Sri Lanka Unveiled

Welcome to Sri Lanka. On arrival, be transferred to your five-star hotel in the heart of the capital, Colombo. Unwind in comfort overlooking the Indian Ocean and Beira Lake, and enjoy the day at leisure with freedom to explore this fabulous city. Stay Two Nights: Hilton Colombo

After breakfast, enjoy a visit to Number 11, the Geoffrey Bawa Residence, an architectural marvel which houses a private art and artefact collection of the late architect. Enjoy your Signature Experience while dining at the serene Gallery Cafe restaurant for lunch, which was the former office of Bawa. Return to your hotel for some time at leisure.

Later, set out on a walking tour through Colombo's bustling heritage region. Stroll through the streets and hear the stories of many iconic buildings, before hopping in a tuk tuk to the lively Pettah Market. Tonight, delight in a welcome dinner at the Ceylon Curry Club where you will feast on a selection of traditional Sri Lankan dishes prepared with a Western twist. (B/L/D)

Signature Experiences:

• Meet with an expert for a talk on the architect Geoffrey Bawa and learn about his influence throughout Sri Lanka.

Set out on the road to the wildlife-rich Wilpattu National Park. On arrival, enjoy lunch before embarking on an exciting game drive. Spotted deer, barking deer, wild boars and buffaloes freely roam here, while you may be fortunate enough to spot Sri Lankan sloth bears or the elusive Sri Lankan leopard. Birders are also in for a treat, with owls, eagles, storks, ibises, Asian openbills and kingfishers among the incredible range of birdlife in the park.

Following your safari, be transferred to your luxury boutique hotel where you will enjoy dinner before retiring to your pool villa featuring panoramic views of the lush surrounds. Stay Two Nights: Anuradhapura, Uga Ulagalla (B/L/D)

• Join your resort's head chef for a talk on spices and a cooking demonstration, after which you will delight in a sumptuous range of Sri Lankan curries and condiments for dinner.

• The choice is yours this morning. You can rise early for a serene kayak adventure at dawn, paddling past waterlilies and egrets, or you might prefer to take a bike tour of the local village of Athungama. You can also choose to take a nature walk on the lookout for the more than 120 species of bird which call the area home alongside monkeys, mongooses and a diverse range of reptiles.

• Today you can explore Trincomalee your way. You might like to take an historical tour of the city with its ancient ruins, temples and colonial forts, or you can take a spiritual tour, delving into the Hindu faith with the aid of a spiritual guide. Alternatively, set out to the scenic Pigeon Island Marine National Park and reveal the kaleidoscopic world beneath the surface as you snorkel among the more than 100 species of coral and 300 species of reef fish which call the park home.

• Learn everything there is to know about kite-flying, a passion of Sri Lankans, before crafting your own in a hands-on workshop. Then it's time to see your creations soar above you on the serene beach.

• Sit down to a charming lakeside sundowner and arak tasting, a popular local spirit made from fermented sap of coconut flowers or sugar cane.

• Arise early for your sunrise walk to the top of the iconic World Heritage-listed Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Stop to admire the colourful frescoes, ascend through the impressive Lion's Paw and stroll among the atmospheric ruins of this former citadel as the sun rises, offering spectacular views.

Set off for the remarkable Dambulla Cave Temple, a vast and beautifully reserved cave complex dating to the first century BC. The World Heritage-listed site is one of Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist monasteries, featuring spectacular ceiling paintings and more than 150 buddha statues.

Continue your journey and stop off at a local batik artisans home for a Sri Lankan lunch of string hoppers. Journey on to Kandy, where you'll visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Arguably the country's most important Buddhist shrine, the temple is home to a heavily tooth of Buddha. Soak up the sounds of the drums and breathe in the fragrant incense as the resident monks perform their rituals. Stay Two Nights: Kandy, Earls Regency Hotel (B/L)

• Today you can take a cultural tour of three of Kandy's most important ancient temples; Gadaladeniya, Lankathilake and Embakke Devalaya. Alternatively, you can take a hands-on gem identification and cutting experience with an expert gemmologist or learn how to craft elephant caparisons for the Kandy Esala Perahera cultural pageant.

• Witness a private performance of traditional dance accompanied by music before sitting down to a delicious five-course dinner at your hotel.

• Accompanied by your expert botanist, take a fascinating stroll through the beautiful Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya. Gain firsthand insight into some of the 4000 species at the gardens, including the colourful collection of more than 300 species of orchids.

• Be expertly guided through an artisanal tea experience where you can see the entire production process from farm to teacup at the stunning Amba Tea Estate. Learn how each tea is individually crafted using extensive traditional methods including hand rolling.

• For dinner tonight, savour a range of international dishes at Journeys, or feast on Italian cuisine at Il Mare.

• Visit a Buddhist temple where you'll be able to witness the monks' traditional almsgiving ritual, followed by simple vegetarian lunch on the temple premises.

This morning, head to the fortified seaside city of Galle. Embark on an enthralling guided walking tour of Galle Fort, a World Heritage Site originally built by the Portuguese in the 16th century before being further fortified by the Dutch in the 17th century. Explore the extensive fort's highlights including the Dutch Reformed Church, Galle Lighthouse – Sri Lanka's oldest lighthouse – and Moon Bastion overlooking the beautiful Indian ocean.

Tonight, toast your extraordinary journey with a Sri Lankan farewell dinner at the hotel's Verala restaurant. (B/D)

Your journey comes to an end after breakfast as you're transferred to Bandaranaike International Airport for your onward flight. (B)