Airport arrival and first night in Negombo – the closest beach town to the airport and a sensible, enjoyable place to begin a Sri Lanka adventure.

The inland drive to Sigiriya through rural Sri Lanka, arriving for an afternoon village cycling experience through the ancient irrigation tank landscape around the Rock – the flat, tree-lined roads between the ancient reservoirs are ideal for cycling and give an excellent ground-level view of the Cultural Triangle.

A sunrise ascent of Sigiriya followed by a bicycle exploration of Polonnaruwa Ancient City – the Gal Vihara sculptures, the Royal Palace ruins, and the ancient reservoir landscape of the medieval capital, explored at the right pace with the freedom to stop where the architecture demands it.

A full afternoon in Minneriya National Park focused on the elephant herds that congregate around the ancient tank – the largest wild Asian elephant gathering on the planet during the dry season, and consistently impressive wildlife year-round.

The drive to Kandy for the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and an evening Kandyan cultural performance – the best combination of cultural depth and theatrical entertainment available in the highlands.

One of the great railway journeys in Asia – the hill country train through continuous tea estate scenery, mountain tunnels, and highland valleys from Kandy to Ella.

Little Adam’s Peak for the morning panorama, then the scenic drive south to Udawalawe National Park through the southern landscape transition from highland to open savanna.

A morning game drive at Udawalawe – the best park in Sri Lanka for extended, open-grassland elephant encounters – before the coastal drive to Mirissa for an afternoon arrival at the south coast.

An early departure for the whale watching excursion (seasonal November to April), followed by a beach afternoon in one of the south coast’s most naturally beautiful bays.

The drive to Galle for a full morning and afternoon in the UNESCO-listed Dutch Fort – rampart walk, colonial street exploration, galleries, and the best coffee on the south coast.

Drive to Colombo for a final afternoon in the capital – the Gangaramaya Temple, the Galle Face Green, and an excellent farewell dinner.

Bandaranaike International Airport transfer.