Day 01 Arrive Colombo

Departure by Sri Lankan Airlines from Heathrow to Colombo.

Day 02 Colombo

On arrival transfer to the superior medium class Holiday Inn Colombo for overnight (approx. 45 miles).

Day 03 Colombo / Nuwara Eliya

After breakfast, drive through stunning scenery to Nuwara Eliya stopping for lunch at Kitulgala where the film “Bridge over the River Kwai” was filmed. Enjoy a brief stop at St. Clair’s and Devon waterfalls before visiting a tea plantation and factory. Overnight in the hill station of Nuwara Eliya, set in a mountain valley about 6,000 feet above sea level (approx. 115 miles) (B,L,D).

Day 04 Nuwara Eliya / Yala

Early morning departure for Horton Plains by jeep with a picnic breakfast. Enter the Horton Plains National Park and take a guided walk (approx. two hours) up to “World’s End” to admire the beautiful view and the chance of spotting Sambhur. Also found here are butterflies, bear, monkey, birds, orchids and many rare trees and plants. Continue to Bandarawela for lunch (at extra cost) before departing for Yala – Sri Lanka’s largest National Park (approx. 150 miles) (B,D).

Day 05 Yala

Enjoy a morning guided bird and nature trail around the hotel grounds. In the afternoon take a jeep safari of the wonderfully scenic Yala National Park where you may see wild elephants, spotted deer, jackal, sloth bear and if you’re lucky, leopard. A barbecue dinner awaits you tonight (approx. 15 miles) (B,D).

Day 06 Yala

Full day at leisure to enjoy the beautiful scenery, relax and unwind by the swimming pool or enjoy optional excursions (bookable locally) to further explore the park (B,D).

Day 07 Yala / Hambantota

Drive via Tissamaharama (Tissa) for Hambantota. At Tissa take a walk on Debarawea tank bund for birds and see the Buddhist Dagabas including the Menik Tissa and Yatala Dagabas. After lunch, continue to Bundala National Park to see wild elephants, spotted deer, wild boar, many bird species and crocodile before proceeding to the Oasis Hotel, Hambantota for overnight (approx. 50 miles) (B,L,D).

Day 08 Hambantota / Embilipitiya

Drive to Embilipitiya for lunch. In the afternoon continue to the Elephant Transit Home before enjoying a jeep safari of the Udawalawe National Park which is famous for its large herds of elephants as well as Sambar deer, wild boar, wild buffalo and peacocks. Overnight Centuria hotel. (approx. 30 miles) (B,L,D).

Day 09 Embilipitiya / Beach Resort

After breakfast leave for the ancient fortified city of Galle to visit the Dutch fort. Continue to the superior medium class Kani Lanka hotel for four nights or more, or the hotel of your choice at the appropriate cost (approx. 125 miles) (B,L).

Day 10 Beach Resort

Time to relax and enjoy the delightful hospitality and beaches of Sri Lanka (B).

Day 13 Colombo /Departure

Sri Lankan Airlines flight to Heathrow arriving later the same day.