Distance:  150 Km Travel Time: 3 Hrs

Meet on arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport by Taprobane Heritage travel representative and drive to the Hotel. Welcome, delicious Dinner at the Hotel. Tour briefing from the Tour leader or Taprobane Heritage travel representative.

Rise early at 05.30 AM, your tour leader will give a short briefing on the day ahead. Before we journey to Sri Lanka's largest and oldest game reserve. With a packed breakfast and proceed to Sigiriya Rock Fortress for an unforgettable Sunrise. Sigiriya Rock Fortress - The 5th century rock citadel of King Kasyapa and a World Heritage Site, Sigiriya not only boasts of ancient Sri Lankan engineering & urban planning supremacy but also claims to be one of the finest monuments of art & culture. Step through the gigantic 'Lion Paws' overlooking the symmetrical royal gardens below to comprehend the absolute splendor that once dominated this rock fortress. Surrounded by ramparts & moats, the Lion Rock resembles the mythological 'City of Gods' coated by frescoes that relate to Gupta style paintings found in Ajanta caves of India.

Visit a typical Sri Lankan village at 11.00 AM and enjoy a cookery demonstration with traditional, authentic Sri Lankan lunch. - Hiriwadunna is all about Sri Lankan village life. In other words, it is a tale garnished with chirps of birds, fishermen carrying their nets and rods praying for a fine catch, as well as an occasional crocodile basking on the shore of the lake. Do not have doubts about ample birdlife and butterflies as blessing visitors with the ‘soft winged’ is a part of the Hiriwadunna schedule. Enjoy a bullock cart ride and a catamaran ride through the rural environment, followed by an authentic traditional lunch with freshly picked vegetables and flavourful ingredients.

At 03.00 PM, proceed to Minneriya for an exciting Game Drive. Minneriya is home to herds of deer and ample birdlife, but its spotlight remains between swaying trunks & flapping ears. Park your jeep on the bank of the reservoir and switch off its engine. Watch carefully as herds of elephants - one by one - roll onto the grass-covered banks to feed on tender shoots. This is the largest elephant gathering in the world - over 700 at a time - which has made the park to become a magnet for wildlife enthusiasts across the globe. After visiting, you will return to the hotel, where the rest of the evening is yours to relax or explore at your own pace.

Distance: 130 Km Travel Time: 2 - 3 Hrs

After an early breakfast, check out of the hotel and proceed to Ritigala to visit the Ritigala Monastery.

Ritigala, known as the highest mountain in northern Sri Lanka, covers an area of 24 hectares (59 acres). As legend has it, Lord Hanuman traveled over Ritigala and is said to have accidentally dropped a chunk of a Himalayan mountain he was carrying back from India for his mortally wounded brother, Lord Rama. Take a walk through steep steps leading up to a beautifully constructed pavement, a stone path 1.5 meters wide that meanders upwards through the forest, linking the major buildings of the monastery.

On completion, proceed to Kandy. En route, stop by Malate, the Spice Garden, and enjoy a relaxing head & shoulder massage.

An agricultural zone in the Central Province, Matale seldom drops off the maps due to its remarkable contribution through flagship crops of the island, extending from tea, rubber & vegetables to spices. Spearheading the Rebellion back in 1848, Matale today takes immense pride in its story woven around spices. Stop by the side of a spice garden, into which you will be most welcome, and observe the therapeutic values of spices & processes over a refreshing cup of herbal tea! Check into your hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening at your own pace.

Distance: 40 Km | Travel Time: 1 – 1.5 Hrs

After breakfast, visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage.

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage offers a heartwarming and unique encounter with rescued elephants. Surrounded by lush scenery, you can watch elephants bathing in the river and observe the dedicated staff caring for them. It's an educational and emotionally touching experience that underscores the importance of elephant conservation and allows visitors to connect intimately with these majestic creatures. It is also a symbol of Sri, at 04.30 pm return to Kandy to enjoy a Kandyan Cultural Show and visit to Temple of the Tooth.

Step into an intimate courtyard adorned with vibrant tapestries for a private Kandyan Cultural Show, an exclusive journey into Sri Lanka's rich heritage. As the traditional drum set the stage, graceful dancers in resplendent attire share centuries-old stories through Udarata Natum and Pantheru dances. Masked performers add a touch of mystery, while the rhythmic beats of Geta Beraya and Davul drums resonate in a personalized showcase of cultural richness. This private experience offers an unhurried, captivating night where tradition and artistry converge, leaving you with indelible memories of Sri Lanka's cultural legacy.

