Cultural Triangle, Wildlife & Beach

1 Night – Colombo
2 Nights – Anuradhapura
3 Nights – Dambulla / Sigiriya (inc Polonnaruwa)
2 Nights – Kandy
1 Night – Ella
1 Night – Yala
1 Night – Udawalawe
3 Nights – Mirissa

✈️ UK to Colombo (1 night): Upon arrival in Colombo, your adventure begins with a warm welcome from your personal chauffeur who will be ready to take you to your hotel and through every step of your Sri Lankan journey. Beyond simply transporting you between each hotel, your dedicated driver offers you the flexibility to visit any sightseeing attraction you desire both en route and also at each stop in your itinerary. In Colombo, wander through the colourful Pettah market, explore colonial relics including the Old Parliament Building and the Galle Face Green promenade, and indulge in the wonderful Sri Lankan cuisine.

🚗 Colombo to Anuradhapura (2 nights): After a hearty breakfast, your driver will be ready to whisk you out of the city and into the heart of the country’s cultural triangle to the city of Anuradhapura. One of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, it is home to ancient ruins, monasteries, palaces, and three huge dome-shaped stupas: Mirisavetiya, Ruwanwelisaya and Jetavanaramaya. One of the oldest living trees in the world can also be found here, the Sri Maha Bodhi, which is a sacred fig tree.

🚗 Anuradhapura to Dambulla / Sigiriya (inc Polonnaruwa) (3 nights): Delving deeper into the cultural triangle, your next stop is Dambulla / Sigiriya, home to some incredible ancient cities and truly fascinating structures. Dambulla is home to the Dambulla Cave Temple complex that features five caves with stunning murals and over 150 carved Buddha statues that have been painstakingly carved directly into the natural rock formations. Just a short drive away is the spellbinding Sigiriya Rock Fortress, also known as Lion Rock, with its incredible ‘rock-cut’ architecture and landscaped gardens built on top of a huge granite rock outcrop. The nearby ancient city of Polonnaruwa is also a must-visit within the area, and its ruins include royal palaces, temples, statues, and stupas, including the Gal Vihara, a rock temple with four huge Buddha statues carved into the granite.

🚗 Dambulla / Sigiriya to Kandy (2 nights): To complete your full exploration of the Cultural Triangle, you’ll head to Kandy, home to the Temple of the Tooth Relic. This Buddhist temple is widely believed to house a revered tooth that belonged to Lord Buddha himself – and therefore holds huge significance in the Buddhist religion. A short walk from the temple complex is the pretty Kandy Lake, surrounded by lush greenery, offering a peaceful retreat in the busy city.

Kandy to Ella (1 night): Your next destination is the picturesque small town of Ella in the central highlands, and you have the option for your driver to transport you door-to-door, alternatively, you could choose to take a scenic train journey from Kandy to Ella. This captivating train journey takes you through lush tea plantations, mist-covered mountains, and cascading waterfalls, offering an unforgettable experience. Despite its small size, Ella has become a popular tourist destination due to its scenic beauty, offering a range of highlights including Ella Rock with its fabulous panoramic views, the iconic Nine Arch Bridge, and the delicious local cuisine.

🚗Ella to Yala (1 night): Yala, situated in the south-eastern region of Sri Lanka, is home to Yala National Park, the country’s most visited and second-largest national park. It boasts a wide range of ecosystems, from dense forests to expansive grasslands and coastal lagoons. Within the National Park, you can take a jeep safari to encounter a wide range of wildlife, including the iconic Sri Lankan leopard, elephants, sloth bears, and various bird species.

🚗 Yala to Udawalawe (1 night): Continuing the wildlife theme, you’ll head to Udawalawe, which is a smaller park, and ideal for a more intimate safari experience. Udawalawe National Park is renowned for its large herds of Asian elephants, which can often be seen roaming the grasslands and congregating around the park’s water sources. You can also spot water buffalos, sambar deer, spotted deer, wild boar, mongoose and around 200 species of birds.

🚗 Udawalawe to Mirissa (3 nights): You’ll conclude your Sri Lankan adventure with an escape along the southern coast of Sri Lanka, in the picturesque coastal town of Mirissa where you can soak up the sun for the final few days of your holiday. Mirissa is one of the most popular beach resorts in Sri Lanka, where you’ll find pristine beaches, a lively yet laid-back beachfront, and ample opportunities for whale watching, surfing, and snorkelling.

✈️ Mirissa to UK: You will be collected from your hotel and driven to the airport, ready for your return flight home to the UK.