Highlights of Sri Lanka

Today marks the beginning of your adventure to Sri Lanka. Departing from your chosen airport, you’ll embark on a flight with connecting flights along the way.

Welcome to Sri Lanka, the emerald gem of the Indian Ocean! 

Upon arrival just north of the capital, Colombo, you’ll pass through immigration and head to the baggage claim. In the arrival hall, your guide awaits with a TourCompass sign and a warm Sri Lankan welcome. 

You’ll then be driven to Negombo, a vibrant beach town just a half-hour’s drive from the airport. Here, you’ll find a wide, golden sandy beach where the palm trees sway gently in the breeze and fishing boats drift lazily towards the shore. 

After checking in at your waterfront hotel, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy. Perhaps a swim in the pool tempts you, or you might find peace in a sun lounger with a sea view, letting the sound of the waves and a good book set a serene start to your tour. 

In the evening, take a leisurely stroll along the beach and, if you’re lucky, behold the sunset’s scarlet hues, complemented by the batik-coloured sails and gently lapping waves, creating a magical close to your first day in Sri Lanka. 

Start your day with the golden sands of Negombo’s beach before heading east towards Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle, offering insights into the country’s rich history and cultural heritage. 

After roughly three hours of driving, discover one of Sri Lanka’s most impressive and sacred sites: the Dambulla Cave Temple. Established by King Valagamba in the first century BC, it is listed on the UNESCO world heritage list for its invaluable historical and cultural significance. 

Nestled in lush surroundings, the temple is built into a large, towering rock. Inside, explore the remarkable cave complex with over 150 Buddha statues, paintings, and figures of both kings and gods. The murals, spanning more than 2,000 square metres, are among the country’s most well-preserved, depicting vibrant tales from the world of Buddhism. 

Following your visit, you’ll proceed to your hotel amidst the rural setting of Sigiriya, where you can check in and decide how to spend the rest of your day. 

Awaken to the sound of exotic bird calls as you prepare for one of the most spectacular experiences of your tour: Sri Lanka’s iconic Lion Rock, Sigiriya. 

During the short drive, catch sight of the majestic rock, which rises a towering 200 metres above the surrounding landscape. Considered one of Sri Lanka’s most significant archaeological sites, Sigiriya is also included on the UNESCO world heritage list. If you’ve a passion for history, your guide can regale you with tales of its origins, which are steeped in family drama involving King Kashyapa who reigned in the 5th century. 

Once at Lion Rock, you’ll begin your ascent up the 1,202 steps, reaching the summit in roughly an hour. We recommend a leisurely pace with frequent breaks to appreciate the rock’s impressive architecture. On your way up, you’ll pass vibrant frescoes and what remains of a mirror wall where King Kashyapa once admired his reflection. At the entrance to his former palace, two enormous lion’s paws greet you, remnants of a once-giant lion, giving Lion Rock its name. 

On the flat summit, an unforgettable experience awaits. Here, you can marvel at the breathtaking views over the ancient palace ruins with moats, water features, and lush gardens. A vast sea of green jungle, mountains, and villages stretches to the horizon, with Pidurangala Rock visible in the distance. 

Take your time to soak in the surroundings before making your way down and returning to the hotel. 

The rest of the day is at your own leisure. You might choose to lounge by the pool or wander the landscape’s verdant rice paddies, which provide a colourful contrast to the small houses peeking through the palms and banana trees. 

Today you will depart Sigiriya, heading south towards Sri Lanka’s cultural capital, Kandy, which serves as the gateway to the island’s enchanting highlands. 

Your first stop is the village of Weheragala, nestled amid lush surroundings near Wasgamuwa National Park. Here, you’ll discover the pioneering Project Orange Elephant, a peaceful and sustainable resolution to the perpetual human-elephant conflict. 

Welcomed by a local host with freshly pressed juice, a jeep takes you to the village’s heart. You’ll learn about the project, born of studies showing that Sri Lankan elephants are put off by the scent and taste of oranges. By planting orange trees around homes and fields, villagers disguise the smell of crops and deter elephants—a gentle solution that protects lives and livelihoods, enhances biodiversity, and bolsters the local economy.

You’ll also gain unique insight into the daily lives of local families, participating in watering and fertilising the orange trees. If visiting outside the dry season (July–September), you might even plant a tree yourself, directly contributing to the project. 

Following this, you’ll enjoy a delicious Sri Lankan lunch prepared from local ingredients before continuing to your hotel in Kandy. Nestled in a valley surrounded by verdant mountains, tea plantations, and rivers, it’s the perfect spot for your stay. 

After checking in, the evening is yours to explore Kandy, and when hunger strikes, you can indulge in the city’s impressive dining scene. Your guide is happy to help you find a favourite among the numerous restaurants offering everything from Sri Lankan classics like kottu roti to international staples. 

Today, no excursions are planned, giving you the opportunity to decide what suits you best before your tour continues. 

Let the impressions of the past days settle as you relax by the hotel’s inviting pool, or set out for new adventures on your own. 

Should you seek relaxation, settle beside Kandy’s mirror-like lake, observing everyday life in Sri Lanka’s second-largest city. From here, you also have views of the mighty Buddha statue at Bahirawakanda Temple, the city’s highest landmark. Alternatively, visit the Royal Botanical Gardens, a well-kept tranquil oasis with over 4,000 plant species to admire along the beautifully maintained paths. 

If you’re intrigued by Sri Lanka’s illustrious tea history, visit one of the highlands’ many tea factories. The Girigama Tea Factory, one of the best, is a short trip from Kandy. Discover the process from picking fresh tea leaves to the steaming cup in your hands. Colonial-era machines are still in use, and you’ll gain insights into tea’s aromas, flavours, and history. Finish with a tasting and, perhaps, buy some delicious Ceylon tea as a souvenir. 

