Discover the Best of Sri Lanka – The Island of Smiles

Your journey begins in the coastal town of Negombo, just a short drive from Colombo International Airport. When you arrive, your private Ayubowan Escapes chauffeur-guide will meet you and take you to your luxury hotel. Today is all about rest and recovery. You can check in at any time and enjoy your first moments in Sri Lanka.

If you arrive early, you might:

• Take a peaceful walk by the beach
• Watch colorful fishing boats at the Negombo lagoon
• Try fresh seafood at a local café
• Rent a bicycle to explore canals and quiet roads

In the evening, enjoy a special Welcome Dinner with your guide. It’s the perfect way to start your trip — relaxing, flavourful, and filled with warm Sri Lankan hospitality.

Accommodation: 

Pledge Scape Hotel – Negombo (or similar) 4-Star hotel

Meals: 

Dinner

Travel Time: 

Approx. 30 mins from airport

Included Activities:

Welcome Dinner in Negombo

Start your morning with a guided visit to the lively Negombo Fish Market — one of the busiest in Sri Lanka. It's best in the early hours when fresh catches like crab, squid, and lobster are being sold by local vendors. Walk through with your guide and learn about life in this coastal town.

After breakfast, leave the coast and head inland to Dambulla, where you'll stay for the next three nights. Once you check in to your hotel, enjoy some rest before your afternoon adventure.

In the late afternoon, explore Sigiriya Rock Fortress, also known as Lion Rock. This ancient royal palace, built on top of a 200-meter-high rock, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The climb takes effort, but the views and stories are worth it. Your guide will explain the fascinating history, wall paintings, and gardens of this ancient kingdom.

In the evening, enjoy a Sri Lankan-style BBQ dinner at the hotel, including a live coconut and chilli sambol demo — a spicy side dish you can try making back home!

Accommodation: 

Jetwing Lake – Dambulla (or similar) 5-Star Hotel

Meals: 

Breakfast, Dinner

Travel Time: 

Approx. 5 hours by private vehicle

Included Activities:

• Guided visit to Negombo Fish Market
• Guided tour of Sigiriya Rock Fortress
• BBQ dinner with sambol-making demonstration

After breakfast, travel north to Anuradhapura, the first ancient capital of Sri Lanka and one of the most important places in the island’s history. This sacred city is filled with large stupas, ancient temples, and peaceful gardens.

Begin your visit at the Sri Maha Bodhi Tree Temple, home to a sacred tree planted over 2,000 years ago — believed to be the oldest human-planted tree in the world. Pilgrims still come here daily to offer prayers.

With your guide, walk through some of the city’s most famous sites:

Ruwanweliseya Stupa – a bright white dome symbolizing peace

Jetawanaramaya Stupa – once the tallest brick building in the ancient world

Isurumuniya Temple – with stone carvings that show stories of love and devotion

As you walk among the ruins, you’ll feel the power and spirituality of this ancient place. In the evening, return to your hotel in Dambulla and enjoy a relaxing night.

Accommodation: 

Jetwing Lake – Dambulla (or similar) 5-Star Hotel

Meals: 

Breakfast

Travel Time: 

Approx. 3 hours by private vehicle (round trip)

Included Activities:

• Visit to Sri Maha Bodhi Tree Temple
• Guided tour of Anuradhapura ancient city
• Entry to Isurumuniya Temple and carvings

After breakfast, continue exploring Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle with a visit to Polonnaruwa, the country’s second ancient capital. Once the royal centre in the 10th century under Sinhalese and Chola rule, today it's a peaceful city of stone ruins, history, and timeless beauty.

Walk through the impressive Quadrangle complex, where sacred buildings once stood close together, showcasing detailed carvings and beautiful architecture.

Highlights include:

• The seven-storey royal palace of King Parakramabahu
• The Gal Vihara rock temple with four giant Buddha statues carved into granite
• Rankot Vihara, a massive brick stupa rising from the jungle
• Lankatilaka, a Buddha image house with towering stone walls
• The famous 10-metre statue of King Parakramabahu I

With your guide, learn the history of each site as you walk through this ancient kingdom. In the afternoon, return to Dambulla for your final evening. Relax by the lake or enjoy a quiet drink as the sun sets.

