Discover Sri Lanka – Premium

• Visit Cave temples at Dambulla to Sigiriya

We depart after breakfast and for approximately 4 hours' drive through the lush green countryside (a mix of coconut palms, paddy fields, and banana plantations) through Kurunegala to Dambulla. Here we visit the magnificent Cave Temple, for some, the most impressive sight in Sri Lanka. There are colourful, well-preserved paintings and statues of Buddha inside the caves, which date back to the 1st century BC. After lunch, we continue to Sigiriya where we stay for the night. From our hotel, we can see Lions Rock rising up from the plains (occasionally we may stay nearer to Dambulla due to hotel availability). Aliya Resort & Spa or alternative accommodation in the area

• Morning climb to the rock fortress optional afternoon game drive

This morning we drive to the foot of the Lions Rock at Sigiriya. The imposing 5th-century rock fortress of Sigiriya rises 600 feet from the plains overlooking the surrounding countryside and giving far-reaching views. Used as a safe haven from invaders, the route to the top goes via a series of steep steps and gangways. From the base, where a moat surrounds impressive water gardens, we ascend 200m, passing an overhanging rock under which superb portraits of native maidens holding flowers and temple offerings still adorn the rock wall. Crowning the flat-topped summit of the rock are extensive remains of the King's Summer Palace. During the afternoon, there is a chance to enjoy an optional game drive in either Minneriya or Kaudulla National Park or the Hurulu Eco Park to see elephants in their natural habitat. For those who don’t want to take part, there is time to relax at the hotel. Aliya Resort & Spa or alternative accommodation in the area

• To Giritale bike ride through country villages

This morning we have a short drive to Giritale where our usual hotel overlooks the scenic Giritale Tank. The island’s early inhabitants solved the dual problem of heat and lack of water in this dry area by constructing large tanks to act as reservoirs and cool the warm breeze. Nowadays they provide important habitats for birdlife, particularly from August to April. Today we take to bikes and cycle at a leisurely pace through a series of small villages and lakes (if you do not wish to participate you can hire a tuk-tuk locally for approximately £10 and follow the group but not cycle). We should see plenty of birdlife including Egrets, Brahmany kites, Kingfishers, and Bulbuls. Stopping for lunch in a traditional village will break up the journey. In the late afternoon, we return to our hotel in Giritale. Deer Park Hotel or alternative accommodation in the area

• Visit ancient capital of Polonnaruwa drive to Kandy via spice garden.

After breakfast, we take a short drive to the 10th century capital of Sri Lanka; Polonnaruwa, the ancient capital of the Sinhalese. Here there are many Buddhist relics and ruins dating from a thousand years ago when Sinhalese culture reached its zenith. The city flourished in the 12th century after the decision was made to move the capital from Anuradhapura, so it was further away from incursions from Southern India. The ruins are therefore younger and better preserved than those at Anuradhapura. We visit many of the temples, palaces, huge dagobas (Buddhist stupas), and remarkable Buddhist sculptures. After lunch, we head into the hills to the picturesque town of Kandy. On the way, we stop at a spice garden near Matale where we can see various spices and herbs growing, and there is a chance to stock up on massage oils, spices, and Ayurvedic medicines. This is a long but fascinating day and we arrive at Kandy in the early evening. Grand Kandyan Hotel or alternative accommodation in the area

Kandy is located by a small lake and we spend two full days in and around the town. On the first day, we will visit the Temple of the Tooth, which houses Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist relic. The Tooth of Buddha was taken from the funeral pyre in 543 BC and only found its way to Sri Lanka in the 4th century AD. There are literally hundreds of worshippers who visit the temple each day and in August, the most spectacular ceremony takes place. Some of our trips in August should coincide with the Kandy festival, but the exact dates, decided by priests, are not known until 5 months prior to the event. After our visit, we drive to a beautiful viewpoint over Kandy overlooked by a huge Buddha and visit a gem museum where you can see the products of the traditional methods of gem extraction. Another highlight is the vast Peradeniya Botanical Garden with species of orchids that are endemic to Sri Lanka. In the evening, we may have the chance to attend a performance of dancing and fire-eating. The second day is free to explore this wonderful town. The surrounding hills are wonderful, offering fantastic views of the town below and there are many handicraft stores and antique shops in which to browse. Grand Kandyan Hotel or alternative accommodation in the area

• Day 7, Free time in Kandy to Explore or relax

Kandy is located by a small lake and we spend two full days in and around the town. On the first day, we will visit the Temple of the Tooth, which houses Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist relic. The Tooth of Buddha was taken from the funeral pyre in 543 BC and only found its way to Sri Lanka in the 4th century AD. There are literally hundreds of worshippers who visit the temple each day and in August, the most spectacular ceremony takes place. Some of our trips in August should coincide with the Kandy festival, but the exact dates, decided by priests, are not known until 5 months prior to the event. After our visit, we drive to a beautiful viewpoint over Kandy overlooked by a huge Buddha and visit a gem museum where you can see the products of the traditional methods of gem extraction. Another highlight is the vast Peradeniya Botanical Garden with species of orchids that are endemic to Sri Lanka. In the evening, we may have the chance to attend a performance of dancing and fire-eating. The second day is free to explore this wonderful town. The surrounding hills are wonderful, offering fantastic views of the town below and there are many handicraft stores and antique shops in which to browse. Grand Kandyan Hotel or alternative accommodation in the area

