You are expected to arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport today in accordance with your itinerary, which calls for a four-night stay and a five-day journey. A representative from Lanka Safe Tours will meet and greet you at the airport. From there, drive to Kandy, stopping en route to see the Pinnawala elephant orphanage.

A unique location to watch elephants is Pinnawala in Sri Lanka. The facility was built in 1975 by the Sri Lanka Department of Wildlife Conservation to care for juvenile elephants that had been abandoned and lost in untamed forests. These cute animals are taken in, raised, and fertilized in captivity. It is situated 13 kilometers northeast of Kegalle town in Pinnawala village. The world’s largest herd of captive elephants resides at the Pinnawala orphanage. The orphanage is best visited between the hours of 9 am and 1 pm. Young elephants are thus bathed and fed milk at this period each day.

It is fantastic that travellers have the opportunity to witness these trained elephants enjoying themselves and bathing in the adjacent river.

After breakfast on day two, we head into the highlands toward Nuwara Eliya. Our first stop is the Damro Labookellie Tea Centre—formerly known as Mackwoods. As the oldest tea estate in Sri Lanka, it spans 5,000 hectares of rolling hills. You’ll see the specific production methods for both black and white teas before sampling a fresh brew at the factory.

Next, we visit Ramboda Falls. Standing at 109 metres, it’s one of the island’s tallest cascades and sits just off the highway, fed by the Panna Oya river. It’s an impressive sight, even from the road.

Once in Nuwara Eliya city, we’ll spend time at Lake Gregory. It’s the perfect spot to stretch your legs, whether you want to walk the paths or take a quick boat ride. We also make a stop at the iconic Nuwara Eliya Post Office. Built by the British in 1894, this Tudor-style red-brick building is a staple of the city’s history. We then make the return journey to Kandy for the evening.

On the third day, you’ll go to Nuwara Eliya, a charming town located in the Southern Province’s Galle District. Our car will drive you up to the hotel after breakfast. Our first visit will be to the Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa), one of Sri Lanka’s most well-known tourist destinations. It is a sacred site that is very significant to all Buddhists worldwide. It is the temple where the left canine tooth of the Buddha is honoured.

In 1988, UNESCO named it a treasure of world culture. After that, we’ll drive you to the Kandy viewpoint, which offers a spectacular view of the city. Any plan for a Kandy day tour should include it. Then we will head straight to Bentota for the night.

Day four is all about the coast. We start with a cycling tour through the quiet backroads of Bentota, passing the historic Katukoliha Temple and the emerald rice fields that border Dedduwa Lake. It’s a side of the town most tourists miss, including a stop to see the detailed murals at Mullegoda Temple.

By midday, we hit Bentota Beach. This stretch is essentially the water sports capital of Sri Lanka. The conditions here are ideal because there aren’t many large rocks or heavy swells, making it safe for:

• Water Skiing & Windsurfing: Perfect for both beginners and pros, with instructors on hand if it’s your first time.

• Snorkelling & Diving: Explore the coral reefs and tropical fish in the warm Indian Ocean.

• Banana Boat & Tube Rides: A high-speed, reliable crowd-pleaser for families or groups.

We wrap up the afternoon in Balapitiya with a boat safari on the Madu River. It’s a complex wetland ecosystem with dozens of tiny islands and mangrove forests. It’s a great way to cool off and see some local wildlife before we head back to the hotel for the evening.

On your final day, we dive into the energy of the capital. Colombo is a city of layers, and we start at Gangaramaya Temple. Situated near Beira Lake, it’s an eclectic mix of a temple and a museum—keep an eye out for the intricate brass work and the sheer variety of artifacts packed into the space.

From there, we move to Galle Face Green. This ocean-side promenade has been the city’s favourite meeting spot for over a century. It’s the best place to catch a sea breeze before we head to Independence Memorial Hall in the Cinnamon Gardens district. The hall is a masterclass in stone architecture, built to celebrate the end of British rule in 1948.

We finish the tour at the Old Dutch Hospital in Colombo Fort. This is the oldest building in the area, dating back to the 1600s, but today it’s a polished hub for some of the city’s best restaurants and boutiques. It’s the ideal place for any last-minute souvenir shopping or a final Sri Lankan meal.

Your journey with Lanka Safe Tours concludes with a smooth drop-off at your hotel or the airport. After 16 years of guiding guests across the island, we know the final day in Colombo is always a bit bittersweet—but we’ll make sure you reach your departure point comfortably and on time.