Today, you will fly from your chosen airport to Sri Lanka, in the Indian Ocean, with connecting flight(s) along the way.

You land at Sri Lanka’s international airport Bandaranaike in Colombo. After arriving, you pick up your luggage and pass through immigration. Your guide/driver will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall, holding up an TourCompass sign, and you will be driven to the beach hotel in Negombo, a 30-minute drive from the airport.

On your arrival, you check in, and then the rest of the day is yours to do as you please. You’re no doubt tired after the long flight, so there’s plenty of time to relax and just enjoy the sun on a sun lounger with a good book or podcast.

Negombo is actually an old fishing village, and along the beach you’ll see the traditional, colourful fishing boats parked on the golden sand.

Early in the morning, you’ll be picked up from the hotel by your guide/driver, who will drive you to the famous, local fish market, Llelama. This is where the local fishermen sell their freshly caught fish to the locals and the rest of the island. You may be lucky enough to experience a fish auction, which is a fun experience to attend.

You will then be driven back to your hotel, and you have the rest of the day to yourself.

Negombo is known for its wide, golden sandy beaches, where tall palm trees sway in the gentle breeze The sea can be a bit choppy, but luckily the hotel has a nice swimming pool.

If you fancy exploring the area, you might like to visit Negombo Lagoon south of the city, which is a unique wetland where you can experience the abundant wildlife, or the 100-km-long Dutch canals that run through the city and which were originally a supply route for the Dutch administration during the colonial era.

In the evening, you can go for a lovely stroll along the beach and enjoy the beautiful sunset and colourful fishing boats with their batik sails.

After breakfast, your guide/driver will pick you up from the hotel and you will be driven north to Anuradhapura, located on the Malwathu Oya River. A calm and relaxed atmosphere permeates the city, and its inhabitants are extremely hospitable. Anuradhapura is also a UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its many old ruins from ancient Sri Lanka, which you will experience on tomorrow’s excursion.

When you arrive at the hotel, you check in, and then the rest of the day is yours to do as you please. You can, for example, relax by the pool or go for a walk down to Lake Nuwara Wewa, where you’ll meet locals standing fishing.

Anuradhapura was founded in the 5th century BC, and the city thus dates all the way back to ancient Sri Lanka. The city became the capital in 350 BC and remained so until 933, making Anuradhapura the longest existing capital in the world.

After the South Indian Chola dynasty conquered Anuradhapura in 933, the city gradually fell into decay, and from the 13th century, it lay hidden under the dense jungle. It was not until the early 1800s that Anuradhapura’s many palaces, stupas, monasteries and monuments were rediscovered.

After many years of excavations and restorations, the city became a place of pilgrimage for Buddhist pilgrims, and it is still to this day, as the many stupas are said to house relics of the Buddha.

Anuradhapura is a vast area of 90 km² packed with historical relics, and it is impossible to see it all in one day. The goal of today’s excursion is not to cross as much as possible off the list, but to enjoy the best experience. You will therefore experience the absolute highlights of Anuradhapura with time to immerse yourself.

The city was built around the sacred tree, Sri Maha Bodiya, also known as the Tree of Enlightenment, which is said to be a cutting from the fig tree under which the Buddha meditated until he achieved complete enlightenment. The nun Sanghamittra is said to have smuggled the cuttings from India to Anuradhaura in 288 BC, making Sri Maha Bodiya the world’s oldest tree with more than 2,300 years behind it. Tall, gilded support pillars prevent the long, old branches from breaking, and around the tree, you’ll see white-robed Buddhists and orange-robed monks making sacrificial offerings and worshipping the sanctity of the tree.

Not far from the tree is the Jetavanarama stupa, which is one of Anuradhapura’s mighty stupas, rising nobly into the sky. When the stupa was built in the 3rd century, it was the world’s tallest stupa and the third largest building in the world at a height of 122 metres. Today, however, it is somewhat lower, standing a “mere” 71 metres tall. The stupa is believed to house part of a sash or belt bound by the Buddha. The area also includes a monastery ruin, which once housed 3,000 Buddhist monks, and a beautifully executed pond where the many monks could bathe in peace.

