After breakfast, we embark on a journey to Habarana, approximately a four-hour drive. Along the way, we make a special stop at the Umandawa Global Buddhist Village, a unique ‘walking monastery’ with tranquil hamlets, winding gravel paths, lush gardens, organic farms, serene ponds, and sculptures. Here, we enjoy a freshly prepared organic lunch to nourish us for the journey ahead.

Following lunch, we visit the Dambulla Cave Temple Complex, a fascinating site that features intricate murals and over 150 Buddha statues spread across five cave temples, offering insight into Sri Lanka’s rich cultural and religious heritage. Afterward, we continue on to Habarana for the night.

After breakfast, we set off for a village tour around Habarana (approximately 20 minutes’ drive). The experience begins with a short ride in a hand-tractor/land-master near the village pond, followed by a boat ride to cross the water. Once on the other side, we take a brief walk through paddy fields and vegetable gardens, eventually reaching a local family home.

Here, we have the chance to participate in an alms-giving ceremony at a nearby Buddhist temple, where we join the family in preparing a traditional meal of vegetarian curries and steamed rice. As part of the ceremony, we observe various rituals performed by a local monk. The meal will be shared with the monks and the host family, creating a memorable cultural exchange.

In the late afternoon, we visit the Sigiriya rock fortress, one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic landmarks. Built in the 5th century by King Kashyapa, this magnificent fortress rises 655ft (200m) above the surrounding scrub jungle. We ascend the 1,500 steps to the summit, where we visit the famous frescoes and take in the breathtaking views from the top.

After breakfast, we journey to Kandy (approximately a three-hour drive). On the way, we stop at a spice garden for a delightful sensory experience. Our guide will lead us on a leisurely walk through the garden, pointing out various plants and explaining their cultural and medicinal significance. You’ll also have the chance to plant a tree with the help of the staff, contributing to the garden's regeneration efforts.

We then continue our journey to Kandy, also known as Mahanuwara, which was the last capital of the ancient kings of Sri Lanka. After checking into the hotel, the afternoon is free for you to explore. You may want to wander through the local bazaars, visit the royal botanical gardens just outside the city, or simply relax by the hotel pool.

After breakfast, we visit the Temple of the Tooth, one of Sri Lanka’s holiest sites. The last king of Kandy, having embraced Buddhism, made the city the home of the Tooth Relic of the Lord Buddha. It was believed that whoever protected the relic would rule the land, so the relic was placed near the royal palace in what is now the Temple of the Tooth. This temple is a major pilgrimage site for Buddhists around the world, and visitors can participate in pooja (Buddhist rituals) throughout the day, offering a deeply spiritual experience.

After a lunch at a local restaurant, we continue our journey to our glamping site near Gal Oya National Park (approximately 3.5-hour drive). Our accommodation for the next two nights is situated in the tranquil village of Rathugala, which is home to the indigenous Veddha community and surrounded by forested mountains. Take some time to relax by the pool and soak in the natural beauty of this peaceful setting.

After breakfast, we embark on a boat safari on Senanayake Samudraya, the largest lake in Sri Lanka (approximately a 40-minute drive). Created in 1951 and surrounded by Gal Oya National Park, this reservoir is a prime spot for observing elephants as they gather to drink, and with some luck, we may even see them swimming from island to island. The lake is also teeming with birdlife, crocodiles, deer, and more. During the safari, we’ll stop to enjoy a snack, tea, or coffee, all while taking in the stunning panoramic views. As boat availability is limited, this experience may be shared with other guests.

In the afternoon, we explore Gal Oya with a village chief from the indigenous, forest-dwelling Veddha community. He will guide us on a walk through the jungle of his ancestors, offering a fascinating insight into how his community uses medicinal plants and pointing out ancient hunting grounds and cave dwellings.

For those who wish to explore, we begin the day with an early morning walk to Kiri Oruwa Lake. Accompanied by a naturalist guide, we take a leisurely stroll through the village of Rathugala toward the lake, which is often full of birdlife and, occasionally, elephants. After the walk, we return to the hotel for breakfast before we set off for Ella (approximately three-hour drive).

