Day 1 & 2Arrive at Colombo’s international airport and transfer directly to the fishing village of Alankuda in the North West where you will stay two nights at Dolphin Beach - perfect for relaxing after your long flight. Take in the sun and surf. Go Kitesurfing, scuba diving or snorkelling. The Bar Reef located about a kilometre into the deep sea off Kandalukutiya offers much to see for marine enthusiasts including an array of exotic reef fish, stingrays and several species of Marine turtles. During the season from December to April, hundreds of Dolphins can be spotted off the coast of Kalpitiya. Explore the fishing village of Kalpitiya and the Dutch period church – St. Anne’s in Thalawilla. Wilpattu National Park, located only an hour away, is a great wildlife excursion where the elusive leopard, sloth bear, deer, jackal and numerous species of birds can be spotted.

Day 3 & 4Journey to the Cultural Triangle where you will stay the next two nights at Chaaya Village in Habarana. Explore Sigiriya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is one of the most dramatic and inspiring historical locations in the world. The climb to its summit on metal staircases attached to the rock face is one of Sri Lanka’s most loved experiences. A mythical past of feuding dynasties suits Sigiriya’s striking setting. It was built in 5th century AD by king, Kasyapa, as a fortress-palace. Worthy of its reputation as the “eighth wonder of the world”, Sigiriya will astonish with its outstanding views across the plains, staggering engineering and wonderful atmosphere. Go on an elephant safari at Habarana where you’ll be taken on elephant back through a jungle trek and across shallow waters. You might also consider soaring high above the cultural triangle in a hot air balloon which flies over Dambulla, Sigiriya, and the untouched wilderness where wild elephants roam free. The balloon ride begins at dawn when you can experience the spectacular sunrise.

Day 5 & 6Leave early morning and travel via Matale to the Knuckles Mountains where you will spend two nights at Sir John’s bungalow - a welcoming guesthouse situated about 1,000 metres above sea level. Located within the district of Kandy and Matale in central Sri Lanka, the Knuckles Mountain Range consists of several mountain peaks and a wide variety of rare and endemic flora and fauna. Declared a UNESCO protected World Heritage Site, the Knuckles Conservation Range is a storehouse of rich biodiversity. Trek through dense forests, along rivers and waterfalls, past tea plantations and terraced paddy fields and visit some of the small rural village communities. Go mountain biking downhill or uphill from the Bungalow to some of the remote villages within the Knuckles.

Day 7 & 8Much adventure awaits you this morning as you head off to the central highlands to climb the sacred Adam’s Peak. We recommend that you hop on aboard a train from Kandy and head to the tea-growing highlands through a romantic landscape that stirs the senses. The highlands are a land of lush tea plantations, majestic peaks and rushing waterfalls. Hop off the train at Dickoya and check into Upper Glencairn, a colonial period guesthouse set on an extensive tea plantation. Take a walk through the tea estate and visit the tea factory to learn of Sri Lanka’s famous crop. Rest and prepare for the night time climb up Adam’s Peak. Visited by thousands of pilgrims from many faiths, Adam’s Peak is an enriching experience. The hike upto the peak will take approximately 2.5 hours. The climb is possible from December to April and best attempted at night where you reach the mountaintop to see the sunrise and the breath taking views. The surrounding Adam’s Peak forest reserve is home to numerous species of birds and butterflies.

Day 9Today you journey to the western foothills of the central highlands for your overnight stay in Kitulgala. This is an area with tropical rainforests, winding rivers and an undulating terrain. Kitulgala owes its popularity to the Kelani River which offers exciting Grade 3 rapids for rafting. Rise to the sound of bird call and the gushing waters of the mighty Kelani; go white water rafting, canyoning or hiking. You will stay overnight at the Borderlands Riverside Camp in Kitulgala.

Day 10Travel to the Uda Walawe National Park in the south-central region for a camping experience organised by Master Campers. You will stay overnight at the mobile camping site situated by a river, deep within the National Park. According to Wildlife reports there are about 500 wild elephants in the park and they often roam in herds of up to 100. Deer, buffalo, crocodiles and a variety of birds can also be spotted here. Visit the Elephant Transit Camp at Uda walawe run by Sri Lanka’s Wildlife Department. About 22 young elephants mostly babies, who have been orphaned or recovering from injuries, are being kept in this transit camp before being released into the wild. Conservation efforts such as the Elephant Transit Camp in Uda Walawe are vital to the future of the elephants of Sri Lanka. The orphaned baby elephants reside at the transit camp for about four years until they are old enough to be weaned of milk and learn to eat grass and other vegetation from the bush. Each infant has to be fed on Lactogen milk formula five times a day first the first six months. Much funding is required for this expensive feeding process. The Wild Life Department has initiated a Baby Elephant Adoption Programme where individuals can provide funding on a monthly basis and become a foster parent to a baby elephant of their choice. Support this valiant effort at conserving the dwindling elephant population of Sri Lanka.

Day 11, 12 & 13Head south to the coastal village of Ahangama for your final three nights stay at Easy Beach, a laidback and welcoming beachside guesthouse set on a secluded, palm fringed beach. Ahangama has some of the best beaches and surf spots in the area with several challenging reef breaks and one beginner beach break a stone’s throw from the guesthouse. Try your hand at stilt fishing which is a traditional method of fishing in these areas. Stilt fisherman can be spotted right and left of Easy Beach during the day. Based at Mirissa Harbour, Mirissa Water Sports offers exciting water sports activities such as sailing, fishing, coastal cruises, sea kayaking, snorkelling and boating. The south of Sri Lanka beyond Dondra is considered one of the best locations in the world for spotting blue whales, sperm whales and spinner dolphins. Whale watching excursions into the deep seas is organised by Mirissa Water Sports during the season from December to April when the seas are calm. We also recommend a visit to Galle’s 17C Dutch Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with narrow streets lined with Dutch and British colonial era buildings which are still in use, sturdy ramparts looking out to sea, the lighthouse, and a growing collection of art galleries, shops, restaurants and several boutique hotels and cafes.