On arrival in Sri Lanka, you'll be met by your private guide, who will accompany you to the Horathapola Coconut Estate in Wadumunnegedara.

Welcome to Selective Asia! This level of personal service (such as private transfers, private tours etc) is what you can expect throughout your trip. A few services (eg boat cruises) will be shared, but we'll always make sure you're aware of these.

Your day is at leisure to explore the coconut estate, visit nearby rural villages or simply relax by the pool. Kids will enjoy the ox cart ride around the estate and there is plenty of space within the grounds for them to play.

Morning departure for Wilpattu - the largest of Sri Lanka’s national parks and home to a wide array of wildlife, including leopards, and a dense population of Sri Lankan sloth bears that exist only on the island. Having checked into your camp there will be time to freshen up before joining your guide and tracker for a dusk drive through the park.

Rise early to join your guide for a last dawn drive through Wilpattu, keeping your eyes peeled for wildlife as the park's inhabitants noisily greet the day. After breakfast, head for your Cultural Triangle hotel; a cosy base for exploring the region. Take your first safari through the stunning Minneriya National Park, famous for its 200-strong elephant population, keeping your eyes peeled for some of the park’s 24 species of mammal, including sambar, spotted deer, those elusive leopards, sloth bears and toque monkey as well as water monitors, swamp crocodiles and over 160 species of bird.

Head to the UNESCO-listed Sigiriya rock fortress, departing early to beat the heat and the crowds. Feast on a picnic breakfast in the shadow of the rock as your guide tells you some of the site’s many legends. Late morning, get a taste of typical rural life away from the ruins at a local rice or herb farm, where you’ll meet and chat with local families. Hop aboard a wooden catamaran to cross a lily-covered lake to another small farming community, where you’ll learn to make traditional coconut roti and sambal snacks, and enjoy them with your hosts. As the afternoon draws on, visit the ancient capital of Polonnaruwa, built over a thousand years ago with carefully-engineered reservoirs that still provide the region's water, and get an immersive feel for what life was like back then.

Head for the coast via the 1st century BC Dambulla Rock Cave Temple. Legend has it that an ancient Sinhalese king took refuge in these caves where, through meditation, he found the strength to drive away invaders. He built the first cave temple, with others added by the rulers who followed him, and the caves became an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists from around the world. Travel east, leaving the tourist trail far behind, and arrive at your beach resort by mid-afternoon to enjoy an afternoon at leisure settling into the area’s serene rhythms.

Spend the day at leisure: playing on the beach, splashing in the pool, and enjoying unhurried time together.

Make your way south along the coast to Batticaloa. Known locally as ‘Batti’, this picturesque town on a narrow peninsula exudes a temptingly relaxed vibe. Get around by bike, focusing on the local food scene, visit a bustling morning market, and cycle to a local family home to learn a few secrets of Sri Lankan cuisine as you help prepare a traditional curry lunch. Relax and chat with your host family, learning about their way of life, before cycling to Batticaloa Lagoon - the largest lagoon in the region - to see the mangrove swamps and seagrass beds brimming with water birds and fish. Stop at Batticaloa Lighthouse, where the lagoon meets the Indian Ocean, and meet with a group of local fishermen for a hands-on taster of the traditional fishing methods that have been passed down for generations.

Enjoy a last day at leisure in Passekudah’s unspoilt surroundings. If you’re visiting between May and October, head up the coast to Trincomalee: a top dolphin-watching hotspot and, more recently, a prime location for seeing whales further offshore. Whale sightings are sporadic, but spending a morning dophin-watching from the catamaran is pretty exciting nonetheless!

Journey west through the hilly landscape of inner Sri Lanka to Elkaduwa (an hour north of Kandy) and the Ashburnham Estate, set in its own 100-acre tea plantation. Having been warmly welcomed, the remainder of your day is at leisure to investigate the range of activities on offer, including trekking out to discover the secrets behind tea production. The surrounding forests offer unbeatable bird-watching, and Ashburnham’s resident naturalist will be on hand to help you identify the species fluttering overhead.

Join Ashburnham’s estate manager for a guided tour of the tea fields, where you’ll learn about the growing process, and meet some of the pickers. Continue to the tea factory at Bandarapola to see the leaves being processed and appreciate the science behind the above-average cuppa! Explore a few scenic walks from a book of suggested routes that resort has put together - we particularly love heading up toward Hunasgiriya and the Knuckles mountain range, passing small villages and local temples, to a viewpoint with panoramic views of the mountains, tea plantations and Victoria Lake Reservoir. It’s the perfect spot for a well-earned picnic lunch too. Take time to rest tired legs and soak up the views, before walking back to Ashburnham Estate where the remainder of your afternoon will be at leisure.

After a leisurely breakfast descend from the hills in the direction of the west coast. Your destination is a boutique property, conveniently located within 45 minutes drive of Colombo airport, yet set within peaceful surrounds. Not your typical airport hotel!

Departure day.