Day 1
Airport - Colombo (approx 45 min travel time)
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met by a representative of Jetwing Travels for your 45-minute transfer to Colombo. After checking in and a freshen up, you’ll embark on a guided evening Colombo Food Walk. Influenced by many wonderful cultures, you can enjoy tasty street food delights, including Kottu – a delightful mix of chopped roti, a meat curry, scrambled egg, onions and chillies.
Dinner and Overnight: Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo (Standard) or Shangri-La Colombo (Superior). Breakfast and dinner included.
Day 2
Colombo – Dambulla / Sigiriya (approx 4.5 - 5 hours travel time)
After an early breakfast, you will travel to Dambulla, located in the Cultural Triangle. Dambulla is an ideal base to explore the ancient kingdoms of Sri Lanka, UNESCO sites, wildlife and rural villages. You will have the evening at leisure.
Dinner and Overnight: Amaya Lake, Dambulla (Standard) or Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sigiriya (Superior). Breakfast and dinner included.
Day 3
Dambulla - Sigiriya (approx 30 min travel time per way)
After breakfast at the hotel, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sigiriya and explore the “Fortress in the Sky” – Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Climb the 600-foot-high rock to see the ancient royal palace ruins, stunning frescoes of celestial maidens, and the famous Lion's Paw entrance. The panoramic views from the summit and the remarkable water gardens below showcase the architectural brilliance of 5th-century Sri Lankan engineering.
In the afternoon, visit a local village and experience authentic rural life in Sri Lanka featuring a bullock cart ride, catamaran boat ride, local home visit, and insight into farming customs, culture, and everyday village life.
Transfer back to the hotel.
Overnight: Amaya Lake, Dambulla (Standard) or Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sigiriya (Superior). Breakfast and dinner included.
Day 4
Dambulla / Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa ancient city (approx 1.5 hours travel time) & Minneriya National Park (approx 1 hour travel time) - Dambulla / Sigiriya
After breakfast, visit the Polonnaruwa ancient city and explore. This was the capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th – 13th century, with beautiful shrine ruins and spectacular statues.
Later, transfer back to the hotel and enjoy a 4x4 jeep safari in the Minneriya National Park, famous for its population of elephants in herds of 100 to 150 roaming in the jungle and seen in the catchment area of the lake. There are wild buffalo, boar, spotted deer, sloth bears, sambhur, leopards, crocodiles, jackals and more. This is the perfect start to your evening.
Overnight: Amaya Lake, Dambulla (Standard) or Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sigiriya (Superior). Breakfast and dinner included.
Day 5
Dambulla / Sigiriya – Kandy (approx 3 hours travel time)
Following breakfast, transfer to Kandy. En route, you will make a stop to visit the Dambulla Cave Temple – the largest and best preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. There are a total of 153 Buddha statues, 3 statues of Sri Lankan kings and 4 statues of gods and goddesses.
Arrive in Kandy and check in to your hotel.
Overnight: Amaya Hills, Kandy (Standard) or Earls Regency, Kandy (Superior). Breakfast and dinner included.
Day 6
Kandy (Short City Drives)
Today you will visit the revered Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the most important Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka. Located in the historic city of Kandy, it houses the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha and is known for its spiritual rituals, traditional drumming ceremonies, and ornate Kandyan architecture.
Thereafter enjoy a Sri Lankan cooking session where you learn how curries are prepared using fresh spices, coconut milk, and traditional methods.
Later in the day you will have the opportunity to explore the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens Peradeniya, one of the finest botanical gardens in Asia. Located near Kandy, it features vast landscaped lawns, orchid collections, giant bamboo groves, palm avenues, and a wide variety of tropical plants in a peaceful, scenic setting.
Transfer back to the hotel.
Overnight: Amaya Hills, Kandy (Standard) or Earls Regency, Kandy (Superior). Breakfast and dinner included.
Day 7
Kandy – Nuwara Eliya via Ramboda and Tea Country (approx 3.5 - 4 hours travel time)
In the morning, you will transfer by road from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya. Stop at Ramboda Falls on the way, one of Sri Lanka’s beautiful waterfalls cascading through forested hills.
Visit a Tea Factory to see how loose-leaf tea is converted into Ceylon tea. The processes will be explained to you by one of the friendly workers, and at the end of the visit you will be offered a tasting of the different kinds of tea.
Transfer to the hotel.
Overnight: Araliya Green Hills, Nuwara Eliya (Standard) or Langdale by Amaya, Nuwara Eliya (Deluxe). Breakfast and dinner included.
Day 8
Nuwara Eliya City Tour & St. Clair’s Falls
After breakfast, explore the charming hill station of Nuwara Eliya, also called "Little England" on a tour of the city. Visit highlights such as Gregory Lake, colonial-era buildings, lush gardens, and local markets surrounded by misty tea-covered hills.
Thereafter, St. Clair's Falls, one of Sri Lanka’s broadest waterfalls, surrounded by tea estates.
Transfer to the hotel.
Overnight: Araliya Green Hills, Nuwara Eliya (Standard) or Langdale by Amaya, Nuwara Eliya (Deluxe). Breakfast and dinner included.
Day 9
Nuwara Eliya - Ambewella (approx 45 mins travel time) - Train ride to Ella (approx 2 hours travel time)
After breakfast you will be transferrd to Ambewella to board your train to Ella. Enjoy one of the most breath-taking rail journeys in Sri Lanka, traveling through the misty highlands from Ambewela to Ella. The route passes rolling tea plantations, mountain tunnels, cascading waterfalls, and picturesque villages, offering unforgettable panoramic views of the hill country.
Upon arrival in Ella, meet your driver and continue to your hotel.
Special Note: Train Tickets are subject to availability. In the event that train tickets cannot be secured your journey will be adjusted with a road transfer.
Overnight: The Pinnacle, Ella (Standard) or 98 Acers Resort and Spa, Ella (Deluxe). Breakfast and dinner included.After breakfast you will journey to Yala
Day 10
Ella - Yala (approx 2.5 - 3 hours travel time)
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the award-winning Leopard Safaris, nestled alongside Yala National Park. The camps here are eco-friendly with non-permanent tents to ensure you feel like you’ve stepped into the wilderness.
Arrive at the campsite at 12pm and enjoy an al fresco lunch. After lunch, enjoy some free time to relax before your evening game drive at 3pm. Once back at the campsite, refresh and have a drink before indulging in the Jungle Menu under the stars.
Overnight: Leopard Safaris, Yala. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 11
Yala
Take the day at your own pace, as you will be able to choose between a morning game drive (wake-up call will be at 5am, ready for a 5:30am game drive) or an evening game drive at 3pm.
For those who prefer a slower start to the day, choose to stay at camp and enjoy a leisurely breakfast. The rest of the morning and early afternoon are yours to enjoy. Lunch will be served at the campsite, offering a range of local and seasonal dishes.
Either continue to unwind in the afternoon, or head out on an evening game drive at 3pm. Dinner is at 7:30pm.
Overnight: Leopard Safaris, Yala. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 12
Yala - Preferred Beach Stay (or airport)
Enjoy a delicious breakfast before departing camp at 10:30am and transferring to your selected beach stay or the airport fro your onward destination. Give our team a call to discuss where you would like to go.
You will have the option this morning to add an additional morning game drive, waking at 5am for a 5:30am game drive and a picnic breakfast in the jungle.
