A mix of sights, culture, history & wildlife all topped off with brilliant hotels

Experience the iconic highlights of Sri Lanka as you explore the magnificent Dambulla Cave Temples and the breathtaking Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Enjoy a scenic train ride through the picturesque tea hills! Then, venture south to Yala National Park for a chance to spot elusive leopards and sloth bears before unwinding on the stunning beaches of the south coast. End your Sri Lankan adventure in the vibrant UNESCO World Heritage town of Galle, immersing yourself in its rich culture and enjoying delicious local cuisine.

1 Night Makandura – 2 nights Cultural Triangle – 2 Nights Kandy – 2 Nights Tea Hills – 2 Nights Yala – 4 Nights Thalpe Beach – 1 Night Galle Fort

A team of real experts, brilliant at designing bespoke holidays.

Call 01273 923100 to start planning your Sri Lanka holiday today.

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"My passion for travel ignited while backpacking through, leading to adventures across Asia and beyond—from Borneo to India. "
Hannah, Travel Consultant
Elephants standing by jeep on a safari-in-Minneriya-Sri-Lanka

Kaudulla National Park Safari

Embark on a thrilling jeep safari to spot elephants and diverse wildlife in their natural habitat.

scenic blue train in Sri Lankan tea hills

Train Journey through Tea Country

Enjoy a scenic train ride through lush tea plantations and charming villages on the way to Nuwara Eliya.

view of Sigiriya rock over a wetland grassland in the distance

Breathtaking scenery

Climbing Sigiriya Rock to enjoy the breathtaking 360° views of the northern plains – it’s quite an achievement!

dambulla cave white building craved into a cave in SRi Lanka

Dambulla Cave Temples

Explore the largest temple cave complex in Sri Lanka, adorned with stunning Buddha statues and ancient frescoes.

Sri Lanka is a truly amazing country. The people are so friendly, the food is delicious. We enjoyed all the experiences we had.

Angie Newman, Sri Lanka

We have just returned from a holiday in Sri Lanka. It was the best holiday that we have ever had… The itinerary was well thought out and we had a good mixture of culture, wildlife and experience of the lovely country and people. I congratulate Sundowners and their in country partners who arranged a superb holiday.

Clive Newell, Sri Lanka

It was the holiday of a lifetime! Our trip to Sri Lanka was totally effort free allowing us to experience the best of this amazing country and exceptionally friendly people.

Karen Farnfield, Sri Lanka

Our experience with Lucy and the Sundowner team in Sri Lanka was nothing short of exceptional. Their meticulous attention to detail ensured that every aspect of our trip catered perfectly to our family's needs, making our visit truly memorable.

Sobana, Sri Lanka

From the most amazing food and walking tour in Galle Fort, to glamping and safari in Yala, to a treetop jungle hideaway, waterfall swimming and train through the tea hills in Ella, to climbing Monkey Mountain in Gal Oya, to a Sri Lankan cookery class, private cinema for 2 under the stars and helping local fishermen bring in their catch at a pristine beach on the east coast, we can honestly say we truly experienced Sri Lanka and completely fell in love with it.

Victoria, Sri Lanka
Read more reviews on Trustpilot

Tour itinerary

Days 1 & 2 :

Depart the UK and begin your Sri Lankan journey by unwinding at The Notary's House

Fly overnight from the UK to Colombo.

Arrive and transfer approx. 1 hour to the beautiful Notary’s House where you will spend your first night. Designed with wide open spaces and surrounded by nature, it is the ideal place in the countryside for you to relax and unwind! The hotel offers some local activities, including guided walks and trips to the local temple, and there are complimentary bikes for exploring the surrounding villages and towns.

Welcome to Sri Lanka!

 

 

aerial view of a hotel located by a lake set in a green forest with red roof
Day 3:

Journey to the heart of Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage

Setting off this morning you will head into the heart of the Cultural Triangle, stopping en-route at the incredible Dambulla Cave Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest temple cave complex in Sri Lanka. You will then continue on to Kumbukgaha Villa where you will be staying for 2 nights at this private hideaway in the peaceful rural settings of Sigiriya, surrounded by wilderness & paddy fields.

Want longer in the Cultural Triangle? Remember, this is just a starting point to give you a flavour of what we can do. All our holidays are designed for each individual. 

Call 01273 923100 to start planning your holiday

statues of budha on the display at Dambulla Caves in Sri Lanka
Day 4 :

Climb Sigiriya and spot elephants on safari!

