Rise and shine for a day of exploration! Join your local guide in the hotel lobby at 8.30am and embark on a walking tour through old Colombo, stopping at the expansive Colombo Fort area.
Visit the Old Colombo Dutch Hospital – the oldest building in the complex, now repurposed for a number of high-end boutiques – before making your way to the open-air bustle of nearby Pettah Market. Browse the wares and perhaps find the perfect souvenir to take home.
Bid farewell to Colombo and set out for wondrous Anuradhapura. Along the way, you may choose to join an optional visit to a model organic village and monastic retreat, inland from the small town of Melsiripura.
In the evening, check in at your luxury hotel. Set within a sprawling 58-acre estate, Uga Ulagalla is a boutique retreat in Anuradhapura that blends aristocratic elegance with untouched nature. At its heart stands a 150-year-old mansion steeped in history, surrounded by 25 eco-conscious villas with private pools designed to harmonise with the landscape.
Take a dip in the elegant pool, then step straight into your poolside villa to rest ahead of your early adventures tomorrow.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 4.5 hours
Wake to a hearty breakfast and an early drive to Sigiriya Rock Fortress. These awe-inspiring palace ruins are set high atop a granite rock formation, offering sweeping jungle views and astoundingly well-preserved ancient architecture and water gardens.
Make the invigorating 1,200-step climb to the top, then take your time unearthing this unparalleled wonder before returning to your hotel for your choice of included activity. Decide to string your bow and take aim with a round of archery, or opt for a thrilling jungle kayaking adventure (but keep in mind that pre-booking is essential).
After a full day of adventure, retire to your hotel to spend an evening at leisure. Enjoy the quiet luxury of your own private pool villa, indulge in an authentic meal at Kamatha or dine with a view at Liyawela.
Travel time: Driving – approx. six hours
Take to the road after breakfast and make your way to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Golden Cave Temple of Dambulla. Home to five sanctuaries, countless statues and paintings dating back to the 1st century B.C.E., this sacred temple complex has hosted the pilgrimage of countless people for millennia.
Continue on your way to Kandy, an ancient seat of royal power, now known for a plethora of must-see cultural sites, from the humbling Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic to spectacular Kandy Lake. Upon arrival, polish up your geology with a hands-on gem identification and cutting experience.
Under the guidance of an expert gemmologist, cut and polish your very own stone to be made into a unique piece of jewellery. As you work, chip away at the long and storied history that earned Sri Lanka the name ‘Gem Island’. With myriad precious and semi-precious stones found on the island – from sapphire to amethyst, moonstone and blue topaz – your local factory tour will shed light on the mining process and efforts required to produce glittering results.
Later, check in at your charming hotel and relax before dinner with a complimentary cocktail made with arrack rum, a local spirit distilled from coconut flower nectar. Your stay at Jetwing Kandy Gallery also includes one 15-minute foot massage – choose to take yours tonight to round out an indulgent evening.
Travel time: Driving – approx. three hours
This morning, take a tour around the Royal Botanical Gardens with an expert botanist who has worked among these landscaped lawns for over 30 years. Discover the endemic flora and admire over 300 varieties of orchids, releasing intoxicating aromas akin to chocolate and mint.
Return to your hotel to spend the day’s remaining hours at leisure. Perhaps you’ll choose to join an optional walking expedition on Stage 1 of the Pekoe Trail, weaving through picturesque tea country. This afternoon would also be the perfect time to book your 15-minute complimentary foot massage if you’ve not yet had the chance.
This evening, savour a delicious dinner at your hotel.
Travel time: Driving – approx. four hours
Today, venture into the central hills of Sri Lanka’s tea country by rail, on a journey widely thought to be one of the most scenic train rides in the world. Marvel at the verdant hills of lush tea leaves and watch tea pluckers at work in the fields.
Upon arrival in Ella, choose to join an optional zipline experience at Flying Ravana, sweeping down over the tea estates to Ella Gap. Then, continue on to your tranquil wellness resort for the evening at leisure.
Your stay for the next two nights at Asana Wellness Resort includes a complimentary box of chocolates in-room on arrival, unlimited use of state-of-the-art fitness facilities and yoga classes and a 30-minute massage for two. Book yours in this evening if you wish, and enjoy a relaxing night’s sleep.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 4.5 hours
After breakfast at your hotel, it’s time to embark on a morning tea experience. Visit a local tea estate and delve into the factory’s processes, getting acquainted with the art of plucking delicate ceylon leaves as you try your hand in the field. Discover Sri Lanka’s primary export and the different varieties grown in the region, then learn about the skilled processing, from planting all the way to brewing.
The rest of the day is yours to enjoy freely. Why not book your relaxing 30-minute massage for two, if you’ve not yet had the chance? Enjoy the amenities of your wellness retreat and recline in comfort in your chalet.
Travel time: Driving – approx. three hours
Gather your energy over breakfast, then set out for the drive to Yala National Park – an enormous wildlife sanctuary on Sri Lanka’s southeast coast.
Celebrate your arrival with a thrilling jeep safari, keeping your eyes peeled for the majestic Sri Lankan leopard, wild water buffalo and over 40 other species of mammals. This is one of Sri Lanka’s most beloved spots for viewing fantastic fauna and appreciating the diverse nature of this island brimming with life.
Later, travel southwest on the coast to Galle and check in at your hotel at the heart of Galle Fort, where you’ll spend an evening at leisure. This bespoke hotel embodies the craftsmanship and gorgeous natural materials that define the historic Galle Forte. Wind down with a wine from the onsite cellar, take a dip in the gorgeous pool paired with soothing views of the gardens and indulge in an exceptional meal at the open-air Blue restaurant overlooking the ocean.
Travel time: Driving – approx. four hours
This morning is free for exploration.
Galle’s long history as an important trading port is apparent in its melange of colonial architecture. Choose to dive deeper into the story of Sri Lanka’s oldest seaport with a visit to the National Maritime Museum, set in a vast old spice warehouse.
Alternatively, choose to join a fascinating hands-on cinnamon tapping experience with a cinnamon-infused lunch at Villa Mayurana, or take a tour of an estate that produces virgin white tea and sip a cup with the owner (surcharges apply for both).
In the afternoon, take a walking tour of Sri Lanka’s oldest seaport. Uncover the UNESCO World Heritage-listed 16th-century Galle Fort, built by the Portuguese and later expanded by the Dutch and British.
Continue through town at your own pace, perhaps enjoying sunset over the ramparts with a cup of Sri Lanka’s finest tea. Upon returning to your hotel, close out your day with a blissful evening high tea service from 3pm – 6pm, with an array of moreish savoury snacks and sweet treats.
Travel time: Driving – approx. three hours
After one last breakfast, it’s time to take the drive back up the coast to Colombo and transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), where you’ll wave farewell to the glittering ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean.’
Travel time: Driving – approx. two hours