In the late afternoon, it’s worth visiting the Temple of the Tooth to witness Buddhism up close. This sacred temple is a significant reason Kandy is part of the UNESCO world heritage and it is reputed to house one of Buddha’s teeth. This relic, supposedly smuggled from India to Sri Lanka in 1590, is kept in a gold casket. If you’ve pre-bought tickets, continue to a nearby cultural centre to enjoy a traditional Sri Lankan dance show featuring fire, drums, and vibrant costumes. 

As night falls, settle into one of the city’s hilltop restaurants with views over the valley and surrounding mountains. Enjoy your evening meal as Kandy basks in the beautiful evening light. 

After breakfast, your guide will drive you to the railway station at Nanu Oya for one of the world’s most scenic train journeys. 

The 3-4 hour journey takes you through picturesque highlands, flanked by tea plantations and valleys. Along the way, there’ll be brief stops to capture the surroundings’ beauty. As you near the station, you’ll pass through Sri Lanka’s highest town, Nuwara Eliya, known as Little England. Catch glimpses of English-style houses and neatly arranged rose gardens, echoing the colonial past. 

Arriving at Nanu Oya, board the classic train, which winds its way through Sri Lanka’s lush highlands. Find a cosy spot, enjoy your snacks, and take in the view of light green tea plantations, mist-covered peaks, and small villages where children wave cheerily. 

After roughly three hours, you’ll reach Ella, Sri Lanka’s possibly most beautifully situated town, where your guide will help you with your luggage for the final leg to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to absorb the indescribably beautiful surroundings and let time stand still for a moment. 

In the evening, venture into Ella’s charming main street, lined with cosy restaurants and small shops, offering an authentic atmosphere that is both relaxed and lively. 

As you enjoy the crisp morning air and the first meal of the day, look forward to visiting some of the highlands’ most breathtaking viewpoints. 

After breakfast, your guide will lead you on a lovely trek to Little Adam’s Peak, a smaller sibling to the pilgrim mountain, Adam’s Peak. Though smaller and more manageable, it offers equally stunning views. 

The route begins on flat terrain and winds through verdant tea plantations. As the landscape gradually opens up, you’ll approach the summit after about an hour of leisurely walking. Over the final stretch, you’ll conquer 350 steps for a magnificent view over the rolling highlands and the Ella Gap, which dramatically cuts through the surrounding mountains. 

The descent follows the same path through lush surroundings before you set off by car toward what is perhaps Sri Lanka’s most photographed landmark: the beautiful Nine Arch Bridge, constructed during British colonial times without iron or steel.  

From the car, descend via small trails, possibly greeting locals living among the area’s many tea plantations en route. The nine-arched railway bridge awaits, an architectural masterpiece standing nearly 30 metres tall amid the verdant landscape.  

Along the bridge’s rails, you might be accompanied by small lizards and colourful birds. If your timing is right, witness a train crossing the bridge, merging its architecture, the lush setting, and Sri Lanka’s iconic railway in a magical moment.  

After returning to your hotel in Ella, you have a few hours to yourself before enjoying your final evening in Sri Lanka’s magnificent highlands. 

Today, continue south towards the town of Tissamaharama, your base for tomorrow’s safari in Yala National Park.  

En route, stop at one of Sri Lanka’s widest waterfalls, the mythical Ravana Falls. With a 25-metre drop, it cascades powerfully down the rocks. Legend has it that the demon king Ravana hid the fabled Princess Sitha in a cave behind the falls, now known as Ravana Cave. 

Next, travel to Buduruwagala Temple, dating back to the 10th century and famed for its well-preserved rock carvings. The temple features a grand rock face with a 16-metre high Buddha statue surrounded by six smaller figures, depicting Buddha in various poses of meditation. Here, you can appreciate their intricate detail and serene expression in peace, as Buduruwagala enjoys a quieter existence compared to other temples you’ve visited. 

Towards the afternoon, your guide will collect you and drive you to your hotel outside Yala National Park. Here, you can refresh yourself with a dip in the pool while you prepare for tomorrow’s safari adventures, before dinner is served in these tropical surroundings.

You’ll awaken early to embark on a game drive in Yala, Sri Lanka’s second largest national park, before the day’s heat sends the animals into the shade. 

Climb into your four-wheel-drive jeep, and an experienced ranger will guide you through Yala’s diverse landscapes, comprising forests, thickets, wetlands, and open plains. The park is home to incredible wildlife, including elephants, buffalo, deer, monkeys, crocodiles, wild boar, and over 200 bird species.  

Yala is particularly known for its high concentration of leopards. While nothing is guaranteed, the chance to glimpse this elusive animal draws wildlife enthusiasts from around the globe. The possibility of encountering one of nature’s grandest predators adds excitement to the safari, keeping you attentive to every movement around you. Your ranger assists in spotting wildlife, offering insights into their habits and behaviours. 

After nearly three hours immersed in Sri Lanka’s fascinating wildlife, return to the hotel for a leisurely breakfast. 

With the rest of the day free, reflect upon your tour’s many impressions by relaxing at the hotel’s inviting pool, or opt for an additional afternoon game drive for more extraordinary wildlife encounters in Yala National Park. 

As your tour draws to a close, you’ll head home with a suitcase full of experiences, sensations, and unforgettable encounters with Sri Lanka’s nature and culture. 

After breakfast, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and driven to the airport, where your journey back to Europe begins, again with connecting flights along the way. 

Touch down at your chosen airport and look back on a tour filled with sacred temples, scenic landscapes, and wildlife wonders. Perhaps it has planted a small seed of yearning to one day return.