Pure Sri Lanka

Day 1  Negombo                
Your Sri Lankan adventure begins in Negombo. Find your feet in this diverse and laid-back town with coastal beaches, local fish markets and a working Dutch-style canal system.

Day 2  Negombo to Sigiriya      
Drive inland to Sigiriya, an ancient rock fortress town in the Matale District. Begin your explorations with a guided visit to Hiriwadunna village, a spiritually important site where Prince Siddhartha was said to have attained Buddhahood. Sit down for an authentic Sri Lankan lunch, surrounded by greenery and wildlife, then head back to your hotel where you'll join enjoy an included dinner later on.

Day 3  Sigiriya  
You can’t visit Sigiriya without exploring the incredible Sigiriya Rock Fortress, and morning is the best time to visit. After your included breakfast, check out the UNESCO-listed 'Lion's Rock', with its 5th-century buildings, painted rock frescoes and massive pair of lion paws at the entrance. This afternoon find another World Heritage Site, the sacred Dambulla Cave Temple, the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka.

Day 4  Sigiriya to Kandy          
After a sunrise hike up Pidurangala Rock, head inland to what was once the last imperial city of Sri Lanka, Kandy. Home to the most important of Buddhist relics - the tooth of Lord Buddha – you of course have a locally guided tour of the Temple of the Tooth awaiting you. Tonight, you have the chance to watch history and mythology explode into colour and rhythm with some traditional Kandyan Folk dance. Later, choose to tuck into some local street food.

Day 5  Kandy to Ella    
Today head further into the hill country on the train, passing lush green hills and waterfalls en route to Nuwara Eliya. This small town with colonial-era buildings is found in the heart of Sri Lanka's famous Ceylon tea industry. Stop to visit a tea plantation to find out how different teas are grown, plucked and packaged before continuing on to Ella.

Day 6  Ella        
The day is yours to explore the beautiful countryside and laid-back backpacker hub of Ella, nestled among green cloud forests and tea plantations. In the early morning, feel free to head to Horton Plains National Park and walk to "World's End", one of the highlights here.

Day 7  Ella to Udawalawe National Park              
Head down from the hill country into the southern plains where a rich abundance of wildlife awaits. Our first stop is at the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home, where orphaned baby elephants are cared for before being released back into the wild. You’ll get to watch the babies at feeding time before continuing to your Special Stay accommodation for the night: glamping alongside the Walawe riverbed in full Safari style.

Day 8  Udawalawe National Park to Unawatuna              
Say goodbye to the wilderness, because today you're heading along the coast to the beachside town of Unawatuna. This afternoon take a trip to explore the UNESCO-listed historic fort city of Galle, a must-see for its distinctly unique mishmash of European and South Asian traditional architecture. Later this evening, you can opt to learn the ways of Sri Lankan cooking with our cooking demonstration and dinner.

Day 9  Unawatuna          
Head to Mirissa, considered to be the best place to get a glimpse of whales and dolphins. This morning is your chance to head out whale-watching for an unmissable up-close encounter. The afternoon is yours to unwind on the tropical palm-studded beach with clear turquoise waters, or opt in for a surf lesson at nearby Weligama Bay.

Day 10  Unawatuna to Colombo      
Today you'll reach your final destination, the bustling capital city of Colombo, stopping at Kosgoda Turtle Conservation Centre en route. On arrival in the big city, marvel at the atmospheric temples, check out the rose-tinted colonial buildings and, if you're brave enough, pick up some hot cobra chillies or souvenirs from the truly authentic (and famously chaotic) Pettah Bazaar. This evening toast the end of an incredible trip at the city’s best rooftop bars.

Day 11  Colombo        
Depart at any time.