Wild About Sri Lanka – 10 days

After breakfast, we bid farewell to Colombo and embark on a thrilling journey to Dambulla. En route, we will make a stop at a vibrant fruit and vegetable market in Naramwela Town.  Within the five caves, you'll discover around 150 Buddha images, including a remarkable 14-meter tall sculpted figure. After exploring this historical site, we continue our expedition to Polonnaruwa, an ancient city dating back to the 11th century. Here, you'll encounter fascinating monuments and intriguing ruins, including the Royal Palace and Gal Vihara. Polonnaruwa has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the evening, we return to Dambulla for a leisurely overnight stay.

Today, we set off to explore the renowned Sigiriya, also known as the "Lion Rock" fortress. This extraordinary structure, perched 200 meters high amid lush jungle, served as a vital stronghold within a 70-hectare fortified town more than 1500 years ago. One of Sri Lanka's most iconic landmarks, Sigiriya offers breathtaking views from its summit, and you'll have the chance to admire the renowned frescoes of the Heavenly Maidens. Continuing our journey, we take a short canoe trip and a bullock cart ride to the village of Kayanwala. There, we partake in a cooking demonstration at a local woman's mud-brick home and enjoy a freshly prepared lunch of curry, dahl, spicy rice, and more. On our way to Kandy, we stop at a spice garden in Matale, where you'll learn about various spices and their cultivation methods.

In the morning, we embark on a sightseeing tour of Kandy, the last royal capital of Sri Lanka. Our first stop is the Temple of the Tooth Relic, where legend has it that one of Buddha's teeth was smuggled into Sri Lanka in 313 AD. This revered temple attracts pilgrims from all walks of life, who bring offerings of frangipani and lotus flowers. After exploring the local bazaar and a gem museum, we take a Tuk Tuk ride into the nearby hills. This afternoon, we visit the Geragama Tea Factory, where you'll learn about tea production and taste some of the finest tea in the world. In the evening, we attend a cultural show featuring traditional Sri Lankan dance and music.

Enjoy some free time this morning before heading to the train station for a picturesque train journey to Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka's famous hill resort. The train ride offers breathtaking views of lush tea plantations, waterfalls, and picturesque landscapes. Known as "Little England," Nuwara Eliya is the heart of Sri Lanka's tea country and boasts some of the world's best tea. In the afternoon, we take a sightseeing tour of Nuwara Eliya's charming surroundings.

Today, we head south to Embilipitiya, our base for exploring Udawalawe National Park. In the late afternoon, we embark on an exciting game drive before returning to our hotel.

Continuing our wildlife adventure, we journey to Yala National Park, Sri Lanka's second-largest national park. The park is home to about 350 Asian elephants, numerous leopards, and a variety of other wildlife species. A thrilling jeep safari awaits us as we explore this biodiversity hotspot.

We bid farewell to Yala and head to Bundala National Park, located on the coast. This unique park is a haven for birdwatchers, with nearly 200 species of vibrant birds residing amidst canals, dunes, and lagoons. Additionally, the park hosts the beautiful greater flamingo and a significant population of Asian elephants. After a vehicle safari, we continue our journey to the coastal town of Mirissa for the night.

Early risers (traveling between November and April) will embark on a whale and dolphin watching boat trip, a thrilling opportunity to spot various marine species, including the awe-inspiring blue whale—the largest animal on Earth. For those traveling between May and October, a visit to the historic Galle Fort, built by the Portuguese in 1588, is on the agenda. In the afternoon, we explore the vibrant city center of Colombo, where we visit the Fort neighborhood, known for its government buildings and unique shops, before concluding our day with a visit to the magnificent Gangarama Temple.

Today marks the end of our unforgettable journey through Sri Lanka. After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for your onward departure.