On Day 1, you'll arrive at Dubai International Airport and be welcomed by a Hala representative who will transfer you to your hotel. After checking in at 3:00 PM, you'll have the rest of the day at leisure. Enjoy an overnight stay at the hotel.

You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the desert for the Exotic Sunrise Balloon Flight. At 5:30 AM, your hot air balloon adventure will begin, taking you up to 4,000 feet for a peaceful and exhilarating experience. After the flight, you will land in the desert and enjoy a gourmet breakfast at a traditional Bedouin camp, with stunning views of the Margham Desert to capture. A commemorative flight certificate will be provided. You will then be transferred back to your hotel at 9:00 AM, where you can spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight accommodation at the hotel is included.

Meal Plan – HB
Accommodation - Cinnamon Lodge

Excursion to Anuradhapura

Today, embark on a sightseeing tour of Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the north-central part of the island. Anuradhapura, the first capital of Sri Lanka (5th century BC - 9th century AD), was the center of the island's Buddhist civilization and the grandest city of ancient Sri Lanka. Travel by air-conditioned vehicle with your personal driver-guide to explore the ruins of Anuradhapura. Visit the remains of the Brazen Palace, which once stood nine stories high, and the Sri Maha Bodhi, a Bo Tree over 2,000 years old grown from a branch of the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment.

Please dress respectfully, ensuring your elbows and knees are covered, and be prepared to remove your shoes at certain points. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing, and consider carrying a small backpack with water bottles, a camera, and other essentials.

Meal Plan – HB
Accommodation - Cinnamon Lodge

Sigiriya Rock Fortress & Hiriwadunna Village Excursion

Rise early for your journey to the magnificent rock-top fortress of Sigiriya, a 5th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll through picturesque water and boulder gardens, past pools and fountains, and ascend the steep, winding 200-meter staircase flanked by ancient Lion’s Paws. Upon reaching the summit, enjoy breathtaking 360-degree views of the surrounding jungle and hills.

Later, visit a farmer's house in Sigiriya and immerse yourself in the local lifestyle and farming traditions, including a tour of his organic garden. The guided walk along Hiriwadunna Lake offers opportunities to spot birds and land monitors and includes crossing a small jungle rivulet by catamaran. Experience a bullock cart ride through the paddy fields, giving you a sense of traveling back in time when early Sri Lankans used bullock carts as a primary mode of transportation.

The climb up and down takes roughly 3 hours. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing, and consider carrying a small backpack with water bottles, a camera, and other essentials. For those unable to make the climb, a visit to the Sigiriya Museum is highly recommended.

Meal Plan – HB
Accommodation - Cinnamon Lodge

Excursion to Polonnaruwa and Minneriya National Park

Today, embark on a sightseeing tour of Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the second capital of Sri Lanka during the 11th and 12th centuries. Travel in an air- conditioned vehicle with your personal driver-guide to explore the ruins of the Royal Palace and the Gal Vihare, featuring three magnificent Buddha statues in upright, seated, and reclining postures carved from a large rock. Other notable sights include the Lotus Bath and the Tivanka Image House, which contains some of Sri Lanka's best-known Buddhist frescoes.

In the afternoon, enjoy a jeep safari at Minneriya National Park. Centered around a large reservoir, the park is renowned for hosting the largest gatherings of Asian elephants at any given time. Besides elephants, Minneriya is home to various mammals, including deer, sambar, sloth bears, and a variety of bird species. During the dry season (June to September), the reservoir is a fantastic spot to observe elephants bathing and grazing.

Please dress respectfully, ensuring your elbows and knees are covered, and be prepared to remove your shoes at certain points. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing, and consider carrying a small backpack with water bottles, a camera, and other essentials.

Meal Plan – HB
Accommodation - Cinnamon Citadel

Travel to Kandy (En-route visit Matale Spice Garden)

Travel to Kandy. En route, visit a spice plantation in Matale, where you can sample various spices and herbs, gaining insight into the island's rich spice history. Explore the lush, green garden and see how herbs are grown in their natural environment. Learn how these spices can enhance the flavor of specialty meals. You can also find a variety of products made from the garden's herbs and spices at the onsite shop.

Assistance on Arrival (Evening enjoy a Cultural Dance Show)

Upon arrival, receive assistance and transfer to your hotel. In the evening, immerse yourself in the vibrant Kandy Cultural Show, showcasing traditional Kandyan dances and acts. Originating from ancient rituals like the Kohomba Kapkariya, these dances celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Sri Lanka. Featuring dynamic footwork, leaps, and whirls that mimic the movements of birds and animals, the performance is enhanced by colorful costumes, masked dances, and thrilling fire acts. Adding to the excitement, male performers showcase acrobatics and stunts such as plate-spinning. (Approx. Timing: 17:00 to 19:00 Hrs.)