In the afternoon, after checking into our hotel in Ella, we visit a private tea plantation and factory. Our visit begins with a walk through the plantation, where we observe the workers as they gather and pluck the young leaves and buds of the tea plants. We then head to the factory to witness the fascinating process of turning the fresh leaves into the familiar black-brown tea. The leaves undergo a process of withering, rolling, fermentation, and finally transformation into green, black, oolong, or white tea, depending on the fermentation level. The visit ends with the opportunity to enjoy a cup of freshly brewed Ceylon tea at the factory.

After breakfast, we kick off the day with a 5.4-mile (8.7 km) hike starting from Ella town. Our route takes us along a train track through the Ella Forest Reserve, leading us to the Nine Arches Bridge, a stunning Colonial-era structure also known as the Bridge in the Sky.

After completing the 2.5-hour walk, we hop into a tuk-tuk and head to a local restaurant for an interactive cookery experience. Together, we’ll prepare traditional Sri Lankan dishes, such as coconut roti, garlic curry, eggplant pickle, dhal curry, coconut sambal, papadam, and rice. Once our cooking is complete, we’ll sit down to enjoy the authentic lunch we've made.

The afternoon is free for you to relax and explore. Ella town has a mix of residential and commercial areas, with architecture that blends traditional and modern styles, giving it a unique and welcoming atmosphere. Stroll through the charming main street, lined with quaint shops, cafés, and restaurants, perfect for wandering in and out of at your leisure.

After breakfast, we embark on a 2-hour drive to Yala National Park. En route, we stop at the Elephant Transit Home, where orphaned elephant calves are rehabilitated before being released back into the wild.

Next, we head to Yala National Park, renowned for having one of the highest concentrations of leopards in the world. Once at the park, we jump into 4x4s for an evening safari. We’ll keep an eye out for the park's diverse wildlife, including elephants, bears, crocodiles, and wild boars. We’ll explore the lesser-visited Block 5 area, known for its denser vegetation compared to the open plains, offering great opportunities to spot the elusive leopards and sloth bears, all while avoiding large crowds of other vehicles.

In the morning, we head out for our second safari in Yala’s Block 5, where we’ll have the chance to encounter a wide variety of fascinating wildlife. This is an opportunity to immerse ourselves in the beauty of nature and create lasting memories during this safari adventure.

After breakfast, we travel to the south-coast town of Weligama (approximately 2-hour drive), known for its beautiful sandy beach, ideal for swimming, snorkelling, and surfing. From November to April, Weligama is a prime whale-watching destination, where the waters are frequented by blue, sperm, and bryde whales, as well as dolphins.

Today is your day to unwind. You can relax on the beach, explore the local shops, or enjoy some people-watching from a beachside bar.

For those seeking a bit more adventure, optional activities include surf lessons and snorkelling. From November to April, Weligama is one of the best places in the world to spot blue and sperm whales, and you’re likely to see large pods of dolphins playing alongside the boats.

After breakfast, we embark on a one-hour drive to Galle, believed to be the ancient seaport of Tarshish, where King Solomon once sourced gems and spices. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is historically significant as the place where the Portuguese first landed in Sri Lanka in 1505. The Dutch later captured the area and fortified it, ruling maritime Sri Lanka in the 17th and 18th centuries. Inside the 17th-century fort and its ramparts, you’ll find old Dutch churches, monuments, a grand gateway adorned with a crest and monogram, as well as well-preserved Dutch houses and narrow alleys that still carry Dutch names.

After breakfast, we embark on a boat safari on the Madu Ganga. As we cruise along the calm river, we enjoy the serene surroundings and lush greenery of the mangrove forests. The knowledgeable boat guides will provide insights into the local plants and wildlife, enriching the experience. We make a stop at Cinnamon Island to learn about the traditional cinnamon industry and visit the Kothduwa Temple, an ancient Buddhist temple located on a secluded island.

In the afternoon, we arrive in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s commercial capital. The city bears the influence of the Arabs, Portuguese, Dutch, and British, evident in its churches, monuments, cuisine, and languages. Modern Colombo is a captivating blend of east and west, past and present. It is home to Sri Lanka’s main seaport and the vibrant Pettah Bazaar, a bustling trading area. Highlights of the city include its beautiful Buddhist and Hindu temples, mosques, the historic Wolvendaal Church, and the elegant residential areas with stately homes.

This evening, after a brief city tour, our group leader will take us out for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

The adventure concludes today as you are transferred to Bandaranaike International Airport for your international flight home. If you wish to extend your time in Sri Lanka and explore more of this beautiful island, feel free to speak with your sales representative about extending your stay.