Sri Lanka Treasure Trail

Touch down at Bandaranaike International Airport where your dedicated Aurivana Ceylon private chauffeur guide will be waiting to welcome you. After a comfortable three hour drive, check into your hotel on the beautiful southern coast of Beruwala. If time permits, enjoy a relaxing evening boat ride on the serene Madu Lake.

After breakfast, set off on a scenic hour-long drive to the magnificent coastal city of Galle, steeped in centuries of colonial history. Wander through the charming streets of the historic Dutch Fort area, browse its boutique cafes and souvenir shops. On your return to Beruwala, stop at Ambalangoda to discover traditional Sri Lankan mask craftsmanship, or visit the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery for a heartwarming encounter with sea turtles.

Begin the morning with a visit to the Fairgems School in Beruwala, where you will be welcomed by the school director and given a guided tour of the facilities, interacting with students and taking part in a hands-on workshop on the theory of gemstones and preparing a rough stone. After lunch, journey three hours to Ratnapura, the legendary city of gems. On Day 04, visit a working precious stone mine, explore the vibrant local gem market and tour the gemological museum for a deep and authentic look into the world of Ceylon gems.

Transfer to the wild and wonderful Udawalawe, checking into your jungle retreat and spending the afternoon on a thrilling jeep safari through Udawalawe National Park. Famous for its magnificent elephant herds, the park is also home to crocodiles, sambar deer, bears and, with a little luck, the elusive leopard.

Start the morning with a visit to the Elephant Transit Home, a dedicated centre where orphaned baby elephants are lovingly cared for before being released back into the national park. Continue to Buttala and visit the remarkable Buduruwagala Temple, where ancient Buddha carvings are sculpted directly into the rock face. Take a peaceful walk through the forest to reach your lodge for the night, nestled alongside the Menik River, whose very name means "river of gems" in Sinhalese.

Begin with a visit to the Okkampitiya gemstone mine, observing traditional stone extraction techniques including sieving and separating gem gravel from the surrounding earth. Continue to the breathtaking hill town of Ella, pausing en route to admire the spectacular Ravana Falls, and if time permits, hike up Little Adam's Peak for a stunning sunset view. On Day 08, take a scenic tuk-tuk ride through the tea estates of Bandarawela and stop at the famous Lipton's Seat for one of the most breathtaking panoramic views in Sri Lanka.

Board the iconic scenic train through the highlands from Ella to Nanu Oya, before your chauffeur guide drives you onwards to Kandy, stopping to admire the Kotmale Reservoir and Ramboda Waterfall. Visit the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic before checking in for the night. On Day 10, explore the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya, visit the stone museum in Kandy for insight into Sri Lanka's gem heritage, then head to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage for an interactive evening with these gentle giants.

On the journey to Sigiriya, stop at Matale to explore a traditional batik factory or an Ayurvedic herbal garden. Continue to the iconic Dambulla Cave Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising five remarkable Buddhist caves. Day 12 is devoted to the ancient royal capital of Polonnaruwa, where centuries of Sri Lankan history are preserved in magnificent ruins, best explored with a bicycle tour before cooling off beside the famous Parakrama Samudra Lake.

Rise early for the iconic climb up Lion's Rock in Sigiriya, discovering remarkable frescoes and the remnants of King Kashyapa's ancient fortress at the summit. Afterwards, begin the journey to Colombo for a well-deserved final night of rest. On your final day, explore Colombo at leisure, by a fun tuk-tuk city tour or a relaxing morning shopping for souvenirs and keepsakes.

Your Aurivana Ceylon private chauffeur guide will transfer you comfortably to Bandaranaike International Airport for your journey home. Until we meet again!