Day 1

ARRIVE COLOMBO, SRI LANKA

Land in Colombo, enjoying fast-track on-arrival, and transfer to your hotel. Spend the rest of your day at leisure.

Day 2

COLOMBO

This morning, meet with your Resident Tour Director and fellow travellers for a tour briefing before exploring the island’s capital in the quintessential way — by tuk-tuk. Weave your way through the city’s bustling bazaars and markets, past landmark monuments and newly restored buildings to Galle Face Green for breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean. Take a breather back at the hotel before meeting Colombo locals — along with passionate photographer Mark Forbes, your escort — on a captivating walk through the old town, who brings the city’s multifaceted history to life. See the 17th-century Dutch Hospital, Colombo Fort and charming colonial mansions, and wind up at a speakeasy for arrack-themed cocktails. Tonight, gather for a welcome dinner at Culinary Ceylon, where a culinary curator introduces you to Sri Lankan home cooking through a series of tasting plates.

Day 3

COLOMBO

Before leaving the city, make a short stop at No. 11 Bawa Residence, designed and built by the great Geoffrey Bawa — a Sri Lankan architect — during the 1960s. An essay in architectural bricolage, the house was built from four smaller bungalows that Bawa bought and combined over a period of years. Continue on to the Cultural Triangle, located in the center of the country. Settle into your resort before enjoying dinner at the restaurant with special guest Dr. Shanti Jayewardene, Oxford-educated Sri Lankan architect and historian. She will provide an incredible insight into Sri Lanka’s anthropology, aesthetics, architecture, history and politics in an accessible and insightful way.

Day 4

CULTURAL TRIANGLE

The sacred city of Anuradhapura is ancient and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was founded from a cutting of the Buddha's tree of enlightenment, brought to the city by Sanghamitta, a Buddhist nun. It endured for 1,300 years before being invaded in 993 AD. Hidden in dense jungle for many years, the site's palaces, monasteries and monuments are revealed today. Mihintale is another site you can visit which is home to Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Choose to return to your hotel or spend the rest of the day at leisure enjoying your resort's amenities.

Day 5

CULTURAL TRIANGLE

Today, explore the Sigiriya Rock Fortress (“Lion’s Rock”), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fortress was built in the fifth century AD and is now an abandoned citadel. Standing at 600 feet above the ground, it was originally used to guard against attacks before being abandoned around the ninth or tenth century AD. You will tour ruins of Polonnaruwa, an important historical site that dates back to the fifth century and features temples, reservoirs and many more places of interest.

Day 6

CULTURAL TRIANGLE

healthy start to the day as you visit the organic garden to pick fresh produce for use in a cooking demonstration at the resort’s traditional hearth kitchen. Watch as your fresh herbs and vegetables are transformed into lip-smacking Sri Lankan delicacies, which you’ll savor over lunch. This afternoon, enjoy your leisure day

Day 7

SIGIRIYA

Rise early for an exhilarating hot air balloon ride over the surrounding landscape, glimpsing Sigiriya from above (additional cost, paid locally). Then, challenge yourself with a steep climb 656 feet up through the Lion Gate to the top of the imposing fifth-century rock fortress, admiring the water gardens, moats and ancient frescos on the way. Soak up the unparalleled 360-degree views of the surrounding jungle and hills before returning to the hotel. Afterward, meet a farmer and his family for a home-cooked curry lunch.

Day 8

DAMBULLA

Get an early start to visit the extraordinary Buddhist cave temples at Dambulla, with statues and murals dating back to the third century BC representing Sinhalese Buddhist art at its best. Continue south to Kandy, the country’s cultural capital, with sundowners and a traditional Kandyan cultural performance this evening.

Day 9

KANDY

Explore Kandy today with a drive around Kandy Lake. Discover the gem museum, bazaar, and Temple of the Tooth Relic. Temple of the Tooth Relic is where a sacred tooth of Lord Buddha is enshrined. You can also explore how its two-story inner shrine is fronted by two large elephant tusks.

Day 10

NUWARA ELIYA

Travel through the misty highlands into hill country, past lush green tea estates and scenic waterfalls. Lunch in Nuwara Eliya before an afternoon tea experience. Visit tea plantations and a factory to learn from an expert about the journey from planting and plucking to manufacturing, grading and processing, the auction system, and finally, a tasting. Afterward, savor a tea-themed dinner in your converted tea factory hotel.

Day 11

GALLE

Journey south to the colonial seaside city of Galle, arriving in time for sunset at the ramparts of the fort. Dine in a local home for an evening of Sri Lankan family cuisine and warm hospitality.

Day 12

GALLE

Join a local archaeologist and heritage expert on an absorbing walking tour of Galle Fort. Built by the Dutch in 1663, the fort is the largest remaining European fortress in Asia. Walk clockwise from the Old Dutch Church to the Old Gate, bearing the British coat of arms: the Zwart Bastion and lighthouse. Refuel on tea and refreshments at an old Dutch house, and meet the family who has lived there for generations. Seek out local arts and crafts, textiles, jewelry, homewares and Sri Lankan delicacies as you wander the cobbled streets. In the afternoon, meet traditional mask makers and admire the skill of their carving before trying your hand at this age-old craft. This evening, join your fellow guests at your hotel and savor a Sri Lankan fusion-style farewell dinner.

Day 13

DEPART COLOMBO

Transfer to Colombo Airport for your departure flight.