Accommodation: 

Jetwing Lake – Dambulla (or similar)

Meals: 

Breakfast

Travel Time: 

Approx. 3.5 hours by private vehicle (round trip)

Included Activities:

• Full guided tour of Polonnaruwa ancient ruins
• Entry to the Quadrangle complex
• Visits to Gal Vihara, Rankot Vihara, Lankatilaka, and the statue of King Parakramabahu

After breakfast, begin your day with a visit to the Dambulla Cave Temple, one of Sri Lanka’s most spiritual and artistic sites. This UNESCO World Heritage Site features five connected caves filled with over 150 Buddha statues and colorful wall paintings — some over 2,000 years old. Your guide will explain the history, meaning, and devotion behind this sacred place.

Next, continue your journey toward the beautiful hill country. Along the way, stop in Matale to explore a local spice garden, where cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and cardamom grow in abundance. Learn how these spices are used in cooking and medicine, and enjoy the fresh scents of the garden.

Arrive in Kandy by evening — a peaceful city surrounded by forested hills and centered around a lake. Spend the evening at your leisure: take a gentle walk, relax at your hotel, or ask your guide for a great spot to try a local curry.

Accommodation: 

Amaya Hills – Kandy (or similar)

Meals: 

Breakfast

Travel Time: 

Approx. 2.5 hours by private vehicle

Included Activities:

• Guided visit to Dambulla Cave Temple
• Tour of a Matale spice garden

Start your day with a peaceful walk through the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya, guided by a local botanist. Discover rare orchids, tall palm avenues, and colorful birds like the Layard’s Parakeet and the Sri Lankan Hanging Parrot. Learn about native plants and the island’s unique biodiversity.

Next, visit a gem museum and lapidary workshop to see how Sri Lanka’s famous gemstones are mined and turned into beautiful jewelry. This centuries-old craft is still a proud part of local culture.

Later, join a local home cooking demonstration. You’ll learn how to prepare traditional Sri Lankan dishes using fresh ingredients and spices. After the cooking session, enjoy a warm homemade lunch with your hosts.

In the afternoon, visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic — the most sacred Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka, believed to house a relic of the Buddha himself. If your timing is right, witness the evening pooja ceremony with drumming, offerings, and sacred rituals.

End the day with a traditional cultural show at the Kandy Lake Club, where you’ll experience the vibrant rhythm of Kandyan drumming and dancing.

Accommodation: 

Amaya Hills – Kandy (or similar)

Meals: 

Breakfast, Lunch

Travel Time: 

Minimal – Local Kandy activities

Included Activities:

• Guided tour of Royal Botanical Gardens with local botanist
• Visit to gem museum and lapidary workshop
• Sri Lankan cooking demo and homemade lunch
• Guided visit to Temple of the Tooth Relic (with evening pooja, if possible)
• Traditional dance performance at Kandy Lake Club

This morning, leave Kandy and board one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world — from Kandy to Nanu Oya. Watch the scenery change as you pass misty valleys, tea-covered hills, and small villages nestled in the highlands. It’s a peaceful and unforgettable way to enter Sri Lanka’s tea country.

From Nanu Oya station, take a short drive to Nuwara Eliya, a cool and charming town at 1,800 meters above sea level. Once a favorite of the British during colonial times, the town still has an English feel — with rose gardens, cottages, and Tudor-style buildings.

Check in to your Feature Stay — the iconic Grand Hotel, a former British governor’s mansion turned luxury heritage hotel. Surrounded by gardens and tea fields, the hotel offers timeless elegance and a strong commitment to sustainability.

In the afternoon, enjoy a classic High Tea experience at the hotel, with a variety of teas, sweets, and savory bites. Then spend your evening relaxing in the gardens or dining at the hotel’s fine-dining restaurant.

Accommodation: 

The Grand Hotel – Nuwara Eliya (Feature Stay)

Meals: 

Breakfast

Travel Time:

• Train: Approx. 3.5 hours (Kandy to Nanu Oya)
• Drive: Approx. 30 mins (Nanu Oya to Nuwara Eliya)

Included Activities:

Scenic train ride from Kandy to Nanu Oya

High Tea at the Grand Hotel

Note: If train tickets are unavailable, the journey will continue by private vehicle. Rooms at the Grand Hotel do not have air-conditioning due to the naturally cool mountain air

Enjoy a fresh morning in the hills of Nuwara Eliya, with your choice of two scenic hiking options:

A gentle 40-minute hike to Single Tree Hill, offering peaceful views over tea fields and distant mountains — ideal for a relaxed start.

