The Complete UNESCO Collection

Day by Day

13 Nights / 14 Days

1. Day 1

   Arrival - Negombo

   Transfer from the airport to Negombo. Overnight in Negombo.

2. Day 2

   Negombo - Anuradhapura

   Drive north (approximately 2.5 hours). Afternoon visit to the Sri Maha Bodhi and Ruwanwelisaya Dagoba - UNESCO Site 1: Sacred City of Anuradhapura. Overnight in Anuradhapura.

3. Day 3

   Anuradhapura Sacred City - Mihintale

   A full day exploring the ancient sacred city, followed by an afternoon visit to Mihintale, where Buddhism is said to have first reached Sri Lanka. Overnight in Anuradhapura.

4. Day 4

   Anuradhapura - Polonnaruwa

   Drive to Sri Lanka's medieval capital (approximately 1.5-2 hours) - UNESCO Site 2: Ancient City of Polonnaruwa. Overnight in Polonnaruwa.

5. Day 5

   Polonnaruwa Heritage Day

   A full day exploring the UNESCO-listed ruined city by bicycle - the Gal Vihara's rock-carved Buddhas, the Vatadage relic shrine and the Royal Palace ruins. Overnight in Polonnaruwa.

6. Day 6

   Polonnaruwa - Sigiriya

   Drive to Sigiriya (approximately 1 hour) - UNESCO Site 3: Ancient City of Sigiriya. Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress in the afternoon. Overnight in Sigiriya.

7. Day 7

   Dambulla Cave Temple

   A full morning at the Dambulla Cave Temple - UNESCO Site 4: the Golden Temple of Dambulla - with over 150 Buddha images beneath its painted rock ceiling. Afternoon at leisure in Sigiriya. Overnight in Sigiriya.

8. Day 8

   Sigiriya - Kandy

   Drive to Kandy (approximately 3 hours) - UNESCO Site 5: Sacred City of Kandy. Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in the afternoon. Overnight in Kandy.

9. Day 9

   Kandy Cultural Day

   Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya. Evening Kandyan cultural dance performance. Overnight in Kandy.

10. Day 10

    Kandy - Nuwara Eliya: Central Highlands

    Drive into the highlands (approximately 2.5-3 hours) - the edge of UNESCO Site 6: the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka (Peak Wilderness, Horton Plains and the Knuckles Conservation Forest). Overnight in Nuwara Eliya.

11. Day 11

    Horton Plains - World's End

    Early walk across Horton Plains to World's End, inside the Central Highlands World Heritage Site. Afternoon transfer toward the south. Overnight en route.

12. Day 12

    Sinharaja Rainforest

    Arrive at Sinharaja - UNESCO Site 7: Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Sri Lanka's last significant tract of primary lowland rainforest. Guided walk with a naturalist. Overnight near Sinharaja.

13. Day 13

    Sinharaja - Galle

    Drive to Galle (approximately 2.5 hours) - UNESCO Site 8: the Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications. Afternoon walking the ramparts of Galle Fort. Overnight in Galle.

14. Day 14

    Departure

    Transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport (approximately 2.5 hours).