‘Ayubowan’ Take a second to wipe the sweat of your brow, breathe in & relax, you’ve made it to the little gem of the Indian Ocean. From literary greats, to colonial conquerors, you too have a chance to make your mark on this island & immerse yourself in melting pot of culture, history, color & adventure.

It’s fitting that for a country full of history your first stop and a chance to cure that jetlag be within the plush colonial surrounds of the world famous Mt Lavinia Hotel. Step back in time to an era of colonial splendor, mystique and romance. Mount Lavinia Hotel offers you the very best of modern facilities blended with a magical touch of antiquity.

Overnight stay at Mount Lavinia Hotel, Mount Lavinia. (4*)

After a sumptuous breakfast, your journey begins. Get up close and personal with Sri Lanka’s famous elephants at the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage. The picturesque orphanage overlooks the Maha Oya river and is home to over 90 elephants, feel free to feed them during feeding time and watch them bath in the river while you have lunch at one the many restaurants overlooking the river. After getting close with Sri Lanka’s friendly giants proceed to your overnight stay at Amaya Lake in Dambulla.

Dinner & overnight stay at Amaya Lake, Dambulla. (4*)

After breakfast a big day awaits, Dambulla, once home to numerous Sinhala Kings is where Sri Lanka’s deep-rooted history stems from. Starting with the formidable rock fortress of Sigiriya. Dubbed the 8th wonder of the world, the entrance begins between two large rock carved lion paws, a small climb to the peak & you can relax as the swift breeze cools you down, lookout at some of the best views the country offers & cool your feet in the large rock carved pool once used by Sinhala kings. Afterwards continue along the historical trail and proceed to Polonnaruwa, the second ancient capital of Sri Lanka dating back to the 11th and 12th AD. Numerous monuments are found in this city and the “Gal Vihara” complex is one of the best among them with the fine sculptures of the recumbent, standing and seated Buddha.

Dinner & overnight stay at Amaya Lake Dambulla. (4*)

After a sumptuous breakfast at Amaya Lake Dambulla, proceed to Kandy, en route visit the rock cave temple of Dambulla, spice garden and batik factory at Matale. Continue on the paths once taken by the Kings, heading towards the Royal city of Kandy, the last Sri Lankan Kingdom. The picturesque town is home to the famous Buddhist pilgrim site the Dalada Maligawa also known as the Temple of the Tooth, home to the sacred tooth of the Lord Buddha. Thereafter visit a gem museum and witness the process of gem cutting and polishing. In the evening view the Kandyan cultural performance in the heart of Kandy town.

Dinner & overnight stay at Amaya Hills, Kandy. (4*)

After breakfast visit the Royal Botanical gardens at Peradeniya the herbarium and the orchid house with the largest single collection of orchids in Asia. For the horticulture buffs the Peradeniya gardens houses Asia’s largest single collection of orchids as well as a giant Javan fig tree on the great lawn. As the sun falls return to Kandy town and do a lap of the beautiful Kandy Lake, it won’t take long to realize why Kandy is a world heritage listed town.

Dinner & overnight stay at Amaya Hills, Kandy. (4*)

After experiencing the rich Sinhala history & culture of Kandy your next stop is the township of Nuwara Eliya, also affectionately known as ‘Little England’. Situated 2000 meters above sea level, the town is surrounded by lush tea plantations. Once a pleasure retreats of the European planters the town is still very much an English town with many English style bungalows and buildings. Visit a tea estate or go for a round of golf or for the more adventurous perhaps hike through the mountain ranges exploring the beauty of the landscaped gardens, waterfalls and plateaus.

Dinner & overnight stay at Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya. (4*)

Before your final overnight stay at the beautiful Mount Lavinia Hotel, witness some of Sri Lanka’s famous waterfalls en route to Colombo. Once you arrive at Mount Lavinia Hotel relax & reminisce over a gourmet cuisine prepared by none other than Sri Lanka’s very own celebrity chef, the renowned Master Chef, Dr. T. Publis Silva.

Dinner & overnight stay at Mount Lavinia Hotel, Mount Lavinia. (4*)