The Temple of the Tooth, the palace complex, and the holy city of Kandy are associated with the history of the dissemination of one of the most important religions of humanity, Buddhism. The Temple of Kandy is the product of the last peregrination of the relic of the tooth of Lord Buddha and the testimony of a cult which continues to be practiced today. Return to the hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening at your own pace.

Distance: 80 Km |  Travel Time: 2 – 3 Hrs

With an early breakfast, visit Udawatta Kele Sanctuary.

Udawatta Kele Sanctuary or the Royal Forest Park of Kandy is situated on the hillside behind the Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the Tooth Relic. The forest is rich with vegetation consisting of the canopy, sub-canopy, and an underground layer. The dense plant life restricts sunlight from reaching the ground surface. A leading tourist destination in the city, nature lovers are more than welcome to take a stroll into its verdant depths, exploring the many beauties that it hides within. Udawatta Kele, which was once graced by those belonging to the Royal Court of Kandy, boasts several Buddhist temples that are scattered across the area. A garrison cemetery, water pond, Kodimale Mountain, and the Senkanda cave are amongst the many treasures that the Udawattakele Sanctuary lays claim to.

On completing check out the hotel and proceed to Nuwara Eliya. En route, visit a Tea factory and enjoy the beautiful Ramboda Falls.

Dive into Sri Lanka’s world-famous tea culture with a visit to a working tea plantation and factory. - In over one hundred and fifty years, the name Ceylon had become synonymous with the world’s finest tea. From the plantation to an international brand, witness the process that put Sri Lanka on the world map. Your guide will help you to pick out the perfect tea factory based on your route, so you can enjoy a slightly more interactive experience.

Visit Ramboda Ella is the 11th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka, and located in the Pussellawa. Ramboda Falls consists of three sections. You will get a good view of the middle section from the A5 highway, just above the bridge. This is very small in size compared to other parts. You can get a far view of the top part from the main road, but not the complete view of the fall. You need to climb up to see the top part of the Ramboda Falls, and there is a pathway just before the bridge. You may find the climbing bit difficult, but you will be compensated with the great view from the top falls, and the surroundings. Evening is yours, check into the hotel to relax or explore at your own pace.

Distance: 140 Km | Travel Time: 4 Hrs

Check out and leave the hotel with a packed breakfast to go on an early morning visit to Horton Plains.

Horton Plains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site & eco-tourism hideout in the heart of the island, painted with unending stretches of green pastures, marks one of the healthiest wet montane evergreen forests in Sri Lanka. With an altitude above 7000ft, the plateau sweeps to a robust 3169 hectares, sheltering flora and fauna varieties that may be found nowhere else on earth. As the tributary of Belihul Oya, Bakers Falls thunders down rocks, head off the beaten track across frost-covered grass to feel the icy-cold wind against your face. You may even gaze down World's End, a head-spinning 3700ft drop towards the Southern end, or drive carefully through herds of sambar deer, shy to human touch & birdlife chirping across the plains.

Leave for Udawalawe via Ella en route, and observe the Ravana Falls.

Ravana Falls is named after the King Ravana, who, according to traditional folklore, is believed to have ruled Sri Lanka. It is a popular sightseeing attraction in Sri Lanka and currently ranks as one of the widest waterfalls in the country. It is best visited during the local wet season when the water is said to resemble an Areca flower with withering petals. This is situated at the 12-13thmilepost of Ella Wellawaya road.  Check into your hotel in Udawalawe and enjoy the rest of the evening at your own pace.

After breakfast, visit The Elephant Transit Home at Udawalawe “ Ath Athuru Sewana”. And at 03.00 PM, visit Udawalawe National Park.

The main objective of this facility is the rehabilitation of orphaned baby elephants to ultimately release them back into their natural habitat. Up to three elephants per week are killed in Sri Lanka due to conflicts with humans, often leaving behind orphan calves. The elephants are kept at part of the Udawalawe National Park to maintain familiarity with their habitat, but have access to both food and medical care. All care at the facility is by trained staff, and efforts are made to minimize contact between elephants and humans to keep the elephants from becoming acclimated to humans. Although visitors can watch the elephants being fed, they are not allowed to touch or otherwise interact with them.

