Flavours of Sri Lanka

After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll head out to explore Sri Lanka’s bustling capital, a charming mix of old and new, colonial and contemporary. An important centre of trade since the 5th century, Colombo is a fine example of Sri Lanka’s rich history and cultural heritage, boasting eclectic architectural styles including Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic and British, Portuguese and Dutch colonial.

You’ll first explore Fort, Colombo’s central business district that is home to many of the city’s most iconic buildings, including the Grand Oriental Hotel and the Old Dutch Hospital. Proceeding on foot, you’ll visit other iconic areas of the city including Pettah, a vibrant, bustling street market where everything from electronics to spices are sold.

You’ll also make a stop at one of the city’s kovils - the Hindu temples of the Tamil trading community - before concluding your exploration of Colombo’s religious spectrum at Gangaramaya Temple, an intricately decorated Buddhist temple erected in the late 19th century.

After your revealing city tour, you’ll have the afternoon free to explore at your own pace; a must-have experience while in Colombo is to stroll along the famous Galle Face Green to watch the sun set over the Indian Ocean while mingling with the friendly locals.


Accommodation: Granbell Hotel Colombo (or alternative hotel of equal standard).

You’ll begin the day with a morning visit to the ancient temple complex of Mihintale, the reputed cradle of Sri Lankan Buddhism.

Afterwards, you’ll spend the afternoon exploring some of Anuradhapura’s primary cultural sites, including the revered Sri Maha Bodhi, the world’s oldest authenticated tree which has been worshipped and watched over for more than two millennia. The original cutting of this ancient tree was brought from India, where the Lord Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment under its sheltering branches. Then, you’ll visit the ruined Brazen Palace and the Thuparama Pagoda, argued to be the oldest Buddhist structure in the world.

In the evening, you’ll pay a visit to one of Anuradhapura’s most important Buddhist temple sites, where an enchanting atmosphere is created by the many visiting pilgrims who come to pray beneath the enormous dome of the Ruwanwelisaya Dagoba.


Accommodation: The Lake Forest Hotel (or alternative hotel of equal standard).

In the morning, you’ll head out to discover the wonder of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, perhaps Sri Lanka’s most notable UNESCO World Heritage Site. This imposing rock fortress stands atop a 180-metre-high granite monolith that looms over the verdant jungle-covered plains of Sri Lanka’s Central Province.

Erected by the exiled King Kashyapa (477-496 A.D.) as his new capital, its reputed two millennia of history is steeped in myth and legend, and as both a structure and a sight it captivates at every turn. The fortress was abandoned following the king’s death, becoming a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century. Climbing the steps – of which there are a total of around a thousand – opens up broad panoramas of the surrounding landscape, and halfway up you’ll reach a series of steps which are bordered by two enormous carved lion’s paws; the rest of the lion has sadly disappeared over the centuries.

Ascending its summit, you can explore the ancient structures of the fortress and soak up the breathtaking views, before descending to admire the striking Aspara frescoes which adorn the rockface.

Following your exploration of this truly astounding heritage site, you’ll return to your hotel and have the afternoon to relax beside the pool and watch monkeys flitting through the lush grounds. Alternatively, you can join your tour leader for a visit to the deserted forest monastery of Ritigala, with its famously ornate ‘urinal stones’.

Please Note: the visit to Sigiriya Rock Fortress is suitable only for those with good fitness, and plenty of water and sun protection should be carried. For those not able or wanting to climb to the summit, the beautiful water gardens at the base of the rock – oft-frequented by monitor lizards – can be explored.


Accommodation: Aliya Resort & Spa (or alternative hotel of equal standard).

Rise early for a visit to the ornately decorated Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of the most important sites in the Buddhist religion. The temple houses a relic of the tooth of Buddha, believed to have been smuggled to Sri Lanka from eastern India by a princess and her husband.

You’ll visit this vital temple for one of the daily pujas (prayer ceremonies), which Sinhalese Buddhists regard as the ultimate worship. Pilgrims from all over the Buddhist world flock to the temple for the opportunity to be close to its revered relic, encased in a glinting golden case.

After visiting the temple, you have the option to try a typical Sri Lanka breakfast by joining your tour leader for a visit to a nearby local café to mingle with the locals as they take their morning meal. Afterwards, you’ll enjoy an insightful city tour of Kandy, covering the city’s ancient and colonial heritage and including a scenic lakeside drive and a stop at a bustling central market.

In the afternoon, you’ll drive the short distance beyond the town to the flourishing Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, home to more than 4,000 species of flora and renowned for its stunning collection of orchids and resident colony of fruit bats.

The day will conclude with an interactive Sri Lankan cooking demonstration, highlighting the key ingredients and cooking methods of the island’s unique cuisine, before you savour an authentic dinner to toast your final night.


Accommodation: Cinnamon Citadel Kandy (or alternative hotel of equal standard).