Sri Lanka: Wildlife and Wonders of the Spice Island

Arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) and transfer to your hotel, situated on a pristine lagoon. Meet your fellow Guests and the expedition team during a welcome reception, followed by dinner and a musical performance.

Start your day with a walking tour of the hotel grounds, which were designed by famed Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa. Learn about his distinctive style and works, then begin your drive north, stopping for lunch at a local lodge on a coconut estate. Afterwards, visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Dambulla Cave Temple, a cave monastery that has drawn Buddhist pilgrims for over 2000 years. Venture into the numerous dwellings of this rock sanctuary to see beautifully preserved murals and statuary. Later in the afternoon, travel to Sigiriya and check in to your luxurious hotel, nestled among picturesque paddy fields and wetlands. Meet with a biologist from the world-renowned Primate Research Station and learn about the 3 diurnal primates of Polonnaruwa in preparation for your adventures the next day. In the evening, you may explore the hotel grounds with a local naturalist in search of the slender loris, a small nocturnal primate.

Rise early and head to the ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa, once a capital city of Sri Lanka and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the area with a representative from the Primate Research Station, searching for purple-faced leaf monkeys, toque macaques and the grey langur. Return to your hotel for lunch, followed by an afternoon at your leisure. Guests who did not participate in the slender loris trail walk the night before may do so this evening. Later, attend an engaging lecture given by a National Geographic Expert before dinner at the resort’s lakeside restaurant.

This morning, discover one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic sights: the UNESCO World Heritage-listed rock fortress of Sigiriya. Climb up a series of steep steps to reach the top of this impressive fortification, marveling at its ancient ruins and spectacular panoramic views. You may also choose to explore the fortress from its base, capturing images of the site’s imposing silhouette and the surrounding landscape. Afterwards, travel south to Kandy, a UNESCO-recognized kingdom known for its lush forests and spice gardens. Visit a local family residence, where you’ll learn about the various spices used in Sri Lankan cuisine, as well as the art of clay pot cooking. Help your hosts prepare a traditional meal and savor your delightful creations for lunch. Then, walk through a bustling market with stalls displaying bundles of colorful spices and fresh produce. Venture into the nearby Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, a revered pilgrimage site that houses a tooth of Buddha. In the evening, enjoy dinner at the hotel, followed by a traditional Kandyan music and dance performance. Please note: The tooth of Buddha is considered a scared relic and is not on display to the public at this time.

Journey to the Sri Lankan highlands and the tea country of Nuwara Eliya, locally known as “Little England.” Enjoy a European-inspired lunch at a country club, then visit a tea estate to learn about the cultivation and production of this world-renowned beverage from a former tea planter. Cap off the experience with a freshly brewed cup of local Ceylon tea. Later, check in to The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya, the former home of Sir Edwards Barnes, the fifth Governor of Ceylon. Uncover the history and architecture of this colonial-era hotel during a tour of the property, then enjoy the evening at your leisure.

Venture out early this morning to the UNESCO-recognized Central Highlands, where you'll visit Horton Plains National Park, a unique protected area with a cloud forest and sweeping grasslands. After a picnic breakfast amid this lush landscape, walk to scenic World’s End, a sheer cliff that offers panoramic views of the valley 4,000 feet (1,219 m) below. After an afternoon tea at the hotel, spend the rest of day at your leisure, choosing to explore the resort’s amenities, tour its sprawling grounds or simply rest after your morning hike. Attend a lecture given by a National Geographic Expert, then enjoy an evening on your own to see the nearby town or to visit one of the hotel’s five restaurants.

This morning, travel to the Nanuoya Railway Station and board a train car for a scenic 3-hour ride across the Sri Lankan countryside. Pass by terraced farms, dense forests and rural mountain villages, crossing the iconic Nine Arch Bridge along the way. Arrive in charming Demodara, where you’ll transfer to a motor coach and begin your journey to the Yala region in the southern plains of Sri Lanka. In the evening, settle into your accommodations—a jungle chalet with all the comforts of a modern resort—before joining your fellow Guests for dinner.

Rise early and embark on a morning safari in Yala National Park—Sri Lanka’s most famous natural reserve. Drive along grassy plains, verdant forests and brackish lagoons searching for incredible native wildlife—including peacocks, monkeys, elephants and the elusive leopard. Afterwards, head back to your lodge and enjoy a hands-on cooking class, where you’ll learn to make traditional Sri Lankan hoppers, thin bowl-like pancakes often served with an egg and topped with a creamy dahl or fiery sambal sauce. Meet a local conservationist, who will discuss the history and impact of Sri Lanka’s human-elephant conflict. Then return to the Yala grasslands with local rangers for an afternoon safari, capping off the day with sunset cocktails and an alfresco dinner.

This morning, journey to Bundala National Park, a maze of waterways, lagoons and dunes along the coastline of the Indian Ocean. Embark on a safari in this wildlife sanctuary, known for its outstanding migratory bird populations—from diminutive bee-eaters to large open-billed storks. Then travel to a local cinnamon estate, where you’ll learn about the harvesting and production of this incredibly beneficial spice. Taste a variety of cinnamon-inspired dishes during a savory lunch that also features delicious treats and tea infusions. Later, arrive at the seaside town of Galle. Tour the historic UNESCO World Heritage-listed Galle Fort, which encompasses a bustling town filled with Sri Lankan and European restaurants, shops and art galleries. Spend the evening at your leisure, exploring the town on your own, dining at a local restaurant or relaxing at the hotel.

Spend this morning with an expert from Oceanswell, a National Geographic Society-supported foundation that champions marine conservation research and education. At the nearby port town of Mirissa, board a private yacht and head out on the water for an exclusive ocean experience. Take in stunning views as you assist an Oceanswell team member with data collection, learn how to recognize swell patterns and identify the area’s numerous marine species. After your time at sea, visit the village of Ambalangoda, where you’ll meet a local artisan family that creates intricately carved Sri Lankan masks used during traditional Kolam dances. See the family’s workshop, learn about Kolam dancing and enjoy time to paint your own handcrafted mask. In the evening, visit a nearby temple for a candlelit blessing before a farewell reception and dinner with your fellow Guests at the hotel.

After breakfast, transfer to the Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Negombo for your flight home.