Today after breakfast, we leave for Kandy at 8:00 am.

Kandy is a picturesque town and UNESCO site situated around a lake and about 150 km away from Colombo. The transfer by road will take around 3-4 hours. Along the way we will visit the Ambuluwawa Biodiversity Complex and have lunch at a nearby village restaurant run by one of the most welcoming Sri Lankan family.

After checking in at our lovely hotel in the late afternoon around 3-4 pm, the remainder of the day is free at your leisure. Those of you who would like to watch the processions this night as well (4th Randoli Processions), we will help you organize the tickets - warning: you would need to leave soon after check-in.  Those who would like to recover from the long journey may do so, as we will have one more night in Kandy to watch the stunning processions.

• Included meals: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L)
• Accommodation: Hotel (ensuite)
• Included activities: Ambuluwawa Biodiversity Complex (entrance fee inclusive),
• Optional activities: Kandy Perahera Festival 04th Randoli Perahera (reserved seat prices start at $70 each, departure by 4:00 - 4:30pm from the hotel)

Note: If your flight arrives in the early morning hours, you may join the tour on this day without staying overnight in Negombo. There will be one group transfer to Kandy. Private transfer is available upon request at an extra fee. 

Today is dedicated to making the most of festival celebrations and indulging in the Sri Lankan culture by joining the hundreds of locals and devotees who walk around in parades.

The Kandy Esala Perahera is a spectacular event that showcases the rich traditions of Sri Lanka. With traditional dancers, mesmerizing fire performers, skilled drummers, majestic elephants adorned in beautiful attire, and intricately decorated floats, this grand procession is a sight to behold. Spanning across 10 consecutive nights, each procession grows in magnificence, leaving spectators in awe.

Tonight is the final and most mesmerizing night of the processions. The procession starts around 7:00 pm and lasts until 1:00 am at night. So it's going to be a very long night but so worth it. We will ensure you experience the festival in the best way possible despite its duration of a long-haul flight!

Our local guide and driver will be with us throughout and throw in visits to nearby attractions like Nelligala Buddhist Temple visit in the morning, tea factory and souvenir shopping. If you would like to do your own thing until the festival, you are free to do so. Please note, departure time from the hotel is usually at 4:00 pm as we need to be seated by 5:00 pm. Dinner will be in the form of a packed box. We recommend having a late lunch at 3 pm.

• Included meals: Breakfast (B), Dinner (D)
• Accommodation:  Hotel (ensuite)
• Included activities: Kandy Sightseeing (entrance fees apart), Kandy Perahera Festival Entry Grand Randoli Procession (reserved seat included)

This morning is free to lie in, or even get a massage to relax after the fairy tale night.  The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is going to be really really busy for the duration of the festival, but those who are willing to sacrifice their sleep would have the last chance to visit the temple today early in the morning (if not done already).

We will leave Kandy latest by 12:00 pm towards our accommodation cradled by the rugged Knuckles mountain range ( ~2 hour-drive). The remainder of the day will be free at your leisure. Our hosts will be happy to arrange the half-day optional activities according to your desire. Whether you choose to explore the cloud forests, plunge into the depths of crystal clear rock pools, let the cascading waterfalls wash over you or simply gaze into the endless vistas, you are guaranteed to disconnect and recover from the buzz of the city. Recharged we will meet for a peaceful group dinner.

• Included meals: B, D
• Accommodation: Tea Planter's Bungalow (ensuite)
• Included activities: Kandy Sightseeing (entrance fees apart)
• Optional activities: 1/2 day Three-Waterfalls & local villages tour by tuk tuk (easy hiking) , ca. $25 per person payable at the venue, price subject to change.

Knuckles Mountain Range is Sri Lanka's one of the most stunning and overlooked natural wonders and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

There are several trails to choose from easy/half-day hikes (e.g. Waterfalls, village hikes) to strenuous (e.g. Knuckles Five Peaks Trail) full day hikes, you are free to pick the trail depending on your fitness level. Those who would like to simply enjoy the views with a cup of tea from the comfort of our accommodation will be free to do so. The rest can expect to see tea plantations, waterfalls, viewpoints, butterflies and endemic animals during the hike. If joining a hike, lunch will be in the form of a picnic as there are no facilities while hiking in the Knuckles.

