Upon arrival at Colombo Airport, meet up with your personal chauffeur-guide and transfer to a nearby hotel to recover from your journey. You can choose to go straight to your first destination instead if you prefer and it works with your flight times.

A half-day’s drive takes you to Wilpattu, home to Sri Lanka’s oldest and most beautiful national park. Quieter than the ever-popular Yala National Park in the south-east, your stay here gives you the chance to discover leopards, elephants, crocodiles, and a wealth of birdlife – without the crowds. Spend your time here exploring the park on private guided jeep tours and sharing sightings stories around the bonfire as you dine under the stars.

Transfer to Ulagalla Resort, via Anuradhapura to see the remains of the city where Sri Lankan civilization was born. This UNESCO-protected site is extensive and best explored by bike. Your chauffeur-guide will describe the history and significance of each complex and take you to see the sacred ancient Bo tree. Day five can either be spent exploring the estate at Ulagalla Resort or visiting other nearby cultural attractions such as the awe-inspiring Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Sri Lanka’s most iconic heritage site.

Just two-three hours away is Kandy, Sri Lanka’s last royal capital and the gateway to the idyllic tea country. Highlights here include a visit to the Temple of the Tooth which is the shrine for an ancient Buddhist relic, a stroll around the Royal Botanical Gardens, and sampling local street food favorites.

Drive or ride the railway into the heart of Sri Lanka’s central hills. The train still runs on the 19th-century line that was put in place during the days of the British Raj. Your accommodation here is an exquisite traditional tea planter’s bungalow that also connects you to the island’s colonial past. Pass the time sunbathing by the pool, hiking and biking through the tea plantations, and playing croquet on the lawn.

Drop down to the southern edge of the hill country for your overnight stay at Borderlands, a speciality campsite in a picturesque riverside location. The whole family will love the thrill of tackling the rapids on a white-water rafting adventure! You could also try canyoning which transforms the environment into your own personal playground, complete with water slides.

It’s time to hit the beach! Enjoy three days on Sri Lanka’s coveted south-west coast, close to Galle Fort – a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with 17th-century architecture, independent shops, and varied restaurants. You choose how to spend your time, either chilling on the beach or indulging in exhilarating water-sports. From December to April, whale watching is possible at Mirissa.