Wonders of Sri Lanka

Arrive in Sri Lanka’s lively capital, where colonial elegance meets modern vibrancy. Once the bustling heart of the ancient maritime Silk Road, Colombo has long been a crossroads of cultures, where European architecture blends with Hindu temples, Buddhist stupas and bustling spice markets. A warm welcome awaits you at your hotel, a serene retreat amidst the city’s dynamic energy. This evening, join your Travel Director and fellow guests for a rooftop dinner. Indulge in an exceptional selection of locally sourced cuisine, curated to highlight the island’s rich culinary heritage, all while gazing out over Colombo’s skyline.

Set off on a thrilling tuk-tuk ride through Colombo’s lively streets, where colonial grandeur meets South Asian vibrancy. Navigate the bustling lanes of Pettah Market, a historic trading hub where merchants have bartered goods for centuries. Gaze up at the striking Red Mosque, an architectural gem of Indo-Saracenic design. Step inside the 18th-century Wolvendaal Church, a Dutch-built landmark, before visiting the serene Gangaramaya Temple, where Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian and Chinese influences blend seamlessly. End your journey at the historic Hotel Nippon, once a favoured stop for traders and travellers, and sample its renowned mutton roll, a crisp, spiced delicacy.

Journey inland to Hiriwadunna, where the rhythm of rural life unfolds against a backdrop of lush farmland and tranquil waterways. Take a guided walk through village fields, where fresh produce flourishes under traditional farming methods, before enjoying a Farm-to-Table Lunch, crafted from seasonal ingredients and served in the open air. Explore ancient ruins at The Ibbankatuwa Megalithic Tombs, an archaeological site where carefully arranged stone chambers reveal Sri Lanka’s early burial customs. It's a rare glimpse into the island’s prehistoric past, with artefacts that hint at sophisticated rituals and early craftsmanship. Later, arrive in Dambulla, where the evening is yours to unwind at your lakeside hotel.

Travel to Anuradhapura, where towering stupas and ancient monasteries reveal the grandeur of Sri Lanka’s first great capital. This UNESCO-listed city was once a thriving centre of faith and power, and its sacred sites still draw pilgrims today. Walk among centuries-old stone carvings and vast reservoirs that sustained a civilisation for over a thousand years. At Isurumuniya Temple, watch as a practicing monk leads a blessing ceremony, sharing traditions that have endured for generations. Later, visit a village where artisans shape clay pots by hand, keeping an age-old craft alive. Explore Minneriya National Park on an Optional Experience, where Asian elephants roam freely across open plains. Watch as they gather at the reservoir—one of Sri Lanka’s greatest natural spectacles.

This morning, take your pick of two enriching Insight Choice experiences. Climb the UNESCO-listed Sigiriya Rock Fortress, an architectural marvel rising above the jungle. Built by King Kashyapa in the 5th century, it is a testament to ancient ingenuity, with intricate water gardens at its base, exquisite frescoes along its walls, and the remains of a royal palace at its summit. Alternatively, explore a beautifully cultivated botanical garden, inspired by Sri Lanka’s historic royal gardens, where terraced landscapes and shaded pathways showcase the island’s botanical diversity. After time to relax, journey to Polonnaruwa, where a Local Expert reveals the city’s remarkable past. Once a thriving capital, its vast ruins tell the story of a civilisation that mastered irrigation, architecture and sacred art. As evening falls, return to the hotel for a Sri Lankan barbecue dinner, where fragrant spices and flame-grilled specialities bring the island’s flavours to life.

Travel into Sri Lanka’s cultural heart, beginning at the Dambulla Cave Temple, a monastic sanctuary dating back over 2,000 years. Hidden within its rock-hewn chambers, more than 150 gilded Buddha statues sit in quiet meditation, surrounded by intricate murals that trace the island’s Buddhist heritage. Continue to Kandy, where misty hills frame the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, a revered site that has shaped Sri Lanka’s history for centuries. Inside, a golden casket enshrines a sacred relic, believed to bring divine right to rule. As evening falls, witness the rhythmic energy of a Kandyan dance performance, where drummers and fire dancers bring ancient storytelling to life.

