Welcome to Sri Lanka, the land like no other and 9 days of explorations, giving you the best of the ancient history and culture, the lush green tea estates in the hill country, the wildlife and exciting soft adventures, the beautiful golden sandy and remote beaches. 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 fun. For day one we haven’t planned any activity, so you will have a relaxing day at Negombo beach or by the pool of your cosy hotel. In the evening, you may walk along the seashore while enjoying the beautiful sun setting and the pleasant evening atmosphere of Negombo beach. Overnight stay in Negombo (few hotel options will be given to choose according to your preferences and budget with the quotation).

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, 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 Millennium Elephant Foundation, originally created in order to protect and look after the wild elephants found wandering in and around the forests of Sri Lanka. Thereafter, you will arrive at Dambulla, where you'll enjoy a wonderful cultural village tour while exploring the beautiful countryside. 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 have a canoeing ride across the lake and finally you will reach a farmer’s house where you will experience the typical Sri Lankan countryside hospitality. In the evening, you will visit Sigiriya Lion Rock, where you may capture the beautiful scenery of sun setting. Sigiriya is 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 colorful frescoes. Sigiriya today is a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE and it is one of the best preserved examples of ancient civilization. Overnight stay in Dambulla.

In the morning, you'll travel towards the eastern coast of Sri Lanka and you’ll visit Passikudh beach. Upon arrival at your hotel, you could grab a towel to relax on the beach and to sunbathe while enjoying a cocktail under the shade of a beach umbrella. Thanks to its white sands and gentle waves, this beach is the ultimate getaway for those who desire a relaxing vacation in Sri Lanka. Here you will experience a quiet bliss on a tropical heaven, far away from the busy and chaotic life. There are many activities available in this location such as kite surfing, jet-skiing and sailing across in a canoe. Also, if you are interested, here you could experience an Ayurvedic massage. From a healing perspective, Ayurvedic head massage is said to relieve mental stress and fatigue and to help achieve calmness and clarity. Overnight stay in Passikudh.

In the morning, visit the Royal Cave Temple and the Golden Buddha Statue (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE). Dambulla has the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. It has been treasured by many kings since the 1st century B.C. The rock towers 160 meters over the surrounding plains and houses 5 cave temples with some of the most unique and significant historical drawings. It would be an amazing experience if you could climb up and enjoy the magnificent view from the top of the rock. Afterwards, you will visit Matale Spice Garden. Thereafter proceed towards Kandy, 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). In the afternoon, you’ll enjoy a walk around Kandy's busy city centre, including a tour of the Central Market, before engaging with a cultural dance show which is inspired by Sri Lankan arts, traditional dance and cultural heritage. Overnight stay in Kandy.

After early breakfast, you will visit the Peradeniya Royal Garden, which is known as one of the best botanical gardens in Asia. Thereafter you’ll enjoy 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. In the afternoon, perhaps you could walk through Nuwara Eliya city center and the fruit and vegetable market. Try some snacks around lanes filled with ‘short eats’, street-food possibilities and bustling local eateries. 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”. In the evening, you could chill out at the village center where there are lots of restaurants, pubs and also evening entertainments. Ella is a stunning location that anyone who is visiting Sri Lanka should not miss out. Overnight stay in Ella.

After breakfast, depart from Ella towards Udawalawe. En-route, you will visit Ravana waterfall, one of the most popular sightseeing attractions in Ella. It currently ranks as one of the widest falls in the country; in fact, this waterfall measures approximately 25 m (82 ft). Afterwards, your tour leader will drive you to Udawalawe 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 Udawalawe 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 well known as the largest elephant gathering place in the world. Overnight stay in Udawalawe.

After breakfast, you will enjoy a wonderful drive 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 Madu River fish therapy. Thereafter, you’ll visit a turtle hatchery center before heading to your cozy beach resort. Both locals and international volunteers are battling for the protection of sea turtles since they are endangered creatures. This vibrant tourist destination, apart from its traditional fishery industries and cinnamon cultivations, was later recognized by the Wildlife Protection Society which studded the region with a Sea Turtle Conservation Project that operates on a formidable scale. Overnight stay in 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 intend to pop into a famous and internationally renowned restaurant in Colombo to end your trip over an unforgettable meal. Thereafter, we’ll drop you to the airport in time for your return flight or you can extend your holiday and enjoy some relaxing time in a cosy beach resort in Bentota or Negombo.