A little further afield is the white Ruwanwelisaya stupa from 140 BC, which, together with its sister stupa, Jetavanarama, is one of the best preserved monuments in Anuradhapura. The stupa rises 107 metres into the air with a dignity guaranteed to take anyone’s breath away – even in these skyscraper times. Ruwanwelisaya is also believed to house the largest collection of relics of the Buddha.

Also worth mentioning is the Abhayagiri complex, where orange-robed Buddhist monks are still to be found in their droves. However, not nearly as many as at the time when the monastery housed 5,000 monks. Here, you can, for example, experience the 75-metre-high Abhayagiri stupa and the well-preserved twin ponds, Kuttam Pokuna, with their detailed carvings.

Close to Abhayagiri is the Samadhi Buddha statue, sitting in “Dhyana Mudra”, the Buddha’s meditation position – both hands resting in his lap, palms facing upwards, the two thumbs touching each other, creating a circle of deep, serene energy.

Please note: When you enter temples, you must remove your shoes, and if you are here at a time when the sun is beating down, the stones you walk on may be hot. It might be an idea to bring some thick socks with you.

At the end of an adventure-filled day, you’ll be driven back to the hotel where the rest of the day is yours to do as you please.

Today, you’ll be leaving Anuradhapura. After check-out, your guide/driver will drive you to Sigiriya, which is located approx. an hour and a half south-east of Anuradhapura.

Upon your arrival in Sigiriya, you’ll check in and after that you can enjoy lunch in the hotel’s restaurant.

In the afternoon, you’ll be driven to the town’s landmark, Lion Rock, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Lion Rock is a giant rock that rises 200 metres from the breathtaking, lush landscape. It was from here that King Kashyapa ruled the country from 477–495.

King Kashyapa chose to move the capital from Anuradhapura to Sigiriya due to its strategic location. Half-way up the rock, he built the entrance to the palace, which resembled a giant lion – hence the name “Lion Rock”. On the flat top of the rock, Kashyapa constructed his lavish royal palace surrounded by a moat, gardens, large ornamental pools. He lived here with his mistresses and servants until his half-brother Moggallana seized power. In 495, after the defeat, Kashyapa ended up taking his own life, and Moggallana chose to move the capital back to Anuradhapura. Sigiriya was then transformed into a Buddhist monastery.

It might seem overwhelming to have to climb the 200-metre-high rock, and it is a tough climb, especially in the heat. 1,202 steps await you, and we recommend that you take it slow, with breaks to enjoy the gorgeous view, as it becomes ever more fantastic the higher up you go.

On the way to the top, you’ll see beautiful, well-preserved frescoes of women, as well as the remains of a polished rock wall. A little over halfway up, you’ll encounter the remains of the giant lion that served as an entrance to Kong Kashyapa’s palace. If the climb is too strenuous, you can choose to stop here.

If you choose to proceed, we guarantee it will be worth it. At the top of the rock, you are met by the ancient ruins and stunning panoramic views of the lush landscape with lakes, verdant mountains and the nearby Pidurangala Rock. Take your time and enjoy the surroundings before starting your descent.

It takes around 2 hours to climb and descend the rock, plus the time you spend at the top.

Remember good walking shoes and water for the trip.

Late afternoon, you’ll be driven back to the hotel and the rest of the day is yours to do whatever you please.

Today, you’ll be giving your legs a workout on an exciting 12 km bike ride in Polonnaruwa, one of Sri Lanka’s oldest capitals and deservedly on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Your guide/driver will pick you up from the hotel and drive you to the ancient royal city, located on the shores of the man-made Parakrama Samudraya Lake. On your arrival, you’ll be kitted out with a bicycle and helmet, and for the next few hours, you’ll cycle around and see the city’s archaeological treasures, which give you a great picture of what the city looked like in its heyday, which started in 1017 and ended in 1232. Fortunately, the city’s major attractions are all found within a smallish area, so it’s easy to visit them all.

Polonnaruwa was of great strategic importance and thus surrounded by three thick walls. Inside the walls were fine gardens, and deep within was the royal palace itself.

