Premium Sri Lanka in Depth

Ayubowan! Welcome to Sri Lanka. When you arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, you’ll be met by an Intrepid representative and transferred to your hotel in nearby Negombo. You’ll have a welcome meeting with your leader and fellow travellers at 6 pm. If you arrive early, maybe take some time to relax on the beach under the blue sky. After your welcome meeting, your leader will take you to a local restaurant for a seafood dinner. Sri Lankan food is famous for its rich aromas, spices and flavours, and this evening you’ll find out why as you sample some local favourites like pol sambol (a spicy coconut dish) and roast paan (crispy roasted bread).

Rise early this morning for a visit to the Negombo fish market. Morning is the best time to visit – your leader will help you navigate the organised frenzy of vendors displaying fresh catches like crabs, lobsters and squid. Then, say goodbye to Negombo and make the drive to Dambulla, where you'll spend the next three nights. When you arrive, check into your hotel, then make the short drive to the incredible Dambulla Cave Temple. Here, you’ll discover five caves filled with around 150 statues and paintings of Buddha – some as many as 2000 years old. Explore the cave complex with your leader, who will explain why this UNESCO World Heritage-listed site has been a place of worship for thousands of years.In the evening, join your group for an authentic introduction to the local cuisine and food culture. Tuck into a delicious array of local dishes, including hoppers, string hoppers, pol roti, fried lake fish, and other Sri Lankan favourites. You will also have the chance to get hands-on and learn how to prepare some of these classic dishes so you can recreate the taste of Sri Lanka at home.

Today, you’ll head to UNESCO World Heritage-listed Anuradhapura, the northern point of Sri Lanka’s ‘cultural triangle’, which also contains Polonnaruwa to the east and Kandy to the southwest. This area is full of temples and sites of cultural and religious importance. The city of Anuradhapura is one of the country’s most historically significant places and was its first ancient capital. Take a step back in time as your leader guides you through the giant stupas of Ruwanweliseya and Jetawanaramaya, and ponder the rise and fall of ancient civilisations as you explore crumbling temples and ruins. Visit the Sri Maha Bodhi Tree Temple – home to a sacred bodhi tree planted in 236 BC, believed to be the oldest human-planted tree in the world. Stop by the ancient temple of Isurumuniya and see its intricate carvings that tell stories thousands of years old. Return to Dambulla for an evening at leisure.

After breakfast, you’ll make your way to Polonnaruwa to continue your exploration of the cultural triangle. Following Anuradhapura as the Sinhalese and Chola capital in the 10th century, the area is strewn with ancient relics. Discover well-preserved temples, tombs and stupas in Polonnaruwa’s Quadrangle complex – it’s not hard to imagine what this place looked like in all its former glory. Visit the ruins of the seven-story palace built by King Parakramabahu, the rock temple of Gal Vihara, the giant stupa of Rankot Vihara and the ancient Buddha image house of Lankatilaka, covered in detailed carvings and housing a towering statue of Buddha. Stop by the statue of Parakramabahu I – standing at 10 m tall, this is a truly impressive sight. Later this afternoon, you’ll visit the Zero Plastic Impact Centre, an Intrepid Foundation partner supporting nearly 100 local artisans producing plastic-alternative products like reusable woven basket bags and clay water bottles. Tonight, head back for a final evening in Dambulla, where you might like to enjoy a drink by the lake.

Rise bright and early for a sunrise visit to one of Sri Lanka’s highlights – the UNESCO World Heritage-listed palace of Sigiriya (Lion Rock Fortress). This dramatic rocky outcrop, rising from the surrounding plains, is topped by a ruined palace. It's a good workout to get to the top, but the views make it well worth it. Your leader will share stories of the ancient civilisation who once lived atop the rock as you climb. In the afternoon, start your journey to Kandy. Along the way, stop in the city of Matale, where you will visit a local spice garden and learn about the spices that have played such an important role in Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage. Continue to Kandy where you’ll have a free evening to explore. Though it’s the second-largest city in the country, Kandy maintains a laidback atmosphere. Maybe take a stroll around the city’s central lake or ask your leader to recommend a favourite restaurant.

This morning, meet with a local botanist for a guided tour of the Royal Botanical Gardens. Your guide will help you spot yellow-fronted barbets, Layard’s parakeets and Sri Lankan hanging parrots and introduce you to an array of orchids. You’ll also visit the gem museum and lapidary, where you can learn about the history of gem mining in Sri Lanka and see how gems are turned into beautiful pieces of jewellery. Today’s lunch is particularly special as you’ll dine at Hela Bojun – a social enterprise founded by the Sri Lankan government to train and employ women from rural communities. In the afternoon, you’ll be welcomed into the home of a local dancer where you’ll watch an exclusive cultural performance in an intimate setting. This evening, visit the famous Temple of the Tooth Relic. This is the most important shrine in the country, housing a relic of a tooth of Buddha taken from his funeral pyre. Arrive in time and you may have the chance to witness the pooja – a small ceremony of reverence involving drummers and dancers.

Depart Kandy and travel to Nuwara Eliya by private vehicle. Situated deep in tea country, Nuwara Eliya sits at an elevation of 1800 m, making it one of the coolest regions in Sri Lanka. Once favoured by the Scottish and the English, remnants of the past can be seen in sculpted gardens and manor homes decorating the city. When you arrive, explore the charming town at your own pace before heading to your accommodation, tucked away among tea plantations and scenic hills. This afternoon, you’ll have a high tea experience at your hotel. Converted from the former home of a British governor, the hotel now offers an impressive selection of tea paired with finger food and confectioneries. This evening, maybe explore the hotel’s palatial gardens or settle in for dinner at the onsite restaurant.