Arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport and meet your Sonne & Ceylon representative. Transfer approximately 20 minutes to your hotel in Negombo, located along the lagoon and coast. Relax after your flight, take a stroll on the beach, and enjoy a light dinner featuring local cuisine.
After breakfast, embark on a 4.5-hour drive to Anuradhapura. Explore the ancient city with a guide, visiting sacred stupas, monasteries, and iconic Bodhi trees while learning the stories behind the sites. Enjoy a calm evening at your hotel or take a short walk around a nearby village to experience local life.
Rise early for a 5.30 a.m. departure to Mihintale, the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Climb the rock steps to watch the sunrise illuminate the sacred hills. Later, join a local craft workshop to learn traditional techniques and interact with village artisans, returning to your hotel for rest in the afternoon.
Travel approximately 2.5 hours to Sigiriya. Ascend the UNESCO-listed Sigiriya Rock Fortress and admire the frescoes, royal gardens, and panoramic jungle views. In the evening, attend a traditional dance performance that brings local myths and legends to life before returning to your lodge.
Begin early with a safari at Minneriya National Park, observing elephants, deer, and diverse bird species in their natural habitat. After breakfast, visit the Dambulla Cave Temple, exploring rock-carved Buddha statues and murals. Spend the afternoon at leisure at your lodge or take a gentle walk in the surrounding forest.
Drive 1.5 hours to Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka’s medieval capital. Explore the well-preserved ruins, temples, and statues with a local guide. Enjoy a bicycle ride through the city and along ancient water tanks before returning to your hotel for a relaxing evening.
Spend the morning in a nearby village learning traditional cooking techniques and preparing a Sri Lankan meal. The afternoon is free for leisure, optional exploration, or enjoying your hotel’s facilities. This flexible day allows travellers to absorb the surroundings at their own pace.
Travel approximately 4 hours to Kandy, stopping as needed for photos or refreshments. Visit the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic and learn about its significance in Buddhist culture. In the evening, enjoy an optional Kandyan dance performance featuring traditional drumming and vibrant costumes.
Stroll through Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, admiring orchids, royal palms, and giant ferns. Continue to a spice garden to explore local cultivation and cooking demonstrations, followed by tea tasting. Finish the afternoon with a market walk to browse handicrafts, spices, and local products.
Board the morning train to Nuwara Eliya, enjoying views of rolling tea plantations, misty valleys, and waterfalls. Visit a working tea estate to observe leaf plucking and participate in tasting sessions. Conclude the day with a relaxing walk around Gregory Lake before settling in at your hill country hotel.
Depart early for Horton Plains National Park, a highland plateau rich in wildlife. Hike to World’s End, a cliff offering sweeping vistas over valleys and distant mountains. Birdwatching opportunities abound along the trail before returning to the hotel for late breakfast and afternoon leisure.
Travel approximately 2.5 hours to Ella, a charming village surrounded by tea estates. Hike Little Adam’s Peak for panoramic views of the valley and waterfalls. Visit the iconic Nine Arches Bridge and enjoy the sight of trains crossing this engineering marvel before returning to your lodge.
Visit the cascading Ravana Falls in the morning. Spend time at a local village for a craft demonstration, learning traditional weaving or pottery. The remainder of the day is free for exploration, photography, or relaxing at your lodge.
Drive about 2 hours to Haputale, known for its panoramic viewpoints and tea estates. Visit Lipton’s Seat for breathtaking vistas where tea barons once surveyed their plantations. Tour a local tea estate and factory to understand tea processing and sampling methods.
For adventurous travellers, join a guided trek in the Knuckles Mountain Range, observing endemic flora and wildlife. Alternatively, enjoy a visit to a nearby tea factory for an immersive experience in production and tasting. Evening at leisure to relax at your boutique hill country hotel.
Leave Haputale early for the 5-hour drive to Mirissa on the southern coast. Embark on a whale watching excursion to spot blue whales, sperm whales, and dolphins. Spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach or enjoying the resort facilities.
Drive along the coast to Galle Fort, exploring its cobblestone streets and colonial architecture. Continue to Colombo for a short city highlights tour or street art experience. Transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport for your departure, taking with you the sights, sounds, and spirit of Sri Lanka.
