Sri Lanka Hill Country & Tea Trails

Take a city tour in the morning to explore the heart of Sri Lanka's commercial capital. You can visit stunning temples like the Red Mosque and Gangaramaya, explore the Fort Market, visit the National Museum and even stop by a gallery to admire the talents of contemporary artists.

Afterwards, drive to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage on the way to Kandy.

A conservation project to ensure the well-being of its resident Asian elephants, Pinnawala is synonymous with elephants, with the nearby Ma Oya providing a playground for the residents.

If you are on time, you can observe caretakers feeding baby elephants and enjoy their playful antics as well.

There is also a small petting zoo with several adorable animals.

From Pinnawala, head to Dambulla, a central gateway to several attractions in Sri Lanka.

The town itself also has a claim to tourist approval, as the Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple is within easy reach. One of the biggest and best-preserved Buddhist cave systems on the island, it houses a vast collection of Buddha statues, murals, cave paintings and even a small stupa built inside a cavern.

In the afternoon, once the heat of the day has subsided, head to the nearby Sigiriya Fortress. Once a functional fortress with a palace on the summit, it continues to fascinate visitors with unbelievable feats of engineering, artistry and natural beauty.

Stop at a spice garden in Matale en route to Kandy and learn more about the island's spice trade. Before leaving the town, be sure to stop at the Alu Vihare, an ancient Buddhist temple, housing a collection of ola leaf scrolls containing Buddhist scripture.

Afterwards, head to Kandy and embark on a city tour in the evening when the heat of the day has died down.

You will be able to catch a glimpse of the residents as they travel back home, pass famous landmarks like the Bahirawakanda Viharaya, the Temple of the Tooth Relic and the Kandy Lake and reach great viewpoints which will allow you to look over Kandy as the city winds down for the night.

Begin your day at the Temple of the Tooth Relic. The stunning temple sits at the former royal complex, so you can admire the grandeur of Kandyan architecture as you walk through the temple grounds.

The chamber where the Golden Casket housing the Tooth Relic lies on the first floor, and along the way, you can admire wall paintings, statues, carvings, and murals adorning every inch of the temple.

After you pay your respects, be sure to visit the small museum, where you can learn about the Tooth Relic's past.

Then, take a short stroll around Kandy Lake and admire the wildlife before heading to the Peradeniya Botanical Garden, a scenic escape at the heart of Kandy.

The road from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya is sure to leave you impressed as it winds through mountainsides, past tea estates and distant waterfalls. Depending on the weather, you can even see layers of mist dramatically covering cloud forests on the way. If it gets too cold, stop at a tea estate for a cup of tea.

In Nuwara Eliya, you get to experience the hill country in a novel way. Sri Lanka's "Little England" is a scenic town nestled among towering mountains. Dramatic mountain tops provide stunning views from the city centre, which bustles with life.

For recreational activities, head to Gregory Lake, where you can enjoy water sports, live music and even a pony ride.

Follow the winding roads of the hill country to Ella, a picturesque mountain hamlet boasting rolling hills covered in tea estates, narrow valleys and meadows, incredible viewpoints, thundering waterfalls and hiking trails.

To get an idea of what the town has to offer, hike to the Nine Arch Bridge and wait for a train to cross the Demodara Gorge. Or embrace your spirit of adventure and try the Ella swing or zip line through the mountains.

In the afternoon, get back on the road to Kataragama, a holy town where multiple faiths reside in harmony. Take a swim in the Menik River to purify your mind, body and soul before attending an evening puja (ritual) under the stars.

Spend the morning in Unawatuna, exploring the bustling beach resort. The quaint town gives way to a pristine bay with crystal clear waters, ideal for water sports.

You can also take some time to explore a nearby temple and gaze at stilt fishermen, stubbornly holding on to their traditional fishing techniques in a modern world.

In the afternoon, head to Galle to visit the Galle Dutch Fortress. The late afternoon is ideal for a stroll through its narrow streets lined with cosy cafes, trendy restaurants, boutique stores, dignified museums, ancient temples, mosques and churches.

Reach the lighthouse to watch the sunset.

Visit the turtles at a turtle hatchery in the morning before taking a river safari in the Madu River. Then, head to Negombo for a city tour and a shopping extravaganza before leaving the island.