In the morning, you will be greeted by a custom made Tuk Tuk (Automated Rickshaw), and a special English Speaking guide who will take you on a memorable journey across the city of Colombo. With the guides given quirky names such as “The Wizard”, “Captain Pumba”, this is not your typical tourist experience, but rather an interesting take on the streets, buildings and history of this old City.

Taste some tea from a local boutique, walk among the colorful markets of Pettah, witness some of the old colonial buildings and the history behind it, and try some local snacks. After your memorable experience, you will be dropped back at your hotel. In the evening head towards the heart of Colombo, along a charming street until you enter Culinary Ceylon. Culinary Ceylon is a hosted, experiential, theatrical dining experience. The aim is to give a foreign traveler an in-depth introduction to the best of Sri Lankan cuisine through a 7-course dinner tasting menu or guided cooking experience hosted by a team of experienced Curators.

Sri Lankan Cuisine is currently trending worldwide! It combines flavors from around the globe and yet, has a taste that is all its own. With influences from Malaysia, Indonesia, Southern India, North Africa, Portugal, England and the Netherlands, it’s a mixed bag of flavors and an explosion of colors, which remains a constant reminder of our colonial past. But you would be mistaken for thinking it cannot be defined as its own. It’s heavily influenced by its geography, sitting in the Indian Ocean between east and west, meaning we are big on seafood. And the tropical climes also account for our plethora of coconuts. Curries and rice are staples, and are often eaten with roti style bread, while chilies, curry leaves, onions, cinnamon and garlic also feature heavily. After an exhilarating experience, you will be dropped back at your hotel for overnight stay.

Today you will check out from you hotel in Colombo, and transfer to a nearby airfield to onboard a helicopter which will take you to Koggala Airport in the South of the island. Here you will onboard a seaplane which will take you on a memorable ride over the oceans to view the largest animal in the world the Blue Whale. Sri Lanka is blessed to have resident Blue Whales in our waters year-round, and these leviathans are found off our waters and grow to over 80 feet in length. Despite being the largest animal on the planet, they survive on one of the smallest. They feed on small plankton type organisms called Krill, which they scoop up with their large mouths and filter out the water using Baleen which are britles along their gums which they have instead of teeth. These gigantic mammals are best viewed from the air which gives a complete view of the animal and it is possible to guage the size and length of these magnificent giants. After your memorable plane ride, land back and head to Galle, where you will check into your luxurious hotel Amangalla. Housed in a 17th Century building, which for more than 100 years served as the New Oriental Hotel during the heyday of steamship travel, Amangalla is part of the fabric of Galle and its UNESCO protected fort. In the evening go on a guided walk with a 5th Generation resident of Galle Fort.

The focal point of the walk is the Galle Fort, a UNESCO recognized world heritage site, and it is conducted by a 5th generation resident of this historic city located along the island’s Southwestern coast. The Portuguese, Dutch, and British occupied the Galle Fort at various points during Sri Lanka’s colonial history, and they have each left a unique imprint on its fabric.

As you navigate through the fort’s charming alleyways at a leisurely pace, a fascinating blend of local design traditions and European colonial influence become evident in the architectural style of its many interesting structures. The Galle Fort Walk is peppered with interesting facts, numbers, stories, and myths, all interwoven by the unique perspective and narrative of its host, who knows this terrain as well as the back of his hand. Nestled within fourteen strategically erected bastions, which demarcate Galle Fort’s extent, are numerous places of worship, a plush hotel originally used as the Dutch Governor’s residence, an old warehouse utilized to safe keep ship equipment and store spices, several local schools, a post office, a lighthouse, a clock tower, and an assortment of other in service and nonfunctional buildings, all crisscrossed by a grid pattern of streets. The lives of many different groups of people - primarily the Tamils, Sinhalese, Muslims, Burghers, and Malays - unfold slowly along its cobbled pathways and byroads. The cultural labyrinth that is the Galle Fort is also a centre for commerce, and it sustains the livelihoods of the diverse population listed above. Its, mostly, single-storey low houses which were built in accordance with the Dutch colonial style of architecture, have now been converted into several rows of quaint restaurants, bars, cafes, mini-libraries, clothing stores, jewelry shops, knickknack corners and everything in between, by their longstanding owners and also a select few who have managed to secure valuable retail space here in more recent years.

