Our airport representative will meet you at the arrival terminal to welcome you to the tour. (We provide you with a knowledgeable, friendly, multilingual guide and transportation in excellent condition, luxurious and comfortable air-conditioned vehicles. Drivers are available on request in any language.) First off to our beachfront luxury hotel, where you may decide to stroll around, swim in the pool during a photo-perfect sunset over the Laccadive Sea.

We say goodbye to Colombo this morning and head inland to Dambulla, making a stop at Naramwela Town's fruit and vegetable market along the way. Dating back to the first century BC, the amazing ancient cave complex known as Dambulla Rock Temple is located in India. More than 150 Buddha images may be seen in the five caves, including a large, 14-metre-tall sculpted figure. Upon investigating this historic location, we proceed to Polonnaruwa. The Royal Palace and the Gal Vihara are only two of the notable landmarks and intriguing remains that can be seen in this intriguing city from the eleventh century. Polonnaruwa, the second-oldest city in Sri Lanka, was originally the country's capital. As of right now, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We head back to Dambulla this evening for a free evening.

We are exploring Sigiriya and the renowned fortification known as "Lion Rock" this morning. Constructed over 1500 years ago, this stunning castle is 200 metres high in the midst of a lush jungle and served as a key defensive position for the 70-hectare fortified town. It is undoubtedly one of Sri Lanka's most recognisable and well-known sights, and it is visible for kilometres around. Viewing the renowned paintings of the Heavenly Maidens, which are situated in a protected area of the rock and are reached by a spiral staircase, will be possible. We travel to the village of Kayanwala from Sigiriya via a short canoe cruise and bullock cart ride. Here at Kayanwala Village, we watch a local woman demonstrate how to cook in her mud brick home and eat a freshly made lunch of curry, Dahl, spicy rice, pickles, and other delicacies. We visit a spice garden in Matale on the way to Kandy to observe the many herbs and spices that Sri Lanka is known for. A variety of spices will be shown to you, along with an explanation of how some are farmed and prepared.

This morning we go on a sightseeing tour to Kandy, the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings. First we go to Dalada Maliga. According to legend, one of the Buddha's teeth was stolen while he was lying on his tombstone. Then, in 313 AD, it was smuggled to Sri Lanka. These days it draws daily pilgrims bearing frangipani and lotus flowers. After visiting the gem museum built by the last Sinhalese king and the local bazaar, we take a tuk tuk ride to the neighbouring hills. We will stop at a working tea factory in Geragama this afternoon. Founded in 1903 and produces both "long leaf" and "short grown" teas. We are going to see a cultural show featuring traditional dance and music from Sri Lanka this evening.

Nuwara Eliya-Kandy. You have free time this morning before heading to the train station for an enjoyable ride. As we ascend to Nuwara Eliya, the most well-known hill resort in Sri Lanka, we'll pass kilometres upon kilometres of lush tea plantations that hug the winding mountain routes. Along the way, we'll witness waterfalls, suspension bridges, and tea pickers. The centre of Sri Lanka's tea industry, where a large portion of the greatest tea in the world is produced, is Nuwara Eliya. This afternoon, we go on a picturesque drive through "Little England" as part of our sightseeing trip to Nuwara Eliya.

We travel to Embilipitiya, our base for visiting Udawalawe National Park, in the south today. The largest Asian elephant, the renowned Sri Lankan elephant, can most likely be seen in this national park. This area is estimated to contain 400 elephants. The park is also home to several kinds of deer, the sloth bear of Sri Lanka, and the elusive leopard. Before heading back to our luxury hotel, we take a leisurely afternoon game drive here.

The two national parks are Yala and Udawalawe. This morning we travel to Yala National Park, the second largest national park in Sri Lanka. This afternoon we go on a jeep safari through the park. About 350 Asian elephants live in the park, one of the largest in the world. Sloth bears, golden palm civets, Sri Lankan kraits, crocodiles and a significant population of leopards are also found there. Both loggerhead and leatherback sea turtles visit the park's beaches.

Mirissa, Yala National Park and Bundala National Park. We will leave Yala this morning to visit the coastal Bundala National Park. Thousands of colourful birds representing over 200 species call this amazing maze of lagoons, mountain ranges and rivers home. In addition, the park is home to a significant population of Asian elephants as well as the spectacular Greater Flamingo. Here, we go on a jeep safari before spending the night at a Mirissa beach holiday resort.

Early this morning we will pick you up at the boat dock to prepare for our whale and dolphin watching boat trip. Fin whales, bowhead whales, sperm whales, blue whales - the largest animals on Earth - whale sharks, orcas and dolphins are frequently seen a few kilometres off the south coast of Sri Lanka this year. Depending on how far out to sea the mammals are, the round trip can take anywhere from two to six hours, but usually four. Visit the Galle Fort later in the morning. Constructed by the Portuguese in 1588, it was greatly enlarged and reinforced by the Dutch in the 17th century. It is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We have a guided tour of Colombo's vibrant city centre as our last destination of the day. We take a tour of the city's Fort neighbourhood, which is known for its intriguing stores and government buildings. See the people play cricket as you stroll along Gallumuwadora Pitiya, then continue on to the magnificent Gangarama Temple

Our tour ends today with a departure transfer to the airport. Be careful and leave for the motherland.