Arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport, where you will be met by a local representative and transferred to your Colombo hotel. Settle in and enjoy some time at leisure after your flight. The remainder of the day is intentionally relaxed, giving you the opportunity to rest and prepare for the touring ahead. Your accommodation is at The Kingsbury Hotel or similar, with your included arrival transfer making for a smooth start to your Sri Lankan adventure.

Meet your tour leader and fellow travellers before travelling south towards Galle. Begin with a sightseeing drive through Colombo, passing landmarks including Old Parliament, President’s House, Galle Face Green, Viharamahadevi Park and Independence Square. Visit the Colombo National Museum before continuing to Balapitiya for a boat trip along the Madu River, including a visit to Cinnamon Island and an introduction to local cinnamon production. Continue to Galle for dinner and an overnight stay.

Enjoy a leisurely morning at your hotel before lunch. In the afternoon, explore Galle Fort and its historic fortifications. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed precinct reflects the Portuguese, Dutch and British influences that have shaped the city’s architecture and character. Wander through its atmospheric streets and explore the relationship between the historic fortifications and the contemporary life of Galle. Return to your hotel in the evening for dinner and another night beside Sri Lanka’s southern coast.

Leave Galle after breakfast and travel towards Yala National Park. On arrival, embark on a guided jeep safari through one of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated wildlife reserves. The park’s diverse landscapes provide habitat for a rich variety of wildlife, including the elusive Sri Lankan leopard. Spend the night at Jetwing Yala or similar, with dinner at the hotel. For certain departures during Yala’s seasonal closure, the itinerary may substitute Udawalawe National Park while retaining a visit to Yala’s designated areas.

Begin early with another jeep safari in Yala National Park before returning for breakfast. Continue into the hill country, stopping in Ella to admire the surrounding scenery before boarding the scenic train from Ella Railway Station to Haputale. Travel through tea country, passing rolling hills, waterfalls and plantations. Continue by road to Nuwara Eliya, known for its colonial character and cool mountain setting. Stay two nights at the historic Grand Hotel and enjoy its traditional afternoon tea.

Enjoy a leisurely morning at the Grand Hotel before experiencing a traditional high tea at the Grand Tea Lounge. The afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy at a relaxed pace. An optional excursion to Horton Plains National Park and World’s End is available for those wanting a more active experience, including a 7.5-kilometre return walk through the highlands. The optional excursion requires a good level of fitness and involves uneven, potentially wet and rocky terrain.

Leave Nuwara Eliya and continue through Sri Lanka’s picturesque tea country towards Kandy. Along the way, visit a tea plantation and factory to learn about the process from freshly picked leaves through to the finished tea. Continue to Kandy with lunch at a local restaurant before checking into your hotel. The evening includes dinner with your group, providing an opportunity to relax after a scenic day travelling through Sri Lanka’s central highlands.

Explore Kandy with an included tuk-tuk and bazaar experience before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant. Take in views around Kandy Lake and explore the city’s historic character. In the afternoon, visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of Sri Lanka’s most revered Buddhist sites. The day concludes with a traditional Sri Lankan cultural performance, followed by dinner at your hotel. The combination of historic landmarks, local transport and cultural performance provides an engaging introduction to Kandy.

Travel from Kandy towards Sigiriya through Sri Lanka’s central landscapes. After checking into your hotel, head out on a jeep safari at Minneriya National Park, an important habitat for Sri Lanka’s wildlife and particularly renowned for its elephant population. Depending on seasonal elephant movements, the safari may instead visit Kaudulla or Eco Park. Later, enjoy an included local arrack experience with canapés before dinner at your hotel.

Begin early with a climb of Sigiriya Rock Fortress, the extraordinary UNESCO-listed site also known as Lion’s Rock. Continue with an interactive Sri Lankan cooking experience, learning to prepare rice and curry before enjoying lunch overlooking the gardens. In the afternoon, explore Polonnaruwa, the medieval capital of Sri Lanka and another significant UNESCO-listed site. An optional bicycle tour offers an alternative way to experience the ancient ruins and surrounding landscape. Return to your hotel for an evening at leisure and dinner.

Visit the UNESCO-listed Dambulla Cave Temple, an extraordinary complex containing Buddhist statues and vivid frescoes within a series of caves above the surrounding plains. Return to your hotel for lunch before enjoying the remainder of the afternoon and evening at leisure. An optional Audangawa village walking tour can be added, offering a closer look at local life, village landscapes, paddy fields and traditional ways of living.

Leave Sri Lanka behind and travel to Bandaranaike International Airport for your included flight to Malé. On arrival in the Maldives, transfer by speedboat to Kaafu Atoll, where you will spend the next four nights. Check into your island resort and begin your tropical escape. From this point, the Sri Lankan escorted portion concludes and your Maldives stay is independent, giving you the freedom to structure your days around relaxation, water activities and island life.

Wake to the peaceful surroundings of the Maldives and enjoy a full day at leisure. Spend time on the beach, swim in the clear lagoon or explore the surrounding waters through snorkelling and other optional activities. The resort also offers opportunities for water sports including catamaran sailing, windsurfing and canoeing, while additional activities such as diving and parasailing may be available. Enjoy the resort’s all-inclusive dining and selected beverages throughout the day.

Continue your island escape with another unhurried day in the Maldives. Enjoy breakfast before deciding how to spend your time. You may choose to explore the lagoon, participate in water activities or simply settle into the rhythm of island life with time on the beach. The resort’s setting provides plenty of space for relaxation, while the surrounding waters offer opportunities for snorkelling and other activities. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and included beverages form part of the all-inclusive Maldives experience.

Enjoy your final full day in the Maldives at leisure. Take a morning swim, relax beside the lagoon or choose from the resort’s optional activities. With no scheduled sightseeing, the day allows you to enjoy the destination in your own way. Spend time appreciating the tropical surroundings before your final evening on the island. Your all-inclusive resort package continues to include meals and selected beverages, allowing you to finish the holiday at a relaxed pace.

Enjoy breakfast before your included speedboat transfer to Velana International Airport in Malé. The transfer is coordinated around your international flight, as boat departures do not operate on a fixed schedule. Depending on your flight time, lunch may not be possible. Your 16-day Sri Lanka and Maldives experience concludes at the airport, with the contrasting landscapes, wildlife, heritage and island experiences providing a memorable combination of two distinctive destinations.