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 colonial style city hotel and freshening up, we will meet for a group dinner before hitting the streets of Kandy for a walk and to catch a glimpse of the festival processions. 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), Kandy Perahera Festival

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 7pm and lasts until 1am 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 most comfortable 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 early dinner before the festival, you are free to do so.

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

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 a short walk away from our city hotel. The 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 10:00 am towards our accommodation cradled by the rugged Knuckles mountain range ( 2-3 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 (costs to be shared among participants at the venue). 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 lie in a hammock and 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: Nature lodge or glamping tents (ensuite)
• Included activities: Kandy Sightseeing (entrance fees apart)

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, and we will pick the trail depending on the fitness level of our guests. 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. Lunch will be in the form of a picnic as there are no facilities while hiking in the Knuckles.

Please note: Our logistics manager will pick the most suitable route after having known our guests for the past few days. He may decide to split the group into two to accommodate all fitness levels. In this case, a small tip for the second hiking guide would be collected from all. 

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, L, D
• Accommodation: Nature lodge or glamping tents (ensuite)
• Included activities: Guided hiking in Knuckles Mountain Range

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).

Overnight in a eco hotel in the so-called Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka. Psst: we usually pick a tree house for overnight in this area!

• Included meals: B, L
• Accommodation: Hotel (ensuite)
• Included activities: Dambulla Cave Temple (entrance fee extra ca. $7 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 after breakfast, we will head to Polonnaruwa Ancient City, the second capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993.

Polonnaruwa boasts well-preserved ruins set in a meticulously planned park. The compact layout makes it perfect for a leisurely exploration not only on foot but on a bicycle, too. Numerous temples, monuments, and stupas are conveniently located close to each other, linked by charming tree-lined streets. For those who are not keen on walking or biking, our van will be following us.

After the guided visit of Polonnaruwa, we will have lunch before heading to Trincomalee (about 3 hours by road) on the east coast, one of the best waters to swim in Sri Lanka.

For dinner, we will reserve a table for our group at the best restaurant by the beach.

• Included meals: B, L, D
• Accommodation: Hotel (ensuite)
• Included activities: Polonnaruwa Ancient City tour (optional by bike, entrance fee extra ca. 30 USD)

We are halfway through our epic trip around Sri Lanka and the next two days are free to relax by the beach, join a snorkeling or diving trip near Pigeon Island, or go on a (blue) whale watching safari.

On the second day early morning, we could arrange a sunrise boat safari for whale watching and snorkeling near Pigeon Island. This tour starts at 5:00 am and ends around 9 am. The cost is about 50 USD per person. There are also Hindu Temples, and natural hot springs to visit in close proximity.

Our local guide and driver will be happy to assist you with optional activities upon request. Trust us, though, you will need the time to relax before the second part of the trip!

• Included meals: B
• Accommodation: Hotel (ensuite)
• Included activities: None

Today after breakfast we will head to Jaffna, the northernmost city and cultural center in Sri Lanka. The journey by road will take about 4-5 hours.

Here we will be joining some of the Nallur Temple festival events, which lasts 25 days in total!

• Included meals: B, L
• Accommodation: Hotel (ensuite)
• Included activities: Jaffna City tour, Nallur Temple (time/festival schedule permitting)

We will spend the next two days exploring Jaffna and its surroundings. Depending on the festival schedule (which will be published closer to the date), we will join the ceremonies at the Nallur Temple too. Our professional guide will ensure you won't be missing out on anything.

One full day we will visit Delft Island by local ferry, a unique island off the coast of Jaffna peninsula. Please note that the public ferry to the island is the only option to get there, and it's not the most comfortable way of traveling. It's usually jam-packed, and if you suffer from claustrophobia, you may want to spend the day in town by relaxing or shopping instead. If all group members would like to join this trip, we would hire a private boat for an additional fee (to be shared among participants at the venue). We think Delft Island  is an interesting place and worth the extra effort. 

Delft is a remote island with rich history from the Chola Dynasty, Portuguese, Dutch and the British colonial period. Certainly off-the-beaten-path surprising destination that should not be missed by anyone visiting Jaffna. Apart from historical sites, a large baobab tree, various birds and wild horses can also be observed. We will even have time for a swim at the beach and seafood lunch before taking the return ferry at 3pm.

The evenings will be free at your leisure.

• Included meals: B, L
• Accommodation: Hotel (ensuite)
• Included activities: Delft Island day tour, Jaffna city tour

Today after breakfast we will transfer to Anuradhapura.

We will be making stops along the road for King coconuts or tropical fruits.

After settling in our hotel and freshening up, we will visit the Mihintale mountain and temple for sunset, the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. To end an epic trip in style, we will have a group dinner tonight.

• Included meals: B, D
• Accommodation: Hotel (ensuite)
• Included activities: Mihintale sunset visit (entrance fee extra ca. $3 USD)

Today is an exciting day as we will go on a half day safari in Wilpattu National Park, some 35 km away from Anuradhapura. Departure is at 5am, so set your alarm early one last time.

The Wilpattu National Park is one of the most important elephant habitats in the country and is also a great place to observe the elusive Sri Lankan leopard and the sloth bear.

This park has a denser forest cover unlike many other National Parks in Sri Lanka. WNPs landscape comprises of dry zone forests and thorny scrub interspersed with extensive open plains, sand dunes and the unique Villu wetlands. Bare reddish cliffs rising abruptly from narrow beaches of the Portugal Bay and Dutch Bay are another striking feature of its landscape.

After the safari we will transfer to Negombo and bid farewell to those who are departing tonight. We will be back by 3-4pm, so flights departing after 7pm will be safe to catch. Many flights depart at night or early morning, so depending on your flight departure time, you may want to do last minute souvenir shopping, or take a dip in the Indian Ocean, or even stay a couple of nights longer if you can.

• Included meals: B, L
• Accommodation: None
• Included activities: Wilpattu NP half-day safari (park entrance fee ca. 45 USD excluded), Airport transfer

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