Welcome on arrival by a Wayfarers Team Member and transfer to Negombo, a seaside fishing town and tourist hotspot, down the road from the airport. Spend the remainder of the day recuperating on the beach. If you have some extra time, explore Negombo. 

Accommodation: Beach Hotel in Negombo
Airport to Negombo : 20 Minutes

Spend the day on the beach. Take a boat ride through the Muthurajawela Wetlands, in the afternoon. Muthurajawela is a protected coastal marshland, inland from Negombo. It is the ideal place to see birds, small mammals, fish and reptile reptile species.  
Accommodation: Beach hotel in Negombo
Negombo to Muthurajawela: 20 Mins

Visit the Negombo Fish market, known locally as “Lellama“, in the morning. It is fresh seafood market located right on the Negombo beach. The most interesting activity here is the fresh fish auction which takes place early every morning, when the overnight fishing vessels return from sea. It is the ideal place to interact with local fisherman selling their daily catch. 

Depart Negombo and travel north to the village of Eluwankulama, bordering the jungles of Wilpattu National Park. Spend the afternoon relaxing at your jungle retreat with a river bath and kayaking in the evening.
Accommodation: Eco Lodge in Eluwankulam
Negombo to Eluwankulam: 3 hrs

Today you have the option to choose from a morning safari (6-11am) an afternoon safari (2-6pm) or a full day safari (6am-6pm) with a picnic breakfast, lunch served in the park. 

Wilpattu is the largest national park in Sri Lanka. The wildlife park boasts over 60 natural lakes known in the native language as “Willus”. This is also how the name Wilpattu, meaning an area of lakes/tanks, has evolved.  The Park is an important habitat for a variety of fauna and flora including the Sri Lankan sloth bear, water buffalo, elephants, spotted deer, crocodiles, a variety of birds and the star attraction; the elusive Sri Lankan leopard.
Accommodation: Eco Lodge in Eluwankulam

After breakfast take a drive through rural villages and forests to Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka’s first capitol from 5th Century B.C. to 10th Century A.D. The city has since been declared a Buddhist Holy City and is also referred to as the ‘cradle of Buddhism’ as this is where the religion was first introduced to the then King by the disciples of the Buddha that arrived from India. Buddhism is the official religion of Sri Lanka. Attractions include the oldest documented tree in the world, the Sri Maha Bodhi that grew from a sapling of the sacred Bo Tree under which lord Buddha himself gained enlightenment, the old city, the Brazen Palace built in 2nd Century B.C. and several majestic temples and pagodas, one of which is believed to enshrine the collarbone of Buddha. Anuradhapura is one of many UNESCO World heritage sites in Sri Lanka.

Proceed to hotel in Dambulla, in the heart of Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle. 
Accommodation: Resort hotel in Dambulla
Wilpattu to Anuradhapura: 2 hrs
Anuradhapura to Dambulla: 1 1/2 hrs

Set out with a packed breakfast to climb the Rock Fortress, Sigiriya. The most iconic of Sri Lanka’s UNESCO world heritage sites, the Sigiriya rock fortress, sits a top a monolith rising 200m high from the scrub jungles of an otherwise flat terrain. The rock fortress still stands as a testament to the master engineers of ancient times, boasting its detailed architecture, fortifications and look outs, cut out on the rock face and a network of ponds and streams a top the rock.  A series of steps and steel stairways ascend to the top of the rock. The famous-colored paintings of the Sigiriya Damsels can be found along the way, as well as an enormous set of lion paws carved out of the rock, the remains of an ancient gateway. Enjoy amazing views a top the rock along with the archeological ruins of the citadel. The roundtrip to the top of the rock and back to the hotel takes about 4 hours. 

Following your descent, take an exciting tuk-tuk ride to a nearby village to meet local villages and learn about their day to day life. Visit a local farm for a traditional cooking demonstration and a lunch with locals. 

