14-Day Sri Lanka Grand Discovery Odyssey

Your personal English-speaking chauffeur warmly welcomes you at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). Board your private climate-controlled vehicle and journey north into Sri Lanka’s ancient Rajarata kingdom. Explore the monumental Ruwanwelisaya stupa and Sri Maha Bodhi, the oldest historically documented tree in the world. Overnight stay in Anuradhapura.

After breakfast, travel south-east towards Sigiriya. Embark on a guided exploration of Polonnaruwa, cycling or driving between colossal stone-carved Buddha sculptures at Gal Vihara, the Royal Palace compound, and the circular Vatadage. Check in to your resort in Sigiriya and relax.

Ascend King Kasyapa’s 5th-century rock fortress early at 6:30 AM to beat both the heat and bus queues. Marvel at ancient water gardens, mirror wall inscriptions, and frescoes. In the afternoon, enjoy an authentic village catamaran ride and traditional organic clay-pot lunch prepared over wood fires in a rural farming hamlet. Overnight stay in Sigiriya.

Visit the 1st-century BCE Dambulla Golden Rock Temples with five subterranean caverns filled with 150+ gilded Buddha statues. Journey into the highland foothills, stopping at an authentic educational spice garden in Matale to discover Ceylon cinnamon and cardamoms. Arrive in the royal hill capital of Kandy for an evening at leisure.

Stroll through the 147-acre Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens, renowned for its orchid pavilion and giant palm avenues. In the evening, visit the Sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) during the evening Thevava ceremonial pooja drumming ritual. Overnight stay in Kandy.

Climb through mountain passes draped in emerald tea carpets. Stop at thundering Ramboda Falls and tour a functioning colonial tea factory to observe orthodox harvesting and grading, finished with fresh Ceylon Pekoe tea. Explore colonial Nuwara Eliya and Gregory Lake. Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.

Board the world-famous hill country train from Nanu Oya station with guaranteed reserved seats. Wind past waterfalls and cloud-forest tunnels while your chauffeur transports all heavy luggage ahead. Meet your driver in Ella, check in to your mountain-view lodge, and unwind.

Early morning walk through eucalyptus woods to watch highland trains cross the iconic stone Nine Arch Bridge. Hike up Little Adam’s Peak for panoramic views stretching across Ella Gap. Afternoon visit to roaring Ravana Falls followed by relaxed cafe time in Ella town.

Descend from cool mountain ridges into the arid southern wild savannah surrounding Yala National Park. Board a private 4x4 open-top safari jeep with an expert tracker. Track wild Asian elephants, leopards, sloth bears, mugger crocodiles, and spotted deer before sunset. Overnight stay in Yala.

Travel along the picturesque southern coastline past stilt fishermen and turquoise bays. Arrive at the 17th-century fortified peninsula of Galle Dutch Fort. Stroll along coral-stone bastions, colonial lighthouse, and artisan jewelers as the sun dips into the Indian Ocean. Overnight stay in Mirissa.

Embark on an early morning whale-watching boat excursion from Mirissa harbour to spot blue whales and spinner dolphins. Return for breakfast, then cruise smoothly up the palm-fringed coast to your luxury beachfront resort in Bentota. Overnight stay in Bentota.

Relax on the golden sands of Bentota. Visit a certified community sea turtle rehabilitation project. In the afternoon, enjoy an optional boat safari through peaceful mangrove tunnels on the Madu or Bentota River. Overnight stay in Bentota.

A dedicated day at leisure. Lounge by the pool, indulge in Ayurvedic wellness treatments, swim in the calm tropical ocean, or try optional water sports without any timetable rush. Overnight stay in Bentota.

Check out after a relaxed breakfast. Scenic transfer along the Southern Expressway into Colombo for a brief orientation tour of the Old Parliament, Independence Square, and Gangaramaya Temple. Seamless transfer to Colombo International Airport for your departure flight.