14/03/2027 Australia – Singapore – Colombo
Check-in at your chosen Australian airport for the flight to Singapore. On arrival connect with your flight to Colombo.
Depart Singapore Airlines SQ 468, 22.10
Arrive Colombo 23.30
On arrival we transfer to our hotel.
Courtyard by Marriott
Colombo
15/03/2027 Colombo (BLD)
Originally named Kolomtota, Colombo was the main seaport of Kotte, the country’s 15th- and 16th-century capital. The morning is at leisure. In the afternoon we embark on a city tour of the Sri Lankan capital, taking in the famous port area, President’s house, Gangarama Temple, Nelum Pokuna Theatre, and Galle Face Green.
16/03/2027 Colombo – Pinnawala – Sigiriya (BLD)
After breakfast, we board our coach and drive to Sigiriya. En route we stop at the amazing Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. This orphanage was established in 1975 with just seven orphans. Today, some of the orphans bathe with their grandchildren in the nearby river, watched by tourists and scientists from all over the world. After our visit here we continue on to Sigiriya and check in to our hotel.
Covanro Hotel
Sigiriya
17/03/2027 Sigiriya – Minneriya – Sigiriya (BLD)
This morning we head to the 5th-century rock fortress of Sigiriya, a superb World Heritage site which rises 200m from the jungle scrub. This is a rare jewel among the many treasures of Sri Lanka, and features the fantastic frescoes of the ‘Heavenly Maidens’ of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock. Later we experience traditional village life with a catamaran ride and tuk tuk tour of the village. Early evening we take a wildlife safari by jeep in Minneriya National Park. This is home to about 3090 wild elephants, buffalo, wild boar, spotted deer, jackals and many species of birds and butterflies. After our safari we return to Sigiriya for dinner.
18/03/2027 Sigiriya – Dambulla – Kandy (BLD)
The culture-rich UNESCO city of Kandy is our ultimate destination today. But first we stop at the amazing Dambula cave complex that lies atop a massive hill on the edge of the town. One of Sri Lanka’s eight World Heritage sites, it is renowned for its unique sculptures and large murals. Continuing towards Kandy we visit the Spice and Herbal Gardens at Matale where the smells of cinnamon, pepper, cardamon, nutmeg and mace, fill the senses, and we get an insight into this age-old industry. After our lunch here we continue to Kandy and check in to our hotel.
The Golden Crown Hotel
Kandy
19/03/2027 Kandy (BLD)
The beautiful city of Kandy is nestled between green hills 500m above sea level. We begin our exploration of the town with a visit the world-famous Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya. The park dates back to 1371 when King Vikrama Bahu III held court here. The garden itself contains a large variety of orchids, spice trees, palms, tropical plants and flowers of all kinds. In the afternoon we visit the must-see Kandy Temple of the Tooth. The palace temple stands surrounded by a moat, its golden roof gleaming in the sunlight, as pilgrims bearing lotus blossoms throng to worship here.
20/03/2027 Kandy – Nuwara Eliya (BLD)
After breakfast we transfer to Kandy railway station for our journey to Nuwara Eliya, known as ‘Little England’. This is the region responsible for gifting Ceylon tea to the world. We watch the tea pickers as they deftly pluck the leaves and buds as they move amongst the rows of tea bushes, and later observe the manufacturing process, which has not changed in a hundred years.
Golden Ridge Hotel
Nuwara Eliya
21/03/2027 Nuwara Eliya (BLD)
Today we visit tea plantations and also enjoy a city tour of Nuwara Eliya. After lunch we explore the beautiful Hakgala botanical garden, and Gregory Lake and waterfalls.
22/03/2027 Nuwara Eliya – Ella – Yala (BLD)
Our destination today is Yala National Park in the south east of Sri Lanka. On the way we stop at Buduruwagala Temple, where seven figures – including a 51 foot Buddha statue – are carved into solid rock. After lunch we continue south to Yala and check in to our hotel.
Jetwing Hotel
Yala
23/03/2027 Yala (BLD)
Today we enter Yala National Park, which is home to the largest leopard population in Sri Lanka, as well as elephant, crocodile, sambar, bear, wild buffalo and peacock. It is also a famous home for many migratory birds including flamingos. It is a unique park with diverse habitats such as dense jungles, lagoons, park areas and a beautiful sea front with rock outcrops. We enjoy an early morning and evening open jeep safari in the park, when the big cats are at their most active.
24/03/2027 Yala – Kataragama – Tangalle (BLD)
Kataragama is home to one of the most important religious sites in Sri Lanka and draws pilgrims from various faiths. This is our first stop today as we leave Yala and head south west to Tangalle. We visit the ancient shrine complex which includes a Hindu kovil, Buddhist temple and Islamic mosque, then continue on to Tangalle, where we enjoy a leisurely afternoon.
Anantara Peace Haven Resort
Tangalle
25/03/2027 Tangalle – Galle (BLD)
Mulkirigala temple lies 20km north of Tangalle, and after breakfast we drive to the rock site which is home to a series of cave temples that date back to the 3rd century. As we climb the rock we enjoy breath-taking views of the surrounding countryside. Later we drive to Galle, stopping en route at Koggala to see the amazing stilt fishermen who perch precariously on their wooden stilts sunk deep into the seabed.
Radisson Blu Resort
Galle
26/03/2027 Galle (BLD)
Galle is the major port of Sri Lanka, and is known for its rich history and cultural beauty. Today we visit Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its beautiful Dutch architecture. We also explore the narrow maze-like streets and markets, including Lighthouse Street, where the seafarers lived in days gone by, and Leyn-Baan Street, where the ropes and sails were made. In the afternoon we visit Moonstone Mine which is one of the few places that the semi-precious stone is found in high concentrations.
27/03/2027 Galle – Bentota – Colombo (BLD)
Today we head north to Colombo. Our first stop at the Tsunami Museum which commemorates the devastating Boxing Day tsunami in 2004, that wreaked havoc on Sri Lanka’s southern coast. We then continue north to the turtle hatchery at Kosgoda, where we learn about this remarkable conservation project, which is devoted to breeding and protecting endangered species of turtles. After our visit here we drive 10km to the Madhu River where we enjoy a boat safari in the second largest wetland in Sri Lanka, before continuing our journey north to Colombo.
Courtyard by Marriott
Colombo
28/03/2027 Colombo – Singapore (B)
After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our flight to Singapore.
Depart Colombo Singapore Airlines SQ 463, 11.05
Arrive Singapore 17.40
On arrival in Singapore we connect with the flight to our chosen Australian city.
29/03/2027 In Flight
We arrive home in Australia today.
