in this city retain from the British colonial period, such as the Queen's Cottage, the General's House, the Grand Hotel, the Hill Club and the Town Post Office. Since this amazing town is located in the mountains, it is characterized by a cool climate all year long. Visit a tea plantation. Sri Lanka, tea and tourism are words which cannot be separated. Explore the cold and misty hills that host lush green blankets of tea plantations. You also have the opportunity to visit a tea factory processing the prestigious brand of Ceylon Tea, to observe a rich tradition kept alive up to date. Make sure to end your factory visit in style over a perfectly blended cup of tea. Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.

In the morning you will enjoy a spectacular train journey from Nanu-oya station to Ella village. It is known as one of the most picturesque hill country train journeys in the world. Ella is everyone’s favorite hill country village due to the fact that it’s a wonderful nature-friendly location. The Nine Arch Bridge, a major tourist attraction in Ella, is a massive bridge built entirely of solid rocks, bricks and cement without using a single piece of steel. Ella is a great place for walking and climbing and its most famous trekking route is to “Little Adam’s Peak”.

Afterwards, continue your journey towards Yala National Park, the largest and most stunning national park in Sri Lanka. Thanks to a river running through it, Yala National Park is divided into two sections. Because the river makes crossing to the other side difficult, Yala is really treated as two separate parks. But that doesn’t change the fantastic offerings! Encompassing a range of diverse ecosystems, the park has an impressive variety of wildlife, including sloth bears, leopards and lots of colorful birds. Enjoy a 4x4 jeep ride searching for leopards hanging on trees or whispering through the bushes, crocodiles patrolling the river or wild elephants drinking water and playing around. Overnight stay in a safari lodge at Yala.

After a fantastic journey through the coconut and tea states and mountains and waterfalls, you have finally arrived at the world-famous southern beachside of Sri Lanka. Tangalle is a delightful beach characterized by white sands and coconut palms growing right from the edge of the sea as if in imitation of a postcard of the perfect tropical beach. Upon arrival, you will check into your cozy hotel, where you could spend the rest of your day relaxing by the pool or at the beach while exploring the beauty of the surrounding nature. Overnight stay in a beach resort - Tangalle.

Early in the morning, hit back to the beautiful golden sandy beach and jump into a boat for an amazing ride on the sea to capture the blue whales and dolphins. Mirissa is one of the best places in the world to spot the biggest creature on the planet. Please note that whale watching is a SEASONAL activity. In the evening, you may walk down along the seashore and you could find a seafront restaurant to try some authentic Sri Lankan seafood - a wonderful crab curry is likely to be on the menu. Overnight stay in a cozy seafront hotel - Tangalle.

After breakfast, your tour leader will drive you along the southwest coast towards Galle, a city well known for its Fort (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE). It is the intersection where classic Dutch and British architecture meets a tropical setting, creating a vivid atmosphere in beauty. Walk through the streets listening to the creaks of wooden saloon doors and observe how European architecture mingles with South Asian traditions nowadays flooding cultural enthusiasts on a global scale. Historical Galle Lighthouse stands proudly on the southeast tip of the fort. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a Madu river boat tour, which offers several memorable experiences such as fish foot therapy and cinnamon state visit. Thereafter, you’ll visit a turtle hatchery center where baby turtles learn to take their first swim and injured adults are rehabilitated back into the wild. Overnight stay in a beach resort - Bentota.

Today is a free day in Bentota; you could spend your day relaxing at your cozy beachfront hotel while enjoying the magnificent view of the Indian Ocean. If you are looking to spend a relaxing time and to give yourself a calm and natural treat, this is the ideal place for you. Bentota beach, which extends across 7-8 kilometres, is truly a symbol of peace, calmness and cleanness. There is plenty of space for everyone to settle in perfectly and to enjoy a sunbath to the fullest. Overnight stay in a beach resort-Bentota.

After breakfast, you’ll visit the capital city of Colombo, which has an interesting history running back to the fifth century. Even in ancient times, this was an important port city in the East-West sea trade. Nowadays it has become a bustling modern town with a unique atmosphere. The colourful streets, restaurants and modern shopping malls attract hordes of locals and tourists alike. In Colombo, you have the opportunity to visit the most highlighted places in the city and also do some last-minute shopping as well. Perhaps, you may pop into a famous and internationally renowned restaurant in Colombo to end your trip over an unforgettable meal. Thereafter, proceed to the airport in time for the return flight or we drop you back to your hotel in Colombo or Negombo to end this wonderful tour across the island.