8 Day Discover Sri Lanka

Once you land in Colombo, you’ll be met by your chauffeur and set off towards Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle – the area between Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Kandy. On the way, you’ll be able to stretch your legs at Kadjugama, which is famous for its cashew nuts.

Once you’ve checked into your hotel in the Cultural Triangle, you can relax and take it easy after your flight. Or, if you’re feeling wide awake, go on an evening game drive at Minneriya National Park. This place is home to the largest gathering of elephants in the world, which takes place between August and October. But don’t worry if you’re visiting at a different time of year – you’ll still see plenty of wildlife on your safari.

You’ll stay at a hotel in the Cultural Triangle, near Dambulla and Sigiriya.

This morning you have two options to choose from. You can enjoy a trip to a local village, which includes a catamaran sailing and a ride in an ox cart. Or you can visit ancient Anuradhapura – Sri Lanka’s original capital city. Here, you’ll be able to see historical and archaeological sites, including the remnants of the Brazen Palace from 2^nd century BC.

In the afternoon, you’ll head to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Dambulla Cave Temple – one of Sri Lanka’s most impressive temples. Made up of five caves and fresco-covered walls, it contains over 150 images of the Buddha, the largest of which is a 14-metre long statue. Afterwards, you’ll have the chance to explore Dambulla Market, one of the biggest vegetable markets in the country.

In the evening, you’ll return to your hotel. Breakfast is included.

Before you head off for the day, if you wish, you can join a bird-watching walk in the hotel grounds. Then, you’ll travel to age-old Polonnaruwa. Built in the 11^th and 12^th centuries, this city still has impressive ruins of its Royal Palace, the Audience Hall and the Lotus Bath.

In the afternoon, you’ll visit one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic sites, Sigiriya Rock. Rising 200 metres above the surrounding jungle, the citadel is worth the climb. On your way up you’ll see beautiful frescoes on the walls and, when you reach the top of this World Heritage Site, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views across the lush forest below.

In the evening, you’ll return to your hotel. Breakfast is included.

In the morning, you’ll set off on the three-hour drive to Kandy – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Sri Lanka’s cultural capital. On the way, though, you’ll be able to stretch your legs at an exotic spice garden in Matale, where you can learn about Sri Lanka’s delicious flavours.

Once you arrive in Kandy, it’s time to explore the city. Tradition is very much alive here, and there are plenty of cultural attractions. The highlight is the Temple of the Tooth – a sacred temple which houses a tooth of Buddha.

In the evening, you can enjoy a lively performance of traditional Kandyan dancing and drumming. You’ll spend the night in Kandy. Breakfast is included.

On a personalised tour, you’ll explore Kandy’s local markets, bustling streets and Kandy Lake, which was built by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798. You can also visit Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens, where 147 acres are filled with all kinds plants, trees and flowers.

Later, there are two activities for you to choose from. You can spend a wonderful evening in an artist’s cottage and home-studio. You’ll learn all about the contemporary art created by Rahju, who has lived and worked in Sri Lanka for over 30 years.

Alternatively, you can visit two temples – Gadaladeniya and Embekke. The former is famous for its beautiful stone carvings and is a perfect example of Sri Lanka’s ancient architecture. Meanwhile, Embekke Temple is constructed entirely of wood and features some rare, intricate Kandyan carvings.

You’ll spend the night in Kandy. Breakfast is included.

Today, you’ll discover Sri Lanka’s Hill Country. You’ll head to Nuwara Eliya – a quaint town in the heart of plantation country, perched 2,000 metres above sea level. Your chauffeur will drive you or you can take the train, which is a fantastic way to see the misty landscape, as you wind past leafy plantations and hill villages.

When you reach Nuwara Eliya, you can find out more about Sri Lanka’s famous Ceylon tea. The rest of the day is yours to relax. Why not play a round on the 18-hole golf course – one of the best in the country – or wander around the town? Nuwara Eliya is dubbed the ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, thanks to its colonial architecture, rose gardens and, of course, endless tea.

You’ll spend the night in Nuwara Eliya. Breakfast is included.

This will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your Sri Lanka tour – an incredible wildlife safari. After a scenic drive through Hill Country, you’ll spend the afternoon at either Udawalawe National Park or Yala National Park.

Stretching for 30,000 hectares, Udawalawe is home to a variety of animals, including buffalo, sambar deer and crocodiles. But the park is most famous for its 500 elephants. Go on a safari, and you’re guaranteed to see some of these gentle giants strolling around.

Meanwhile, Yala National Park covers nearly 400 square miles. The park has the highest density of leopards in the world, but you’ll also see elephants, sloth bears, wild boar and much more on an exciting game drive through Yala.

You’ll spend the night at either Udawalawe or Yala. Breakfast is included.

The final day of your tour kicks off with a visit Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home, where you can see baby elephants. This centre recues orphaned elephants, before rehabilitating them and releasing them back into the wild. Charity Born Free makes sure the orphans receive all the milk, care and medical attention they need.

Next, you’ll drive along Sri Lanka’s south coast, past tropical beaches and sleepy fishing villages. Your last stop is Galle – a multicultural city with British, Dutch and Portuguese influences. Within the walls of Galle Fort, you’ll find cobbled streets, colonial buildings and sleepy cafes. But step through the gates, and you’ll discover a hive of activity in the city beyond. Down by the sea, meanwhile, you’ll find powdery beaches and boutique hotels.

At the end of your tour, your chauffeur will take you to either your chosen beach hotel, or Colombo Airport if you’re heading home.