Day 1Transfer to Ranweli Lodge just 30 minutes from the International Airport on a coastal wetland estuary. A short ferry ride across a scenic river glides you to the hotel situated in a peninsula surrounded by two rivers, a lagoon and the Indian Ocean. After resting, much adventure awaits: take a boat ride into the Muthurajawela marshes and the serene waters of the Negombo Lagoon, home to numerous species of birds, fish, dragon flies and monitor lizards; join the fisherman on a catamaran as they set sail into the seas or take a boat trip down the Dutch canals through the quaint town of Negombo with its rich colonial heritage.

Day 2 & 3Travel to Habarana, gateway to the Cultural Triangle, where you will stay two nights at Chaaya Village. Explore Dambulla’s cave temple which has a rock ceiling with a sweep of colorful frescoes, some of which dates back to over 2,000 years. This cave temple has the largest number of Buddha statues all housed in one place, including a 14-metre recumbent Buddha carved out of the rock. Nearby is the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, built in the 5th century by King Kasyapa. The walk to the summit brings history alive in an adventurous fashion which appeals to people of all ages. The ruins of the fortress upon the huge rock, the wall frescoes, and the symmetrical royal gardens surrounding the rock are amazing feats of this period. The surrounding Sigiriya sanctuary is home to numerous species of birds including the Orange-headed Thrush, Purple Sunbird, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, White-rumped Shama and Shahin Falcon. Look for the rare Blue-eared Kingfisher around the Sigiriya Moat. You can also get a chance to see all three types of Primates here: the dry zone race of the endemic Toque Monkey, Purple-faced Leaf Monkey and the Grey Langer. When climbing the Sigiriya Rock Fortress look out for the Shaheen Falcon (sub species of the Paragin Falcon) hawking for House Swifts close to the Rock. We also recommend a visit to the ancient kingdom of Polonnaruwa, which was Sri Lanka’s royal medieval capital between the late 11th and 13th century. After visiting Polannaruwa museum, which will provide an overview of this ancient city and its heritage, move onto exploring the ruins themselves. Visit Kalaweva, one of the massive reservoirs built by King Dhatusena and lunch at the Polonnaruwa Rest House.

Day 4 & 5Leave early and travel to Wasgomuva National Park in the central province. The Wasgomuva sanctuary covers approximately 39,000 hectares consists of riverine and dry evergreen forests, grasslands and wetlands. Wasgomuwa is endowed with a number of canals and waterways springing up from the 470 metre high Sudu Kande (hill) nearby. Famous for the elephants frequenting the Mahaweli River, which runs along one of the boundaries of the park, Wasgomuwa is also home to numerous other animals including sloth bear, sambur, spotted and barking deer, wild boar, the purple-faced leaf monkey, and 143 species of bird. Wasgomuwa National Park is lightly visited, which can add to its escapist appeal. Stay two nights at the Dunvila Cottage, just 5 minutes away from the main gates of the park.

Day 6 & 7Travel to Sri Lanka's hill capital - the small lakeside city of Kandy. Check into the Hunas Falls Hotel situated high in the hills near Elkaduwa. The hotel enjoys one of the most scenic settings in Sri Lanka. Explore the surrounding mountains and the wilderness. There are several nature trails that take you along lakes, forests, open pastures, tea estates, and to the summit of Mount Hunasgiriya. Visit the Hunas Falls Hotel’s reforestation site where a gradual introduction of native trees is being carried out on a regenerating patch of vegetation. The hotel’s naturalist will be at hand to guide you along. Experience the ancient Kandyan heritage with a visit to the Temple of the Tooth were a sacred tooth relic of the Lord Buddha is enshrined Buddha is enshrined since 4th Century A.D. The temple has decorative walls, a golden roof and fine woodwork. Religious services (pooja) are held daily at dawn, midday and dusk. The services are accompanied with traditional music and drumming. We also recommend a visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens with over 60 hectares of tranquil, immaculately designed lawns, borders, pavilions and plant houses, including a famous orchid selection.