The afternoon is yours to decide. You can enjoy the pool and other facilities at the hotel, or visit one the many attractions in the area; Pidurangala Rock, safari in Minneriya National Park, Dambulla Cave temples, old city of Polonnaruwa and more. 
Accommodation: Resort hotel in Dambulla
Dambulla to Sigiriya: 20 mins
Sigiriya to Habarana: 20 mins
Habarana to Dambulla: 30 mins

After breakfast, travel up to Kandy, in the central highlands of Sri Lanka, to visit the sacred temple of the tooth. 

Kandy is the last Kingdom of ancient Ceylon prior to British colonization of the Island. The city today is a colorful mix of ancient and modern architecture and culture. It is the best place to discover Sri Lankan Buddhist heritage and culture. 

The temple of the tooth is the crown jewel of Kandy. The temple was built in the gardens of the Kings Palace, in ancient times. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the most venerated Buddhist temple on the Island as it is home to the sacred tooth relic of lord buddha himself. 

Share a picturesque train journey with locals to Nuwara Eliya, that takes you through rolling slopes of green tea plantations, forests and villages in the central hills of Sri Lanka. 

Spend the evening relaxing at your hotel in Nuwara Eliya town. If inclined explore the town at your own pace. Nuwara Eliya is an important tea plantation town with a visible Victorian colonial influence that it is nicknamed “little England” by the locals. It was a favourite hill country retreat for British rulers who enjoyed the cool climate similar to that of England. Attractions include, Lake Gregory, Botanical gardens, the street market, numerous tea factories, Victoria Park and the Nuwara Eliya Golf Course, established in 1889.
Accommodation: Colonial style guest house in Nuwara Eliya
Dambulla to Kandy : 2 1/2 hrs
Kandy to Nuwara Eliya: 2 hrs (by train)

Set off early morning to Horton Plains National Park (1 hour drive) for a trek through a highland platue covered with montane grassland and cloud forests. Your trek takes you to “Worlds End” and back. “Worlds End” is where the plateau comes to an abrupt stop and opens up to a steep 1000m drop with amazing views of the lands below. The entire trek is 9km long and takes approximately 3 hours. You also have a chance to spot various species of mammals and birds that live in this habitat. 

In the afternoon visit a local tea factory to witness the production process of world-famous Ceylon tea. 

Accommodation: Colonial style guest house in Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya to Horton Plains: 1 1/2 hrs

After breakfast, travel to the capital, Colombo. 

Spend the afternoon exploring Colombo and get a greater understanding into the history and multicultural nature of this city. Places of religious worship, cultural sites, street and wet markets and a few of Colombo’s ‘hidden gems’ are included in your tour.
Accommodation: City Hotel in central Colombo
Nuwara Eliya to Colombo: 4 1/2 hrs   

After breakfast travel to Unawatuna on the south coast for some sun, sand and sea. 

Unawatuna is a bustling coastal village located along a picturesque bay. It is a popular beach destination for both local and foreign tourists. The bay is dotted by a number of beach bars, restaurants, shops and lodging of all kinds. Unawatuna is also a good location for activities such as diving, snorkeling, surfing and other water sports. 
Accommodation: Beach villa in Unawatuna
Colombo to Unawatuna: 2 hrs

Spend your day relaxing on the beach. If your feeling adventurous visit local attractions accompanied by your Wayfarers tour guide. Water sports, snorkeling and surfing is also available at most stops along the southern coast. 
Accommodation: Beach villa in Unawatuna

Spend the day exploring the Galle Fort, another captivating ‘live’ UNESCO World Heritage site. 

Galle, the city, is the largest and busiest in southern Sri Lanka. Tucked away in a corner sticking out into the ocean is the old city, fortified by a fort, where time has surely slowed down. This UNESCO World heritage site was built in 1600’s by the Portugese followed by an extensive fortification by the Dutch. You will discover that the fort ramparts are well-preserved along with a lighthouse, clock tower, houses, churches and buildings, built by the Dutch and Portuguese. Many of these buildings now host chic restaurants, private villas, boutiques and guesthouses, without compromising on the authenticity of the fort. The fort is best and easiest explored on foot. 

Accommodation: Heritage villa inside the fort
South Coast to Galle: 10 mins to 1 hr

Transfer to the airport for your flight back home.
Galle to Airport: 2 1/2 Hrs