Sri Lanka Tour

Day 01 Arrive Colombo
Arrive at Colombo in the morning and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure with an optional sightseeing of the city. If you wish, a visit to one of the world's leading tea auctions can be arranged. Colombo also has an 18-hole golf course and a choice of excellent restaurants.

Day 02 Colombo - Habarana
After breakfast, drive inland to Habarana. Arrive and check in at The Lodge. Later enjoy an elephant-safari in the surrounding forest.

Day 03 Habarana
Today we visit Anuradhapura, the island's ancient capital, founded around the 4th century BC. The sightseeing includes the Dagobas (pagodas), and the "Jayasri Maha Bodhi", the sacred Bo tree, the sapling of the original tree under which Gautama, the Buddha, attained enlightenment. It is considered the oldest living tree on record.

Day 04 Habarana
When Anuradhapura was abandoned in 1073 the capital was transferred to Polonnaruwa. We visit the ruins of this city in the morning along with the Gal Vihara rock sculptures. We also visit the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya - the 182-metre high rock is a steep climb.

Day 05 Habarana - Kandy
Leave for Kandy, Sri Lanka's second largest city, visiting the Dambulla Cave Temple en route. Arrive and check in at the elegant Mahaweli Reach hotel, situated on the banks of the Mahaweli River. The focus of the city is the "Dalada Maligawa" or Temple of the Tooth Relic, which you visit this evening. Later enjoy a Kandyan dance performance.

Day 06 Kandy
Visit the elephant orphanage at Pinnawela, home to hundreds of abandoned or injured elephants. You see baby elephants being bottle fed with the chance of seeing the elephants being taken down to the river for their bath. Later, visit the famous botanical gardens at Peradeniya, home to a fascinating variety of plants.

Day 07 Kandy - Nuwara Eliya
Today take the scenic drive to the tea country of Nuwara Eliya, visiting a tea factory en route. You stay at the colonial Grand Hotel, beside the golf course. This afternoon we have the option of a visit to the Hakgala Botanical gardens, established in 1860 as an experimental cinchona plantation.

Day 08 Nuwara Eliya
Carry a packed breakfast and leave by 4WD for Horton Plains, located on a high windswept saddle at 2134 meters above sea level, for a hike to the Bakers Falls and World's End, a sheer 1,000-foot vertical drop.

Day 09 Nuwara Eliya - Yala
Drive to Yala and upon arrival check in at the Yala Village, a comfortable forest lodge with an inviting pool. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 10 Yala
Enjoy early morning and afternoon jeep safaris today. Apart from the elusive leopard, Yala is home to elephant, deer, wild buffalo, crocodile, wild boar and many types of birds.

Day 11 Yala - Beruwela
A long drive to Beruwela today, visiting Galle en route. The Dutch Museum, Groote Kerk (Great Church) and National Maritime Museum are some of the highlights of this World Heritage city. Enjoy lunch at the Galle Fort Hotel, before driving. Arrive and check in at your hotel.

Day 12 Beruwela
The day is at leisure.

Day 13 Beruwela - Colombo - Onward Flight
Drive to Colombo in time to connect your onward flight.