Classic Sri Lanka

You will arrive at the airport and will be transferred to the hotel and you can check in and stay at the hotel. As nothing is planned for today so you an spend the day at your leisure.

Today you will be taken to the lush green environment of the rain forest. Your afternoon will be free you can spend the time knowing the place and witness the Kandy natural and historical attractions. The Peradeniya Botanic Gardens offer both – the sculpted lawns were once a private playground for Kandyan royalty. In the evening, watch a traditional dance performance set to percussive rhythms.

The highlands waits for you today, so rise and shine for the journey to Nuwara Eliya. The evergreen hills and cool climate made this town a primary retreat for British colonialists in the 19th century, and many buildings remain from this period, earning it the nickname ‘Little Britain’. Return to Kandy and maybe ask your leader where you can grab a nice kottu roti. Kandy was one the world’s primary source of cinnamon and a variety of spices are grown the area, which makes for food that is bursting with flavor.

This morning, visit the temple that holds a tooth relic of the Lord Buddha. The aptly named Temple of the Tooth is one of Sri Lanka’s most sacred places and no matter your spiritual inclination, the hush of the temple and the atmosphere of reverence is incredibly powerful. Bid farewell to Kandy and transfer to Habarana, located just 12 km from Sigiriya, where the immense Lion Rock dominates the landscape. Tomorrow you will explore the ancient gardens and frescoes that decorate this behemoth, but today another unique site awaits. Visit the cave temple of Dambulla – actually a complex of five caves that are full of paintings and statues of the Lord Buddha. Murals cover the rough walls and sloping ceilings of the caves, which once served as dwellings for prehistoric Sri Lankans before the arrival of Buddhism.

This morning you’ll visit the ancient carved-rock fortress that rises 180 metres above the surrounding plains in Sigiriya. A true spectacle of both nature and human endeavour, the Lion Rock features ancient paintings, the remains of a great lion sculpture and some of the oldest landscaped gardens in the world. Climb the winding walkways and explore this incredible example of ancient urban planning. Before the sun goes down, jump in jeep and go safari at Minneriya National Park. Many of the local beasts come out to play in the evening, so keep your eyes peeled for elephants, sambar deer and leopards.

Say ayubowan – used for both greetings and farewells – to the verdant plains of Sigiriya and begin the 1.5-hour journey to Anuradhapura. This ancient Sri Lankan capital is home to some of the country’s best-looking ruins. Take a guided bike tour of this World-Heritage listed site, soaking up the splendor of ruins scattered among the city.

Hit the road again and watch the world go by on a long drive to Colombo (approximately 5.5 hours). Stop by some of the city’s main sights on a bus tour including Independence Square, Parliament, and past the National Museum, finishing with a shopping opportunity for a good cause at the Barefoot Fair trade Store. Here you can find a collection of handicrafts from around the country and support small cottage industries. If you are lucky enough to be in Colombo on a Saturday, visit Good Market – a local market full of stalls showcasing social enterprises and responsible businesses.

With no scheduled activities today, you are free to leave at any time, provided you comply with the hotel’s internal check-out times.