Day 8Your next destination is Kitulgala located in the western foothills of the central highlands. This is an area with tropical rainforests, winding rivers and an undulating terrain. This quaint village owes its popularity to the Kelani River which offers exciting Grade 3 rapids for rafting. The calm sections of the river meander through jungle-clad mountains, low country tea and rubber plantations. Kitugala offers some interesting forest walks and rewarding bird-watching trails. Second to Sinharaja, the Kitulgala forest reserve would be the ideal rainforest habitat to spot most of the lowland endemic species of birds.

Day 9 & 10Travel to the Uda Walawe National Park in the south-central region for an adventurous camping safari. According to Wildlife reports there are about 500 elephants in the park and they often roam in herds of up to 100. Leopards, buffalo, deer and sloth bears keep them company along with mongooses, bandicoots, monitor lizards and crocodiles. Visit the Elephant Transit Camp at Uda Walawe run by Sri Lanka’s Wildlife Department. Here about 22 young elephants, mostly babies, who have been orphaned or recovering from injuries, are being rehabilitated before release into the wild. The elephant population in Sri Lanka was at one time as high as 20,000 on this island. Unfortunately, today it has come down to 3,500. Conservation efforts such as the Elephant Transit Camp in Uda Walawe are vital to the future of this endangered species. 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. 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 & 12Head to southeast to the serene and tranquil town of Tissamaharama, which was the capital of the ancient Ruhunu Kingdom in the 2nd century B.C. Tissa is dominated by lakes and gigantic Buddhist Dagobas (temples), lush green paddy fields and lotus-filled lakes attracting many species of water birds including cormorant, purple heron, Caspian tern and the painted stork. Travel on to Yala where you will stay two nights at the Yala Village Hotel located close to the game park and its 40 stylish cabanas blend subtly into scrub forest. Yala National Park, with a total protected area of 126,768 hectares, consists of scrub plains, lagoons and rocky sections and offers the broadest cross-section of the country’s flora and fauna. In terms of game-viewing this is probably the best place to see all of the ‘big three’ - elephant, leopard & water buffalo. We recommend two game drives into the park - early morning and at dusk when the animals come out to the water holes.

Day 13, 14 & 15Today you head to the southern fishing village of Mirissa with secluded cove like beaches and shimmering turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Stay for three nights at The Palace perched high up on a headland with sweeping views of Mirissa’s golden beaches. Based at Mirissa Harbour, Mirissa Water Sports offers exciting water sports activities such as sailing, fishing, coastal cruises, river trips, sea kayaking, snorkelling and boating activities for visitors to the South coast. During the season from December to April, Mirissa Water Sports organises Dolphin and Whale watching excursions. Seas surrounding Sri Lanka has been identified as one of the best areas in the world to spot the giant Blue Whale. Mirissa Water Sports is a charitable organization helping to generate employment for the youth from the tsunami affected coastal areas.

Day 16 & 17Today you head back to the capital city of Colombo for your final two nights. En route, visit Galle's 17th century Dutch Fort, a UNESCO-protected World Heritage site and a melting pot of cultural influences is an interesting morning's excursion. Several hours can be spent wandering along the narrow streets, well preserved ramparts, the lighthouse, the Dutch Reform Church, and several houses with the typical manor house style architecture with columns, courtyards, and verandas. The thick, high ramparts that protect and distinguish the Fort are today used for romantic evening strolls and convenient viewpoints to catch the sweaty action of local 'village' cricket games and the international games held in the adjacent Galle cricket stadium. Once you reach Piliyandala in the suburbs of Colombo, check into Java Moon located by the side of the picturesque Bolgoda Lake. Here you will rest amidst lush tropical gardens and the tranquil lake that guests have aptly described as a `little piece of paradise’. There is much to do here including fishing, canoeing, or even riding a traditional catamaran on the Lake. Explore the suburbs of Colombo with its many wayside boutiques and temples. A half an hour’s drive into Colombo’s city centre provides ample choices for shopping, entertainment and dining.