Arrive in Colombo

Upon your arrival at the Colombo International Airport, you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel in Negombo. In the evening, you will meet with your Senior Leader and Local Head Naturalist for a complete expedition briefing followed by a cocktail and a welcome dinner.

Overnight at Suriya Hotel. (D)

Habarana and Sigiriya

You will leave in the morning towards Habarana, the city that will be your base to explore Sri Lanka’s impressive cultural triangle. You will stop along the way several times for cultural and wildlife experiences.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most important archeological destination in Sri Lanka. You will have the chance to climb to the top and admire the remains of the palace, the frescoes, and the top gardens.

Overnight at Cinnamon Lodge. (B, L, D)

Polonnaruwa and Loris night excursion

You will drive to Polonnaruwa to visit this ancient city, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to Habarana and enjoy an amazing typical Sri Lanka lunch.

In the afternoon, you will visit a local village to interact with locals, learn their uses, customs, and traditions.

During the late evening, you will go to Popham Arboretum for superb bird and wildlife watching, including a fascinating Loris-watching excursion with a knowledgeable local specialist.

Overnight at Cinnamon Lodge. (B, L, D)

Anuradhapura and Aukana

Today, you will drive to Anuradhapura to visit its ancient city (UNESCO World Heritage Site). You will learn why the place is so meaningful for Buddhists, Tamils, and Hindus alike.

After lunch, you will continue to the impressive Aukana Temple. The Aukana Buddha Statue is 36 feet high and represents a Buddha in Asisa mudra or the “posture of blessing”, and is carved out of a single rock boulder.

Overnight at Cinnamon Lodge. (B, L, D)

Dambulla, Matale, and Kandy

After breakfast, you will drive to Dambulla and visit the Golden Temple. The temple is Sri Lanka’s most popular historic site.

After your visit to the Golden Temple, you will travel to Matale to visit the Spice Garden where you will learn about the local spices and herbs, and their incredible medicinal and cosmetic values. You will share a traditional Sri Lankan cookery demonstration followed by a delicious lunch.

Then you leave for Kandy where you will take a tuk-tuk tour to attend a cultural show featuring traditional Sri Lankan dancing, and visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic complex.

Overnight at Kandy Cinnamon Lodge. (B, L, D)

Kandy, Train Ride to Nanu Oya, and Nuwara Eliya

After breakfast, you leave for Peradeniya railway station to board the scenic train “Nanu Oya” in a first-class coach. This is the most beautiful train ride in Sri Lanka and will provide great interactions with locals and their culture.

Upon arrival, you will travel to Nuwara Eliya, located in the heart of Sri Lankan hill country, with lush green tea plantations carpeting the rolling hills.

Overnight at the Grand Hotel. (B, L, D)

Horton Plains National Park and Nuwara Eliya

Today it will be an early departure for Horton Plains National Park with a packed breakfast. You will enjoy an extraordinary morning of birding and photography at Horton Plains.

Return to the hotel for lunch, and the afternoon at leisure follows, to enjoy the calm and charming environment of your British colonial-style hotel.

You will meet again in the evening for a city tour of Nuwara Eliya where many of the buildings retain features from the colonial period.

Overnight at the Grand Hotel. (B, L, D)

Tea Plantation, Udawalawe National Park, and Yala

After breakfast, you will visit a local tea plantation and factory to see the process of producing one of the finest tea in the world. Nowadays, Sri Lankan tea is considered to be one of the best varieties in the world.

You will drive to Udawalawe for lunch.

In the afternoon, you will enjoy a safari at Udawalawe National Park. This is an important habitat for water birds and several mammal species, including Sri Lankan elephants!

In the evening drive to Yala.

Overnight at Cinnamon Wild Hotel. (B, L, D)

Yala National Park

You will leave the hotel in the early morning with a packed breakfast for your first safari at Yala National Park. Among its more famous residents are the populations of leopards, majestic elephants, sloth bears, sambars, jackals, spotted dear, peacocks, and crocodiles. Yale has the highest concentration of leopards in the world!

Lunch at the hotel.

Second safari at Yala National Park in the late afternoon. In the evening; you will listen to an exciting lecture on leopards by your master naturalist.

Overnight at Cinnamon Wild Hotel. (B, L, D)

Bundala National Park and Mirissa

Today you will explore another National Park, Bundala . In 2005 the National Park was designated as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, as it is an internationally important wintering ground for migratory water birds with no less than 197 species found here, the highlight being the greater flamingo.

Transfer to Mirissa.

Overnight at Mandara Resort Mirissa. (B, L, D)

Whale Watching Excursion, and Galle

You will leave the hotel in the early morning for a spectacular whale-watching excursion. The chances of spotting the whales are about 90%. Blue whales, Bryde’s whales, pilot whales, sperm whales, and fin whales are the most commonly seen species.

Return to the hotel for lunch.

In the afternoon, you will visit Galle Fort. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988.

Overnight at Mandara Resort Mirissa. (B, L, D)

Colombo, Katunayake, and Fly US

After breakfast, it will be time to drive back to Colombo, a busy and vibrant city with a mixture of modern life and colonial buildings. During your journey around the city, you will witness many interesting sights and places, such as Independence Square, the Old Parliament Building, and Galle Face Green, all of which are a representation of Sri Lanka’s colorful character.

Then you will be ready for your farewell lunch at a first-class restaurant and transfer to the airport (B, L).