This morning, enjoy a city tour of bustling Negombo, a coastal city rich in history and culture. Visit the vibrant Angurukaramulla Temple with its striking dragon head and Buddha statue, then explore St. Mary’s Church, one of Sri Lanka’s largest and most beautiful churches reflecting the city’s Catholic heritage. Next, discover the Dutch Fort ruins and learn about Negombo’s colonial past.

The day ends with a welcome dinner at your hotel.

Travel about three hours to Habarana and enjoy a village safari with a cooking demonstration, followed by lunch.

Begin the Hiriwadunna Village Trek with a short bullock cart or hand tractor ride through lush farmland. Then take a catamaran boat across Hiriwadunna Lake, enjoying views of jungle and the majestic Sigiriya Rock.

Stroll village trails to experience authentic Sri Lankan life, meet local farmers, and join a hands-on cooking demo with a traditional meal cooked over firewood in clay pots. Learn about slash-and-burn farming, herbal gardens, and spot local wildlife like birds and butterflies.

Later, check in to your hotel in Kandalama for a two-night stay.
Enjoy dinner with your fellow travellers at the hotel.

This morning, visit the famous Rock Fortress at Sigiriya. Climb the iconic Lion Rock—about 1,200 steps—which takes around 1.5 to 2 hours to ascend and descend.

Later, discover traditional Sri Lankan crafts, including intricate wood carving and the ancient batik textile dyeing technique, where wax is applied to fabric to create beautiful patterns.

In the afternoon, enjoy a thrilling jeep safari in Minneriya National Park, renowned for its large gatherings of Asian elephants.

This morning, visit the famous Dambulla Cave Temple, home to over 150 Buddha statues and ancient wall paintings. Also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla, this remarkable Buddhist cave complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its artistic and spiritual significance.

Continue your journey to Kandy, stopping en route at a spice garden in Matale to learn about Sri Lanka’s rich herbal traditions.

In the afternoon, enjoy a tour of Kandy, including the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic—the world’s most sacred Buddhist temple housing a relic of the Buddha—followed by a leisurely walk around the picturesque Kandy Lake and a visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens, where you can explore a wide variety of plants and flowers.

Later, enjoy a Cultural Dance Show.

Stay one night. 

Today, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and driven to Nuwara Eliya, a charming town known for its cooler climate, tea plantations, and colonial architecture.

En route, visit a tea factory to witness traditional tea plucking and enjoy a cup of fresh Ceylon tea. You’ll also stop at Ramboda Falls, a stunning 109-meter waterfall surrounded by lush greenery and rolling plantations—one of Sri Lanka’s most picturesque natural sights.

In Nuwara Eliya, enjoy a classic High Tea at the Grand Hotel.

Stay one night.

After a leisurely start in Nuwara Eliya, travel to Yala—approximately a five-hour drive.
The afternoon is at leisure to relax and explore as you wish.
Stay two nights.

This morning, head out on a jeep safari in Yala National Park. Originally a sportsman’s shooting reserve, Yala is now Sri Lanka’s most famous and well-developed national park, home to diverse wildlife including elephants, leopards, wild boar, buffalo, crocodiles, peacocks, jackals, sloth bears, and more.

After the safari, return to the hotel to relax. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Travel to Colombo this morning, with a stop en route at Weligama to see the unique stilt fishermen. Weligama, on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, is renowned for this traditional fishing method called ‘Ritipanna,’ where fishermen perch on slender wooden stilts driven into the shallow seabed as they patiently wait for their catch.

Continue on to Galle for a city tour of the UNESCO-listed Galle Fort, known for its colonial architecture and vibrant atmosphere. Visit the National Maritime Museum, the Dutch Reformed Church, and enjoy the beaches and water sports.

Arrive in Colombo by evening for a two-night stay.

This morning, take a guided tour of Colombo, beginning with Independence Square and the Independence Memorial Hall—a national monument commemorating Sri Lanka’s independence from British rule and the restoration of self-governance on 4 February 1948.

Next, visit Gangaramaya Temple, one of Colombo’s most important temples, blending modern architecture with cultural heritage. Located on Beira Lake, it was completed in the late 19th century.

The afternoon is at leisure for you to explore the city.

Transfer to Colombo Airport to begin your journey home to Auckland.

Arrive in Auckland, marking the end of your unforgettable escorted tour. We hope the memories you’ve made will stay with you forever.