Day 01 Arrive Mount Lavinia

Fly Sri Lankan Airlines from Heathrow on Tuesday, or Sunday at a supplement. An extra night may be required beforehand at the Mount Lavinia hotel, due to early morning flight arrival.

Day 02 Mt.Lavinia

On arrival transfer to the Mount Lavinia hotel for two nights.

Day 03 Mt.Lavina

Morning at leisure. In the afternoon enjoy a city tour of Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo, including Independence Square, the 100 year old clock tower and historic fort area. Visit the colonial Galle Face hotel for afternoon tea. Return to Mount Lavinia for overnight (B).

Day 04 Mount Lavinia / Habarana

After breakfast drive north to Habarana Village for overnight. In the afternoon visit the sacred caves of Dambulla with their statues of Buddha and views over the surrounding forests. Optional visit to Sigiriya rock fortress bookable locally. (approx. 150 miles) (B,D).

Day 05 Habarana / Kandy

After breakfast leave for Kandy, visiting a Batik factory and spice garden en route. Enjoy afternoon sightseeing of Kandy including the Temple of the Tooth, Market Square and Upper Lake Drive. Tonight enjoy a cultural show. Overnight at Topaz hotel (approx. 85 miles) (B,D).

Day 06 Kandy / Kandalama

After breakfast visit the beautiful Royal Botanical Gardens before returning to the Earls Regency for lunch. In the afternoon visit a spice garden and a batik factory en route to the picturesque first class Kandalama resort near Sigiriya, your base for the next three nights. Observe the birdlife and beautiful countryside of Kandalama, a 55 acre forest which contains a variety of trees, medicinal plants and a rich and varied birdlife. Enjoy dinner and overnight at Kandalama (approx. 65 miles) (B,L,D).

Day 07 Kandalama

Leave for Anuradhapura after breakfast, the ancient capital of Sri Lanka. Visit the immense dagabas (Buddhist Shrines) which date to 380 BC. After lunch visit Mihintale where Buddhism was first introduced and is abundant with shrines and rock dwellings and thereafter you will also see the Avukana Buddha statue, the most magnificent undamaged statue in Sri Lanka. Return to Kandalama (approx. 160 miles) (B,L,D).

Day 08 Kandalama

After breakfast leave for Sigiriya and climb the impressive rock fortress. Here you will see the remains of the palace and famous frescoes. Proceed to Polonnaruwa, the 12th century capital of Sri Lanka with lunch en route. See the ruins of the Royal Palace and Gal Vihare (awe inspiring Buddha statues carved out of rock), the Lotus Bath and 12th century Polonnaruwa Statue. Return to Kandalama (approx. 120 miles) (B,L,D).

Day 09 Kandalama / Mt.Lavinia

After breakfast, leave for the south coast visiting the Dambulla Rock Temple famous for its beautiful murals, inscriptions and statues. The caves of Dambulla sheltered King Walagmbahu for 14 years during his exile from Anuradhapura. When he regained his throne, he built this magnificent Rock Temple consisting of four large caves which is one of the most impressive caves in Sri Lanka. Continue to the Pinnawela elephant orphanage and enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant. After lunch, proceed to the Mount Lavinia hotel. Alternatively continue to your chosen beach hotel for the next six nights on an RB basis to relax on the west coast beaches (B,L).