Island of Contrasts: culture, hills and the south – privately

Drive to Sigiriya, stopping at the Dambulla cave temple. Afternoon by the pool.

After breakfast we leave the coast and drive inland through coconut groves and rice paddies. On the way we stop at the Dambulla cave temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: five caves beneath an overhanging rock are filled with Buddha statues and painted ceilings, some more than two thousand years old. From the top of the rock there is a wide view across the forest to Sigiriya. We reach the hotel near Sigiriya in the early afternoon – time for the pool before the monkeys start chattering in the trees at dusk.

An early climb up the rock fortress before the heat. Afternoon jeep safari in Minneriya National Park.

An early start today: the climb up Sigiriya is best before the heat and the day visitors arrive. Through the water gardens and some 1,200 steps, past the famous cloud-maiden frescoes and the giant lion paws, you reach the summit plateau where a royal palace once stood. After the descent there is time to rest. In the afternoon we head out in open jeeps into Minneriya or Kaudulla National Park, where – especially from July to October – large herds of elephants gather at the reservoir. An unforgettable end to the day.

Via a spice garden to Kandy. Evening ceremony at the Temple of the Tooth.

Leaving the dry zone behind, the road climbs gently into the hills. On the way we stop at a spice garden to see how cinnamon, cardamom, pepper and nutmeg grow and how they are used in Ayurvedic medicine. In the afternoon we reach Kandy, the last royal capital, set around a lake. In the early evening we visit the Temple of the Tooth for the puja ceremony, when drummers play and pilgrims bring offerings of lotus flowers to the sacred relic.

Morning in the Peradeniya Royal Botanic Gardens, afternoon at leisure.

The morning belongs to the Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya, just outside the city: an avenue of royal palms, a fragrant orchid house, giant bamboo and the enormous Javan fig tree. Back in Kandy, the afternoon is at leisure – walk around the lake, browse the market, take a tuk-tuk up to the viewpoint above the city, or simply relax at the hotel. In the evening you can watch a performance of traditional Kandyan dance and drumming.

Through tea estates to Nuwara Eliya, with a tea factory visit and tasting.

Today the road winds up into the heart of the tea country, past waterfalls and endless green terraces. We stop at a tea factory to follow the leaf from plucking to withering, rolling and drying – and, of course, to taste the result. In the afternoon we arrive in Nuwara Eliya, at almost 1,900 metres, with its colonial-era houses, rose gardens and cool mountain air. Evenings here can be chilly: a fire in the hotel lounge is part of the experience.

The famous hill-country railway. Afternoon walk up Little Adam’s Peak.

Today is one of the highlights: the train journey through the hill country. From Nanu Oya the line winds through tea estates, pine forests and small stations, climbing past Pattipola, the highest point of the railway, before descending towards Ella. We have reserved seats for the whole group, and your luggage travels separately by car. In the late afternoon, after arriving in Ella, those who wish can walk up Little Adam’s Peak for sunset over the valley.

Drive south; afternoon jeep safari – with luck, leopards and elephants.

Today we descend from the mountains to the dry lowlands of the south. The landscape changes quickly: tea estates give way to rice fields, lakes and finally scrubland. In the early afternoon we check in at the lodge on the edge of Yala National Park. Then we climb into an open jeep and head into the park with an experienced naturalist. Yala has one of the highest leopard densities in the world; elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, water buffalo and countless birds live here too. Our drivers keep their distance and never crowd the animals – which makes every encounter calmer.

Along the south coast to Galle. Sunset walk on the ramparts.

Along the south coast we drive west towards Galle, passing sandy bays and, near Koggala, the famous stilt fishermen. In the afternoon we explore Galle Fort on foot: the ramparts built by the Dutch, the white lighthouse, old churches and narrow lanes full of colonial houses, cafés and small shops. At sunset we walk the walls to Flag Rock and watch the sun sink into the Indian Ocean.

Transfer to Colombo airport – or extend with a few nights on the beach.

Depending on your flight time, there may be a last walk on the beach or through the fort. Your transfer to Colombo airport takes about two hours on the expressway from the south coast. If you would like more time by the sea, we can easily extend your holiday with 3, 5 or 7 nights on the beach.