On the bike ride, you’ll see sights such as the ruins of the royal palace, the royal baths, Gal Vihara temple with its many Buddha statues, giant stupas such as Rankot Vihara, Pabalu Vehera and Kiri Vihara Dagoba as well as the Satmahal Prasada monument, which resembles a Mayan pyramid.

You’ll also cycle past Parakrama Samudraya Lake, which was established by King Parakramabahu, who is without a doubt the king who left the biggest mark on the city. He is known, among other things, to have said “Not even a little rainwater must run out into the sea without having done any good”. He therefore embarked on the construction of an extensive irrigation system to ensure that land and fields could get water. Parakrama Samudraya Lake consists of as many as five reservoirs, all connected to Polonnaruwa via small channels – deeply fascinating!

After the fall of Polonnaruwa, the city’s mighty buildings were engulfed by the jungle and remained hidden for more than 700 years. It was not until the 20th century that the old royal city was rediscovered and the extensive excavations began.

After a nice and educational bike ride, you’ll be driven back to your hotel in Sigiriya, where you can relax by the pool or go for a walk in the area along the dusty, red roads, and experience the local life. You can also experience large herds of wild elephants on a wonderful safari in the nearby Minneriya National Park.

After breakfast and check-out, your guide/driver will drive you to Kandy. Along the way, you’ll make an exciting stop in the town of Dambulla, where you’ll experience the town’s impressive cave temple, located in a wide cliff measuring 600 x 160 metres. Steep stairs lead up to the cave, and on a clear day, you can glimpse Lion Rock in Sigirya from the top step. The cave houses no fewer than 153 Buddha statues, statues of former Sri Lankan kings, as well as statues of gods and goddesses. Aside from the many statues, impressive murals can be found here, spread over a total area of 2,100 m². The cave was established by King Valagamba in the first century BC and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.

After the visit, you continue on to the former capital Kandy, which is scenically situated in a valley surrounded by green-clad mountains, tea plantations and rivers. The city centre is home to many fine, colonial buildings, and this is also where the picturesque Kandy Lake is located. We highly recommend a stroll around the lake, and along the way you can sit down on a bench and enjoy all the sights, and the view of the 26-metre-high Buddha statue above Bahirawakanda Temple. At the northern end of the lake is Sri Lanka’s most sacred Buddhist temple, the Temple of the Tooth, which is said to house one of the Buddha’s teeth. The lovely temple is actually one of the reasons why Kandy was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1998. Three times a day there is a temple ceremony – a totally unique experience that you simply mustn’t miss.

In the evening, you can explore the city’s restaurants. You almost have to try one of Sri Lanka’s most famous dishes, “kottu roti”, which consists of flatbread cut into small pieces, eggs, vegetables, a lot of delicious spices and possibly meat. We also highly recommend “rice and curry” or “dhal curry”, which is made from lentils. The guide knows all the good restaurants, so feel free to ask his advice.

After breakfast, you check out and your guide/driver is ready to drive you to the train station in Nanu Oya. From here, you’ll be going on a scenic train ride through the incredibly scenic highlands to the town of Ella. All you have to do is bring your hand luggage, as your guide/driver will drive your luggage all the way to Ella by car. We also recommend that on the day before your departure, you ask the hotel in Kandy to make a packed lunch for you (extra charge). However, it is possible to buy fruit, snacks and beverages from the local vendors walking around outside the train at the various stations.

Travelling by train in Sri Lanka is a wonderful experience. These are not modern trains like those we’re used to at home, but we can guarantee you the experience of a lifetime. Not only do you get right up close to the local people, but you also experience the enchanting nature through the large windows as the train winds its way past small, sleepy villages and scenic tea plantations, green-clad mountains and rushing waterfalls. After around 3 hours, you arrive in Ella, where your guide/driver is waiting to welcome you. He drives you the last bit of the way to the hotel in Ella, which enjoys a fabulous location.

After check-in, you can enjoy the rest of the day on your own.

In the evening, you can head down into the town and eat at one of the cosy little cafés or restaurants along the main street, where there is a lovely, relaxed atmosphere.

