Discover Sri Lanka with Whale Watching (May. - Oct.)

Welcome to Sri Lanka, the Pearl of the Indian Ocean! Upon arrival, you will meet with a private chauffeur-guide, who is waiting to escort you to the hotel in seaside Negombo.

Enjoy a leisurely morning in the hotel or go out to explore this small town on your own. Early risers can take a walk at the Negombo Fish Market to experience the real local fishing culture. Wave through stalls piled with shark, squid, barracuda and unheard-of seafood as the sellers call out their wares, and get a great insight into local fishery life. Or you may prefer to join in a 1.5-hour boat trip on the Muthurajawela Marsh for bird and wildlife watching. In the afternoon, take about 5 hours toward inland to Anuradhapura.

Anuradhapura, now a UNESCO World Heritage City, recounts the glorious civilization of ancient Sri Lanka with well-preserved ruins and monuments. Today your tour guide will take you on a trip back in time to explore this time-honored city.

The ruins of the Abhayagiri Monastery Complex, including the restored stupa, exquisitely carved moonstones, and various treasures displayed in the museum, make it easy to imagine its magnificent past. Other highlights include the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi - which is considered as a branch of the bodhi tree where the Buddha attained enlightenment, and Thuparamaya - the first stupa to be built in Sri Lanka after the introduction of Buddhism.

Continue your journey east to Trincomalee. It will take about 2.5 hours' drive. Formed by a natural harbor, Trincomalee is spellbinding, with gorgeous white sand beaches, sparkling coastal views, and magnificent ancient history. Upon arrival, your tour guide will help you to check into the hotel. The rest of the time will be free for you at leisure.

Wake up early and explore the deep sea for whale watching. Those especially keen to see whales will want to visit in June through October when whales flock to the east coast of the country for breeding. During this excursion, you can also encounter other marine life such as dolphins and turtles.

Take the afternoon to explore at your own pace. Enjoy various water sports like sea kayaking, water skiing, and deep dives or soak up the sun on the untouched, palm-fringed beaches with soft sand, it's all up to you!

Enjoy more beach time today. You may simply laze by the pool or join in a boat trip to Pigeon Island for snorkeling into a wonderful coral world. In the afternoon, take about 2 hours' drive to Sigiriya for the night.

Start the day with a visit to the Sigiriya Fortress, also known as the "Lion Rock". The fortress stands along on the top of a massive rock in the middle of the forest, dominating the Central Plains. On your way descend, you can take the chance to see the colorful, elaborate frescos on the rock face.

Afterward, spend the rest of the day in the rural village of Hiriwadunna. Here, you will wander alongside paddy fields and vegetable plantations by jeep or tuk-tuk, hop on a catamaran cruising on the lake for wildlife and villagers' daily life, and then conclude the tour with the fantastic sunset.

The Dambulla Cave Temple, with a history as a pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, is an ideal place for you to get an insight into Sri Lankan Buddha culture. Once inside it, you will marvel at the numerous magnificent Buddha images and rock paintings, all of which are related to Shakyamuni Buddha and his life.

Later, move on to Kandy with a break at a spice and herb garden to learn about their culinary and indigenous medicinal uses.

After arriving, appreciate a traditional Kandyan Cultural Dance first and then walk to the Sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic nearby. Attend the daily Puja Ritual, when the room where the tooth relic is stored opens and you can get a glimpse in the golden casque.

Wake up to the stunning views of Kandy's misty mountains and then take a stroll around the Royal Botanical Garden of Peradeniya. With an area of about 150 acres, this place is home to more than 4,000 species of plants as well as much wildlife including peacocks and monkeys. Enjoy the time getting away from the bustling city and immerse yourself in the sea of nature.

Leave Kandy for Colombo in the afternoon, which usually takes about 4.5 hours on road.

Time to say goodbye to Sri Lanka.

You will get a guided city sightseeing on the way to the airport. Take photographs of old architecture at Independence Square. Step into the Gangaramaya Temple for worship like locals. Learn about Sri Lanka's history inside the Colombo National Museum. And alight at the mile-long promenade of Galle Face Green for a stroll.