Sri Lanka

Wednesday 11 March

Depart Auckland on Singapore Airlines. Change planes in Singapore, arriving in Colombo late evening and transfer to our inner city hotel.

Thursday 12 March

After breakfast, enjoy a city tour of Colombo’s harbour and Fort area – home to the country’s administration and banking sector. Visit various vibrant markets and enjoy some street food that Colombo is famous for. Explore the unique Red Mosque and the Gangaramaya Temple complex before a welcome dinner tonight.

Friday 13 March

Our journey takes us north-east, through countryside, to Dambulla. Here, we visit the impressive Dambulla Rock Cave Temple, a World Heritage site. This five-cave temple is one of the largest and best-preserved temple complexes in the country. Housing over 150 Buddha status, including the reclining statue of Lord Buddha, and exquisite murals, all nestled within a series of caves carved into a massive granite outcrop. 

Saturday 14 March

An early morning visit to Sigiriya Rock Fortress, the UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you are not up to climbing the rock for spectacular views, the ancient landscaped gardens (5AD) and frescoes are worth seeing. Enjoy a visit to one of the local villages as well as a canoe ride.

Sigiriya Rock Fortress - Considered one of Sri Lanka’s most remarkable attractions, Sigiriya Rock Fortress rises nearly 200 metres above the surrounding plains. The site dates back to the reign of King Kasyapa (477-495 AD), who chose this site as his new capital. He decorated the walls with frescoes, and built an impressive palace right on top of the rock column, accessible only through the mouth of an enormous carved lion which gives the fortress its name (“Sinhagiri” or Lion Rock).

Sunday 15 March

Today we journey to the last kingdom of Sri Lanka, Kandy. Enroute, we stop at Matale to explore a spice garden to learn about Sri Lankan spices, their usage, medical significance and how they add colour to Sri Lankan cuisine.

Monday 16 March

Today we explore the city of Kandy including a visit to the Temple of the Tooth Relic, another World Heritage site. We continue to the spectacular botanical gardens for a tour before an afternoon of leisure, where you can enjoy some shopping. Later we take in a tuk-tuk ride to experience the sights and sounds of the city.

Tuesday 17 March

After breakfast, transfer to Kandy railway station for a scenic train journey through tea plantations and scenic waterfalls to Nana Oya. Continue by coach to your hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

Wednesday 18 March

This morning, visit a tea plantation and tea factory. Learn how tea is graded and of course enjoy a cup of pure Ceylon tea. We then travel on to Yala National Park which is known for the most significant density of leopards in Sri Lanka.

Thursday 19 March

A day to enjoy Yala National Park where morning and evening jeep safaris to spot elephants, crocodile, the elusive leopard and a myriad of birds await.

Yala National Park - Yala National Park offers visitors an unforgettable safari experience that showcases Sri Lanka’s remarkable natural heritage. Originally established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900 and designated a national park in 1938, the park covers nearly 130,000 hectares and boasts one of the highest leopard densities in the world.  The park features diverse ecosystems including scrub forests, grasslands, lagoons, and coastal areas, supporting a rich biodiversity of wildlife such as elephants, crocodiles, and over 200 bird species.

Friday 20 March

After breakfast we continue by coach to the coastal city of Galle. Check in at the hotel and tonight enjoy al fresco dining at one of the local restaurants.

Saturday 21 March

After breakfast at the hotel enjoy some sightseeing. Explore the UNESCO-listed Galle Fortress built by the Portuguese in 1588 and later extended by the Dutch. See the lighthouse on the southernmost tip and the car free streets which reflect Portuguese, Dutch and British rule. A farewell dinner tonight.

Sunday 22 March

After a leisurely breakfast we travel north to visit The Tsunami Museum, which holds a great collection of artefacts and photographic accounts from the 2004 disaster. Enjoy a boat trip through the estuarine river system before travelling by coach to the airport in Colombo. A room will be available at an airport hotel to freshen up before your late flight to Singapore.

Monday 23 March

Change planes in Singapore and arrive home late this evening in Auckland.