Spend the morning in Yatiwawala, where a guided walk through rice fields and spice gardens offers insight into traditional village life. Visit a local market brimming with seasonal produce before meeting an Ayurvedic doctor to learn about herbal remedies. Join a local host to prepare a traditional meal using time-honoured cooking techniques. In the afternoon, explore the Royal Botanical Gardens, originally planted for Sri Lankan royalty and now home to over 10,000 trees, including towering palms and fragrant orchids. Wander through its beautifully landscaped avenues, learning about Sri Lanka’s diverse plant life. Choose from two Optional Experiences—join a Local Expert for a walking tour of Kandy, exploring heritage buildings and local eateries, or take to the water on a Mahaweli River Cruise, floating past lush riverbanks and fishing communities on Sri Lanka’s longest river.

Board a train bound for Sri Lanka’s central highlands, where mist-covered peaks, cascading waterfalls and endless tea plantations unfold beyond the windows. Arriving in Nuwara Eliya, visit a tea estate and factory to follow the journey of Ceylon tea from leaf to cup, walking through emerald-green fields where expert tea pluckers harvest the prized “two leaves and a bud”. Explore the town with your Travel Director, wandering the banks of Gregory Lake, a reservoir built in 1873, before stopping at the Nuwara Eliya Post Office, a striking Tudor-style building that has stood since the colonial era. At the Grand Hotel, settle in for a traditional high tea, a refined ritual of delicate sandwiches, warm scones and fine Ceylon tea, served in an elegant setting that recalls the charm of Sri Lanka’s colonial past.

Journey south from Nuwara Eliya, watching as the cool highlands give way to the sun-drenched lowlands. Stop at a breathtaking viewpoint where the central mountains plunge towards the plains, revealing a vast landscape of tea estates, winding roads and distant waterfalls. Continue to Kataragama, a revered pilgrimage site for Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims. Believed to be the home of Skanda, the Hindu god of war, this sacred town is alive with ritual, from temple processions to fire-walking ceremonies. Pilgrims flock to the Kataragama Temple, offering fruit and incense in hopes of receiving blessings. Arriving in Yala, settle into a coastal retreat set between the wilderness and the ocean, just minutes from Sri Lanka’s most renowned national park.

Set out on morning and evening game drives with an expert ranger, exploring Yala’s diverse landscapes, from dry woodlands to coastal lagoons. Keep watch for Asian elephants grazing near waterholes, crocodiles basking along the shores and, with luck, the elusive Sri Lankan leopard. Between drives, you may like to take a guided nature walk through the hotel’s surroundings, where vibrant birdlife thrives, from kingfishers and bee-eaters to herons wading in the wetlands.

Travel along Sri Lanka’s southern coastline, where fishing villages and palm tree-fringed shores reveal a way of life shaped by the sea. Stop to meet Weligama’s stilt fishermen, who perch on wooden poles in the shallows, a practice developed during World War II when access to boats was scarce. Continue to Galle Fort, a UNESCO-listed stronghold first built by the Portuguese in 1588 and later expanded by the Dutch. With your Travel Director, explore its atmospheric streets, visiting the old District Judge’s house, as well as museums, historic temples and a centuries-old mosque that reflects the fort’s diverse heritage. Conclude at the iconic lighthouse, where locals gather in the evening to take in views over the Indian Ocean as the sun begins to set.

Spend the day at leisure, unwinding at your hotel or exploring more of Galle’s historic streets and coastal scenery. For those seeking a deeper connection to Sri Lanka’s landscapes and traditions, a choice of Optional Experiences awaits. Set out early on a whale-watching cruise to search for blue whales and dolphins off the southern coast, or visit a cinnamon estate to learn about the cultivation of this prized spice. In the afternoon, you can opt to join a boat trip across Koggala Lake, where mangrove-lined shores and small islands reveal a mix of wildlife and local heritage. As the day winds down, enjoy dinner at the hotel with your Travel Director and travelling companions, reflecting on the journey through this captivating island.

Spend your final morning at leisure, soaking in the last moments of your Sri Lankan adventure. In the afternoon, visit a sea turtle conservation centre on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, where a dedicated team works to protect Sri Lanka’s endangered turtle species. Learn about ongoing conservation efforts, the dangers of marine pollution and, if the season allows, witness hatchlings being released into the ocean. After this meaningful visit, bid farewell to your Travel Director and fellow travellers before transferring to the airport. Flights should be booked for departure after 20:00, bringing your journey through Sri Lanka to a close.