In the morning, you will head towards Ambalangoda where you will meet a local artisan and spend the day with him on a unique experience on the Sri Lankan way of life. Explore the Southern town of Ambalangoda from an aesthetic and historical standpoint, through the eyes of a renowned artist whose hometown it is. His passion and love for his craft are immediately palpable. He expresses himself through the art medium of mask carving and painting. This encounter involves a close look at the rural lifestyle that molded his experiences and, thereby, his individual artistic-style. The artist who conducts this alternate experience — takes you through his village in a mini moke vintage car, and it certainly adds much character to an already engaging encounter! Ambalangoda has an ancient tradition of mask making. For several centuries, a few families from this town had carefully crafted the different masks required to maintain specific aspects of Sri Lankan culture. The masks were an integral part of religious rituals, spiritual ceremonies, traditional plays, local dance forms, puppeteering, and general aesthetic expression. The use of these masks has, however, reduced in recent times along with the wane in influence of their associated cultural traditions. Still, a few loyal, gifted artisans keep plying their trade. Built into his very home, his workshop immediately takes you to another time; a different place. It is a labyrinth of eerie masks, intense colour, and traditional pieces of art. Worldly interpretations of otherworldly artistic thoughts, they are. This is where you will first encounter ‘The Mask Man’. He humbly reveals the nature of his work and life to you while offering a few light refreshments, before setting off to experience the daily sights and sounds that have shaped him. First, he takes you to an ancient Buddhist temple close to the heart of the town of Ambalangoda. A primary reason for the significance of the Sunandarama Temple is the bell tower it houses, which is known to be the largest in Sri Lanka A quick moke ride away and he immerses you in a vastly different artistic tradition. Batik — a cloth dyeing technique originating from Java, Indonesia and first introduced locally by the Sri Lankan Malays — is an important part of the cultural fabric of Sri Lanka. A small batik dyeing facility and the many processes involved are shown. Operated by several local ladies, they run their households with the additional income generated from this enterprise. Next, he takes you to a functional coconut oil refinery. The ancient method of deriving coconut oil by applying immense pressure on the coconut flesh, using a millstone system, is employed here. The large stone wheel is kept in motion by a cow. Coconut oil is widely consumed in these parts as cooking oil, hair oil, and for its medicinal properties in the Ayurvedic tradition. This niche, alternate experience culminates with a return trip to The Mask Man’s workshop. A relaxed glimpse of the various mediums (canvas, plates, wooden pallets, etc.) that he employs to make traditional paintings is offered at this point. You can savour a fabulous meal prepared by his wife, within their own home; however, this entails an additional charge as it is not a part of the curated encounter. This can be arranged if two days prior notice is given, and it is an option that many who partake in this experience choose, due to its authentic flavor.

oday once you check you, transfer to your beach stay in the award winning Cape Weligama a truly idyllic and luxurious property set in the Weligama Bay overlooking the beautiful Indian Ocean. Cape Weligama has become the most celebrated resort along this fabled island's palm-fringed shores. Thirty minutes east of Galle, Cape Weligama inhabits 12 manicured acres atop a singular promontory rising 40 metres above the Indian Ocean. Stunning panoramas await you, naturally complementing the 39 private retreats designed by one of Asia's most celebrated architects, Lek Bunnag. The hotel’s dining venues capture Weligama's iconic sunsets, as does the 60-meter crescent-shaped infinity pool that appears to flow seamlessly into the shimmering sea, while those timeless breezes ensure elegant swells unfurl onto the sun-kissed sand. Spend the next 3 days at leisure enjoying this beautiful property.

Today you will checkout from your hotel and transferred to local airfield where you will on-board your helicopter which will take you across the central hills of the island towards Hatton. In Hatton you will be welcomed to an award winning, luxurious bungalow- Ceylon Tea Trails. The world’s first tea bungalow resort, Ceylon Tea Trails is an icon for small luxury resorts. Comprising of five restored colonial era tea planter residences, the period furnishings, gracious butler service and gourmet cuisine create an ambience that has made Tea Trails the gold standard for luxury bungalows in Sri Lanka. Situated at an altitude of 1250 metres near Hatton in central Sri Lanka, the resort borders the World Heritage Central Highlands and offers breathtaking panoramas of mountains and lush tea fields. Each bungalow is unique and exudes its own exquisite ambiance while offering guests the non-hotel, private house ambience that is the hallmark of the award-winning, "all-inclusive" Tea Trails experience. Spend the remainder of the day enjoying the luxury and grandeur of your bungalow

