With 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites to be found in such a small area of land and a 2,000-year-old culture, Sri Lanka is as fascinating as it is beautiful. 

A destination that is often skipped by many a traveller on their trips to India or Asia, Sri Lanka remains one of the Indo-Asian best-kept secrets. Visit their ancient sites and marvel over their legendary temples, or see the sacred home of the world’s oldest living tree, Anuradhapura. Take a safari tour in one of Sri Lanka’s national parks to encounter elephants, leopards, water buffaloes, and exotic birds, or spend the day relaxing on the dazzlingly white, often untrod, beaches. Try your hand at a little surfing or retreat up into the Sri Lankan hills to experience a more temperate climate and the lavish greenery of the tea plantations. And if you can even trek through the rainforests with an experienced guide or just take in the breathtaking vistas on a spectacular train ride.  

With fabulously flavoursome food and a vast array of culturally rich experiences to delve into, Sri Lanka promises to be one of your best-loved travel destinations, and the charm of the people will simply enchant you.

Day 1: Arrival - Colombo Airport
You will be welcomed on arrival at Colombo International airport by your guide or driver guide and enjoy an immediate transfer to Galle on the highway. On arrival you will check in to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay. Depending your arrival you can visit the city of Galle The Old Dutch counter, classified by Unesco, with its old winding streets between the walls of the fort. It is one of the most charming ancient cities of the island having preserved many traces of its colonial past. Please note that the check in time is at 1200hrs. (Transfer - Private vehicle 1 ½ hours).

Day 2: Galle - Mirissa - Udawalawe 
This morning you will leave for Mirissa and embark on to the boat in search of Whales and Dolphins. For many years, Sri Lanka has been able to boast of being the best world to observe blue whales and sperm whales as they move over long distances to warmer feeding areas in the Bay of Bengal. The southernmost point of Sri Lanka, not far from the deep waters of continental shelf, allows you to see these huge mammals, but while thanks, get closer to the coast. Blue whales are the biggest animals of the planet and can reach more than 35 meters long, which makes  real giants of the ocean. Their colour has been described as being the same colour as water: rich and deep blue oil.

It is estimated that around 15,000 blue whales now exist around the world and the best place to observe blue whales in their natural habitat found off the town of Mirissa on the south coast. Huge numbers of these cetaceans have been killed in the 20th Century for food and for oil; estimates vary, but it has been stated that more than 360,000 have been killed during that time. It is now imperative that these treasures of the ocean are recognised for what they truly are: endangered but magnificent sea creatures that have evolved into massive proportions earning them a place as the kings of the ocean.

Sri Lanka’s Wildlife Department is making concerted efforts to ensure that these majestic Blue Whales will continue to grace Sri Lanka’s shores for many more years to come. After this excursion you will disembark from Mirissa Harbor. There after you will resume your journey to Udawalawe via Tangalle. Arrival and check into the hotel with dinner and overnight stay at your hotel. (Transfer: Private vehicle  -  3 ½ hrs in the day). 

Day 3:  Udawalawe National Park - Wellawaya - Small Adams Peak - Ella 
After the breakfast embark on a safari in the Udawalawe National Park. This is a dry zone park which was declared as a national park in 1972. The park falls between the Udawalawe reservoir and the Walawe River and is surrounded by the scenic beauty of the mountain range that keeps on winding endlessly on the Balangoda, Kalthota and Haputale escarpments. This park is famous for its elephants seen in all their playfulness, whole herds of them, adults and babies bathing and playing in the water or feeding. In addition to elephants, spotted deer, sambhur, barking deer, gray langur, water buffalo and jackal are some of the prominent wild animals found in this park.

After the safari, visit the Udawalawe elephant transit home known as "Ath Athuru Sewana" The main goal of this centre is the rehabilitation of orphan elephants in their natural habitat Continuation towards Ella with beautiful landscapes of the lowlands and great views of the plains. Stop at the Ravana Falls which is associated with Ramayana. On arrival check in to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Optional:
In the afternoon in Ella take a short walk to Small Adams Peak through lush tea plantations while enjoying the sceneries. The view is superb on the Little Adams Peak where you can consummation a worth panoramic view. It will be priceless if you could visit the place in the evening with the sun set. Check in to the hotel on arrival. (Transfer - Private vehicle 3 ½ hours + walk - 1 ½ hours).     

