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
Following breakfast, you will be transferred south to Galle for your post-tour beachfront stay at The Fortress Resort & Spa, a luxurious coastal escape perched on a rocky headland overlooking the Indian Ocean.
Located just a 30-minute drive from the popular town of Galle and set against the crashing waves of tranquil Galle Beach – mere moments from Sri Lanka’s iconic stilt fishermen – the property draws inspiration from the unique architecture of historic Galle Fort.
Traditional Dutch and Portuguese design nuances cast you back in time, while 55 exquisite rooms and suites cocoon you in sleek, modern comforts for a seamless retreat. Choose from two fine-dining options framed by sweeping ocean panoramas and stop by the Ayurveda spa for holistic wellness therapies. Take a dip in the 52-metre free-form pool or simply lounge on the heavenly beach as the sun dips below the horizon.
Your Fortress Resort & Spa inclusions:
- One child (12 and under) stays and eats free, sleeping on an extra bed
- Daily a la carte breakfast at The Terrace
- Daily three-course lunch or dinner at The Terrace
- Nightly one-hour sunset cocktails
- One 60-minute spa treatment per adult
- One-time 20-minute herbal steam bath and jacuzzi experience
Travel time: Driving – approx. three hours (160km)
Three-night The Fortress Resort & Spa stay
Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore Galle and the resort’s offerings at your own pace.
Start with a la carte breakfast at The Terrace, then perhaps venture to historic Galle Fort – a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site with charming colonial streets, boutique shops and oceanfront ramparts just a 30-minute drive away.
Your Fortress Resort & Spa inclusions:
- One child (12 and under) stays and eats free, sleeping on an extra bed
- Daily a la carte breakfast at The Terrace
- Daily three-course lunch or dinner at The Terrace
- Nightly one-hour sunset cocktails
- One 60-minute spa treatment per adult
- One-time 20-minute herbal steam bath and jacuzzi experience
Another day at leisure awaits as you soak up the coastal bliss of Galle. Begin with a la carte breakfast at The Terrace before deciding how to spend your day.
Perhaps you’ll stroll along Galle Beach to watch Sri Lanka’s iconic stilt fishermen at work, browse the resort’s wellness offerings or simply unwind with a book by the pool. The nearby area offers plenty to explore, from local markets to scenic coastal drives. Return to the resort for sunset cocktails and your choice of lunch or dinner at The Terrace.
Your Fortress Resort & Spa inclusions:
- One child (12 and under) stays and eats free, sleeping on an extra bed
- Daily a la carte breakfast at The Terrace
- Daily three-course lunch or dinner at The Terrace
- Nightly one-hour sunset cocktails
- One 60-minute spa treatment per adult
- One-time 20-minute herbal steam bath and jacuzzi experience
Enjoy one final a la carte breakfast at The Terrace before checking out and taking your included transfer back to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) for your onward journey.
Travel time: Driving – approx. two hours