Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Colombo
You'll arrive at the airport and connect with your Apple Vacations representative who introduces your English-speaking driver. After getting through immigration and collecting your bags, the transfer takes you to your Colombo hotel. Once you've checked in, head out that evening to explore the city's main areas, walking through Fort, Cinnamon Gardens, and Sea Street, plus the bazaar and the historic Dutch Church.
- Start point
- Colombo, Sri Lanka (Bandaranayake International Airport / Negombo / Colombo, 00:05 - 23:55)
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Colombo city tour including Fort, Cinnamon Gardens, Sea Street, bazaar area, and Dutch Church of Wolfe dhal
Landmarks Fort Cinnamon Gardens Sea Street Dutch Church of Wolfe dhal - Day 2
Colombo to Dambulla
Starting after breakfast, you'll drive toward Dambulla with a stop at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage to see the herd of captive Asian elephants. From there, continue to Dambulla Cave Temple where you can walk through the Buddhist site featuring 2,000-year-old frescoes and a 14-meter recumbent Buddha statue. You'll settle into your Dambulla hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
- Visit Dambulla Cave Temple
Landmarks Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage Dambulla Cave Temple 
- Day 3
Dambulla
Following breakfast, climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you'll see the views and check out the ancient frescoes and architecture. Later that morning, experience a traditional village tour with bullock cart rides, canoe rides, and tuk-tuk rides, plus local food. By afternoon, head to Minneriya National Park for a safari where you might see Sri Lankan elephants and other wildlife. Return to your hotel for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress
- Village tour including bullock cart ride, canoe ride, tuk-tuk ride, and local food
- Minneriya National Park safari
Landmarks Sigiriya Rock Fortress Minneriya National Park - Day 4
Dambulla to Kandy
After breakfast, you'll transfer to Kandy with a stop at a Spice Garden in Matale to learn how Sri Lankan spices are grown and processed, and you'll get a complimentary head and shoulder massage with refreshments. In the evening, visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic and watch the daily rituals at this ancient Buddhist site. You can also explore Kandy Lake, check out the Gem Museum to learn about the gemstone industry, and catch the panoramic views from Kandy View Point before heading to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Spice Garden in Matale with head and shoulder massage and refreshments
- Cultural dance presentation featuring traditional Kandyan dances
- Visit Temple of the Tooth Relic
- Visit Kandy Lake
- Visit Gem Museum
- Visit Kandy View Point
Landmarks Spice Garden Temple of the Tooth Relic Kandy Lake Gem Museum Kandy View Point - Day 5
Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
You'll head to Nuwara Eliya after breakfast with several stops along the way. First, spend time at Peradiniya Botanical Garden, which covers 147 acres with over 5,000 species of trees, plants, and creepers including the Palm Avenues. Then tour a Tea Estate and Tea Factory to see how Sri Lankan tea is produced and sample different varieties. Later, visit Ramboda Waterfalls dropping 109 meters, then relax at Gregory Lake surrounded by green hills.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Peradiniya Botanical Garden
- Tour Tea Estate and Tea Factory with tea tasting
- Visit Ramboda Waterfalls
- Visit Gregory Lake
Landmarks Peradiniya Botanical Garden Tea Estate and Tea Factory Ramboda Waterfalls Gregory Lake 
- Day 6
Nuwara Eliya to Bentota
After breakfast, you'll transfer to Bentota with scenic stops along the way. Check out St. Clair's Falls, one of the widest waterfalls in the country, and stop at Devon Falls, a 97-meter waterfall named after an English coffee planter. The afternoon includes an exciting white water rafting adventure at Kittulgala, located 100 kilometers from Colombo. You'll check into your Bentota hotel for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit St. Clair's Falls
- Visit Devon Falls
- Kittulgala White Water Rafting
Landmarks St. Clair's Falls Devon Falls Kittulgala Beli Lena Caves 
- Day 7
Bentota
Starting after breakfast, take a boat ride on the Madu River to explore the 915-hectare Madu Ganga Estuary with its 64 mangrove islets and over 300 plant species. Then visit the Kosgoda Marine Turtle Conservation project to see sea turtles and learn about protection efforts for these endangered animals. You'll return to your hotel for dinner and the overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Boat ride on Madu River
- Visit Kosgoda Marine Turtle Conservation
Landmarks Madu River Kosgoda Marine Turtle Conservation - Day 8
Departure from Bentota
On your final day, you'll be transferred to the airport for your departure. Depending on your flight time, you might have the morning to explore Colombo city a bit more or simply relax before heading home.
- End point
- Colombo, Sri Lanka (Bandaranayake International Airport / Negombo / Colombo, 00:05 - 23:55)
Optional Activities
- Optional morning exploration of Colombo city
