After breakfast, travel north towards Anuradhapura, one of Sri Lanka’s most significant ancient capitals. Along the way, stop for an afternoon safari in Wilpattu National Park – the country’s largest national park known for its dense forests, open plains and shallow, rain-fed lakes named “willus”. This remote park is home to a variety of wildlife, including elephants, sloth bears, spotted deer, crocodiles and one of the highest densities of leopards in Sri Lanka, although sightings can be elusive. Explore its quiet tracks on a game drive, keeping an eye out for wildlife in a more untouched environment than the busier southern parks.
Continue to Anuradhapura, where you’ll check into your hotel and enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow travellers before a relaxed evening.
Travel time: Driving – approx. four hours
After breakfast, spend the day exploring Anuradhapura – now protected as a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site. Explore the immense dagobas (dome-shaped temples) of Ruwanwelisaya and Jetavanaramaya – once among the tallest monuments in the ancient world – as well as monastic complexes, ancient pools and the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree. Planted over 2,000 years ago from a cutting of the tree under which the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment, it’s believed to be the oldest tree in the world with a recorded history.
Later in the day, continue to Mihintale, a forested hill dotted with ruins and shrines, considered the site where Buddhism was first introduced to Sri Lanka. Pilgrims still climb the long granite stairway to its summit, where stone stupas, caves and statues overlook the lowland plains. Return to your hotel in Anuradhapura for dinner and an evening of relaxation.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 1.5 hours
Today, travel north to Jaffna – the cultural heart of Sri Lanka’s Tamil community. The drive takes you through a changing landscape, from dry plains to palm-dotted villages and salt pans, revealing a different side of the country from the more visited southern and central regions.
On arrival, check into your hotel and take the rest of the day to unwind or explore the area at your own pace, with dinner included.
Travel time: Driving – approx. four hours
Today, meet your guide for an introduction to Jaffna – a city with a layered history, shaped by Tamil kings, European colonisers and decades of civil conflict. Exploring the city, you’ll see some of its most recognisable landmarks – intricate towers known as gopurams, often at the entrance of Hindu temples like Nallur Kandaswamy, the star-shaped Jaffna Fort built by the Portuguese in the 17th century and the Sri Naga Viharaya Buddhist Temple, the only Buddhist temple in Jaffna.
Colonial-era churches, libraries and faded Dutch villas display Jaffna’s mix of cultural influences, while lively streets and local markets reveal the city life today. Sit down for dinner before turning in for a restful slumber.
After an early breakfast, depart Jaffna and head southeast towards Trincomalee, a relaxed coastal town with deep natural and historical significance. The drive takes you through open farmland, lagoons and forests, offering a glimpse of the island’s dry zone landscapes.
With its position on one of the world’s largest natural harbours and a long history as a strategic port, Trincomalee has been shaped by eras of trade. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon and dinner before turning in for the night.
Travel time: Driving – approx. four hours
Enjoy a relaxed start to the day with breakfast at the hotel, followed by a full day at leisure. Stretch out on the beach under the shade of a palm tree or take a dip in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
For those keen to explore further, a range of optional experiences is available (surcharges apply). Head out on a marine wildlife cruise in search of dolphins and, in season, even blue whales. Glimpse vibrant coral reefs and tropical fish while snorkelling at Pigeon Island National Park. Scuba diving is also popular here, with nearby wrecks and reef sites to explore. On land, sites like Fort Frederick – a colonial-era fort still in use by the military – and the clifftop Koneswaram Temple reflect the region’s strategic and spiritual heritage. There’s also the chance to visit the Kinniya hot springs, where locals have bathed for generations in naturally heated wells. Tonight, join your fellow travellers for dinner.
Take to the road after breakfast and head to the Golden Cave Temple of Dambulla, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site. This sacred temple complex has been the site of far-flung pilgrimages for millennia, filled with cave paintings and serene statues.
En route, sit down for an authentic Sri Lankan lunch, along with a cooking demonstration in Habarana. Habarana’s food scene reflects Sri Lanka’s agricultural roots – hearty and tied closely to regional produce.
Later, arrive at your hotel for check-in and dinner.
Travel time: Driving – approx. two hours
After breakfast at your hotel, set out to visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress and the surrounding area. Rising almost 200 metres above the surrounding plains, this rock formation is one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic landmarks. Once the location of a royal citadel built in the 5th century, it’s now a recognised UNESCO World Heritage-listed site and widely regarded as a feat of ancient engineering.
Continue south into the central hills on the journey to the royal city of Kandy. On arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy a relaxed afternoon in this lakeside city, known for its cultural heritage and scenic setting, with dinner included.
Travel time: Driving – approx. three hours
After breakfast, set out on a guided tour of Kandy, a city known for its strong connection to Sinhalese culture and Buddhist tradition. At the heart of this heritage is the UNESCO Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic – one of the country’s most revered religious sites. Set within the royal palace complex, the temple is believed to house a tooth of the Buddha, making it a major pilgrimage site for Buddhists. Inside, make an offering of flowers and listen to the chanting of Buddhist devotees visiting the temple.
After your visit, return to the hotel and enjoy a relaxed evening, with dinner included.
Following breakfast, depart Kandy this morning for Colombo, Sri Lanka’s most populous city. On arrival, take a guided tour through this lively modern city and glimpse its past as you see Dutch-era buildings, ancient temples and British monuments tucked between high-rises. Pass through the historic Colombo Fort area, once the heart of British administration, and visit landmarks like Independence Square and the seaside promenade at Galle Face Green, popular with locals for evening strolls and street food. Finish the afternoon with time to explore Colombo’s shopping scene. Spend the evening at leisure and gather with your fellow travellers for one final Sri Lankan dinner.
Travel time: Driving – approx. four hours
Enjoy one final breakfast before taking a transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) for your onward journey.