Day 4: Ella - Bandarawela - Nuwara Eliya - Kandy 
After breakfast continue your journey towards Nuwara Eliya via Bandarawela, passing through the Central Highlands and different plantations. Visit Nuwara Eliya Governor's Summer Residence at 1900m of altitude. Nuwara Eliya, seems reminiscent of England with its villas Victorian gardens, rose gardens, pristine lawns, golf course and especially its cool and misty climate. Opt for a city tour to discover more before you proceed to Kandy region, visiting a tea plantation and a factory where you will have an explanation of the different methods of making black tea. Continue towards Kandy, the gateway to the capital of "mountains" in Sri Lanka. Classified by UNESCO, the city is beautifully situated at 350m altitude, around its lake, and surrounded by lush green hills. Arrival and check in to the hotel before dinner and overnight stay at your hotel. (Transfer - Private vehicle - 4 ½ hours). 

Day 5: Kandy
Kandy is a World Heritage Site and the last royal capital of Sri Lankan kings. It crafts an array of culture, history and heritage in the minds of visitors across the globe. Experience an ancient Kandyan legacy engraved around its crown jewel, the temple of the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha (Dalada Maligawa). Every day hundreds of Buddhist pilgrims come to venerate the precious relic of Bouddha.

On completion, transfer to Peradeniya and visit the beautiful botanical garden of Peradeniya, First developed as a pleasure garden under royalty and later harmonized by the British, the Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya - today bundled with the most welcoming facilities located just 4 miles off Kandy - is a flourishing national asset in the Wonder of Asia. Walk into this 147 acre bliss of an experience, passing well-tended lawns, pavilions and an octagon conservatory to be greeted by the vast expanse of a magnificently landscaped lush green turf which will encourage you for an exhilarating break. Unquestionably one of the oldest and most beautiful gardens in the world.  On completion return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay at your hotel. (Transfers  - Private vehicle  1 ½ hours).

Day 6: Kandy - Matale - Dambulla 
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before you proceed to Matale, where spices are grown in this region of Sri Lanka. Stop in a spice garden and discover the different spices growing in Ceylon, then the compositions, creams and mixtures that can be made and their use. The spices have been one of Sri Lanka's most famous exports. On completion leave for Dambulla, visit the rock temple of Dambulla declared as a world heritage site by UNESCO since 1991. Dambulla which has been treasured by many kings since the 1st century B.C.

Today, an icon in the face of Sri Lanka Dambulla Rock Temple houses some of the most unique drawings in magnificently constructed 5 cave temples flanking the golden temple of Dambulla. Observe how exquisitely cave paintings are done along walls that shelter 150 statues of Lord Buddha. As you enter the retreat look straight up to the gigantic Buddha statue glittering in gold over a land which today houses an important junction in the country's economic and cultural uplifting. On completion transfer to your hotel in Dambulla and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel. (Transfer - Private vehicle  3 ½ hours).

Day 7: Dambulla - Sigiriya - Dambulla
After breakfast leave for Habarana. Today you will have a Srilankan village experience. You will board a tuk tuk  and afterwards bullock cart ride through the countryside and have a boat ride on the small lake in a fishing boat, called catamaran (English term derived from two words Tamil, Katta and Maran). Then visit a local plantation before going in a village house where you will be given explanations about Sri Lanka cooking demonstration. On completion transfer to Sigiriya and in the afternoon enjoy the ascent of Lion Rock, a rock transformed into a fortress palace. The 5th century rock citadel of King Kasyapa and World Heritage Site.

Sigiriya doesn't only boast of ancient Sri Lankan engineering and urban planning supremacy but also acclaims to be one of the finest monuments of art & culture. Step through the gigantic 'Lion Paws' - overlooking the symmetrical royal gardens below - to comprehend the absolute splendor that once dominated this rock fortress. Surrounded by ramparts and moats the Lion Rock - resembling the mythological 'City of Gods' - is coated by frescoes that relate to Gupta style paintings found in Ajanta caves of India. Walk in the shade of an eminent 'mirror wall' embracing the Western face of Sigiriya representing an artistic hundred metres laminated with graffiti. Wander into the well-fabricated museum downstairs for an epic journey of yesteryears to realize how the citadel floated above citizens with the castle, ponds and irrigation systems that pumped water right onto its summit with an ingenious hydraulic system describing a colossal masterpiece of the great king which remained a wonder in Asia for centuries. Return to hotel for overnight stay and dinner at your hotel. (Transfer - Private vehicle - 3 ½ hours/Sigiriya 2 ½ hours of walking time).

