DAY 1 Negombo
Ayubowan and welcome to Sri Lanka. Your adventure begins at the airport with a private transfer to the coastal city of Negombo.

Stay at Jetwing Blue Hotel (5 star) or similar

DAY 2 Negombo - Galle - Mirissa
For the early risers, there is an optional Negombo tour by boat which offers a unique perspective of the Negombo Fish Market as the boat weaves through hundreds of colourful fishing vessels which have just come ashore heavy with the previous night's catch. Make your way down river to the ocean to where the iconic “Catamaran Fishing Boats” of Negombo will be busy fishing. Navigate around the catamarans and proceed northward to enter the Dutch canal. The canal will offer a chance to really absorb the essence of local life as it unfolds on either side of the waterway.

Later this morning you will depart Negombo, heading south to the historic city of Galle. Catch a glimpse of Sri Lanka's colonial past as you explore Galle Fort, one of the best-preserved Dutch Forts in the country. See the tiny guest houses and stylish cafes located on quaint, narrow, cobblestoned streets which crisscross the fort; making it easy to imagine what life must have been like during the Dutch colonisation.

Travel further south to your final stop today, the relaxed beach side village of Mirissa. Take a sunset walk along beach, or for those feeling a little more energetic climb atop Parrot Rock for breathtaking sunset views - a spectacular end to your first day exploring Sri Lanka.

Stay at The Mandara Resort (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 3 Mirissa
Mirissa is the perfect place to experience the islands beach life, spend the day relaxing under gently swaying coconut palms, walking along the beach, or trying delicious local dishes. Alternatively you may like to join an optional whale and dolphin watching tour - Mirissa is known as one of the best places in the world to see the giant blue whale, especially between the months of November and March, and it is also a great place to see dolphins, orcas, turtles and whale sharks and sperm whales.

Stay at The Mandara Resort (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 4 Mirissa - Mulkirigala - Ella
Leave the beautiful coastline of Sri Lanka behind today as you travel inland to the hill country, but first a stop at the Mulkirigala Temple near Tangalle. This is a simple, yet very impressive temple complex perched at the summit of a 200m mountain surrounded by lush coconut fields. The rock temples house an impressive collection of paintings dating from the 18th century. You will have the opportunity to meet a senior monk at the monastery during your visit for a discussion about Buddhism in Sri Lanka and the education of young monks. Afterwards, you may wish to climb up to the temple complex located at summit of the hill. You are encouraged to find yourself a quiet location from among the many meditation points and relax and take in the incredible view.

On arrival in Ella check into your boutique hotel 98 Acres Resort, a uniquely designed resort that stands on a scenic 98 acre tea estate, surrounded by stunning landscape. This vibrant hill country town will become your base for the next couple of days as you explore some of the most scenic sections of the Pekoe Trail. The trail is an immersive way to experience beautiful scenery, history, culture, food, and local communities across Sri Lanka.

Stay at 98 Acres (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 5 Ella - The Pekoe Trail - Ella
Today’s easy-going hike is one of the shortest and most popular stages of The Pekoe Trail - Trail #16 (8.8km).This stage begins in Ella with a walk through the Ella Forest Reserve, passing the famous Nine Arches Bridge where you are sure to meet a few other hikers and visitors posing for photos. The trail also cuts across small local villages with stunning views of the Nine Arches Bridge from different vantage points including the towering arches from below. During this section of the trail, you'll likely see tea pluckers and farmers who will be pleased to take a moment to demonstrate their skill or even stop you for a chat along the way.

The afternoon is free, relax by the pool overlooking the tea plantations or for something more energetic you might like to walk to Little Adam's Peak.

Stay at 98 Acres (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 6 Ella - The Pekoe Trail - Ella
Day two on the trail will be following Trail #14 (9.4km), one of the Pekoe Trail's most scenic routes. This trail begins at St. Catherine, a tea plantation workers' village sitting high up on a plateau. The area is well known because of the nearby Lipton’s Seat - a vantage point from where Sir Thomas Lipton, widely known as the father of Ceylon tea, liked to survey his tea empire. On this walk, you will pass colourful vegetable plots, a patch of Eucalyptus forest, and walk along the edge of a plateau through village homes, cultivations, and tea.

