Highlights
- Indulge in exhilarating water-sports in Pasikudah
- Experience the panoramic views across the Ella Gap
- Explore Kandy’s diverse history and artistic heritage
- Visit Sri Lanka’s most astonishing cultural sites
- Stay on a working coconut plantation in Makandura
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Package includes
- Accommodation in a shared double / twin room
- Chauffeur-guide and vehicle for the duration of the tour (including leisure days)
- Both airport transfers
- Customer Care for the duration of your tour
Terms & Conditions
- Valid from 1st September 2020 – 30th November 2020
- Price shown is based on two people sharing and may be subject to change
- See our Booking Conditions for more details
Day 1 & 2 Kandy
Upon arrival at the airport, head straight to Kandy, Sri Lanka’s last royal capital and gateway to the island’s hill country. Kandy is a melting pot of ancient artistic traditions, different religions, historic monuments and vibrant modern-day markets. The highlights are the relics of British colonial rule, such as the beautiful Royal Botanical Gardens and British Garrison Cemetery, and the Temple of the Tooth, one of the most iconic Buddhist temples in Asia which houses a tooth relic believed to have belonged to Lord Buddha.
Accommodation: Clove Villa
Recommended Activities: Royal Botanical Gardens , Temple of the Tooth
Day 3 & 4 Ella, Hill Country
Take the train or drive to Ella, a town in the south-eastern corner of the hills with spectacular views and a variety of great walking trails from gentle strolls to more strenuous hikes. Our favourites are the climb up Little Adam’s Peak and Ella Rock trek. Over the next two days, enjoy the cooler climes of the hills, either soaking in the views by the pool or exploring the surrounding tea estates on foot.
Accommodation: The Secret Ella
Recommended Activities: Kandy to the Hill Country by train , Walking in Ella
Day 5, 6, 7 & 8 Pasikudah, East Coast
Leave the hills behind and head to Pasikudah on the east coast. Over the next four days, relax on the beautiful tropical beaches of this area, indulge in exhilarating water-sports and, between April and October, go whale watching.
Accommodation: Amaya Beach
Recommended Activities: Sailing in Trincomalee or Pasikudah
Day 9 & 10 Habarana, Cultural Triangle
Head back inland to Habarana in the Cultural Triangle. Spend the next two days exploring the awe-inspiring historic sites in this region, from the 5th-century fortress-palace and astonishing views atop Sigiriya Rock to Dambulla Cave Temple which boasts 2,000-year-old murals and ancient statues of Lord Buddha. Another favourite is to visit the medieval citadel Polonnaruwa – children will love to meet the modern-day monkey population.
Accommodation: Cinnamon Lodge
Recommended Activities: Dambulla Cave Temple , Polonnaruwa , Sigiriya Rock Fortress , The Monkey Kingdom of Polonnaruwa
Day 11 Pannala, North-West Coast
Today, you will travel to a coconut plantation which is a little over an hour away from Bandaranaike International Airport for your final night in Sri Lanka. Explore the estate, relax by the pool, and enjoy a delicious last meal under the stars.
Accommodation: The Notary's House
Day 12 Airport
Your chauffeur-guide will collect you and transfer you to the airport in plenty of time for your flight home.
Clove Villa
Kandy
Clove Villa is a Sri Lankan owned private villa 15 minutes from Kandy town which offers a personalised service and comfortable accommodation in seven good-quality bedrooms. Designed with high timber roofs and tall glass windows, Clove Villa spreads across three floors.
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The Secret Ella
Ella, Hill Country
Secret Ella is an 100-year-old bungalow located amongst the hills of the beautiful valley of Ella. The villa has five bedrooms in total and is suitable for couples, families and groups of friends.
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Amaya Beach
Pasikudah, East Coast
Amaya Beach has a spectacular 300m beach frontage on the Pasikudah Bay, where seas are ideal for swimming and water-sports between March and September. The hotel is laidback and offers luxurious rooms and suites with sea views and Sri Lankan and international cuisine.
Cinnamon Lodge
Habarana, Cultural Triangle
Cinnamon Lodge is blessed with a tranquil and picturesque 27-acre woodland location next to a beautiful lake. The large gardens are filled with tropical trees and tranquil waterways which provide a home for a variety of birds, grey monkeys and rock squirrels. The luxurious two-storey chalets have verandahs and balconies and offer much privacy.
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The Notary's House
Makandura, North-West
The Notary’s House is a large mansion with plenty of outdoor space and overlooking a lake in Makandura. One hour at most from the airport, it is an ideal first stop that immediately introduces you to Sri Lankan living.
IndependentRoyal Botanical Gardens
Kandy
The Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens, located just outside of Kandy, are Sri Lanka’s largest landscaped gardens, spanning over 60 hectares, and can lay claim to being the finest in Asia. They will delight anybody who loves to see nature showcased at its best.
IndependentTemple of the Tooth
Kandy
Discover one of the great legends of Sri Lanka by visiting the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy where a sacred tooth relic of the Buddha is housed in great splendour. The story of this religious relic rivals any in the world. The Buddha’s tooth was brought to Sri Lanka in 4th Century A.D. and was subsequently passed round with great ceremony by a succession of Sinhalese kings and monks who regarded it as a symbol of sovereignty.
IndependentKandy to the Hill Country by train
Kandy
Take the train from Kandy into Sri Lanka’s dramatic hills and experience one of the most beautiful and invigorating rail journeys in the world.
IndependentWalking in Ella
Ella, Hill Country
Combine three much-loved Ella landmarks in a five-hour trek through glorious scenery in Sri Lanka’s Hill Country.
HostedSailing in Trincomalee or Pasikudah
Pasikudah, East Coast
Sri Lanka’s east coast is a paradise of soft, white sands and turquoise waves, tranquil palm-fringed beaches that will entrance those seeking romance, relaxation or anyone looking to indulge in some exhilarating water-sports. This experience gives you the opportunity to explore the waters beyond the picturesque shores and witness the endless splendour of Sri Lanka’s east coast.
IndependentDambulla Cave Temple
Dambulla, Cultural Triangle
Dambulla Cave Temple is one of the most popular religious cultural sites in Sri Lanka, attracting tourists from across the globe. A sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, it is the largest, best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. This World Heritage site has the largest number of Buddha statues all housed in one place, including a colossal, 14-metre-long figure of the recumbent Buddha carved out of the rock.
IndependentPolonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa, Cultural Triangle
The well-preserved ruins of Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka’s medieval royal capital, are one of the country’s most prominent cultural sites. You can spend several hours wandering freely between the various ruined temples, imposing Buddha statues and royal bathing pools.
IndependentSigiriya Rock Fortress
Sigiriya, Cultural Triangle
Sigiriya is one of the most dramatic and inspiring historical locations in the world, a huge rock fortress rising impossibly from Sri Lanka’s central plains, and possessed of a glorious history that has caused millions of travellers to gape in wonder.
HostedThe Monkey Kingdom of Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa, Cultural Triangle
Quite apart from the incredible ruins of this medieval city, Polonnaruwa is home to a large monkey population who were famously featured in Disney’s engaging documentary film ‘Monkey Kingdom’. Polonnaruwa is a gloriously majestic backdrop for this experience, which allows you to closely observe the three diurnal primates of Sri Lanka: grey langur, purple-faced leaf monkey and toque macaque. Although these creatures can be seen in various parts of the island, this is one of the best places for travellers to get up close and personal with the monkeys of Sri Lanka.
