Ancient Kingdoms, Cloud Forests, East And South Coast Escapes

Into the Cultural Triangle

Head inland to Sigiriya, spending time with the local community and settling in beneath the famous Lion Rock.

• Sigiriya community experience

Overnight in Sigiriya

Caves to hill capital

Visit the golden cave temples of Dambulla en route to Kandy, where a cultural dance is followed by the city and its serene lake.

• Dambulla Cave Temple
• Kandyan cultural dance
• Kandy city & lake

Overnight in Kandy

Temple & tea country

Start at the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic, then climb to Nuwara Eliya to explore the colonial town and Gregory Lake.

• Temple of the Tooth Relic
• Nuwara Eliya town & Gregory Lake

Overnight in Nuwara Eliya

Lover's Leap

A morning hike to the Lover's Leap waterfall through the tea estates, with the rest of the day to enjoy the cool hill town.

• Lover's Leap hike
• Nuwara Eliya town

Overnight in Nuwara Eliya

World's End & gem country

Set out early for the cliff-edge viewpoint of World's End on Horton Plains, then move down to Balangoda for the night.

• World's End (Horton Plains)

Overnight in Balangoda

Gems & tea

A full day getting hands-on with Balangoda's trades - a working gem operation and a hillside tea plantation.

• Gem mining experience
• Tea plantation visit

Overnight in Balangoda

More gem country

A second unhurried day in the hills to go deeper into the gem and tea traditions of the region.

• Gem & tea experience

Overnight in Balangoda

Waterfall hike to Ella

Hike to Bambarakanda Falls, the island's highest waterfall, before continuing to the hill town of Ella for the night.

• Bambarakanda Falls hike

Overnight in Ella

Ella city tour

A full day exploring Ella - the Nine Arch Bridge, Little Adam's Peak and the town's easy-going cafés.

• Nine Arch Bridge
• Little Adam's Peak

Overnight in Ella

To the east coast

Drive down to the laid-back surf town of Arugam Bay on the east coast, arriving in time for a first swim.

• Arugam Bay arrival

Overnight in Arugam Bay

Beach day

A full day at leisure on the east coast - surf, swim or laze on the long sweep of Arugam Bay beach.

• Arugam Bay beach

Overnight in Arugam Bay

Towards leopard country

Follow the coast to the edge of Yala National Park, settling into your lodge ready for the morning safari.

• Overnight near Yala

Overnight in Yala

Safari to the south

A morning jeep safari in Yala in search of leopard and elephant, then west along the coast to the beaches of Tangalle.

• Yala jeep safari
• Tangalle beach

Overnight in Tangalle

Beach day

A full free day on the southern coast at Tangalle - swim, laze and enjoy the slow rhythm of the shore.

• Tangalle beach day

Overnight in Tangalle

The old fort

Move west to Galle, where you walk the ramparts and cobbled lanes of the UNESCO-listed Dutch fort at golden hour.

• Galle Fort walking tour

Overnight in Galle

Rainforest day trip

A day trip inland to the ancient Sinharaja rainforest for a guided jungle walk, returning to Galle for the night.

• Sinharaja rainforest walk

Overnight in Galle

Reef & beach

A short hop up the coast to Hikkaduwa for its coral reef, snorkelling and easy beach life.

• Hikkaduwa beach & reef

Overnight in Hikkaduwa

The capital

Travel up to Colombo for a taste of the modern city - markets, street food and colonial landmarks.

• Colombo city tour

Overnight in Colombo

More of Colombo

A second day to go deeper into the capital - shopping, museums and a farewell dinner by the sea.

• Colombo city tour

Overnight in Colombo

Farewell

A final morning at leisure before your transfer to the airport, three weeks of the island carried home.

• Departure transfer