Eager adventurers gather in Toronto before flying on Emirates via Dubai to explore the spice island of Sri Lanka.

After a stop in Dubai, we continue onto Colombo. On arrival, we transfer to our seaside resort and the village of Negombo. Heritance Negombo Resort (2 nights).

We will have a relaxed morning to catch up on some sleep. After lunch on our own, we will gather for some nearby sightseeing featuring the Catholic Church, the Hindu Temple, and the busy fish market area.

We will have a coconut filled morning, visiting a factory that produces its many products: oil, creams, powder and food. At Pinnawala, we visit the Elephant orphanage dedicated to caring for baby elephants lost or abandoned in the wild. We will learn of the good work being carried out by this reserve and watch the babies being fed. Over lunch, we hope to have an opportunity to watch the herd bathing and playing in the river. We cross the highlands to the northern plains and on to Habarana where we will have time to relax by the pool or explore the spacious grounds of our resort. Cinnamon Lodge (4 nights).

Anuradhapura, the original capital of the island dating from the 900 BCE, is a World Heritage Site. It is home to the ancient Dagobas, or stupa, of the great Sinhala civilization. Highlights here include ruins of palaces, the pillars of the Brazen Palace, the Samadhi Buddha, temples and monasteries, the twin ponds, guard stones and the moonstone. We visit the ancient temple built around the “Sri Maha Bodhi”, or sacred Bo tree. The tree was  grown from a branch of the very tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment and is 2,200 years old, making it the oldest historically documented tree in the world. 

Arriving in Sigiriya this morning, we will have an opportunity to climb the Rock Fortress, a World Heritage Site, built by King Kashyapa in the 5th century. Rising 200 metres from the scrub jungle, the base is ringed by a moat and the renowned water gardens. This is a steep climb that may not be suitable for everyone. Returning to our resort this afternoon, enjoy free time to take advantage of the wonderful facilities and gardens. Optionally, and at additional cost, you may want to take a jeep safari in search of elephants and other wildlife. 

This morning, we will travel in a bullock cart through lush green paddy fields and visiting a village farm where we enjoy morning refreshment. Learn how local farmers protect their crops from wild animals and enjoy a canoe ride on a small man-made tank or lake. Finally, completing our rural life experience, we will visit a private home where the family has prepared a typical lunch for us, using traditional cooking methods. This afternoon, we will be delighted by the wonderfully preserved medieval city  of Polonnaruwa. The capital of Sri Lanka from the 11^th-13^th century it is now a World Heritage Site. The city is enclosed by walls and graced by palaces, shrines, monasteries, pavilions, parks, ponds and lakes.

Today, we visit one of the most impressive Buddhist Temples in the world, the Golden Rock cave temple (while located in a cave it is actually on a hill). A pilgrimage site for 2,200 years, the five caverns of this monastery contain extensive mural paintings and some 157 statues of the Buddha. We shall visit the Ranweli Spice Garden in Matale, on our journey to Kandy, where we will learn about the holistic uses of the garden’s plants and enjoy a traditional lunch. Arriving in Kandy, the bustling hill station town and the last capital of the Sri Lankan Kings, it is now a World Heritage Site. Many of its legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. Grand Kandyan Hotel (2 nights).

Kandy’s highlights include the man-made Kandy Lake, which was built by the last Sinhala King in 1798, and the Temple of the Tooth. Exploring the town, this morning, we visit the local bazaar, the arts centre and a gem museum. Driving to Peradeniya, we will enjoy an extensive visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens delighting in its wonderful trees and orchids. Saving the best for last, we will visit the Temple of the Tooth, which houses a most sacred relic, a tooth of the Buddha. A presentation of Kandyan dancing and music is a culturally enriching end to our day.

We visit a tea plantation en route to Nuwara Eliya. The lush rolling hills are carpeted by the low green tea bushes, interspersed with gushing streams and tumbling waterfalls. Here we witness the picking and processing of the tiny leaves that are used to make Ceylon Tea. Nuwara Eliya, our next stop, is a delightful centre, known for its relaxing atmosphere and British heritage, with its golf course and race track. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore the area on our own or to relax at our very gracious hotel, a reminder of bygone days of the British tea growers. Grand Hotel (1 night).

We descend from the highlands to the southern plain and into Yala National Park, renown for its leopard population. After settling in at our seaside resort, we will venture out in search of the illusive leopard and other wildlife on a late afternoon game drive, in 4x4 vehicles. Luckily for us, Yala, one of Sri Lanka’s most important natural reserves, is known to have the highest concentration of leopards in the world. Our resort, set by the ocean, will be a welcome oasis between our safaris into the park. Cinnamon Wild (1 night).

The choice is yours this morning to either enjoy our gracious resort or join an optional second game drive, exploring different parts of Yala in search of birds and wildlife. Following breakfast we depart across the lush southern coast. The greenery and wonderful coastal scenery make for a relaxed drive to the seaside town of Weligama. Our deluxe resort overlooks the sea and one of the finest beaches on the island. Weligama Bay Marriott Resort (3 nights).

Just up the coast, Galle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, awaits us. We will explore its historic Dutch Fort and old town, on foot, followed by the opportunity to explore the centre on our own. The Fort’s 300 year old Dutch colonial atmosphere is still very much alive amidst its many historical structures. Many buildings have been restored and converted into shops and restaurants. Founded in the 16th century by the Portuguese, Galle reached the height of its development in the 18th century before the arrival of the British.

Enjoy a full day at leisure in our seaside resort set on one of Sri Lanka’s finest beaches.

Traversing up the coast and back to Colombo, we arrive in Sri Lanka’s capital and largest urban centre. Driving through the “Fort”, built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, we will see the city, where colonial buildings stand next to modern offices. The busy bazaars of Pettah, the National Museum, the Town Hall, Independence Square, Cinnamon Gardens and the old Dutch Reformed Church are all on our route. Cinnamon Lakeside (1 night).

We will visit the Gangaramaya Temple, this morning, before some free time for last minute shopping. We relax and freshen up before our journey home this afternoon.