With herds of elephants, wild buffalo, sambars, and spotted deer, and giant squirrels, this Sri Lankan national park is one of the nation's finest. In fact, for elephant watching, Uda Walawe often surpasses many of the most famous East African national parks. The park, which centres on the 308.2-sq-km Uda Walawe Reservoir, is lightly vegetated, but it has a stark beauty, and the lack of dense vegetation makes game watching easy. Return to the hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening at your own pace.

Distance: 80 Km  | Travel Time: 2 – 3 Hrs

After breakfast, check out and proceed to Sinharaja and explore the Sinharaja Rain Forest Reserve.

This majestic rainforest was deemed an International Man and Biosphere Reserve in 1978 and deservedly designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1989. This could be described as a tropical lowland rainforest or a tropical wet evergreen forest, which in turn makes it a major ecotourism destination. More than 60% of the trees are endemic, and many of them are considered rare. There is much endemic wildlife, especially birds, but the reserve is also home to over 50% of Sri Lanka's endemic species of mammals and butterflies, as well as many kinds of insects, reptiles, and rare amphibians. Furthermore, the word 'Sinharaja' means Lion (Sinha) King (Raja), and it is popular belief that the legendary origin of the Sinhala people is from the union between a princess and the lion king who once lived in the forest! Check into the hotel to relax or explore at your own pace.

Distance: 80 Km     Travel Time: 2 – 3 Hrs

Enjoy a wonderful breakfast at the hotel and proceed to Galle. En route, visit the Stilt Fisherman and Turtle Hatchery.

Stilt fishing in Sri Lanka is a traditional fishing method where fishermen perch on tall wooden stilts planted in the ocean, using a crossbar to balance. This unique practice, typically seen along the country's southern coast, allows fishermen to catch small fish while enjoying a stunning view of the ocean.

Turtle Hatchery - This vibrant tourist destination, sitting calm along the Southern coast of Sri Lanka, apart from its traditional industries of fisheries and cinnamon cultivation, was later recognized by the Wildlife Protection Society, who studded the region with a Sea Turtle Conservation Project which operates on a formidable scale today. Indirectly, this has become a watering hole of flipper & shell enthusiasts!

Check in to the hotel and at 1700h, walk inside the Galle Fort - This Dutch bliss is painted with streets that spread in a rectangular grid pattern, pierced with houses carrying Dutch colonial style verandas. However, its hallmark stands a reality where the Galle fort remains a working community with its usual buzz of administrative offices, court complex, commercial buildings, churches, and Southern folks frequenting its streets, bracing the air of the Elysium of architecture, Galle! Return to the hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening at your own pace.

Distance: 50 Km | Travel Time: 1 Hr

After breakfast, proceed to Colombo via Balapitiya. Once arrive, take part in an exciting River safari at Madu Gaga.

The Madu River is located in the south of Sri Lanka near Galle. The water of the river is dotted with small islands, and the banks are all covered with lush mangrove forests that are home to dozens of incredible animal species. Enjoy hundreds of vibrant tropical birds and a few crocodiles if you’re lucky enough. These creatures are pretty rare and don’t like crowds.

After enjoying the river safari, leave for Colombo. Check into the hotel and at 04.00 PM, explore and take a tour of Colombo city.

Balapitiya / Colombo

Distance: 110 KmTravel Time: 2 Hrs

Once a bustling hub on ancient trade routes, Colombo has been shaped by Portuguese, Dutch, and British influences — a rich colonial past that still echoes through its striking architecture. Today, the city is a vibrant mix of historical charm and modern life, blending colonial-era buildings with sleek high-rises and lively markets.

Colombo city tour showcases the vibrant culture, history, and charm of Sri Lanka’s capital. Visiting iconic landmarks like the Gangaramaya Temple, famous for its stunning mix of modern and traditional Buddhist architecture. Explore the peaceful Seema Malaka meditation center on Beira Lake, then head to the historic Independence Memorial Hall and Galle Face Green. Return to the hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening at your own pace.

Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel before a comfortable drive to the airport with Ddot Travels — your perfect send-off filled with unforgettable memories. Safe travels until we meet again!