DAY 1 TUE 24 FEB

HOME TO COLOMBO

Meet your Ross Tour leader at Sydney International Airport for our flight to Colombo via Singapore. Late evening arrival, transfer to our hotel in Negombo. 

Accommodation: Jetwing Lagoon, Negombo

DAY 2 WED 25 FEB

NEGOMBO (B/L/D)

After a leisurely morning, explore Negombo with its narrow streets and small boutiques. Welcome Dinner at our hotel tonight.

Accommodation: Jetwing Lagoon, Negombo

DAY 3 THU 26 FEB

NEGOMBO TO KANDALAMA (B/L/D)

Visit Namal Uyana, the largest ironwood forest and pink quartz mountain in Asia today. Check into the luxurious Heritance Hotel in Kandalama, designed by Geoffrey Bawa, for the next three nights. 

Accommodation: The Heritance Hotel, Kandalama

DAY 4 FRI 27 FEB

SIGIRIYA ROCK FORTRESS (B/L/D)

Discover Sigiriya Rock Fortress (or Lion’s Rock), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most dramatic sights on the island. The remains of a giant pair of stone lion paws still guard the staircase that leads to the summit, once occupied by a royal palace.

Accommodation: The Heritance Hotel, Kandalama

DAY 5 SAT 28 FEB

POLONNARUWA (B/L/D)

The ancient city of Polonnaruwa today; best known for its 800 years old well-preserved, giant detailed Buddha rock sculptures and historic palace ruins. Late afternoon safari in Minneriya National Park to see wild elephants.

Accommodation: The Heritance Hotel, Kandalama

DAY 6 SUN 1 MAR

KANDALAMA TO KANDY (B/D)

Travel to Kandy, the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings. Visit the Golden Temple of Dambulla, a cave monastery and pilgrimage for Buddhists and Hindus including a magnificent 14m long

reclining Buddha. Check into our hotel near the Mahaweli River. 

Accommodation: Cinnamon Citadel, Kandy

DAY 7 MON 2 MAR

PERADENIYA BOTANIC GARDENS (B/D)

The Royal Botanic Gardens in Peradeniya today, originally the ‘Royal’ pleasure garden, to see endemic, indigenous and exotic plants. Explore Kandy this afternoon including the famous Temple of the Tooth, a great relic of Buddhism. 

Accommodation: Cinnamon Citadel, Kandy

DAY 8 TUE 3 MAR

KANDY TO NUWARA ELIYA (B/L/D)

Board the train for a scenic journey through rolling hills of tea plantations up to Nuwara Eliya. Check into The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya for two nights. 

Accommodation: The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya

DAY 9 WED 4 MAR

HAKGALA BOTANIC GARDENS (B/L/D)

Visit a tea plantation to learn more about Sri Lanka’s tea export industry. Next stop, Hakgala Botanic Garden where lotus, water lilies, roses, a fernery and orchids await us. Enjoy High Tea at the picturesque Hill Club Nuwara Eliya, established in 1876 by British coffee planters in the hill station of Nuwara.

Accommodation: The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya

DAY 10 THU 5 MAR

NUWARA ELIYA TO GALLE (B/L/D)

You’re on the road to Galle, a former Dutch Colonial town on the south coast of Sri Lanka. Stop for lunch at Kitulgala where the movie “Bridge on The River Kwai” was filmed. Check into the elegant Lighthouse Hotel, designed by Geoffrey Bawa, overlooking the Indian Ocean.

Accommodation: Jetwing Lighthouse, Galle

DAY 11 FRI 6 MAR

GALLE (B/L/D)

Experience local life in the Galle countryside and master how to cook a Sri Lankan curry. After lunch, learn about cinnamon at a nearby farm. Discovered by the Portuguese, the country nowadays produces 90% of the world’s cinnamon.

Accommodation: Jetwing Lighthouse, Galle

DAY 12 SAT 7 MAR

GEOFFREY BAWA (B/L)

Appreciate the genius of Geoffrey Bawa at his country home, Lunuganga Estate. Built in 1947 with structures linking interior and exterior spaces, Lunuganga is a work of art. Late afternoon tour of Galle Fort built in 1588 by the Portuguese then fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century. Free time to explore. 

Accommodation: Jetwing Lighthouse, Galle

DAY 13 SUN 8 MAR

GALLE TO COLOMBO (B/D)

We are travelling to Colombo today with a stop at Bevis Bawa’s ‘Brief Garden’. Bevis was Geoffrey’s brother, architect and artist. A private estate with cleverly designed spaces, alcoves and cloisters. Continue to Colombo and check into our hotel, built in 1864.

Accommodation: Galle Face Hotel, Colombo

DAY 14 MON 9 MAR

GALLE (B/L/D)

Geoffrey Bawa’s Colombo townhouse today, an introspective assemblage of courtyards, verandas and loggias. Meet up for our Farewell Dinner at the hotel. After late check-out, transfer to airport for our evening flight home.

DAY 15 TUE 10 MAR

ARRIVE HOME