Arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport and transfer to a boutique heritage hotel in Colombo. The afternoon is free to rest and refresh after your journey. In the evening, take a gentle guided stroll along Colombo’s colonial boulevards, where tree-lined avenues, Dutch-era buildings, and old churches whisper stories of the past. Conclude with a relaxed dinner at your hotel or a stylish local restaurant. Overnight stay in Colombo.
After breakfast, depart for Kandy, winding through countryside dotted with coconut groves and spice gardens. Pause for a guided walk through a spice estate to discover cardamom, cinnamon, and clove cultivation. Continue to Kandy, the island’s last royal capital nestled between forested hills. In the evening, witness the sacred rituals at the Temple of the Tooth Relic. The rhythmic drums, incense, and soft candlelight create an unforgettable atmosphere of devotion. Overnight stay in Kandy.
Begin your morning with a gentle walk around Kandy Lake, framed by forested slopes and colonial mansions. Visit local markets where bright saris, baskets of spices, and handicrafts fill the stalls. Continue to heritage workshops to see traditional wood carving and jewelry making. After lunch, explore the famed Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, home to majestic avenues of royal palms and one of Asia’s richest orchid collections. Return to your hotel for a relaxed evening in the cool highland air. Overnight stay in Kandy.
Board the morning train for one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic railway journeys. The route ascends into the heart of tea country, with sweeping views of cascading waterfalls, emerald plantations, and mist-cloaked mountains. Arrive in Hatton and transfer to a luxury tea bungalow set amidst landscaped gardens and manicured lawns. The evening is free to enjoy the elegance of your estate with gourmet dining or a fireside drink. Overnight stay in Hatton.
Spend the morning on a guided walk through the tea fields, tracing trails once used by planters. Learn about the delicate process of plucking the tender leaves, the lives of estate communities, and the legacy of tea in Sri Lanka’s history. Return to the bungalow for an immersive tasting session of Ceylon’s finest teas, paired with regional delicacies. Afternoon leisure to enjoy the bungalow’s gardens or library. Overnight stay in Hatton.
Enjoy a slow-paced morning beside the serene Castlereagh Reservoir, a mirror-like lake framed by green ridges. Choose between boating, cycling along shaded paths, or a lakeside picnic. For those who prefer tranquility, simply relax on the veranda with a cup of tea while watching the shifting light over the water. The afternoon is free for spa treatments or quiet reading. Overnight stay in Hatton.
Rise early and travel to Horton Plains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site where highland grasslands meet cloud forest. Embark on a trek to World’s End, a dramatic escarpment offering sweeping views across the valleys, and continue to Baker’s Falls, tumbling into mist-filled ravines. A picnic breakfast on the plateau completes the experience before returning to Hatton. The evening is free to enjoy your bungalow at leisure. Overnight stay in Hatton.
Depart for Haputale, a ridge-top town with some of the island’s most spectacular views. Visit a hilltop monastery where saffron-robed monks live in serene isolation among the mist. As the sun lowers, ascend to Lipton’s Seat, the vantage point once favored by Sir Thomas Lipton, for endless panoramas of emerald tea fields stretching into the distance. Overnight stay in Haputale.
Spend the morning immersed in the rhythms of highland village life. Join local families to learn how they cultivate vegetables and spices in small home gardens, taste simple home-cooked dishes, and share stories about traditions passed through generations. Return to your hotel for a relaxed afternoon, perhaps enjoying the cool breeze from your terrace or a short nature walk nearby. Overnight stay in Haputale.
Travel to the laid-back village of Ella, pausing en route at the Nine Arches Bridge. This engineering marvel, surrounded by jungle and tea fields, is one of Sri Lanka’s most photographed landmarks. Watch a train pass across the arches before continuing into Ella town. Settle into your boutique eco-lodge with sweeping valley views. Sip afternoon tea on your balcony as the sun dips behind the hills. Overnight stay in Ella.
Take a gentle morning hike to the summit of Little Adam’s Peak, a short climb with spectacular rewards. From the ridge, gaze across Ella Gap and the southern plains stretching into the horizon. Return for a relaxed afternoon in Ella, where charming cafés, small craft shops, and soothing spa treatments invite exploration. Overnight stay in Ella.
After breakfast, set out for Diyaluma Falls, Sri Lanka’s second tallest waterfall. Trek through tea-clad slopes to reach the upper pools, where you can dip into cool mountain waters while gazing over cascading tiers below. Return to Ella in the afternoon for a leisurely tea on your lodge terrace and a quiet evening surrounded by mist and birdsong. Overnight stay in Ella.
Depart after breakfast for your scenic drive back to Colombo. Along the way, pass rolling hills, roadside tea stalls, and changing landscapes as the mountains give way to plains. Arrive in Colombo by late afternoon. Spend your evening at leisure, perhaps with a farewell dinner at a colonial landmark restaurant. Overnight stay in Colombo.
Transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport for your onward flight.