In the early morning, you'll pay a visit to Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates back to the 5th century. Famed for its fascinating frescoes and the panoramic vistas that a hike up to the summit affords, it offers a surreal step back in time. In the afternoon, you'll enjoy an exciting jeep safari in Minneriya National Park. Home to the vast and ancient Minneriya Reservoir, the park offers a tremendous diversity of habitats and wildlife, encompassing dry tropical forest, grasslands, and wetlands. During the safari, you'll often see large numbers of Sri Lankan elephants gathering around grassy patches at the edge of the reservoir during the dry season, providing visitors with an unforgettable sight. These elephants gather to socialize, bathe, feed, and mate. Minneriya is also home to more than 160 bird species, some of which are endemic to Sri Lanka, such as the Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, the Sri Lanka Jungle Fowl, and the Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill. Large mammals, including sloth bears, sambar deer, and axis deer, as well as smaller mammals such as the purple-faced langur, the bonnet macaque, and the gray slender loris, saltwater crocodiles, and other reptiles, including monitor lizards and snakes, add another dimension to this rich ecosystem. After a day of active pursuits, you'll return to your accommodation to relax for the rest of the evening in Dambulla.

Pack your bags and leave Dambulla behind as you depart for Kandy. There you'll visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, another formidable UNESCO World Heritage Site. Housing the left canine tooth of Gautama Buddha, this landmark complex holds great significance as a main place of worship in Sri Lanka. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, either relaxing at your accommodation or getting to know Kandy at your own pace. Overnight stay in Kandy.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Kandy train station. Take the train to Nuwara Eliya, also known as Sri Lanka's "Little England," and the country's most important hilltop town. Situated at an altitude of approximately 2,000 meters above sea level, the town boasts an abundance of lush tea plantations and breathtaking scenery. The nickname comes from the many English-style bungalows and buildings that still exist today. The train ride through the picturesque hill country is one of the most beautiful discoveries in Sri Lanka. From the rim of the high mountains, you can overlook the branching valleys of the mist-shrouded mountains, the lush green tea plantations, the villages dotted with houses, the dense forests, and the rushing waterfalls. Pick up from Nanu Oya railway station. Visit the tea plantation and a tea factory on the island where the world's finest tea is produced. Watch the tea pickers skillfully pluck two leaves and a bud. Then, head to the factory, where the all-important transformation into "finished" black tea takes place. The machines used here are very traditional British, some even 100 years old. The process is very artisanal and unchanged for a century. Observe the tea making process, the tea sorting, and taste a cup of pure Ceylon tea. Overnight stay in Nuwara eliya.

In the early morning, set out to the vast expanse of Horton Plains National Park for a trek to World’s End and Baker's Falls. On this invigorating day in Sri Lanka's great outdoors, you'll venture past grasslands and biodiverse cloud forests teeming with wildlife - keep your eyes peeled for the striking Sambar deer, as well as the endemic bear monkey and a colorful array of birdlife. Return to Nuwara Eliya and relax for the rest of the day. Overnight stay in Nuwara eliya.

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Ella. Visit the spectacular Ella Gap in the southern mountain wall, where the land drops in a dizzying 915 m (3000 ft) to the southern plains and the sea, which can be seen in the distance on a clear day. Visit Rawana Ella Waterfall. Departure to Yala. In the afternoon you will go on a jeep safari in Yala National Park. Yala National Park is Sri Lanka's second largest and most visited safari park, home to numerous wildlife species and known for its diverse ecosystems and rich biodiversity. It is located in a dry to semi-arid climate region that supports diverse ecosystems, from moist monsoon forests to freshwater and marine wetlands. Yala is home to 44 mammal species and 215 bird species, including seven endemic to the country. Its most famous residents include the world's largest concentration of leopards, majestic elephants, sloth bears, sambar hyenas, jackals, spotted dogs, peacocks, crocodiles, and wild buffalo. Overnight stay in Tissa / Yala.

Are you ready for a full-day safari in Yala National Park? Though it's especially known for its population of leopards and elephants, the park is also home to more than 40 varieties of mammal and more than 200 bird species, making it a wildlife-lover's dream come true - keep your eyes peeled and take count of how many you're able to spot today! You'll enjoy a relaxing overnight stay in Tissa / Yala.

This morning, leave Yala National Park behind and transfer into the depths of the Sinharaja Forest Reserve. where you'll spend the afternoon exploring its lush landscape - it's a designated Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its wealth of endemic species, so you'll guaranteed to spend a very special time here. Overnight stay in Sinharaja.

In the early morning, lace up your boots and set out on a trek into the Sinharaja rainforest, with a naturalist guide to lead you down lush trails. Venturing into its cooling depths, this activity is a great way to beat the heat and increase your chances of spotting wildlife, including a large variety of birds flitting across the trees. After your morning adventure, pack your bags and transfer to your next destination: the coastal town of Mirissa. There, visit Secret Beach and Coconut Tree Hill . Overnight stay in Mirissa.

Today is yours to spend entirely at your leisure.

Today is yours to spend entirely at your leisure.

Today is yours to spend entirely at your leisure.

From Mirissa, you'll transfer to Colombo airport. Optional: spend a while exploring the capital's attractions. At a suitable time, you will then transfer back to Bandaranaike International Airport for your onward flight.