You fly overnight to Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka.

After arrival you are taken to your first 5-star hotel. Then you set off on a city tour of the capital’s main sights – past temples and mosques, colonial and modern architecture and colourful bazaars. In the evening you experience a contrast at the Galle Face Green seafront promenade, where young and old gather, especially in the afternoons and at weekends, to fly kites, picnic and chat. Stroll along the promenade, try a snack from the food stalls and enjoy your first encounters with Sri Lankan culture. Back at the hotel, dinner awaits. 1 night in Colombo. (D) (Distance: approx. 33 km; driving time: approx. 40 min)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast The Kingsbury is located right on the Colombo coast, close to the historic Fort district and Galle Face Green. It has several restaurants and bars, an outdoor pool with sea views, a spa, a fitness centre and free Wi-Fi. The stylish rooms have air conditioning, TV, minibar and modern bathroom.

After a relaxed breakfast you head towards Dambulla. On the way you visit the impressive Dambulla cave temples (UNESCO World Heritage): the climb is a little strenuous, but at the top colourful murals and numerous Buddha statues of all shapes and sizes await. Your guide tells you about Buddhism, which plays an important role for most people in Sri Lanka. The rest of the day is free to settle into your 5-star hotel on Lake Kandalama and relax. 2 nights near Dambulla. (B) (Distance: approx. 180 km; driving time: approx. 4 hrs)

2 nights · Double room · With breakfast Heritance Kandalama, a work by architect Geoffrey Bawa, blends harmoniously into the nature around Lake Kandalama; Sigiriya and Dambulla are nearby. It has two restaurants, a bar, an infinity pool overlooking the lake, a spa and a fitness centre. The rooms, with natural materials and large windows, have air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, TV, minibar and bathroom.

The morning is yours: relax by the pool or go on a jeep safari to one of the nearby national parks (optional, approx. USD 60 p.p. for 4 participants, bookable locally). Depending on where the chances of seeing elephants are best at the time, you head to Minneriya or Kaudulla National Park or Hurulu Eco Park (wildlife sightings depend on nature). Around midday you visit a family at home, watch various curries being prepared and then taste them for lunch. In the afternoon you explore the ancient city of Polonnaruwa (UNESCO World Heritage), once a royal capital and long overgrown by jungle. Magnificent monuments such as the royal palace as well as superb Buddha statues and stupas await you in beautiful scenery. (B/L) (Distance: approx. 110 km; driving time: approx. 3 hrs)

An early start today, as Sigiriya Rock can be visited from 6 am – the best opportunity to experience it in the calmest possible atmosphere. Up many steps you climb the famous Lion Rock (UNESCO World Heritage), admire the frescoes of the “Cloud Maidens” and enjoy the panoramic view from the plateau in the morning light. After a short break at the hotel you drive to Kandy, where you can rest at your 5-star hotel or explore the area on your own. 2 nights in Kandy. (B) (Distance: approx. 90 km; driving time: approx. 2.5 hrs)

2 nights · Double room · With breakfast Earl’s Regency offers extensive grounds with a pool and views of the green surrounding hills. It has a garden, a restaurant, a bar, a wellness area and a fitness centre. The rooms have air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, TV, minibar and private bathroom.

The former royal city of Kandy combines nature, history and culture with colonial flair. In the morning you visit the famous Temple of the Tooth (UNESCO World Heritage), where a tooth of the Buddha is said to be kept as a sacred relic. On a discovery tour your guide shows you more sights – through the lanes, across the market and along Kandy Lake. In the afternoon you can go shopping on your own or visit Peradeniya Botanical Garden, one of Asia’s best known, with your guide (optional, bookable locally). (B)

Today you drive by coach up into the green highlands. At several photo stops you enjoy views over lush tea plantations and visit Ramboda Falls. In Nuwara Eliya, the colonial town amid tea plantations, a visit to a tea factory is a must: on a guided tour you see how tea leaves are rolled, sorted, dried and packed, and then taste three to four varieties. If you like, buy some tea to take home. The rest of the day is yours. At your charming heritage hotel a typically British high tea with tea, cake and snacks awaits. 1 night in Nuwara Eliya. (B/S)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast In Nuwara Eliya you stay in a charming colonial-style heritage hotel.

Around 7:30 am you leave the highlands for Udawalawe. The first stop is an authentic market in a small town: you mingle with the locals, and your guide invites you to taste local treats and seasonal fruit – from pineapple and mango to mangosteen or rambutan. In the late afternoon, the best time for wildlife watching, you set off on a jeep safari through Udawalawe National Park (approx. 2.5–3 hrs). Its open plains and grasslands make it an excellent place to see elephants – with luck in large herds; water buffalo, crocodiles, monkeys and many bird species also live here. As the park is relatively small, you will also meet other jeeps (wildlife sightings depend on nature). Then you reach your 5-star hotel. 1 night in Udawalawe. (B) (Distance: approx. 165 km; driving time: approx. 4.5 hrs)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort is an ideal base for safaris into the national park and is set in extensive green grounds. It has a restaurant serving regional cuisine, a bar, an outdoor pool, a small spa and a garden. The rooms have air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, TV, minibar and private bathroom.

Today you head to the south coast and Galle. The old town lies by the sea within the walls of Galle Fort (UNESCO World Heritage) with its picturesque lighthouse. Stroll along the ramparts and through the lanes and enjoy the colonial atmosphere. You then continue to your 5-star hotel near Galle, where a seafood BBQ dinner awaits in the evening. 1 night near Galle. (B/D) (Distance: approx. 135 km; driving time: approx. 2.5 hrs)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast The Fortress Resort & Spa is styled after the historic Galle Fort and lies right on the beach near Koggala; the large infinity pool overlooks the Indian Ocean. It has several restaurants, a bar, a spa and a fitness centre. The elegant rooms have air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, TV, minibar and private bathroom.

Time to say goodbye. In due course you are taken to Colombo airport. For departures after 11 pm a late check-out is included so you can freshen up and enjoy the hotel; for earlier flights the usual check-out times apply. (B) (Distance: approx. 160 km; driving time: approx. 3 hrs)

Today you arrive back home – welcome back!