The dilemma you will face though is whether to stay at our lovely accommodation or be active - of course weather permitting. You will have the following options today:

• Guided hiking to the waterfalls in the Knuckles Mountain Range, start at 8-10 am, return 1-3 pm, $55 each, entrance and lunch box included, min 2 pax ($45 without lunch)
• Guided hiking the 5-peak trail in the Knuckles Mountain Range, start 6-8 am, return 5-7 pm, $60, entrance and lunch box included, min 2 pax
• 1/2 tuk tuk tour to 3-waterfalls and local villages, start at 2 pm, return at 6pm, $25 each, min 2 pax
• Enjoy the amenities at the lodge, and take unguided walks to nearby tea plantations/factories free of charge.

In 2025, our group split into exactly four, and everyone wished they could spend another day at the accommodation to simply relax. This place was an absolute highlight for everyone, and we'll help you organize your day according to your individual wishes.

Overnight will be in the area to be able to enjoy the nature to the fullest, and dinner will be taken at the accommodation.

• Included meals: B, D
• Accommodation: Tea Planter's Bungalow (ensuite)
• Optional activities: Guided hiking in Knuckles Mountain Range or 1/2 day tuk tuk tour

It will be hard to leave this beautiful place, but after a tasty breakfast, we will proceed to Dambulla Cave Temple, the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka.

The Dambulla Cave Temple is a living Buddhist site that is focused on a series of five cave shrines. Inhabited by forest-dwelling Buddhist monks since the 3rd century BCE, these natural caves have been transformed continuously throughout the historical period into one of the largest and most outstanding Buddhist complexes in the Southern and Southeastern Asian region, showcasing innovative approaches to interior layout and decoration.

After visiting the cave temple, we will have lunch at a lovely place run by local ladies. This could possibly be the most delicious meal yet.

The remainder of the day (late afternoon) is free at your leisure. For those who are still in need of action, we can recommend Pidurangala Rock to enjoy the sunset and the best view of Sigiriya Rock. Our guide and driver will be at your service to help you arrange the sunset climb to Pidurangala (entrance fee ca. 3 USD).

• Included meals: B, L
• Accommodation: Hotel (ensuite)
• Included activities: Dambulla Cave Temple (entrance fee extra ca. $10 USD), Pidurangala Rock (entrance fee extra ca $3 USD)

Today in the early morning, another famous landmark Sigiriya, the ancient rock fortress is on agenda. We will leave by 5 am to be able to beat the crowds and heat, and hopefully enjoy a beautiful sunrise from the top.

The 5th century rock fortress, Lion Rock is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 meters from the scrub jungle. To visit the world-renowned frescoes of the ‘Heavenly Maidens’ of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway, one need to climb 1200 stairs.

After admiring the King's exquisite taste, we will return to our accommodation for breakfast and have about 1-2 hours to rest before we set off to visit a local village at around 11 am. We will cook and enjoy a traditional lunch together.

As we return by 1pm, our jeeps will be waiting for us to take us to the Minneriya National Park for an awesome safari.

At this time of  year, elephants generally gather around "The Tank" in Minneriya National Park. There are three national parks in this area where elephants can roam freely. To ensure the best encounter, we will select the one based on current information and go on a half-day guided safari (National Park fee to be paid cash at the entrance, safari jeep included).

• Included meals: B, L
• Accommodation: Hotel (ensuite)
• Included activities: Half-day guided safari (Park entrance fee extra ca 45 USD extra), local village visit, Sigiriya Rock Fortress (entrance fee extra ca. 35 USD)

Today is sadly time to bid farewell, though why not to stay a bit longer if you can, for instance,  to explore the east coast, kite surf in Kalpitiya, visit ancient sites like Anuradhapura or Polonnaruwa, detox at an Ayurveda hotel, and so much more.

There will be one group transfer to the CMB airport. Private transfer is available upon request at an extra fee.

• Included meals: B
• Accommodation: None
• Included activities: Complimentary airport transfer latest at noon (one departure for the group).

Please note: If you need any support with you pre-/post-tour arrangements, please get in touch with us.