Day 1
You should arrive at the airport to take your flight to Colombo.

Day 2
After your lunchtime arrival we stay for one night at the nearby four-star Taj Gateway Hotel with dinner.

Day 3
Today the adventure begins, visiting firstly the famous Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, one of the highlights of your tour. Established in 1975 with just seven orphans and since boosted by a scientific breeding programme, there are now over 75 elephants of all ages from elderly matriarchs to the cutest of calves - the real draw! When the entire herd takes its daily bath in the river, you’ll enjoy some of the best photo opportunities of the whole tour. Next it’s the amazing cave temples of Dambulla, a UN World Heritage site. Located within an immense granite outcrop, this series of five caves are richly adorned with remarkably preserved frescoes and over 150 Buddhist statues. In the caves’ semi-darkness, surrounded by the serene faces of dozens of beautifully painted statues, it’s not difficult to imagine the incredible sense of awe this sacred site held for generations of worshippers.

The sights and sounds of Sri Lanka gradually unfold. The countryside is stunning – scenic paddy fields studded by water buffalos accompanied by wiry, loin-clothed farmers, extensive coconut groves, pineapple fields, working elephants with attentive mahouts astride their necks and everywhere the dense jungle interspersed by huge lakes. We stay two nights in Sigiriya, at the three-star superior Sigiriya Village Hotel with dinner. This charming hotel features spacious one-storey chalets spread amongst beautifully lush landscaped gardens as well as an open-air restaurant, bar, Ayurvedic spa and large pool with wonderful views towards Sigiriya Rock .

Day 4
This morning you visit what for many will surely be the most memorable and fascinating monument in Sri Lanka: Sigiriya, or the ‘Lion Rock’, is a massive 600ft granite tower with sheer cliffs on all sides crowned by the remains of a 1,500 year old royal palace. The entire site is encircled by a moat and ramparts enclosing a variety of water gardens, the remains of numerous buildings and caves. As you approach Sigiriya rock, you see some of the finest ancient murals in the country – the ‘cloud maidens’ are found under a fold of rock and show in exquisite detail a procession of jewelled, beautifully dressed women bearing offerings of lilies and lotus flowers. Facing us is the imposing final entrance to the palace above: in ancient times the colossal head of a lion (hence ‘Lion Rock’) was built in brick and plaster, visitors entering through its mouth. Today, just the two front paws remain, their claws menacingly extended, still guarding the palace. It should be noted that there are numerous steps to the top of Sigiriya rock, but should pose no problem for those with normal mobility. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to enjoy our hotel’s pool and facilities.

Day 5
This morning we leave Sigiriya for Kandy, Sri Lanka’s last Royal capital. Sri Lanka is noted for its magnificent spices so on the way to Kandy we visit a fascinating garden where we see many indigenous plants such as pepper, nutmeg and cinnamon. You stay two nights with dinner at the historic and colonial-style three-star Hotel Suisse, beautifully located overlooking the scenic lake right in the heart of Kandy and surrounded by peaceful gardens. The hotel has a wonderful ‘faded grandeur’, with a colonnaded lobby, a charming bar, billiard room, a restaurant and a lovely pool.

Day 6
Kandy’s crowded and bustling streets teem with daily comings and goings: the many white-uniformed children returning from school and the myriad of shops. The centre is dominated by a beautiful lake and the fascinating Temple of the Tooth, said to hold Buddha’s tooth. This is Buddhism’s most sacred shrine on the island and during our visit, you may be lucky enough to witness one of the many ceremonies. You also visit the stunning Royal Botanical Gardens. Planted over 150 years and covering a huge 150 acres, the gardens hold thousands of plant species and some superb examples of mature tropical trees. Strolling through lawns, shady avenues and immaculately kept flower beds, we see exotic birds and the commemorative trees planted by Edward VII, George VI, Princess Anne and the Queen. Other highlights are the Avenue of Royal Palms and ‘Bat’ Drive where you can spot the large fruit-eating ‘Flying Foxes’ hanging upside down! The gardens also house Lord Mountbatten’s imposing HQ from World War II. Kandy is famous for its traditional dancing and so this evening we experience a colourful and hugely skilful display of this ancient art.

Day 7
After a leisurely breakfast you leave Kandy, driving through increasingly mountainous scenery to Sri Lanka’s premier tea-growing areas. Winding ever upwards, the lush tropical jungle gives way to tall pine forests and then box-like tea bushes begin – few at first and then seemingly covering every fold of the landscape like a huge green carpet. You visit one of the best-known tea estates to see how our favourite drink is rolled, dried and graded, followed by a refreshing cup of Ceylon’s finest. Nuwara Eliya, the main hill station, is nearly 7,000 feet above sea level and called ‘Little England’ due to its spring-like climate, parks and golf course. You stay at the four- star Grand Hotel, similar to an English manor house, originally the summer home of Sir Edward Barnes, a Governor of Ceylon. It is famed for its classic 19th century public rooms and lovely, English inspired flower beds and lawns. Even High Tea is served.

