Sri Lanka Encompassed

Upon arriving at Bandaranaike International Airport, our representative will meet you and manage your transfer to your Colombo hotel. Since no sightseeing is scheduled for today, you're free to arrive at your own convenience.

Your tour guide will gather everyone in the hotel lobby at 7:00 PM for a quick welcome meeting before heading out for dinner.

A morning walking tour of Colombo's Fort district reveals layers of Portuguese, Dutch, and British history standing beside Hindu temples and modern high-rises, while the nearby streets of Pettah plunge you into a vibrant maze of spice, fruit, and textile stalls.

After lunch, the route heads north along the coast to Chilaw, a tranquil fishing town nestled between a sandy beach and a mangrove lagoon, where you can spend the evening strolling the shoreline or watching a spectacular sunset over the water.

We turn inland today to Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka's oldest royal capital, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, established in 377 BCE. It serves as the cradle of Sri Lankan Buddhism and an active pilgrimage site famed for advanced engineering, massive reservoirs, and colossal stupas.

Key landmarks include the Jetavanaramaya, the world’s largest solid brick structure, and the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, the oldest human-planted tree. Afterwards, transfer to Sigiriya for a three-night stay at the 4-star Hotel.

Early in the morning, visit the famous UNESCO site of Sigiriya Rock Fortress, towering nearly 600ft high. The capital of the Sinhalese kingdom in the 5th century, the rock was home to an elaborate royal palace that was accessed through the mouth of a huge carved lion.

Climb the steps to reach the top of the rock and explore the ruins, including its well-preserved frescoes, before travelling on to either Minneriya National Park or Kaudulla National Park.

Early morning optional hot air balloon ride over Kandalama and Dambulla. Experience serenity and beauty as you fly over lush jungles, misty hills, serene lakes and ancient temples (weather permitting and pre-bookable between Nov-Mar only).

Visit the ancient, UNESCO-listed city of Polonnaruwa this morning, for a further glimpse into the country’s elaborate royal history. The second-most ancient kingdom in the country, this once-flourishing empire was the capital of Sri Lanka between the 11th and 13th centuries and is today scattered with temples, shrines and other archaeological treasures.

Our journey south to Kandy, the island’s last royal capital, includes three culturally rich stops. We begin at the UNESCO-listed Dambulla Cave Temple, where five cool, rock-cut chambers offer a fragrant retreat filled with 2,000-year-old painted murals and statues.

Continuing through the Matale spice region, we participate in a traditional curry cooking demonstration utilizing fresh local ingredients like cinnamon and cardamom, followed by lunch at a restaurant. Finally, we visit a tea factory in Giragama village to observe the entire production process from leaf plucking to the final brew.

This morning, visit Sri Lanka’s most revered site – the Temple of the Sacred Tooth, built in the 16th century to house the relic of a tooth of the Buddha.

Overlooking the scenic Kandy Lake, this iconic temple brings pilgrims flocking daily, and during puja – when worshippers give prayers and offerings – visitors can see the inner shrine where the relic is kept.

This morning we board one of Sri Lanka's great train rides – the hill-country route to Nanu Oya and along the way, admire verdant tea plantations, cascading waterfalls and quaint villages.

Afterwards, visit the picturesque Gregory Lake nestled at the bottom of lush green hills and constructed by a British Governor named Sir William Gregory in 1873.

Enjoy a free day to relax and explore at leisure, or join an optional tour to the breathtaking Horton Plains.

This UNESCO-listed national park is set on a plateau nearly 7,000ft above sea level, with misty valleys, forests and grasslands scattering the landscape.

After breakfast, head to Yala National Park, the country’s second-biggest national park, located on the island’s southeast coast.

En route, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in the scenic mountain town of Ella.

Relax at leisure this morning or venture out on an optional morning game drive through Yala National Park to observe the active wildlife during the early hours of the day (pre-bookable).

An exciting afternoon game drive in Yala National Park is included today.

We follow the coast to Galle this morning, where the historic coastal fort city of Galle, visiting the UNESCO-listed Galle Fort – the walled city centre, known for its Dutch colonial architecture and home to cafes, boutiques and galleries lining cobbled streets.

Visit the Dutch Reformed Church, Galle Lighthouse and Maritime Museum, before returning to Mirissa hotel.

Along the way, stop at the Koggala Mangrove Conservation and Restoration Project to learn about mangroves and get a glimpse into the project’s unique planting methods. Head out on a boat to explore the mangroves and sample local snacks back at the farm.

Stay two nights at the 5-star Fortress Resort & Spa, nestled in the peaceful coastal town of Koggala (5-star Weligama Bay Marriott Resort & Spa - 5th & 22nd Feb 2026).

Enjoy another day at your beach hotel; relax by the pool, or head to the beach as you make the most of your final day in this captivating country.

For an optional excursion, you can take a quick, tranquil boat ride to Madol Duwa Island or explore traditional Sri Lankan heritage at the neighboring Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Museum. Alternatively, Koggala provides the perfect laid-back coastal setting to simply unwind and relax after a busy travel schedule.

We depart Koggala early this morning and drive the 180km to Colombo Airport where the tour will end.

If booking your own flight, the earliest time it can depart is 12.45pm.