Classical Sri Lanka

Day 1  Colombo          
On arrival, you’ll be greeted and transferred to your hotel in Colombo. Take the afternoon to relax before enjoying a welcome dinner with your fellow travellers and travel director.          

Day 2  Colombo          
Explore the city on a walking tour of its back streets to get a feel of how the locals live with renowned photographer, Mark Forbes. Visit Pettah Market before boarding a tuk-tuk to discover the old town and get a feel of the buzz of the city as the workers head home for the day and the sun begins to set.          

Days 3-4  Colombo to Wilpattu NP  
Travel north to Wilpattu National Park, home to Sri Lanka’s Big 4 – leopard, elephant, sloth bear and deer. Once checked into your luxury safari camp, relax in your spacious living room to soak up the start of your glamping experience, before heading out on a safari drive this evening. Explore the park further on day four.          

Day 5  Wilpattu NP to Sigiriya    
Continue to the cultural heart of Sri Lanka, Sigiriya, stopping en route in the country’s ancient capital, Anuradhapura. Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site’s ancient ruins, before meeting a practicing Buddhist monk to discover the jungle enveloped paths of Ritigala and to hear tales of the forest dwelling monks who once inhabited this reserve.          

Day 6  Sigiriya & Polonnaruwa  
Choose to explore the famous fortress of Sigiriya sat atop this dramatic outcrop or simply wander the Botanical Gardens this morning. Later, head to Polonnaruwa to see what life was like 800 years ago when the city was the thriving epicentre of commercial and religious life.          

Day 7  Sigiriya to Kandy          
Journey to Dambulla to see the impressive cave temples, known for their spectacular interiors filled with Buddha statues. As you travel south to Kandy, stop at a spice garden to learn about the ingredients used in traditional Sri Lankan cuisine. This evening, enjoy a cultural drums and dance performance in town.  

Day 8  Kandy to Nuwara Eliya          
This morning, visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist relic. Head to tea country this afternoon in time to join cooking demonstration for the opportunity to learn to cook Sri Lankan and South Indian cuisine with a local chef.    

Day 9  Nuwara Eliya  
Rise early to traverse Horton Plains National Park for some spectacular views across World’s End where a stunning escarpment plunges 880m down to the jungle floor. This afternoon, visit a tea factory to walk the plantation during plucking time to learn of a pluckers way of life, before a tasting session in the factory.          

Day 10  Nuwara Eliya to Colombo        
Head back to Colombo in time to meet your onward travels.