When you arrive at the Bandaranaike International Airport, our friendly driver will welcome you. You will start your archaeological journey by driving to Pinnawala. Here you will visit the famous Elephant Orphanage. You will see many elephants of all sizes playing and bathing in the river. It is a 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 over 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 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.

• Thuparamaya: The oldest stupa in Sri Lanka, dating back to the 3rd century BC.

• 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.

• 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.

• Point Pedro: The northernmost point of Sri Lanka. You can see the coast and feel the breeze from the ocean.

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. 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 Kanniya Hot Springs, which are also linked to local legends.

• Visit the Lovers Leap viewpoint near the Koneswaram Temple.

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. You can visit the Dambulla Cave Temple in the evening if time permits. This temple has many Buddha statues and paintings on the cave walls and ceiling. You will check in to your hotel for the night. Overnight stay in Dambulla.

After 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 up to the cool mountains of Nuwara Eliya. The drive is very beautiful, with green hills and waterfalls on the way. You will pass by many tea plantations. Nuwara Eliya is called "Little England" because of its cool weather and old British buildings. You can visit a tea factory to see how Ceylon tea is made and taste a fresh cup. You can also walk around the pretty Gregory Lake. The weather here is cool, so bring a jacket. Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.

Today is a very special day. Early in the morning, your driver will take you to the Nanu Oya railway station. Here you will take the famous train ride to Ella. This train journey is known as one of the most beautiful in the world. You will pass through green mountains, cloud forests, and tea plantations. You will see waterfalls right next to the train tracks. The cool breeze and beautiful views will make you fall in love with Sri Lanka.

In Ella, you will get off the train. You will visit the famous Nine Arches Bridge, a beautiful bridge made of bricks and rocks. You can also see the Ravana Falls if time permits.

After enjoying Ella, your driver will meet you and take you to the Yala area. You will check in to your hotel near the national park. Overnight stay near Yala.

Wake up very early today for a jeep safari in Yala National Park. You will go inside the park in an open jeep to look for wild animals. Yala is famous for having the highest density of leopards in the world. You will also see elephants, crocodiles, water buffalo, deer, and many kinds of birds. The safari takes about 3 to 4 hours.

After the safari, you will return to your hotel for breakfast and some rest. Later, you will drive to the historic city of Galle. You will walk through the famous Galle Fort, a big fort built by the Dutch people about 400 years ago. Inside the fort, you will see old churches, a lighthouse, and cute little shops. You can walk on the fort walls and watch the waves crash against the rocks.

After exploring Galle, you will continue to the beach town of Bentota. You will check in to your beach hotel and relax. Overnight stay in Bentota.

Today is a free day to relax and enjoy the beautiful beach. Bentota is famous for its golden sand and clear water.

You can choose to:

• Relax on the beach and swim in the sea.

• Try water sports like jet skiing or banana boats (at your own cost).

• Take a walk along the beach and collect seashells.

• Visit the Bentota River for a boat ride (at your own cost).

• Get an Ayurvedic massage to relax your body.

This is your day to do nothing and just enjoy the sun and sea. Overnight stay in Bentota.

Enjoy a final breakfast at your beach hotel. Depending on your flight time, you may have some free time to take one last swim in the sea.

Later, our driver will pick you up and drive you to the Bandaranaike International Airport. The drive takes about 2 to 3 hours. 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 wild jungles of Yala, and from the cool mountains to the golden beaches, you have seen the best of this beautiful island. We hope you had a wonderful journey and will come back again someday.