Discover Sri Lanka in Style

Upon arrival into Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport, you are warmly welcomed by our local representatives. Transfer approximately one hour to Wattura Resort and Spa, just to the north of Negombo.

As you will likely be tired after your long flight, the remainder of the day is free for relaxation.

After breakfast you will meet your driver/guide who will be looking after you throughout your luxury Sri Lanka tour. Transfer 3 hours further north to Wilpattu National Park.

After lunch you embark on your first safari drive in Wilpattu National Park. Because jeep traffic can negatively affect the safari experience, the 4X4 vehicle is shared with other camp guests.

Wilpattu is Sri Lanka’s largest national park and offers rewarding safari drives due to many Leopard and Sloth Bear sightings. Wilpattu is also one of the better parks to see barking deer. The central area of Wilpattu National Park is dotted with large sand rimmed lakes known as “Villus” that collect rainwater which attract wildlife, especially during the drier months.

Rise before the sun and enjoy an early morning safari before it gets too hot. After a tasty lunch back at the camp, you head back into the park for an afternoon safari. Later, you can enjoy sun-downers at the jungle bar. Finally enjoy a sumptuous barbecue dinner and drift off to sleep to the sounds of the jungle orchestra playing outside your canvas.

After a final early morning safari drive, you will say goodbye to all the wonderful staff at Leopard Trails and head to the cultural site of Anuradhapura which is a one hour drive from Wilpattu.

Because Anuradhapura was the very first political and religious capital in Sri Lanka dating back to the 5th Century BC, this cultural site is visited first.

Explore the enormous dome stupas and ancient reservoirs, amazing feats of ancient engineering. The Dagobas of Jetavaranamaya, Ruwanweliseya and Abhayagiriya are second only in height to the pyramids of Egypt. Explore Abhayagiri Monastery, the largest monastery complex in Anuradhapura consisting of an enormous stupa, a large Buddha statue, and an impressive pond. Visit the Sri Jaya Maha Bodhi, the oldest human planted tree in the world. Sri Jaya Maha Bodhi was grown from a sapling of the fig tree under which the Buddha had attained enlightenment more than 2500 years ago.

After exploring Anuradhapura you will be transferred 40 minutes to Ulagalla Resort.

After breakfast you will climb to the top of nearby Sigiriya Rock Fortress. The word Sigiriya means the Lion’s Rock. You will climb up 1200 steps before you reach the palace ruins on top of the imposing 200-metre-high granite rock. Many of the steps are steel staircases attached to the rock itself and so this climb is not for those who fear heights! Along the climb you will come across beautifully detailed and well-preserved frescoes. The lions’ paw is a good place to have a rest before the final ascent. Previously a lion statue with steps leading into the lion’s mouth, these days only the paws and steps remain. It will take a total of around 2-3 hours to climb up and back down.

Because elephants in Wilpattu National Park can sometimes be elusive, there is an option to embark on an Elephant safari this afternoon at nearby Minneriya or Kaudulla National Parks (extra cost applies).

As the Sigirya climb can be hot and tiring we recommend the afternoon at leisure so that you can cool off and enjoy your resort. On-site activities include nature walks, village cycling tours, horse riding, archery and jungle kayaking.

Today is free to enjoy the resort. Your private driver/guide is available so that you can take short excursions if required.

This morning drive 4 1/2 hours to Kandy. Dambulla Cave Temple consists of five sanctuaries that are the largest and best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka and so you will stop here en-route to Kandy. You will no doubt be impressed by the Buddhist mural paintings adorn the cave walls which house the 157 Buddha statues.

Upon arrival in Kandy, check into Kings Pavilion Boutique Hotel.

The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is the most sacred Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka, if not the world and so is a must see in Kandy. The temple houses the tooth of Buddha nestled in a golden chamber located within the premises of the royal palace complex.

Later today you will explore the Botanical Gardens. Spread over 60 hectares, you will find a huge range of fascinating flora and fauna in this immaculately landscaped open space. Visit the Orchid House and the 40-metre-high Burmese bamboo, often inhabited by many mischievous monkeys. There is also a variety of bird life and fruit bats.

Kandy’s bustling markets are worth a quick visit and you may want to ask your guide to show you around. As always, the exact itinerary details and timings are entirely up to your wishes on the day.