Splendours of Sri Lanka

Day 1 London to Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Fly by scheduled flight.

Day 2 Colombo.

Arrive this morning and transfer to the Galle Face Hotel for an overnight stay. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (D)

Day 3 Colombo to Sigiriya.

Following breakfast enjoy a panoramic tour of Colombo, the largest city in Sri Lanka and known in the past as the gateway to the Orient. The tour will showcase some of Colombo’s most famous landmarks and buildings. Afterwards we make our way towards Sigiriya with a light lunch en route arriving in the late afternoon. Check in to our hotel, the tranquil Water Garden Sigiriya, for a four night stay. Settle in this evening and enjoy dinner at the hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 4 Polonnaruwa.

After breakfast we visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. This 5th century ancient city was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 and is considered to be one of the best planned archaeological sites in the country. The entire landscape of the region is punctuated by high man-made reservoirs, the most famous of which is Parakrama Samudra or the Sea of Parakrama, built during King Parakramabahu’s reign in 1164-1196 AD. The monuments in the ancient city are relatively well preserved and highlights are the Royal Palace complex, including the King’s Palace and Audience Hall, and the spectacular Gal Vihare complex of four massive images of the Buddha cut from a single slab of granite, a highlight of ancient Sri Lankan rock carving. Return to Sigiriya for an afternoon at leisure and enjoy dinner in the hotel this evening. (B, D)

Day 5 Dambulla & Habarana.

This morning we visit the Dambulla Cave Temples. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a vast cave complex that dates back to the 1st century BC when it was converted into a temple and it is still regarded as one of the most important Buddhist monasteries. As we explore the complex of five caves, admire the rock ceiling which is the largest collection of paintings in Sri Lanka within a cave temple and wander between the 150 Buddhist statues that stand so well preserved within the cave walls. Later we will visit a village in Habarana, in the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka, where we will have the opportunity to interact with locals and experience daily life and the scenic views of Hiriwadunna Lake. Here we will enjoy a typical Sri Lanka lunch in the village. (B, L, D)

Day 6 Sigiriya.

Easily the most iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka, Sigiriya Rock dramatically rises up out of the surrounding jungle, standing at nearly 200 metres tall. This incredible rock fortress was built by King Kashyapa l in the 5th century AD and served as a royal citadel for more than 18 years. Accompanied by a harem of women, King Kashyapa l spent his days in various sections of the citadel including the large bath pool which impressively lies atop this epic stone. We will arrive at the fortress in the morning and with every step we climb, marvel at its beauty in the sun, pausing occasionally during our ascent to admire the mirror wall, the great lion paws, and the famous Sigiriya frescoes. Legend states that King Kashyapa’s harem threw themselves off the rock when he fell, but live forever in the form of frescoes found on the inner cave walls; there were as many as 500 but now only 19 remain. Once at the top, enjoy the unparalleled views of the natural jungle that surrounds you. Return to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. (B, D)

Day 7 Kandy.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast this morning before departing for the hill capital of Kandy, the last kingdom of Sri Lanka. En-route we visit Matale, a small town famed for its spice gardens, where you can smell, touch and taste the spices of the island that are known the world over and see how they are grown and processed. We will have lunch in the spice garden. Continue to the city of Kandy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the famed Temple of the Tooth. This iconic monument was built during the 16th century AD and is one of the most important temples for Buddhists as it houses the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha and is one of the most revered sites in this cultural capital. Visit the Temple on arrival before checking in to the Cinnamon Citadel for a two night stay. (B, L, D)

Day 8 Kandy.

This morning we visit the Royal Botanical Gardens. With 147 acres and over 4,000 species of plants, it is the largest and most impressive botanical gardens in Sri Lanka. As we take a leisurely walk, admire the beautiful giant bamboo and double palm trees, both of which are imports to the island and many are over a century old, and the fine collection of orchids, for which the garden is famous. This afternoon we visit a local house in Kandy and enjoy a delicious Sri Lankan high tea. (B, D)

Day 9 Kandy to Hatton.

After breakfast this morning we make our way to the heart of Sri Lankan hill country for our two night stay at the Argyle Hotel. The hotel is set in the heart of Sri Lankan hill country where acres of tea estates merge with beautiful old English architecture. The region is home of the famous Ceylon tea and the rolling mountains are a carpet of velvety green tea plantations, interspersed with gushing streams and tumbling waterfalls. The salubrious climate and misty glens of the region make it a must on any Sri Lankan itinerary. As an alternative to our journey by road, we may board the train at Peradeniya Station and take a scenic train journey to Hatton and then transfer by road to our hotel. This ride by local train is one of the most picturesque railway journeys in the world. We pass through lush green tea estates and mist covered mountains as we journey along the winding tracks. Upon arrival in Hatton check in to our hotel and enjoy an afternoon at leisure. (B, D) Please note that the Railway Authority will only issue tickets 10 days prior to our travel and we are only able to purchase them at that time. Due to limited seating, there is a possibility we may not be able to obtain tickets. Should this be the case we will travel by road. It is important to note that the train is air-conditioned but basic, however, the scenery en-route is magnificent.

Day 10 Hatton.

After breakfast take a tour of a tea plantation where we will be given a demonstration of how Ceylon tea is produced from the plucking stage through to the finished product. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure. (B, D)

Day 11 Yala.

After breakfast we head towards Yala, an ideal base for exploring the Yala National Park. Also known as Ruhunu, Yala National Park was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900 and is now home to 44 varieties of mammal and 215 bird species. This vast region of arid scrub interspersed with pockets of dense forest and open patches of grassland hosts one of the highest densities of leopard in the world. Arrive in the late afternoon and check in to Chena Huts, our base for the next three nights. (B, L, D)

Day 12 Yala National Park.

We depart early morning for a Jeep safari in Yala National Park, one of Sri Lanka’s oldest and largest national parks. Known for the variety of its wildlife, we hope to see sloth bears, jackals, wild boar, elephants and the cunning Sri Lankan leopard, all of which can be found here. The park is known to have one of the highest density of leopards in a concentrated area. Return to the hotel for breakfast and enjoy some time at leisure before our second safari in the late afternoon. The best time to enter the park is in the early morning or late afternoon when the animals wake or resurface after taking cover from the midday sun. (B, L, D)

Day 13 Bundala National Park.

This morning we explore Bundala National Park, a haven for birdwatchers and Sri Lanka’s first declared Ramsar wetland. Located in the deep south of the island, the diversity of the park lies in its landscape, from dry thorny scrubland to sand dunes and salt marshes, to mangroves and lagoons. Take a jeep through the park and discover close to 200 species of bird as well as many species of butterfly and mammals. Return to the hotel to spend the remainder of the day at leisure. Alternatively take a final game drive in Yala National Park in the late afternoon. (B, L, D)

Day 14 Galle.

Today we head towards Galle and arrive at our hotel in the coastal town of Koggala in the early afternoon. Check in to The Fortress Resort & Spa for a two night stay. In the late afternoon we embark on a walking tour of the impressive Galle Fortress. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the port where the Portuguese first landed in Sri Lanka in the 16th century and was then extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century. The city still retains the air of old Holland and is to this day maintained by the Dutch. Littered with high-end hotel properties, as well as bustling cafes, Galle Fort is a world of its own. (B, D)

Day 15 Koggala.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and spend the full day at leisure to enjoy the hotel’s facilities, relax on the beach or independently explore the historic city of Galle which is only a short drive away. Alternatively, join an optional whale watching tour that will be offered locally. (B, D)

Day 16 Koggala to London.

Transfer to Colombo Airport for the return scheduled flight to London. Arrive this evening. (B)