This tour begins with a stopover in Colombo, allowing you to wind down after the long flight, and ends with a short beach stay in Bentota - one of the finest stretches of beach in Sri Lanka. In-between you will visit 5 World Heritage Sites out of Sri Lanka's total of 7.

All transfers are in private air-conditioned vehicles with an English speaking driver/guide. All entrance fees to the places of interest listed are included.

At the end of the tour why not extend your stay at the beach resort of your choice. Please see our Beach Holidays page or contact us for details.

Meet on arrival at Colombo International Airport with private transfer to your hotel in Colombo. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Colombo including a visit to Gangaramaya Temple, a Hindu temple, the Wolvendaal Dutch Church, Hultsdorf Law Courts and Independence Square. You will be driven through the bazaar district of Pettah, the commercial 'Fort' area and the wealthy residential area of Cinnamon Gardens. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay. Trans Asia Hotel (Standard) or Colombo Hilton (Deluxe).

After breakfast, leave for Dambulla. En route visit the ever popular elephant orphanage in Pinnawela. Check in at the hotel in Dambulla and in the afternoon visit the very impressive 5th century Sigiriya rock fortress. This world heritage site, consists of the remains of a palace on the top of the rock, a mid level terrace that includes the Lion Gate and the mirror wall with its frescoes of the 'Heavenly Maidens', the lower palace on the slopes below the rock, and the moats, walls and water gardens that extend for some hundreds of metres out from the base. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay. Amaya Lake (Standard) or Kandalama Hotel (Deluxe).

After breakfast leave for Polonnaruwa. Built in the 11th and 12th centuries AD, Polonnaruwa is another World Heritage Site. It comprises the Brahmanic monuments built by the South Indian Cholas, and the ruins of the fabulous garden-city created by Parakramabahu I during the golden age of Polonnaruwa in the 12th century. Irrigation systems far superior to those of the Anuradhapura age were constructed, systems which to this day supply the water necessary for paddy cultivation during the dry season. Here you can see the ruins of the Royal Palace , the Gal Viharaya (4 huge statues of Buddha carved out of rock), the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, King Parakramabahu's statue, and the remains of a former Temple of the Tooth Relic. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay. (Optional wildlife safari in Mineriya National Park )

After breakfast leave for Kandy. En route visit Dambulla Rock Temple. Dating from the 1st century B.C., this World Heritage Site has been a place of pilgrimage for 22 centuries. The cave monastery, with its five sanctuaries, is the largest and best preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. Also on the way, visit a spice garden in Matale to see the different spices which Sri Lanka is famous for. Check in at the hotel in Kandy. A World Heritage Site and once capital of the Sinhalese Kandyan kingdom, Kandy is the religious capital of Sri Lanka and a place of pilgrimage. The Temple of the Tooth houses Sri Lanka's most important religious relic, the sacred tooth of Buddha. Visit Kandy town; the market, the arts & crafts centre and a gem museum and lapidary. In the evening visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic and see a cultural show featuring traditional Sri Lankan dancing. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay. Amaya Hills (Standard) or Mahaveli Reach Hotel (Deluxe).