Settle into a beachfront hotel in Negombo. Rest, sip a king coconut, and let jet lag dissolve in the sea breeze. Optional evening boat ride through the Dutch canals.

Morning fish market visit, a sensory explosion of color and barter. Then drive to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, where little ones can bottle-feed baby elephants. Continue to Sigiriya through rice paddies and coconut groves.

Climb Sigiriya, where history, architecture, and wild jungle converge. Later, journey to Polonnaruwa, bike through the ruins and watch monkeys leap across thousand-year-old statues. Return to your eco-lodge by dusk.

Drive to Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka’s first capital, sacred to Buddhists. Marvel at Bodhi trees and massive stupas. In the evening, embark on a Minneriya jeep safari to see the Elephant Gathering,one of the largest in Asia.

Visit the mystical Dambulla Cave Temples. Then stop at a spice garden in Matale, grind herbs, taste cinnamon, and learn old-world wellness secrets. Arrive in Kandy in time for an evening cultural dance show.

A golden lotus in hand, step barefoot into the Temple of the Tooth. Later, lose yourself in the orchid-lined walkways of Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens. Return for another enchanting Kandyan performance.

Travel to Nuwara Eliya via winding tea roads. Tour a tea factory, pluck leaves, learn fermentation, and sip a warm cup with plantation views. Visit Gregory Lake and colonial-era buildings before checking in.

Set out before dawn for a nature trek across Horton Plains to the World’s End cliff drop. Return for a relaxing afternoon with optional boating or high tea.

Embark on the breathtaking train ride to Ella. Watch mist rise over tea valleys, wave to village kids, and hang out the open door. Arrive in laid-back Ella.

Visit Ravana Falls before heading to Yala. After lunch, take a thrilling jeep safari, look out for leopards, sloth bears, and elephants in the wild.

Unwind on the golden beaches of Galle. Optional activities: Madu River boat safari, turtle hatchery visit, whale watching (seasonal), or explore the cobbled streets of Galle Fort.

Drive to Colombo. If time allows, enjoy a quick tour: Gangaramaya Temple, Independence Square, and shopping in Pettah or Paradise Road before departure.