Your Sri Lankan journey begins with a warm welcome at Bandaranaike International Airport. From here, you’ll be privately transferred to your tranquil hotel near Colombo, surrounded by lush tropical gardens. Settle in and unwind after your flight. This evening, enjoy a peaceful dinner and prepare for the rich cultural journey ahead.

Accommodation:

The Wallawwa – Colombo

Uga Residence – Colombo

(or similar)

Meals:

Dinner

Travel Time:

Airport to hotel: Approx. 45 minutes

Included Activities:

Private airport pickup

Begin the day with a guided walk through the historic Fort area of Colombo, where colonial-era buildings still stand proud. Learn how the city evolved from a Portuguese trading post to a British hub, all while strolling along Beira Lake and the coastal lanes. Stop for tea with views of the harbor, then continue to the buzzing Pettah markets — a perfect place to absorb local color, scents, and life. In the evening, return to your hotel for a relaxed dinner.

Accommodation:

The Wallawwa – Colombo

Uga Residence – Colombo

(or similar)

Meals:

Breakfast & Dinner

Travel Time:

Minimal local travel

Included Activities:

Guided heritage walk in Colombo

Visit to Beira Lake and Fort area

Tea break with harbor views

Explore Pettah Market

Leave the coastal capital behind and journey inland toward the heart of Sri Lanka’s history — the Cultural Triangle. This region, home to the ancient Sinhalese capitals of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Kandy, is a treasure trove of sacred temples, crumbling stone palaces, and millennia-old ruins scattered through lush jungle.

After checking into your peaceful retreat near Sigiriya, take time to unwind before your adventures begin. This evening, enjoy dinner under the stars, surrounded by the quiet rhythm of nature.

Accommodation:

Uga Ulagalla – Anuradhapura

Jetwing Vil Uyana – Sigiriya

(or similar)

Meals:

Breakfast & Dinner

Travel Time:

Colombo to Cultural Triangle: Approx. 4.5 hours

Included Activities:

Private scenic transfer from Colombo to Sigiriya region

After breakfast, travel east to the well-preserved ruins of Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka’s medieval capital from the 11th to 13th centuries. This UNESCO World Heritage Site features impressive palaces, audience halls, shrines, and the iconic Gal Vihara, a rock temple with serene stone-carved Buddhas.

Stroll or cycle through this open-air museum with your guide, exploring the balance of architecture, art, and ancient engineering. Return to your tranquil lodge near Sigiriya for dinner and rest.

Accommodation:

Jetwing Vil Uyana – Sigiriya

(or similar)

Meals:

Breakfast & Dinner

Travel Time:

Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa: Approx. 2.5 hours

Polonnaruwa to Sigiriya hotel: Approx. 1 hour

Included Activities:

Guided exploration of Polonnaruwa

Visit to Gal Vihara and royal ruins

Day 5: Travel to Kandy – Into Sri Lanka’s Cultural Capital

This morning, you’ll journey south into the hills to reach Kandy, Sri Lanka’s cultural heart. Set amid lush forested hills, Kandy is a vibrant town with deep historical roots. Upon arrival, check into your elegant boutique hotel and enjoy the afternoon at leisure. You may wish to visit a local craft market or take a short lakeside walk to stretch your legs after the journey. In the evening, relax with a peaceful dinner surrounded by nature.

Accommodation:

Clingendael – Kandy

The Elephant Stables – Kandy

The Kandy House – Kandy

(or similar)

Meals:

Breakfast & Dinner

Travel Time:

Sigiriya to Kandy: Approx. 2.5–3 hours

Included Activities:

Scenic drive through the hill country

Optional local market visit or lake walk

Begin the day with a guided visit to the Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa), one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in the world. Learn about the spiritual importance of this ancient temple and the rituals that take place daily. Watch as pilgrims pay their respects in a powerful moment of local tradition.

Later, enjoy an exclusive session with renowned photographer Stephen Champion. Through his stories, prints, and personal insights, you’ll gain a rare view of Sri Lanka’s modern history — from rural village life to scenes from the civil war, captured over three decades of intimate documentary work.

Accommodation:

Clingendael – Kandy

The Elephant Stables – Kandy

The Kandy House – Kandy

(or similar)

Meals:

Breakfast & Dinner

Travel Time:

Minimal local travel

Included Activities:

Guided tour of Temple of the Tooth Relic

Private session with photographer Stephen Champion

Cultural insights from Kandy’s heritage district

Leave the bustle of Kandy behind as you travel deeper into the central highlands — a region known for its cool climate, misty slopes, and endless rows of tea bushes. This is Sri Lanka’s Tea Country, where nature and history blend in peaceful harmony.

Settle into your hilltop bungalow or planter’s retreat, then enjoy a warm cup of Ceylon tea with sweeping views of the valley. The afternoon is yours to relax — walk the gardens, enjoy a book on the veranda, or take in the serenity of the hills before dinner.

Accommodation:

Camellia Hills – Dickoya

Ceylon Tea Trails – Hatton

Goatfell – Nuwara Eliya

(or similar)

Meals:

Breakfast & Dinner

Travel Time:

Kandy to Tea Country (Dickoya or Hatton): Approx. 3.5 hours

Included Activities:

Scenic drive through the central highlands

Welcome tea with panoramic views

Today, dive into Sri Lanka’s most iconic export — tea. Begin with a guided tour of the Dunkeld Tea Factory, where you’ll follow the journey of the humble tea leaf from handpicked harvest to world-class brew. Learn the history of tea in Ceylon and meet some of the women whose skilled hands keep the tradition alive.

Later, visit the Warleigh Church, a peaceful colonial chapel built in 1878. Nestled beside a lake and surrounded by trees, the church remains a quiet relic of British influence in the hills. Return to your lodge in time to enjoy another fresh brew as the sun sets over the valley.

Accommodation:

Camellia Hills – Dickoya

Ceylon Tea Trails – Hatton

Goatfell – Nuwara Eliya

(or similar)

Meals:

Breakfast & Dinner

Travel Time:

Local travel within the hill region

Included Activities:

Guided tour of Dunkeld Tea Factory

Visit to Warleigh Church

Scenic walks around the estate