Day 8
You say goodbye to Sri Lanka’s hill country this morning on your way to Yala National Park in the south of Sri Lanka, staying two nights at the three-star superior Safari Hotel with dinner. The hotel is located a 45 minute drive from the national park and features a pool, bar and restaurant overlooking the Tiffa Lake.

Day 9
An early start this morning, accompanied by the unique sound of a tropical ‘dawn chorus’. As the morning mist disappears with the rising sun you explore the jungle and its incredible range of wildlife in 4x4 vehicles. The normally elusive leopard offers the Park’s most exciting game viewing and Yala has a high concentration of these big cats. They are the island’s top predator so are far less shy than elsewhere in the world. Yala is also known for its elephants, saltwater crocodiles, wild boar, sloth bears, monitor lizards and a huge variety of birdlife. After a late breakfast you can relax by the hotel’s pool before having the option to go on a second, early evening safari.

Day 10
After breakfast you return to the west coast, via guided tour of the UN World Heritage site of Galle, with its imposing 16th century Dutch fort. You soon arrive at the excellent three-star superior Palms Hotel in the beach resort of Beruwela for a three night stay with dinner. This charming hotel boasts a main restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, an open-air coffee-shop and a speciality fish restaurant. The spacious grounds are beautifully looked-after and feature a large pool and plenty of quiet sunbathing spots. All 100 rooms are air-conditioned, with private balcony or terrace, shower/wc, safe, minibar, hairdryer, tea/coffee-making facilities and cable TV.

Days 11-12
Two whole days to take it easy at your hotel and enjoy the palm-shaded beach and pool.

Day 13
You transfer to the airport for the return flight, arriving home later the same day.

Colombo airport – the four-star Gateway Hotel (www.thegatewayhotels.com/airportgardencolombo/overview.aspx) is managed by Taj Hotels and is located just 5 minutes from the airport, ideal to relax in after your overnight flight and before the start of your tour. Set in 38 acres of lush tropical grounds, the hotel has a large swimming pool and overlooks the wide Negombo lagoon. The main restaurant serves Indian, Sri Lankan and international cuisine and there’s also a bar, fitness room, tennis courts and a beauty salon. The 113 comfortably-furnished rooms are all air-conditioned, with en-suite bathroom, hairdryer, satellite TV, safe, minibar and tea/coffee-maker.

Sigiriya – the three-star Sigiriya Village Hotel (www.forthotels.lk/sigiriyavillage/home.htm) is set within very spacious and peaceful grounds with views of the famous Sigiriya Rock from the swimming pool area. The high-ceilinged, open-sided main dining area overlooks the gently sloping lawns and the large pool. There are nature trails through the 40-acre grounds, a separate small vegetarian restaurant, an ayurvedic spa, or maybe try some yoga. The 107 rooms are in chalet-style bungalows and are spacious, mostly on two levels and decorated in charming, typically Sri Lankan motifs. They are all air-conditioned, en-suite bathroom, hairdryer, TV, safe, tea/coffee-maker and patio with garden view.

Kandy – the Hotel Suisse (www.hotelsuisse.lk) is located in a commanding position right in the centre of Kandy, overlooking the lake. There’s a buffet restaurant serving international and Sri Lankan specialities, a bar & billiard room and a swimming pool. The 93 rooms are air-conditioned and have an en-suite bathroom, hairdryer, cable TV, minibar and tea/coffee-maker.

Nuwara Eliya – the four-star Grand Hotel (www.tangerinehotels.com) is located in large and beautifully-tended gardens just outside Nuwara Eliya. With its English-style half-timbered look, chandeliers, polished floors and fireplaces, it reminds you of colonial hotels of a century ago. Indeed, the original building was the residence of Sir Edward Barnes, governor of Ceylon in the mid-1800’s. There’s a main restaurant overlooking the garden, a cosy wood-panelled bar & billiard room and tea is served in the lounge or on the lawn depending on the weather. The 156 rooms are slightly old-fashioned, in keeping with the ambiance of the hotel, and include an en-suite bathroom, hairdryer, TV, safe and minibar.

Yala – the new three-star superior Safari Hotel (www.ceylonhotels.lk) is located overlooking Tissa Lake. The 53 rooms have an en-suite bathroom, hairdryer, TV and balcony with garden, pool or lake view.

Beruwela – the three-star superior The Palms Resort (www.forthotels.lk/palms/home.htm) is beautifully located along Beruwela beach on Sri Lanka’s west coast – the perfect place to relax and unwind after your tour. Set in spacious tropical gardens which lead down to the long sandy beach, this charming hotel boasts a main restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, an open-air coffee-shop and a speciality fish restaurant. The 8 acres of spacious grounds are beautifully looked-after and feature a large pool and plenty of quiet sunbathing spots. All 100 rooms are air-conditioned, with private balcony or terrace, shower/wc, safe, minibar, hairdryer, tea/coffee-making facilities and cable TV.