OR

An early drive to Horton Plains National Park, followed by a 3-hour hike through cloud forests and open plains to reach World’s End, a dramatic cliff edge with stunning views. (This option starts at 5:30 AM and suits active travelers.)

After your walk, visit a working tea factory to learn how world-famous Ceylon tea is grown, picked, and processed. Watch the traditional machines in action and enjoy a guided tea tasting — a flavorful way to connect with Sri Lanka’s tea heritage.

Later, enjoy a stylish lunch at the Nuwara Eliya Golf Club, one of the oldest in Asia. The club’s colonial charm and lush green views make it a memorable dining spot.

Spend the afternoon and evening at leisure — relax at your hotel, stroll through town, or enjoy the crisp mountain air in the hotel’s garden.

Accommodation: 

The Grand Hotel – Nuwara Eliya (Feature Stay)

Meals: 

Breakfast, Lunch

Travel Time:

Horton Plains (optional): 1.5 hrs each way

Tea factory & golf club: short local drives

Included Activities:

• Choice of Single Tree Hill hike or Horton Plains trek
• Visit to tea estate and working factory
• Guided tea tasting
• Lunch at Nuwara Eliya Golf Club

After breakfast, leave the cool hills of Nuwara Eliya and begin your journey south toward Yala National Park. On the way, stop in the relaxed village of Ella, famous for its lush greenery and stunning views. Visit the Ella Gap viewpoint, a dramatic mountain pass where, on a clear day, you can see all the way to the southern coastline.

By late afternoon, arrive at Yala, Sri Lanka’s most popular wildlife park. Get ready for an exciting 4WD jeep safari through the jungle. Your expert tracker-guide will help you spot animals hiding in the trees and grasslands — including elephants, crocodiles, monkeys, deer, wild boar, and buffalo. With luck, you may even spot the elusive Sri Lankan leopard, one of the rarest big cats in the world.

After your safari, head to your peaceful lodge near the quiet back entrance of the park. Enjoy a relaxing dinner under the stars and listen to the sounds of the wild.

Accommodation: 

Chaarya Resort & Spa – Yala (or similar)

Meals: 

Breakfast, Dinner

Travel Time: 

Approx. 4.5–5 hours by private vehicle

Included Activities:

• Scenic viewpoint stop at Ella Gap
• 4WD wildlife safari in Yala National Park (Bundala National Park will be visited instead during Yala’s seasonal closure)

Important Note:

From September to mid-October, Yala closes for conservation. During this time, your safari will take place in Bundala National Park, home to elephants, crocodiles, monkeys, wild boar, and rare wetland birds.

Wake up early for another thrilling 4WD safari through Yala National Park, Sri Lanka’s second-largest wildlife reserve. Each safari offers a new experience, and today is your chance to spot animals and birds you may have missed before.

Yala is home to over 215 bird species, including the colorful Sri Lanka wood pigeon, elegant painted stork, and the crimson-fronted barbet. Watch for dancing peacocks, elephants, deer, crocodiles, and more as your guide helps you explore deeper into the park.

If you're visiting during Yala’s seasonal closure (from September to mid-October), today’s safari will take place in Bundala National Park, a quieter sanctuary known for its wetlands, elephants, wild boar, and excellent birdwatching.

Return to your lodge after the safari and spend a relaxed afternoon surrounded by nature. In the evening, enjoy a peaceful dinner at your resort, with time to reflect on the incredible wildlife you've encountered.

Accommodation: 

Chaarya Resort & Spa – Yala (or similar)

Meals: 

Breakfast, Dinner

Travel Time: 

Minimal – local safari trave

Included Activities:

Morning 4WD safari in Yala National Park

(Bundala National Park during seasonal closure)

Important Note:

Yala National Park is closed from September to mid-October for conservation. During this time, the safari experience will take place in Bundala National Park instead.

Begin your morning with an optional visit to the Kataragama Temple, a deeply spiritual site honored by both Buddhists and Hindus. This colorful shrine is dedicated to Kataragama Deviyo, a guardian deity loved across Sri Lanka. Walk among pilgrims, admire the shrines, and feel the peaceful energy of this sacred place.

