When you arrive at the Bandaranaike International Airport, our friendly driver will welcome you. You will immediately start your archaeological journey by driving to Pinnawala. Here you will visit the famous Elephant Orphanage. You will see many elephants of all sizes. The best time to visit is when the elephants go to the river for their daily bath. They love to play and splash water. It is a fun and happy sight.

After spending time with the elephants, you will continue north to the ancient city of Anuradhapura. This was the first great capital of Sri Lanka, ruling for more than 1,300 years. You will check in to your hotel and rest after your journey. Overnight stay in Anuradhapura.

After an early breakfast, you will begin exploring the vast archaeological site of Anuradhapura. This is not just one ruin but a huge area filled with ancient wonders. You will visit:

• Sri Maha Bodhi: The oldest historically documented tree in the world. It grew from a cutting of the tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment. It is over 2,200 years old and very sacred.

• Ruwanwelisaya: A massive white stupa (dagoba) built by King Dutugemunu. It is one of the tallest monuments in the ancient world.

• Jetavanaramaya: Once the third tallest structure in the world after the pyramids. It was built with millions of bricks.

• Isurumuniya Temple: A beautiful rock temple famous for its ancient carvings, including the "Lovers" carving.

After exploring Anuradhapura, you will drive further north to the unique city of Jaffna. The drive takes about 3 to 4 hours. The landscape changes as you go north, with different plants and culture. You will check in to your hotel in Jaffna and rest for the night.

Today is a full day to explore the rich history and culture of Jaffna. This region has a distinct Tamil culture and its own ancient history. Your driver will take you to the most important archaeological and cultural sites:

• Kandarodai Temple (Kadurugoda Viharaya): This is a very special archaeological site. Here you will see about 20 small, unique stupas made of coral and limestone. They date back to between 307 BC to 267 BC. This style of small, clustered stupas is found nowhere else in Sri Lanka. It is a peaceful and mysterious place.

• Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil: A stunning and colorful Hindu temple. It is the most important place of worship in Jaffna. The architecture is beautiful, with many statues and carvings.

• Jaffna Fort: A large fort built by the Portuguese in 1618 and later taken over by the Dutch. You can walk along the walls and see the old structures.

• Cankilian Thoppu (Poothathamby Arch): This is the remaining facade of a royal palace from the Jaffna Kingdom. It is one of the only structures from that kingdom that still stands today. It was recently reconstructed in 2023.

• Jaffna Public Library: A symbol of the city's cultural pride. The original library was burned down during the civil war, but it has been beautifully rebuilt.

After a day of discovery, you will return to your hotel in Jaffna for the night.

After breakfast, you will leave Jaffna and drive south-east to the coastal city of Trincomalee. The drive takes about 4 to 5 hours, so it is a long but scenic journey. You will see the countryside change as you travel.

In the afternoon, you will visit the famous Koneswaram Temple. This ancient Hindu temple sits on a high cliff called Swami Rock, overlooking the deep blue ocean. The views are breathtaking. This was an important place of worship for centuries and is mentioned in many ancient texts.

After visiting the temple, you will check in to your hotel in Trincomalee. You can relax and enjoy the evening near the beach. Overnight stay in Trincomalee.

Today is a free day to relax and enjoy the beautiful east coast. Trincomalee has some of the finest beaches in Sri Lanka, with golden sand and clear blue water.

You can choose to:

• Relax on Uppuveli Beach or Nilaveli Beach.

• Go for a swim in the warm sea.

• Take a boat trip to Pigeon Island for snorkeling (at your own cost). You will see many colorful fish and coral.

• Visit the Hot Springs in Kanniya, which are also linked to local legends.

This is your day to rest and enjoy the sun after days of exploring ancient ruins. Overnight stay in Trincomalee.

After breakfast, you will leave the coast and drive back towards the cultural triangle. Your destination is Dambulla, but on the way you will stop at Pidurangala.

You will climb Pidurangala Rock. This climb is a bit rocky and adventurous, but not too difficult. It takes about 30 minutes to reach the top. At the summit, you will be rewarded with a stunning view of the famous Sigiriya Lion Rock right in front of you. It is one of the most beautiful views in Sri Lanka and a perfect spot for photos.

After coming down, you will drive a short distance to Dambulla and check in to your hotel. Overnight stay in Dambulla.

After an early breakfast, you will visit the mighty Sigiriya Lion Rock. This is the most famous archaeological site in Sri Lanka. You will climb to the top. Along the way, you will see ancient paintings (the Sigiriya Frescoes) and the giant lion paws carved into the rock. At the top, you will explore the ruins of a royal palace and enjoy a 360-degree view of the jungle below.

After climbing down, you will drive to Matale to visit a Spice Garden. You will learn about different spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and pepper. You can see how they grow and smell their fragrances.

Then you will continue to the beautiful hill capital of Kandy. In the evening, you can enjoy a traditional Kandyan Cultural Dance show with drummers, dancers, and fire performers. Overnight stay in Kandy.

After breakfast, you will visit the most sacred Buddhist site in Sri Lanka, the Temple of the Tooth Relic. This temple houses a tooth of Lord Buddha. It is a beautiful and peaceful place. You will see the golden roof and the inner shrine where prayers are offered.

After visiting the temple, you can do some shopping in Kandy or visit a gem museum to see how Sri Lanka's famous gemstones are mined and cut.

Later, you will drive down to the capital city of Colombo. The drive takes about 3 to 4 hours. In the evening, you can take a short city tour of Colombo. You will see a mix of old and new buildings, the old lighthouse, and busy markets. You can also visit the Panchamuga Anjaneyar Temple, a beautiful Hanuman temple. You will check in to your hotel in Colombo for the night.

Enjoy a final breakfast at your hotel in Colombo. Depending on your flight time, you may have some free time to do some last-minute shopping for tea, batik clothes, or souvenirs.

Later, our driver will pick you up and drive you to the Bandaranaike International Airport. The drive takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour. You will reach the airport in time for your flight back home.

You have traveled through over two thousand years of Sri Lankan history. From the ancient capitals of Anuradhapura to the unique heritage of Jaffna, from the rock fortress of Sigiriya to the sacred temple in Kandy, you have seen the rich archaeological treasures of this beautiful island. We hope you had a wonderful journey through time and will come back again someday.