This morning you will be collected by your driver and transferred to the iconic Rock Fortress of Sigiriya to enjoy this fascinating UNESCO complex and a hike to the top to enjoy the stunning scenery. You will then head out to Minneriya National Park for a 4×4 sunset jeep safari. For its size of 8,889 hectares, it has a huge range of wildlife living in its many habitats, including spotted deer, sambar, purple-faced langur monkeys, and macaques. But it is most famous for elephant!

sri lanka wildlife holiday elephants
Day 5 & 6 :

Experience Kandy’s elegance and rich heritage

Today you will be transferred approx. 2.5 hours to Kandy to spend 2 nights at Ru Boutique. Situated in the heart of the hill capital, Ru Boutique Hotel offers elegance and sophistication as you experience true Sri Lankan hospitality in quiet surroundings.

On day 6, you will take in Kandy, starting with the UNESCO Temple of the Tooth and Royal Palace, followed by a walk around Kandy Lake. You will then continue to the Kandy Royal Botanical Gardens – the largest and most impressive botanical gardens in Sri Lanka!

bedroom featuring wooden decor, large bed with white sheets, side tables, window with blinds - Ru Boutique Hotel, Kandy
Day 7 & 8:

Scenic train ride through breathtaking tea plantations

Today you will board the train south through the stunning tea plantations and many local villages to the hill station of Nuwara Eliya where you will spend 2 nights at Ferncliff Bungalow. A charming 1800s bungalow with a beautiful setting and excellent staff, this is a firm Sundowner favourite!

The next day is yours to enjoy the Tea Hills (with your driver available). You will visit a tea factory to learn more about the nations’ favourite drink. And if you are feeling active we definitely recommend a nature hike in the Horton Plains National Park to the “Worlds End”.

You could stay in Ella instead – ask us to tweak the itinerary to suit you!

Call 01273 923100 to start planning your holiday

Famous Nine arch bridge in Ella, Demodara, Sri Lanka
Day 9:

Escape to the wilderness near Yala National Park

Today you will be collected and transferred approx. 5 hrs to the southeast of the island to the border of Yala National Park where you will spend 2 nights at the Koragaha. Nestled amidst the serene landscapes of Yala, Koragaha Lodge offers a truly enchanting retreat for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike, and provides a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

jeep driving through Yala National Park
Day 10:

Go in search of leopards on an unforgettable safari

This morning, you will head into Yala National Park to enjoy a private half day 4×4 jeep safari. One of the largest national parks in the country, the terrain at Yala is varied with grassy plains and forest, rocky scrubland, lagoons, and a coastline. This multitude of environments supports an abundance of birdlife and a diverse range of animals including crocodiles, elephants, buffalo, monkeys, tortoises, mongoose and, of course, leopard.

Leopard in Yala National park, wildlife holiday
Day 11:

Swap wildlife for the golden beaches of Thalpe

This morning you will drive approx. 2½ hours to the coast where you will be staying at Coco Bay for 4 nights with breakfast included. With a beautiful sweep of golden sand and turquoise water, this the perfect hotel for swimming and sunset strolls.

View from a roof overlooking a sweep of the sea rolling onto the sand and on the sand is a large patio with tables and chairs dotted around the surface, and a few palm trees line the edge of the patio
Day 12 - 14 :

Indulge in beach bliss and unforgettable whale watching adventures

Three full days to relax on the stunning beaches of the South Coast, with chances to surf, kayak on Koggala Lake, and turtle spotting! Just an 8 minute drive away are the Koggala Stilt Fisherman – this is a unique sight that is definitely worth seeing, as fishermen sit on poles in order to fish in deep waters. Head there for sunset for an even more beautiful experience!

 

Ask us to add-in more time on the beach.

Call 01273 923100 to start planning your holiday

Galle stillts fisherman perched in the sea at sunset
Day 15 :

Explore the historic charm of Galle Fort

Today you will be collected by your driver and transferred approx. 20 mins to Galle Fort where you will be staying inside the fort walls for 1 night at Bartizan Galle with breakfast included. The hotel overlooks the Fort’s perimeter and the ocean beyond, affording gorgeous views of the sunset over the ocean. In the afternoon you will have a walking tour (with your driver). Galle’s rich heritage is derived from the colonial influences of the Portuguese, Dutch and the British respectively, spanning four centuries. The Fort remains a hive of activity and is one of the few World Heritage listed sites in which a bustling population continues to thrive.

white lighthouse at Galle Forth, Sri Lanka
Day 16 :

Farewell to Sri Lanka as you head home

This morning you will be transferred north to Colombo Airport for your flight back to the UK.

Welcome home!

Call 01273 923100 to start planning your holiday

Gangarama temple - Colombo featuring large buddha
wildebeest

Talk to us about your perfect trip to Sri Lanka

Call 01273 923100 to start planning your Sri Lanka Holiday today.

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Get In Touch With A Sri Lanka Expert Today

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