Today you will spend at leisure relaxing and enjoying the colonial splendor of your magnificent property. During the day, you can opt to take part in an exclusive “Tea Experience”. This is the essential Tea Trails experience. The Resident Tea Planter will demonstrate the age-old tea making process. First, follow the trail of the planters of old Ceylon, as they trekked through the dense jungle looking for the best slopes on which to plant tea. Then on to watch the tea pluckers pick two leaves and a bud with deft hands. Then to the factory where the all-important conversion to “made” black tea happens. The machinery used is of very traditional British design, some as old as 100 years. The process is a very artisanal one, unchanged for a century. The daily complimentary group tour ends with a tasting of different grades of this great brew. Together with the tea-infused cuisine, tea based spa treatments and trekking trails that traverse tea-blanketed hills, you can literally lose yourself in tea. You will leave Tea Trails with a newly found appreciation of this wonder herb “Camellia Sinensis” & the terroir of Ceylon Tea.

Today after checkout, head to the Hatton Railway Station to on-bard a trail which will take you to Kandy One of the best ways to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the central highlands is to travel by train. The train stations in Peradeniya and most of the towns in the highlands were built during the time of the British, where minimal changes have been made to the buildings giving it a distinct old world charm. The train journey takes you through the back of small towns where you can see the local people go about their day to day work and through the mountain ranges providing beautiful views of the tea fields, patches of cloud forests, numerous streams and waterfalls. Upon reaching the station in Kandy, you will be welcomed by your chauffer and guide and head to the center of the Kandy Town. Known as the “Cultural Capital” of Sri Lanka and a UNESCO world heritage site, Kandy was established in the years 135AD by King Wickramabahu and was named Senkadagalapura at the time. In 1592 Kandy became the official Capital of the last Sinhalese Kingdom as the coastal areas were conquered by the Portuguese invaders. The hill capital remained a stronghold despite constant invasions by the Portuguese and the Dutch during the 16th , 17th and 18th century and also by the British (most notably in 1803) which were repelled thanks to the hilly landscapes, and guerilla tactics of the Sinhalese forces. The last ruling dynasty of Kandy was the ‘Nayaks’ of Kandy while the Kingdom preserved its independence until it finally fell to the British in 1815, mainly due to the lack of support of the noble families. The British deposed the last king, Sri Wikrama Rajasingha, and all claimants to the throne, thus ending the last traditional monarchy of Sri Lanka. In Kandy visit the spectacular Sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic, This sacred temple was built in the 16th century AD and is located adjacent to the Royal Palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy and overlooks the expanses of the Kandy lake. Referred locally as the Sri Dalada Maligawa, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is the most revered site in the country. This temple complex houses the sacred tooth relic of the Lord Buddha, and with strong political sway to who holds possession of the tooth, as it was believed that the possessor of this sacred relic had the right to rule the country. Afterwards head to your hotel for your overnight stay

Today embark on an authentic village experience in the outskirts of Kandy One of our trained Village Guides will take you through quaint villages, and show you the traditional village lifestyle and how they attend to their household chores. The walk also includes a look at the different vegetables, fruits and spices that are locally grown such as Cocoa, Pepper, Cloves, Nutmeg, Vanilla... and how jaggery (local sugar) is made from the flower of the Kithul palm. The village walk ends with a river swim where you can mingle with locals washing their clothes and dipping their heads in the water or chose to swim in what some may call your private natural swimming pool. A new addition is a newly found waterfall which includes a 1km walk through a jungle.. A picnic lunch will be provided with locally prepared rice and curry during this experience. Afterwards return back to Kandy, where you will enjoy a traditional dance show. The best way to experience the music and dance culture of Sri Lanka, especially the Kandyan traditions is to witness a cultural dance show in Kandy which provides an insight into the array of dances and playing of drums linked to Sri Lanka’s ancient traditions with the participants dressed in their decorative costumes. Each costume, dance and act signified a story, and the performances will take one on a visual and sensual journey through time and space. Performances such as fire walking and fire breathing as well as Kandyan drumming and devil dancing will be showcased in this show

Today you will checkout and drive down to Sigiriya. This area known as the Cultural Triangle is where the Ancient Kings of Sri Lanka ruled for thousands of years, and some of the best places to explore the rich cultural heritage of the island. Your lodging for the next three nights will be Water Garden, a luxurious property located in the heart of Sigiriya. Water Garden Sigiriya has ushered in a new chapter of dynamic and novel experiences in unsurpassed luxury. It is a unique boutique hotel in Sigiriya Sri Lanka that gives convenient access to the Cultural Triangle. The guests can soak up legendary beauty with fascinating landscapes and scenery. Natural seclusion and modern comforts offer an unparalleled authentic private haven at an enchanting getaway with remarkable experiences.