Meal Plan – HB
Accommodation - Cinnamon Citadel

Peradeniya Botanical Garden & Temple of the Tooth Relic

After breakfast, explore the Peradeniya Botanical Garden, sprawling across 147 acres. Originally established in 1374 as a pleasure garden for the Kings of Gampola and Kandy, it boasts over 5,000 species of trees, plants, and creepers. The gardens feature rare endemic flora alongside tropical species from around the world. Highlights include the popular Spice Garden and Orchid House. Five Palm Avenues enhance the garden's beauty, with the oldest and tallest Royal Palm Avenue planted in 1905. Another notable avenue showcases the Double Coconuts, from the Seychelles Islands, known for having the largest seed of any plant in the world.

In the evening, visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic, a significant landmark in Kandy, housing the sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha.

Meal Plan – HB
Accommodation - The Grand Hotel

Travel to Nuwara Eliya, affectionately nicknamed Little England, known as the rest and recuperation center for colonial British tea planters and dignitaries. Its smoking steeples, British Tudor-style architecture, misty mountains adorned with tea plantations, and a serene lake make it feel like the perfect holiday destination.

Meal Plan – HB

Ceylon Tea Tour

Today, embark on a tour of the renowned tea gardens of Nuwara Eliya, nestled in the hill country known for its tea estates and waterfalls. Often referred to as the "Little England of Sri Lanka," Nuwara Eliya enjoys a perpetual temperate climate, shrouded in mist.

Arrive early to stroll through the lush green tea fields, observing tea pickers meticulously harvesting the 'two leaves and a bud' that are integral to making Pure Ceylon Tea. You can even try your hand at picking tea alongside them, guided by their expertise.

Later, take a guided tour of the tea factory to witness the subsequent stages of tea production, including tea plucking, withering, rolling, fermentation, firing, and sorting/grading. Afterward, savor a freshly brewed cup of tea at the factory's café balcony, offering breathtaking views of the expansive tea plantations.

Meal Plan – HB
Accommodation - The Grand Hotel

Journey to Yala and explore the breathtaking wilderness of Yala National Park, which forms the central part of a connected network of nine protected areas and is renowned for its diverse and splendid wildlife. Established with Block 1 dating back to 1900, this sanctuary has expanded significantly over the years. Situated in the southeast corner of Sri Lanka, the park boasts a notable population of leopards. Yala is also home to a rich array of wildlife including Asian elephants, wild buffalo, sloth bears, jackals, sambar deer, and an impressive variety of bird species.

Additionally, visitors can engage in various activities in the surrounding area such as nature walks, kayaking on one of the lakes, and exploring archaeological ruins.

Meal Plan – HB
Accommodation - Cinnamon Wild

Morning Jeep Safari at Yala National Park and Travel to Bentota

Set off early for a distinctive safari experience in Sri Lanka's renowned wildlife sanctuary, Yala National Park. This expansive area comprises forest, grassland, and lagoons stretching along the Indian Ocean in southeastern Sri Lanka. Join a guided tour in a Jeep led by a knowledgeable ranger to observe a diverse range of wildlife including elephants, crocodiles, buffaloes, and with luck, the elusive leopard. Yala is celebrated for hosting one of the highest densities of leopards globally, enhancing the chance of an encounter. Yala National Park plays a pivotal role in conserving numerous endemic flora and fauna species found on the island.

Later, proceed to Bentota, located 65 kilometers south of Colombo, nestled along secluded shores. This destination offers a blend of rich culture, exotic adventures, thrilling water sports, and palm-fringed golden beaches waiting to be discovered.

Meal Plan – HB
Accommodation - Cinnamon Bey

Excursion to Galle, Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery and Ambalangoda Mask Factory

On this excursion, we will first visit The Turtle Care Centre at Kosgoda beach, one of the 18 turtle hatcheries along Sri Lanka's southern coast. Kosgoda is renowned for hosting all five species of turtles that nest in Sri Lanka.

Following this, we will proceed to Ambalangoda, south of Sri Lanka, where we will visit a Mask Factory famous for traditional mask-making, mask dancing, and puppetry. Visitors can witness the craftsmanship involved in creating masks from "Kaduru wood" (Balsac), which is soaked to soften before carving.

Later, we will embark on a guided tour of Galle Fort, exploring the fort area on foot. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a glimpse into its storied past. You will have the opportunity to ascend the ramparts of the fort and take in the surroundings. Along the way, we will pause for a break to enjoy a cup of fine Ceylon Tea or refreshing King Coconut water.

Meal Plan – HB

Day at leisure

You have the day at your leisure to unwind on the beach or indulge in the resort's amenities. Alternatively, you can explore some stunning destinations along Sri Lanka's southern coast on your own. Consider visiting the exquisite Lunuganga estate, formerly owned by the lawyer-turned-architect Sir Geoffrey Bawa. Another option is the Kosgoda turtle hatchery, renowned for being a nesting ground for all five species of turtles that visit Sri Lanka. You might also enjoy a scenic one-hour boat ride along the Madu River.

Meal Plan – HB

In time assisted transfer to Colombo International Airport to board your onward flight home.