Day 8: Dambulla - Polonnaruwa - Dambulla 
After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Polonnaruwa and embark on a City Tour of Polonnaruwa. Situated 218 kilometres from Colombo, it is yet another well planned medieval city defended by enclosed walls, graced by palaces, shrines, monasteries, pavilions, parks, ponds and irrigation lakes which bears witness to a glorious past. A dominant feature of the city, is the vast irrigation lake of 5940 acres aptly named "Parakrama Samudraya" or the sea of Parakrama after its royal builder King Parakramabahu depicted an example of the advanced engineering and construction skills prevalent during the ancient times. This gigantic reservoir was built to collect rain water, which did not permit a drop of water to go waste. On completion return to Dambulla and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel. (Transfer - Private vehicle - 3 ½ hours).

Day 9: Uppuveli - Habarana - Kurunegala - Negombo 
Breakfast at the hotel before you transfer to Negombo via Kurunegala. On arrival check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure on the beach or spend your free time visiting the fishing village and city of Negombo. Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel. (Transfer - Private vehicle - 4 hours).

Day 10: Negombo Airport - Departure
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before you transfer to the airport according to your flight time for your international flight home. (Transfer - Private vehicle - 20 minutes).   

Day 8: Dambulla - Polonnaruwa - Uppuveli 
After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Polonnaruwa and embark on a City Tour of Polonnaruwa. Situated 218 kilometres from Colombo, it is yet another well planned medieval city defended by enclosed walls, graced by palaces, shrines, monasteries, pavilions, parks, ponds and irrigation lakes which bears witness to a glorious past. A dominant feature of the city, is the vast irrigation lake of 5940 acres aptly named "Parakrama Samudraya" or the sea of Parakrama after its royal builder King Parakramabahu depicted an example of the advanced engineering and construction skills prevalent during the ancient times. This gigantic reservoir was built to collect rain water, which did not permit a drop of water to go waste. On completion transfer to the eastern shores of the sandy beaches of Uppuveli where you will find the one of the pristine beaches in Sri Lanka. Arrival and check in to the hotel before dinner and overnight stay at your hotel. (Transfer - Private vehicle - 3 ½ hours).

Day 9 & 10: Uppuveli 
Day at leisure on the beach of Uppuveli and undertaking fun-filled activities. Treat yourself to an epic adventure by diving into the turquoise waters of this exotic destination or simply spend the end of your trip enjoy some well-earned relaxation and beachside bliss. Dinner & overnight stay at your hotel. During the beach stay you will have a vehicle at your disposal with 80KMS per day.

Places that you can visit around Uppuveli:
Koneshwaram Temple
If you only visit one sight in Trincomalee, make it the colourful Koneswaram temple. Surrounded by the dramatic Swami Rock and Gokarna Bay, the classical medieval complex is Trinco’s biggest draw. The site is a major Hindu pilgrimage centre, and one of the Pancha Ishwarams (five abodes of Shiva) built in Sri Lanka to honour one of the principle deities of Hinduism.

Frederick Fort 
As with many fortifications in Sri Lanka (Galle Fort for example) Fort Frederick was constructed by the Portuguese, rebuilt by the Dutch and then commandeered by the British. Today, the fortress is occupied by the Sri Lankan military, but visitors are able to explore several of its ramparts.

British War Cemetery
After Singapore fell to the Japanese in World War II, Trincomalee became the main naval and air base for the British and allied powers in South Asia. The cemetery contains the graves of 364 soldiers of the British Empire who were killed or died during World War II. Nationalities include Sri Lanka, India, Canada, France, Netherlands, New Zealand, Italy, East Africa, South Africa, Myanmar and Pakistan.

Kanniya Hot Springs
The seven geothermal wells at Kanniya are a popular destination for holidaying Sri Lankans, locals and international tourists alike.

Day 11: Uppuveli - Habarana - Kurunegala - Negombo 
Enjoy the morning at leisure before you check out from the hotel around 1200hrs. Afterwards, transfer to Negombo via Habarana and Kurunegala. On arrival check in to your hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel. (Transfer - Private vehicle - 5 ½  hours).

Day 12: Negombo Airport - Departure
Breakfast at the hotel before a transfer to the airport according to the flight schedule for your departure flight. (Transfer -  Private vehicle - 20 minutes).

Galle: Lady Hill Hotel, Fairway Sunset Galle or similar in a Deluxe Room
Udawalawe: Centuria Wild or similar in a Deluxe Room
Ella: Morning Dew or similar in a Deluxe Room
Kandy: Hotel Thilanka or similar in a Deluxe Room or Amaya Hills or similar in a Superior Room
Dambulla: Amaya Lake, Sigiriana by Thilanka or similar in a Deluxe Room
Uppuveli: Trinco Blu by Cinnamon or similar in a Superior Room 
Negombo: Camelot Beach Hotel or similar in a Coastal Deluxe or Deluxe Balcony Room