DAY 01: UK TO COLOMBO

Depart London on your scheduled, overnight flight to Colombo International Airport.

DAY 02: COLOMBO TO DAMBULLA

On arrival you will be met by your local guide and transferred to Dambulla with the rest of your evening at leisure.

Dinner

DAY 03: DAMBULLA

Depart in the morning to explore the stunning Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a World Heritage Site dating back to the 5th century AD. Also known as the 'Lion Rock', it is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 metres from the jungle. Following lunch continue on to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa which was once a royal capital of the Sinhalese kingdom and is over 1000 years old. It was chosen as the capital as it was advantageously positioned to safeguard against possible attacks from the southeast, as well as supposedly having fewer mosquitoes! Here you can admire the ruins of the Royal Palace and wander around the Gal Vihara, famous for its splendid carved Buddha statues. Please note: photography is prohibited in parts of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Prohibited areas will be clearly signposted.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 04: DAMBULLA TO KANDY

After breakfast, visit the Dambulla Rock Temple, where the impressive caves contain over 2000sq metres of painted walls and ceilings which were once gilded by the ancient King to mark his place of worship. You will then travel to Kandy en route visiting a spice garden followed by lunch and check in at your hotel. Continue to the famous Temple of Tooth Relic in the afternoon - Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist relic and one of the holiest shrines in the Buddhist world. After dinner relax whilst watching an eclectic cultural show, where performers will dazzle you with ornate costumes and traditional dances.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 05: KANDY

Today you will travel to the beautiful botanical gardens in Peradeniya, boasting more than 4,000 species of trees, plants, orchids and creepers. Next, a highlight of this tour is a trip to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, established in 1975 to care for abandoned and wounded elephants. Witness these magnificent creatures in close quarters and see elephants being fed, bathed and trained by the wildlife authorities. This evening enjoy a city tour of Kandy, including the bazaar and arts and crafts centre and a gem museum. Kandy was the last capital of the ancient kings and after defending themselves for over three centuries from the Dutch and Portuguese it finally fell to the hands of the British in 1815.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 06: KANDY TO YALA

Leaving Kandy you will stop in Giragama to visit a tea plantation before continuing to Nuwara Eliya where you will participate in a walking tour of the town. Your journey continues through Sri Lanka's striking scenery to your hotel near Yala.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 07: YALA

The morning is at leisure before your exciting jeep safari around the magnificent Yala National Game Park, the largest national park in Sri Lanka with a unique ocean front setting. The park is home to elephants, wild boars, buffaloes, bears, deer and crocodiles as well as a number of migratory and indigenous birds. You may even spot a leopard!

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 08: YALA TO MOUNT LAVINIA

Following breakfast, you will arrive in Galle, once the chief port of Ceylon and the centre of the Dutch regime in the 17th century. A city tour lets you discover the majestic Galle Fort and the surrounding historic buildings which reflect the Dutch heritage which once reined the country. Travel north for your final night at the world famous Mount Lavinia Hotel. This 200-year-old hotel was once the Governor's Residence when Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) was under British rule.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 09: COLOMBO TO UK

After breakfast transfer to Colombo airport for your flight back to the UK.

Breakfast