Ancient Kingdoms to Wild Shores

Upon arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your experienced Tour Guide Lecturer/Chauffeur, who will assist you with your luggage and introduce you to Sri Lanka.

You will then be transferred to Negombo, a short and convenient drive from the airport.

After a long international flight, we kept the first day intentionally relaxed. You can check into your hotel, refresh yourself and enjoy some time to recover from the journey and adjust to the local time. This is especially helpful for guests experiencing jet lag, allowing you to have a comfortable first night before beginning the main sightseeing journey.

Depending on your arrival time and energy level, you may take a gentle walk around the hotel area or enjoy the atmosphere of Negombo.

Overnight: Negombo

After breakfast, begin your journey towards the cultural heart of Sri Lanka.

Dambulla Cave Temple Visit the magnificent Dambulla Cave Temple, one of Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist religious sites. The temple complex is built around a series of natural caves containing numerous ancient Buddha statues, colourful paintings and religious artwork. The caves provide a fascinating insight into Sri Lanka's Buddhist heritage and artistic traditions.

Traditional Sri Lankan Village Experience Continue to an authentic rural village where you can experience the traditional lifestyle of Sri Lankan villagers.

Your experience includes: • A traditional bull-cart ride through the village • A peaceful catamaran boat ride across the village lake • A traditional Sri Lankan cooking demonstration • Preparation of authentic village dishes using local ingredients • A traditional Sri Lankan lunch • Meeting local village women and experiencing their daily lifestyle

Guests who wish to participate can join the cooking demonstration and help prepare the meal together with the village women inside a traditional village house. You can also take part in the catamaran ride rather than simply watching.

Ayurveda & Herbal Massage After the village experience, enjoy a relaxing Ayurvedic herbal massage. Traditional herbal oils and massage techniques are used to help you relax after your day's activities and experience an important part of Sri Lanka's ancient wellness tradition.

Continue to Sigiriya and check into your hotel.

Overnight: Sigiriya area

An early start today allows you to experience one of Sri Lanka's greatest attractions before the heat of the day.

Early Morning Sigiriya Lion Rock Climb the spectacular Sigiriya Lion Rock, one of Sri Lanka's most iconic landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The ancient rock fortress rises dramatically above the surrounding jungle. During the climb, you will see the famous Sigiriya frescoes, the Mirror Wall, ancient gardens and the enormous Lion's Paw Terrace before reaching the summit.

At the top, enjoy breathtaking panoramic views across the surrounding forests and countryside while learning about the fascinating history of King Kashyapa and the ancient fortress.

After descending, take some time to relax and have breakfast/refreshments before continuing.

Ritigala Forest Monastery Visit the atmospheric Ritigala Forest Monastery, hidden deep within the jungle. This ancient monastic complex is surrounded by dense forest and is famous for its peaceful atmosphere, stone pathways, ancient meditation platforms and ruins.

The secluded setting makes Ritigala a completely different experience from the major cultural sites and offers an opportunity to appreciate Sri Lanka's ancient monastic traditions.

Ancient Polonnaruwa Continue to Polonnaruwa, the medieval capital of ancient Sri Lanka. Explore the impressive archaeological remains, including ancient temples, royal buildings, stupas, statues and the magnificent Gal Vihara, famous for its beautifully carved Buddha statues.

After exploring Polonnaruwa, return to the Sigiriya area.

Overnight: Sigiriya area