0203 019 3722
Highlights of Sri Lanka
A luxury tailor-made journey combining the Cultural Triangle, Kandy, Ceylon Tea Trails, Galle and Wadduwa
13 nights from £4,695 per person sharing, including accommodation, guides, drivers, flights and transfers
Good from September to April, but best time to visit: December to March
This luxury tailor-made holiday in Sri Lanka lets you experience the country's rich history, ancient ruins and kingdoms, tropical forest, tea plantations, colonial architecture and stunning beaches. All our tailor-made tours can be adjusted to suit you - in terms of both places and prices - and our Sri Lanka specialists
will be happy to oblige, whether you're travelling as a family, group of friends or as a couple.
Day 1: UK to Sri Lanka
Overnight flight to Colombo.
Day 2: Vil Uyana
On arrival, you'll be met at the airport and driven to your first luxury hideaway: Vil Uyana. Overlooking Sigiriya rock, set within 23 acres of paddy fields, this delightful collection of villas will be your home for three nights and is the perfect base from which to explore the region. Your first afternoon is all about relaxing after your flight and soaking up the tranquil atmosphere at Vil Uyana (pictured below) and maybe treating yourself to a wonderfully
restorative massage, a cycle ride or a yoga class.
Days 3 & 4: Sigirya, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa and Minneriya
1,500 years ago, King Kashyapa built his palace at Sigiriya on the pinnacle of a volcanic rock that soars high above the jungle. Explore its ruins after an exhilarating climb up vertigenous staircases and enjoy the panoramic views. There’s more ancient wonders, this time dating back to the 1st century BC, at the nearby Dambulla Rock Temples, with caverns brimming with over 150 images of the Buddha.
At Polonnaruwa, you will see hundreds of ancient structures in the well-preserved ruins of Sri Lanka’s medieval capital, exploring the tombs, temples, stupas and an immense reclining Buddha carved into the rock. From medieval life to wildlife, you’ll enjoy a 4x4 safari in the forests and grasslands of Minneriya National Park, looking out for elephant, sambar deer and macaque. Overnight at Vil Uyana
Day 5: Kandy
Today, you will be driven south (about 2 hours) to Kandy to stay at Kings Pavilion, your charming boutique home for the next two nights. Set on a hillside, overlooking the luscious Hunnasgiriya Mountains, Kings Pavilion Kandy offers ultimate relaxation within an idyllic tropical haven - yet it's just a mile from the centre of Kandy. Around this delightful boutique hotel you can explore great stretches of scenery on gentle afternoon hikes or sit back and enjoy them from the spectacular infinity pool. You can also find inner harmony at the private spa.
Day 6: Kandy
Located in the refreshingly cooler verdant-green highlands, Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is now the island's cultural heart, home to graceful colonial buildings, unique music and traditional dance. Begin your day with a trip to the tranquil Peradeniya Botanical Gardens before exploring the countryside. Kandy's lakeshore, hills, markets, arts centres and museums are all top-class. Finish with an evening visit to the Temple of the Tooth, a reliquary for one of the Buddha’s alleged teeth. Overnight at Kings Pavilion
Day 7: Kandy to Ceylon Tea Trails
Catch the train from Kandy to Hatton, cutting through prime tea country and enjoying the view gliding by. Ceylon Tea Trails is a cluster of luxurious colonial-era planters’ bungalows packed with period furnishings, and will be your home from home for 2 nights. Each bungalow has its own housekeeper, chef and butlers and sensational views over Castlereagh Lake.
Day 8: Ceylon Tea Trails
Today, you have a private guide (with car) to take you wherever you wish or collect you from wherever you decide to walk. Scenic walking trails link the bungalows, which are 5km to 15km apart. You will certainly want to enjoy a tour of the tea factory and fields with the expert resident tea planter. Maybe also venture a little further afield to make the pilgrimage up sacred Adam's Peak or play golf at nearby Nuwara Eliya. Overnight at Ceylon Tea Trails
Day 9: Galle
After a leisurely breakfast, you will be driven down from the tea plantations and along the south coast to the historic harbour city of Galle. Along the way you’ll pass many small fishing villages and secluded beaches until you reach Tamarind Hill, your elegant colonial boutique hotel for 2 nights. Once the official residence of the British Admiral of the Peninsula and now a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, providing an excellent base from which to explore the fascinating city of Galle, a UNESCO Heritage site - with a colourful history and a Dutch colonial feel and a large fortress.
Day 10: Galle
Take leisurely strolls around Galle Fort, stopping to try local snacks, or to peer inside the city’s imposing churches. Depending on the weather, we can also recommend a cycling tour of the surrounding coast. Between November and April, a whale-watching trip is definitely on the cards. Humpback and blue whale can both be spotted here. Overnight at Tamarind Hill
Day 11: Galle to Wadduwa
Today you'll be driven up the south west coast to Reef Villa & Spa - a romantic, tropical boutique hotel (with just 7 suites) filled with original colonial antiques, set on a stunning beach on Sri Lanka’s southwest coast, and just a couple of hours from Colombo airport - making this beach retreat the perfect finish to your holiday in Sri Lanka.
Days 12 & 13: Galle to Wadduwa
If relaxing by the pool, strolling along the beach, or indulging in a blissful spa treatment isn't sufficient, the hotel can arrange a variety of excursions. Take the hotel's tuk-tuk and driver to the 300 year old Maha Viharatemple in Wadduwa, (15 minutes away) and examine the relief sculptures of Lord Buddha or visit the atmospheric Richmond Castle (20 minutes) to appreciate this fine example of British and Indian colonial architecture. Or head to tourist enclave Bentota, where the hotel can arrange a meandering boat trip through the thick mangrove swamps. Overnight at Reef Villa & Spa
Days 14: Wadduwa to Colombo
It’s time to bid farewell to this beautiful country. We’ll drive you to Colombo Airport in plenty of time to catch your flight back to the UK.
Time to Start Planning?
Please call us on 0203 019 3722 or complete the quick and easy form below. We look forward to arranging the perfect Sri Lanka holiday for you, within whatever dates and budget you set, and our Sri Lanka specialists will gladly refine the proposal until you are 100% happy. Think of us as your private travel concierge, at no extra cost. With ATOL protection and 24/7 support whilst you're away.
International callers should dial +44 203 019 3722