Today head towards the Sigiriya Rock Fortress for a guided tour of this Ancient Wonder. Rising dramatically from the central plains, the enigmatic rocky outcrop of Sigiriya is perhaps Sri Lanka's single most dramatic sight. Near-vertical walls soar to a flat-topped summit that contains the ruins of an ancient civilisation. Top of this rock contains ruins of an ancient palace complex, built during the reign of King Kasyapa (477AD – 495 AD) and surrounding rock is the Royal Garden. Ruins of various chambers, stairways and pools can be seen at the top of this rock. There is a stone stairway leading from the base to the top of the mountain. About half way to the top, there is a giant pair of lions paws which is in fact are the remains of a huge head of a lion whose open mouth served as the entrance to the royal palace. Surrounding the palace complex are the ruins of a garden complex consisting of two moats and various pools, some with water fountains still functioning after 1500 years. In the afternoon visit Polonnaruwa, another ancient Capital for a guided tour Polonnaruwa took its place in history after King Vijayabahu I defeated the invading Cholas and moved the capital from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa. It is renowned for its well-preserved 12th century ruins and impressive stone culture. Exploring Polonnaruwa, which is today a UNESCO World Heritage site, one can see Brahmanic monuments built by the Cholas and the monumental ruins of the fabulous garden-city created by Parakramabahu I in the 12th century.

Today in the morning head towards Ritigala, which was an ancient hermitage in the forest Ritigala is an ancient retreat of Buddhist monks, where the ruins of a 1st Century BC monastery lie hidden deep within the forest. Its height and the local weather patterns create a microclimate different from that of the surrounding plains, and Ritigala is home to a variety of rare species of plant and animal. Its biodiversity is now strictly protected and the area is today demarcated as a Strict Nature Reserve. During your excursion to Ritigala, you trek through the dry evergreen forest and pass through the remains of ancient stone bathing-pools, bridges and courtyards. Thereafter you will visit a nearby traditional Angampora School. Angampora is Sri Lanka’s ancient martial art which is also one of the oldest fighting forms in the world. This art was practiced by the kings of old thousands of years ago. Know as a deadly form of fighting involving armed and unarmed fighting using various weapons this was banned and outlawed by the British Colonials but yet was practiced in secret. Now this art if facing a resurgence and increase in popularity. The visit will encompass one of the students explaining about the art and hits history and intricacies. Thereafter the students will perform for you using their skills and techniques. Some of the displays will be using traditional weapons and will be practiced using acrobatic moves from the students. Thereafter return back to your hotel for the remainder of the evening spent at leisure.

Today you will head towards Anuradhapura, in the North Central Province of the island. This is where it all began, the oldest capital of Sri Lanka and the hub of the ancient Kingdoms of Lanka. Here you will check into the luxurious Ulagalla by Uga Escapes Once a chieftain’s mansion, Ulagalla features a 150-year-old mansion at its centre, with 20 private, ecologically-built pool villas spread across 58 acres of lush greenery. With its own solar farm generating half of its own energy requirements, Ulagalla is truly a unique boutique hotel in Anuradhapura. Enjoy the ambiance of ancient kingdoms or nature-based adventures whilst immersed in luxurious, ecologically-sustainable beauty. The lush environment, stunning landscaping, and exquisite attention to comfort makes for an unforgettable experience amidst a green oasis. Relax and enjoy the lap of luxury in this beautiful property

Today you will explore the magnificent Ancient City of Anuradhapura Anuradhapura is an ancient historical city comprising of religious places of worship and Buddhist shrines constructed by the past Kings of Sri Lanka and was the island’s capital between the 5th century BC and the 11th century AD. You will see some of the most famous as well as the tallest dagobas of Sri Lanka, remains from palaces, temples, monasteries, ceremonial baths and the temple of the holy Bo-tree. This tree was grown from a sapling of the very tree under which more than 2500 years ago the Buddha found enlightenment.