• Nuwara Eliya via kitulgala optinal Adams Peak climb (Dec - Apr Only )

Leaving Kandy early, we have a spectacular drive through the countryside on the way to Kitulgala. Here we have the opportunity of going on a walk through the jungle or local villages followed by an optional white water rafting excursion. The rafting costs extra (see the Optional Excursions section), lasts a maximum of 1.5 hours and there is a choice of gentle or wild water (grade 3 rapids) depending on your preference. Those of us who do not wish to go rafting will be able to freshen up and relax by the water until the rafters return in time for lunch. Afterward, we will drive to our hotel in Nuwara Eliya. (Please note that from the full moon day of December to the full moon day of May it is possible to climb Adams Peak. This is optional and you need to be very fit to attempt this. You would leave Nuwara Eliya around midnight on day 8 and drive to the base of the peak. The drive takes approximately 2 hours. From here, it is a strenuous 4-hour climb to the top in time for sunrise. We then return to Nuwara Eliya to join the group for lunch on day 9).Update November 2021: The optional Adam’s Peak climb that is offered very late at night on departures scheduled from December to April will currently not be possible to offer. Adam’s Peak is expected to be extremely busy with local visitors during this period (more than usual or generally anticipated compared to other years) and appropriate social distancing will not be possible. St Andrew's Hotel or alternative accommodation in the area

• Free morning in old colonial hill station of Nuwara Eliya. Visit tea factory in afternoon

This morning we will have free time to explore the beautiful town of Nuwara Eliya. Nuwara Eliya was a popular hill station during the British era and is situated in the cool highland air at 1890m. Known locally as 'Little England' it is dotted with British-style houses and parks and features a golf club and a racecourse! Following lunch, we will visit a nearby tea factory and learn about the process of tea production. St. Andrew's Hotel or alternative accommodation in the area

• Early morning to Hortan Plains walk to world's end view point, to Bandarawela by train

We have an early start this morning and take a 30km drive south to Horton Plains, a large plateau over 2,000m high, overlooked by the second and third highest peaks in Sri Lanka. The scenery is beautiful and the best way to explore is on foot. We take a guided walk through the rolling grasslands where we hope to see such as the Sambur and Purple Faced monkey. We also visit 'World's End', which is one of the most stunning sights in Sri Lanka where the ground drops 1050m to the plains. Following this, we catch a train from the highest railway station in the country - within an hour and a half, we drop from 1889m to 1097m. The train travels through the cloud forest into the tea plantations, with breath-taking views of the lush valley below. Please note that due to current covid restrictions we will be driving to Bandarawela rather than take the train. We get off at Bandarawela, a town relatively untouched by tourism. Bandarawela Hotel or alternative accommodation in the area

• Scenic drive through Ella gap to Kataragama; game drive in Yala N.P

Today we continue on to Ella Gap where we have spectacular views of the coastal plain nearly 1,000m below. Almost the entire southern part of the island is in view and on a particularly clear day, the shimmering silver of the Indian Ocean is visible. Heading south out of the hills we travel to Kataragama on the plains; this is our base for visiting Sri Lanka's best-known national park, Yala. The park is popular for elephants, leopards, bears, crocodiles,s and Wild boars. At 97,800 hectares, this is the second largest of Sri Lanka's national parks. Its open undulating terrain made it famous for elephants for many years, but recently the park has also become better known for leopards. The park, which is primarily shrub jungle with several salts and freshwater lagoons, has one of the highest concentrations of leopard per square kilometer in the world. (Please note that the sanctuary may be closed for 4-6 weeks from September to October allowing the park authorities to check the welfare of the animals. We, therefore, go to an alternative area close by, usually Udawalawe National Park). Mandara Rosen or alternative accommodation in the area

• Drive to tissamaharama and walk through rural farmland; coastal drive to ahangama

Today we leave for the coast, with its beautiful palm-fringed bays. Stopping on the way at Tissamaharama and walking to a nearby farmhouse where you'll be offered tea in a coconut shell along with a local snack. We will mix with real Sri Lankan life and take part in some traditional Sri Lankan games, returning to our bus in tractors used by the farmers. Continuing on to Ahangama, in the afternoon we arrive at our coastal hotel and you can relax for the rest of the day.Amari Galle or similar

• Free day to relax on the beach or optional activities including whales watching ( Nov to Apr )

Today is a free day to relax on the beach or by the hotel pool. There are also optional activities during the day including a boat ride through mangrove swamps to a cinnamon plantation or, from November to April you can go whale watching off Dondra head, one of the best places in the world for seeing Blue and Sperm whales. Huge pods of dolphins are also often seen playing alongside the boats.Amari Galle or similar

• To Galle; visit old fort transfer to colombo.

We set off today and drive along the coastal road to the historic port of Galle, which dates back to the 17th century, and is now a UNESCO world heritage site. On the way, we stop at a small folk museum inspired by the local writer Martin Wickramasinghe. The museum is a typical house from the Koggala region and is set amongst beautiful gardens. We continue along the expressway to Colombo reaching our hotel in the late afternoon. Ramada or similar accommodation

• End Colombo

The trip ends after breakfast. Those on the group flights will be taken to the airport in time for their flight home.