There are no excursions planned for today, so the day is yours to do as you please. Maybe you’ll decide to stay at the hotel and relax by the pool and enjoy the outstanding view? Or how about an excursion to Nine Arch Bridge or a hike to Little Adam’s Peak? Read more about your excursion options below – they won’t cost you a penny!

Today you’ll be leaving the highlands, and your guide/driver takes you to Udawalawe in southern Sri Lanka. Along the way, there’s a stop at the 25-metre Ravana Falls, named after legendary Sri Lankan King Ravana. He was said to have kept Princess Sitha hidden in the caves behind the waterfall, which are now known as Ravana Cave.

From here, you continue to the Buduruwagala Temple, which is renowned for its impressive and well-preserved rock carvings that date back to the 9th or 10th centuries. At the middle of the rock face is a 16-metre-tall Buddha statue, surrounded by six smaller statues showing the Buddha in different meditative poses. The level of detail and artistic precision is simply incredible!

You will then be driven to your hotel, where you have the rest of the day to yourself.

Today, you’re going on a Jeep safari to the Udawalawe National Park. There are not nearly as many visitors here as at Yala National Park, and so naturally you enjoy a completely different experience.

Udawalawe National Park was established in 1972 and covers an area of more than 300 km². The park is best known for its large population of elephants, and Sri Lanka’s biggest concentration of elephants is actually to be found here in Udawalawe. The park is said to house no fewer than 500 elephants!

The landscape is open and there are several large water reservoirs, which are a major draw for the elephants in particular.

In addition to elephants, you’re also in with a chance of seeing water buffaloes, sloth bears, wild boars, crocodiles, Sambar deer, macaques, monitor lizards and pangolins. There are also leopards living here, but you need to be beyond lucky to see them. If you like birds, you have a treat in store for you! Here, you can see hornbills, bee-eaters, kingfishers, rollers, peacocks, owls, storks and eagles.

You drive with an experienced ranger who knows the park inside out. He knows where the animals go, and he’s an expert in finding their tracks in the open landscape.

Remember your binoculars and camera!

After the safari, you’ll be driven back to the hotel, where you can enjoy the last evening in Udawalawe.

After breakfast and check-out, you’ll be picked up from the hotel and driven to the charming city of Galle, located on the south coast of Sri Lanka. Galle is home to many different cultures and traditions and is a colourful city of contrasts. The city is divided into a new part and an old part. In the bustling new part, you’ll find electronics shops and markets, while the old part, where Galle Fort is located, has narrow streets, colonial buildings and cosy restaurants inside the thick, old walls. Unlike in other cities in Sri Lanka, the two parts merge in the most marvellous way.

On your arrival, you check in at the hotel, and then the rest of the day is yours to do as you please.

You have the day to yourself to explore Galle at your own pace

An absolute must-see is the city’s ancient fort, which is one of the oldest in Asia. In the 14th century, Galle was an important port for seafarers sailing between Asia and Europe. When the Portuguese occupied Galle in 1588, they built the fort to protect the city against enemies. This apparently failed in 1649, when the Dutch managed to conquer Galle. The Dutch continued to expand the fort, which in 1988 became a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Galle Fort is today the city’s old town, and it buzzes with life inside the solid, old walls. As soon as you walk through the main gate of the fort, you’re hit by the special atmosphere and feel a real sense of history. Stroll past the classic colonial buildings and up to the iconic, white lighthouse which guided the merchant ships safely into Galle Harbour. Continue around the ramparts and experience the different bastions before venturing into the narrow cobbled streets with their nice speciality shops, museums, art galleries, restaurants and cafés.

In the evening, you can go for a walk on the old city walls and enjoy the view of the glistening sea before taking a seat at one of the cosy restaurants. Many of the restaurants serve delicious seafood dishes, but you’ll also find restaurants serving Italian and local dishes.

Today, the time has come to say goodbye to Sri Lanka.

After check out from the hotel, your guide/driver will be there to drive you to the airport from which you’ll fly back to Europe, with connecting flight(s) on the way.

You land at your chosen airport after a lovely holiday, many memories the richer.