Return to 98 Acres, where you can relax and enjoy the mesmerising views of the surrounding mountains and tea estates.

Stay at 98 Acres (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 7 Ella - Gal Oya
From Ella, travel to Gal Oya National Park. This afternoon is reserved for a unique experience, a wildlife safari by boat through Sri Lanka's largest lake, the Senanayake Samudra. See elephants from the lake as they gather close to the water to drink and if you’re lucky you may even catch them swimming from island to island - a truly unique sight! The reservoir is also home to abundant birdlife, crocodiles, deer and more.

Tonight, experience a unique adventure of glamping in Sri Lanka in rustic luxury at Wild Glamping Gal Oya, set on a 24 acre farm surrounded by pristine savannah, medicinal forests and mist-wrapped mountains.

Stay at Wild Glamping Gal Oya, Deluxe Tent (specialty accommodation)
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 8 Gal Oya - Polonnaruwa - Sigiriya
Explore the ancient royal capital of Polonnaruwa, one of the most beautiful centres in Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage. Discover on foot, or by bicycle, the wonderful treasures that remain in the archaeological park including the four beautiful rock-cut Buddha statues at Gal Vihara Temple. Thereafter, continue to Sigiriya.

Stay at The Aliya Resort & Spa (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 9 Sigiriya
Get an early start today, to reach nearby Sigiriya Rock Fortress just as dawn is breaking and with very little people around - an incredible experience! Take the opportunity to climb to the top of this striking rock with its sheer vertical walls supporting the remnants of an ancient 5th century city. Alternatively, you may choose to hike the short but steep route up Pidurangala Rock which offers magnificent 360 degree views of the surrounding landscape including Sigiriya Rock Fortress.

In the afternoon, meet a local farmer at his small farm where he will share with you how he watches over his plot through the night to protect it from wild elephants and boar. Climb up to one of the small watch huts/tree houses which are located around the boundary of the farm and imagine what it must be like to see wild elephants approaching the farm, late at night and how the farmer tries to scare them away with the use of fireworks. Afterwards, walk to the farmers’ home in the nearby village where his wife will prepare a lovely home-made dinner consisting of ‘string hoppers’ and fish curry.

Stay at The Aliya Resort & Spa (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 10 Sigiriya - Dambulla - Matale - Kandy
Travel to Kandy, stopping en-route to visit the UNESCO World Heritage site Dambulla Cave Temple, the best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. This Buddhist place of worship is thought to date back to the 1st century and houses the country’s most sacred Buddha images. Next stop, Matale where you have an opportunity to explore the Ranweli Spice Garden to learn about the herbs and spices that are key to traditional Sri Lankan cooking. Your tour of the gardens will introduce you to a huge variety of spices growing in their natural habitat, while you learn where most spices come from, what the plants look like and which part of the plant is actually used as the spice and as the herb.

This evening in Kandy, visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, a complex said to hold the tooth of the Lord Buddha himself. You will be in time to witness the Pooja ceremony which takes place nightly.

Stay at The Thilanka Hotel (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 11 Kandy - Colombo
Today explore the UNESCO listed city of Kandy and Sri Lanka's last royal capital. Wander through the local bazaar, arts and craft museum as well as the local fruit and vegetable market. Enjoy the opportunity to walk along the lake and admire the view of the misty hills and green forests before travelling to the Sri Lankan capital.

Once in Colombo, it's time to explore the vibrant city with it's diverse mix of people, architecture and religion influenced by ancient kingdoms and European settlers. You will explore with your guide the highlights of this wonderful capital which include Pettah Bazaar, Wolvendaal Dutch Church, Gotami Vihara and Hindu Kovil at Slave Island, one of Colombo’s most impressive Hindu Temples.

Lastly, overnight at the Galle Face Hotel, this icon of Colonial Ceylon was built in 1864 and provides a charming window through which to experience Sri Lanka’s past.

Stay at Galle Face Hotel (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 12 Colombo
Your tour concludes with a departure transfer to Colombo Airport.

Meals included: Breakfast