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Day Three: Dambulla Cave Temple & Minneriya National Park (190km)

After breakfast at the hotel, we travel to Dambulla to visit the remarkable Dambulla Cave Temple, which dates back to the first century. Here, Buddhist monks first carved out a cave monastery, now comprising five separate caves filled with around 150 Buddha statues and intricate paintings, some over 2,000 years old. We then continue to our hotel to check in before setting off for Minneriya National Park, renowned for its herds of elephants. Boarding jeeps, we venture out on safari in search of these magnificent animals. The park is also a key habitat for Sri Lanka’s two endemic monkey species, as well as deer, leopards, sloth bears and a wealth of large water birds.

Day Four: Sigiriya Fortress & Polonnaruwa (90km)

Early this morning, we set out for the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, dating back to the 5th century. Known as Sigiriya Lion Rock, this striking landmark rises nearly 200 metres from the surrounding landscape and is one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic sites. There is the option to climb its 1,270 steps to explore the remarkably well‑preserved ruins at the summit, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We then return to the hotel and later drive on to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once the capital of Sri Lanka and home to its kings, the city is now a fascinating collection of crumbling temples and palaces, where monkeys wander freely among the ruins. The remains are well maintained, offering a vivid insight into how the island’s rulers once lived.

Day Five: Kandy Temple (75km)

After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to Kandy to visit the revered Temple of the Sacred Tooth, a magnificent shrine distinguished by its decorative walls and golden roof. This is one of Sri Lanka’s most important places of worship, housing the nation’s most sacred Buddhist relic – a tooth of the Buddha. According to legend, over 2,500 years ago the Buddha’s remains were divided after his cremation, and this tooth was secretly brought to Sri Lanka, becoming a powerful symbol of faith that, after many journeys, now rests in Kandy. We then continue to the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens, established in 1374 as a pleasure garden for the Kings of Kandy. Spanning 147 acres, the gardens showcase more than 5,000 species of trees and plants, offering a remarkable display of Sri Lanka’s rich botanical heritage.

Day Six: Nuwara Eliya (80km)

After breakfast, we set off for Nuwara Eliya, pausing en route to visit a tea plantation. Here, on the terraced slopes of Pidurutalagala Mountain, a tea factory and gardens cultivate world‑famous Pure Ceylon Tea. We explore the fields and even have the chance to pick tea leaves ourselves. From there, we continue to Nuwara Eliya, the highest town in Sri Lanka, affectionately known as ‘Little England’ for its cooler climate and colonial‑era architecture. Once a favourite retreat of the British, the town is surrounded by rolling tea estates, dotted with bungalows, streams and waterfalls cascading from the surrounding mountains.

Day Seven: Nuwara Eliya to Ella by train (75km)

This morning, you may choose to relax at the hotel and soak up the lush green surroundings, or join an optional trek in Horton’s Plains (additional cost). This national park stretches across the two highest mountains in the area, combining wild grassland with atmospheric cloud forest, and is renowned for its pools, waterfalls and rugged hills. Just after midday, we board one of Sri Lanka’s most scenic train journeys, travelling from Nuwara Eliya to Ella. The route winds through rolling tea‑covered hills, with sweeping views of waterfalls and distant mountain peaks. On arrival in Ella, we check in to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

• Breakfast & dinner included

Day Eight: Nine Arches Bridge

Ella is a charming town nestled in Sri Lanka’s lush hill country. After breakfast at the hotel, we set out on a tour of the area, starting with the remarkable Nine Arches Bridge – an iconic stone viaduct set amid vibrant tea plantations and framed by distant mountain ranges. We then visit Ravana Falls, the widest waterfall in Sri Lanka, before having the option to tackle a hike to Ella Rock. This popular trail offers some of the island’s most breathtaking views, with a round trip of around three to four hours and a summit reaching 1,041 metres. This evening there will be an optional sunset trek to Little Adam's Peak, one of Ella's most popular hiking trails. This rewarding walk takes us through lush tea plantations to a stunning viewpoint, where we can enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. It's the perfect way to experience Ella's spectacular scenery and watch the sun set over Sri Lanka's beautiful hill country.

• Distance: 2km return from the main trailhead (add ~ 1.5 km each way if walking from Ella town centre)
• Duration: 30 minutes one way from the base
• Elevation: Reaches 1,140m
• Grade: Easy to moderate (well-formed dirt paths and stone stairs, with a brief steeper rocky scramble at the final ridge)
• Breakfast & dinner included

Day Nine: Ella to Yala National Park (130km)

After breakfast, we make our way to Yala National Park, renowned for having the highest concentration of leopards in Sri Lanka. The park is also home to large herds of Asian elephants, wild buffalo, sloth bears, jackals, deer and hundreds of bird species. This afternoon we set off on a jeep safari, travelling across open grasslands and past shimmering lakes and waterholes, in search of these remarkable animals in their natural habitat.

Day Ten: Yala National Park

This morning we set off early for another jeep safari in Yala National Park. With access permitted in both the morning and afternoon, we make the most of our time here, exploring the park in search of its diverse wildlife. After the morning drive, we return to the hotel for breakfast and enjoy some leisure time before heading back out in the afternoon for a final safari adventure.

Day Eleven: Galle & Negombo (315km)

After breakfast at the hotel, we travel towards Beruwala, pausing first in the coastal city of Galle. Set on Sri Lanka’s south‑western tip, Galle has evolved from ancient origins and reflects the influence of the British, Dutch and Portuguese. Its most famous landmark is the magnificent Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site originally built by the Portuguese in the 16th century. Galle is also known for its traditional fishing methods and is an excellent place to sample fresh seafood. From here, we continue on to Negombo, where we spend the final days of our holiday relaxing by the beach. Just north of Colombo, Negombo is a lively coastal city celebrated for its long sandy beaches, historic landmarks and vibrant fishing community.

Day Twelve: Beach stay in Negombo

Over the next two days, we ease into a slower pace after our journey around this remarkable island. Our base is Negombo, a coastal town renowned for its long, sandy beach. Here we can see the Dutch Fort, built in the 17th century, a lasting reminder of Negombo’s colonial past as a strategic trading port. The town is also home to one of Sri Lanka’s largest fishing communities, and a visit to the bustling “Lellama” fish market offers a fascinating glimpse into daily life and the traditions that continue to thrive here.

Day Thirteen: Beach stay in Negombo

We can kick back today and spend the final day as we wish. This evening, we gather one final time for our farewell dinner.

Day Fourteen: Return home

This morning, we enjoy a final morning in Sri Lanka before heading to Colombo Airport for our return flight back to the UK.