Later, leave the inland jungles behind and head toward the southern coast, arriving in the charming colonial town of Galle. This seaside city is known for its historical charm, boutique shops, and relaxed coastal vibe. After check-in at your hotel, take time to rest before the afternoon’s cultural experience.

Travel to a nearby village home where you’ll meet local women who practice Beeralu lace weaving — a traditional art passed down for generations. Watch the intricate handwork, try the technique yourself, and, if you wish, support the artisans by purchasing their beautiful handmade creations.

Later, return to Galle Fort for a guided walking tour. Explore narrow lanes filled with Dutch-era buildings, old churches, mosques, museums, and cafés. Learn stories of traders, colonists, and local life as you soak in the sea breeze and golden sunset.

Accommodation: 

Le Grand – Galle (or similar)

Meals: 

Breakfast

Travel Time:

Approx. 2.5 hours by private vehicle

Included Activities:

• Optional morning visit to Kataragama Temple
• Beeralu lace weaving demonstration and hands-on experience
• Guided walking tour of Galle Fort (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Enjoy a relaxed morning in Galle with time to explore or simply unwind at your hotel. This is your day to choose how you’d like to spend your final full day in Sri Lanka.

If you’re feeling adventurous, your guide can help you arrange optional experiences such as:

A visit to a cinnamon plantation, where you’ll learn how this fragrant spice is harvested and prepared

A birdwatching walk at Hiyare Rainforest Reservoir, a quiet nature spot home to colorful birds and forest creatures

A scenic visit to Mirissa, including:

Coconut Tree Hill for postcard-perfect photos

Parrot Island, known for its coastal birdlife

Secret Beach, ideal for a peaceful swim or sunset view

In the evening, join your guide for a visit to a local farmers’ market in Galle. Walk among the fresh produce, fragrant herbs, and colorful spices that are at the heart of Sri Lankan cooking. It’s a lively and local way to end your journey.

Accommodation: 

Le Grand – Galle (or similar)

Meals: 

Breakfast, Dinner

Travel Time: 

Optional local travel only

Included Activities:

Guided visit to a local farmers’ market in Gall

Optional Experiences:

Cinnamon plantation tour

Hiyare Rainforest birdwatching

Visit to Coconut Tree Hill, Parrot Island, or Secret Beach (Mirissa)

Say goodbye to the peaceful south coast and travel north to Colombo, Sri Lanka’s lively capital city. A mix of colonial charm and modern energy, Colombo is the perfect final stop for your journey.

On arrival, enjoy a special northern-style Sri Lankan lunch at a cozy courtyard restaurant tucked inside a beautifully restored Jaffna-style family home. This meal features bold flavors and regional dishes from the Tamil culture — a unique culinary experience to round off your trip.

In the afternoon, join your guide for a walking tour of Colombo. Visit the bustling Pettah Market, where vendors sell everything from fruits and vegetables to fabrics and spices. You’ll experience the rhythm of daily life and see a different side of Sri Lanka.

Stop at the striking Red Mosque (Jami Ul-Alfar) — a famous landmark with red-and-white striped walls and tall minarets. Then continue through the streets to see Dutch and British colonial buildings, learning how Colombo’s past has shaped its present.

In the evening, you may like to enjoy a farewell dinner with your guide and fellow travelers — a final toast to an unforgettable adventure.

Accommodation:

 The Kingsbury Hotel – Colombo (or similar)

Meals: 

Breakfast, Lunch

Travel Time:

Approx. 2.5 hours by private vehicle

Included Activities:

Northern Sri Lankan lunch at a restored Jaffna-style home

Guided walking tour of Colombo

Visit to Pettah Market and Red Mosque

Viewing of Dutch and British heritage buildings

After breakfast, your unforgettable journey through Sri Lanka comes to an end.

A private airport transfer is included today, and your driver will ensure you reach Colombo International Airport in time for your flight.

If you’d like to extend your time in Colombo or need help with extra nights, we’re happy to assist with additional accommodation or late check-out options.

We hope you leave with beautiful memories, new friendships, and a deep connection to this island of warmth and wonder.

Ayubowan – until we meet again. 🌿

Accommodation: 

Tour ends today

Meals: 

Breakfast

Travel Time: 

Approx. 45 mins – 1.5 hrs (depending on flight time and traffic)

Included Activities:

Private departure transfer to Colombo International Airport