After checkout, you will head towards Wilpattu, Check into your lodging, Leopard Trails your slice of heaven in the wilds. During the grand era of the British dominion, Ceylon was one of the world’s most sought after locations for truly exotic expeditions. Leopard Trails bespoke tented safaris returns to the original spirit and true essence of safari, reminiscent of a golden era – an era of elegance, romance and adventure. After lunch, hop on your safari jeep and embark on your first game drive into Wilpattu National Park. Popularly dubbed as ‘the land of the lakes’, Wilpattu National Park is famous for watching wildlife within its picturesque villus and dry evergreen forests. It is Sri Lanka’s oldest and largest national park which re-opened in 2010 after being closed for nearly three decades due to the civil war. Wilpattu is one of the top spots in Sri Lanka for watching Leopard and Sloth Bear. Other larger animals seen regularly here include Elephant, Jackal, Mugger Crocodile, Sambar, Spotted Deer and Buffalo are among the larger animals regularly encountered. Return back to camp for sundowners and Dinner. Fill your heart and soul with a good drink and good company while you bear witness to Mother Nature’s masterpiece – the jungle orchestra! Yet while you enjoy the luxurious air-conditioned canvas tents, the curated local dining experience and the authentic ambience of a tented camp, what truly sets Leopard Trails apart is our team of internationally qualified and locally experienced safari guides; a team that is often described by returning guests as the best in the business.

Early morning set out to the park for your morning game drive, Your ranger will be well trained in the ecology of the park and provide unseful insights to make your safari enjoyable and memorable. Breakfast will be served while on safari, to maximize on the time spent in the park which in turn helps increase your chances of sightings. Return back to camp as the sun gets too hot. Relax while enjoying a cool beer or enjoy a short siesta in the air conditioned comfort of your tent Enjoy a delicious lunch and afterwards set back into the park for your final game drive Return back to camp for dinner and overnight stay

After a hearty breakfast, you will bid farewell and be transferred back to the airport for your flight back home

Upon receipt of Tour Confirmation Voucher, an advance of 25% of the total invoice value if the arrival date is more than 45 days. If the arrival date is less than 45 days, then 100% of the total invoice value is to be paid.

Balance 75% of the invoice value to be paid, at least 45 days prior to the arrival date.

Additional Remarks:
Payments are required within seven days, except where circumstances dictate that we request otherwise.

Suppliers may demand stricter payment terms on some bookings. These occasions will always be advised to you before booking and stated on your Travel Voucher. Individual cancellation terms will always be stated.

Our prices include all applicable taxes.*Frequent fluctuations in the Sri Lankan government tax policy mean that applicable taxes can change suddenly without prior notice.

A bank surcharge of 3% is applicable for payments made by credit cards.

Customers must pay all bank charges when making payments via bank transfers. Failure to do so will invalidate your booking and will bring further change to cover bank charges.

There will be no additional postage fees, booking fees or other hidden charges. Exchange rates are based on live on-day rates at time of booking and are not subject to change.

We are committed to high levels of professionalism to protect your booking. But we reserve the right to cancel your booking in any incidence of Force Majeure. In this event we will return all recoverable costs and, wherever possible, offer an alternative booking of comparable type and quality for your consideration. We cannot be held liable for any incidental expenses that you may incur during arrangements for a booking that is subsequently cancelled by us.

Force Majeure:
We cannot accept responsibility for Force Majeure – defined in these booking conditions as any specific event which we, as the supplier of the services, could not reasonably have foreseen, influenced or avoided. These include war, or threat of war, riots, civil strife, terrorism, contamination, extreme or unusual weather conditions, volcanic eruptions, industrial disputes, changes to sports itineraries, natural and nuclear disasters, fire, flight cancellations or rescheduling by airlines or any similar event beyond our control.

In event of cancellation, in whole or part, we voluntarily return all recoverable costs, above and beyond the limits laid down in our Booking Conditions.

In the case of cancelled tailor-made itineraries, we reserve the right to levy additional admin costs of up to 8 per cent of total booking cost when calculating recoverable costs.

No refunds are normally provided for early checkouts or no-shows.

Any individual wishing to cancel a booking must immediately notify the Classic Destinations representative by email. The cancellation is timed from 09:00hrs on the next working day to enable us to contact Suppliers. In the event of a group cancellation, we will hold each individual equally liable for cancellation costs.