Best of Sri Lanka

Begin your adventure in Colombo, the energetic capital of Sri Lanka. At 3.30pm, say ayubowan to your tour leader and fellow travellers at our hotel, where we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. That’s followed by an orientation tour around the city. Your tour leader then ensures a big Sri Lankan welcome by arranging dinner and cocktails at the historic Galle Face Hotel, where we can watch the sun set over the Indian Ocean. Want to explore Colombo further? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

Bid farewell to Colombo and transfer (4hr 20min) to Sigiriya this morning, an essential stop on any tour of Sri Lanka. After dropping off our bags at the hotel, head into Minneriya National Park this afternoon. Riding in open-sided 4x4s, we search for the park’s large elephant herds, while also keeping an eye out for sambar deer, wild buffalo, sloth bears and more. Alternatively, if your tour leader’s intel reveals the safari is better in Hurulu Eco Park or Kaudulla National Park, we go there instead – ensuring the best safari possible based on where the elephants are gathered. End the day at Hotel Sigiriya, which has an excellent view of the ancient Sigiriya rock fortress from the pool area.

We’re off to the small city of Girithale this morning, a 55-minute drive away, where we hop on bikes for a leisurely cycle through small villages and past lakes, which should take around two hours. If you’d prefer not to cycle, you can hire a tuk tuk (approximately 6,000 rupees/US$20) and follow the group. Along the way, we see the local people going about their daily routine – expect smiles and waves as we go! We should also spot plenty of bird life, including egrets, brahminy kites, kingfishers and bulbuls. Breaking up the journey, we stop for lunch in a traditional village before returning to our hotel in Sigiriya by late afternoon with time to enjoy a post-ride dip in the pool.

Rise early this morning to climb the rock fortress of Sigiriya, also known as Lion Rock, before the strongest heat of the day. Probably the standout attraction in Sri Lanka, Sigiriya comprises the ruins of a fifth-century palace, which crowns an imposing granite peak. We drive to the base, where a moat surrounds impressive water gardens. We then take the route to the top, via a series of steep steps and gangways, ascending 655ft (200m) and passing an overhanging rock, under which portraits of native maidens holding flowers and temple offerings still adorn the rock wall. On the flat-topped summit are extensive remains of the King’s Summer Palace. Returning to the hotel for breakfast, we then set off to Dambulla, where we visit the magnificent Cave Temple, taking the back entrance, where there are fewer steps. Among the most impressive sights in Sri Lanka, it is home to colourful, well-preserved paintings and Buddha statues, which date to the first century BCE. Finally, we transfer (2hr 40min) to Kandy, where we stay for the next two nights. Upgrade to a room with a balcony today – speak to your sales representative for more details

We visit the Temple of the Tooth, which houses the most important Buddhist relic in Sri Lanka. The Tooth of Buddha was taken from his funeral pyre in 543 BCE and only found its way to Sri Lanka in the fourth century CE. Hundreds of worshippers visit the temple each day and in August the most spectacular ceremony takes place. Some of our August trips should coincide with the Kandy festival, but the exact dates, decided by priests, are not known until five months before the event. Later, we take a leisurely stroll around Kandy Lake, enjoying the peaceful surroundings, and taking in views of the city and hills. Upgrade to a room with a balcony today – speak to your sales representative for more details

After breakfast, we leave Kandy and transfer (approximately 2hr 30min to 3hr) to Nuwara Eliya, a popular hill station during the British era, situated in the cool highland air. Known locally as Little England, it is dotted with British-style houses and parks and features a golf club and racecourse. Here, we visit a tea factory to discover the fascinating process of tea production, from plucking fresh tea leaves to processing and packaging. Enjoy the aroma of freshly brewed tea and enjoy a tasting session to experience the rich flavours of Ceylon tea. After, we enjoy a scenic drive through Nuwara Eliya, admiring the lush tea plantations, beautifully manicured gardens and rolling hills.

Leave the tea hills and transfer (4hr 50min) to the coastal city of Negombo, a short drive north of Colombo. On the way, there is the option to stop in Kitugala for a white-water rafting adventure (see the Optional Excursions section of the Trip Notes for more details). Arrive into Negombo late afternoon or early evening. Our tour leader will arrange a group dinner, where we can share our favourite moments from the trip.