DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: UK to Sri Lanka
Fly overnight from the UK to Colombo.

Day 2: Negombo
On arrival you will be met by your private driver and transferred in your private vehicle approx. 45 minutes to Villa Hundira, an eight-bedroom boutique hotel overlooking the picturesque Negombo Lagoon. The interiors are a stylish blend of contemporary architecture with furniture, art, and sculptures from Sri Lanka and the orient. High roofs, large glass doors and windows allow for spectacular views of the lagoon where local fisherman go about their day’s work. Spend the afternoon exploring or relaxing by the pool.

Day 3: Negombo to Cultural Triangle
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 sites and the largest temple cave complex in Sri Lanka. You will then continue on to Lake Lodge Boutique Hotel where you will be staying for 2 nights. Lake Lodge is a small and exclusive 12 room boutique hotel in the little village of Kandalama, in the heart of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle. Want longer in the Cultural Triangle? Remember, this is just a starting point idea to give you a flavour of what we can do. All our holidays are designed for each individual. Contact us on 01273 923100 to start designing yours.

Day 4: Cultural Triangle & Elephant 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.

Day 5: Cultural Triangle to Kandy
Today you will be transferred approx. 2.5 hours to Kandy to spend 2 nights at Elephant Stables. A relaxing alternative to Kandy’s large hotels, this luxury boutique hideaway was previously the home of Sir Cudah Ratwatte, the patriarch of the island’s leading aristocratic family. Many elephants were once housed in the gardens of his old plantation – hence the name The Elephant Stables. Want to stop-off en-route? Ask us where works best. Call 01273 923100 to start planning your holiday.

Day 6: Kandy
Today 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.

Day 7: Kandy to Tea Country by train
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 Warwick Gardens, a luxury boutique hotel situated on acres of tea and jungle. Warwick Gardens is a tastefully converted planter’s home originally built in the 1880’s. It is an ideal spot to laze on the veranda, enjoy a delicious meal made with fresh vegetables from the garden, explore the local area on foot, or take a trip to one of the local villages to experience Tamil life. You could stay in Ella instead – ask us to tweak the itinerary to suit you. Call 01273 923100.

Day 8: Tea Country
A full day 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”.

Days 9: Tea Country to Yala
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 Flameback Eco Lodge.  In a beautiful setting surrounded by verdant gardens, each of the seven luxury tented lodges have large wooden decks facing the lake. This is an idyllic spot to relax and soak up the sounds of birdlife whether from your deck or at the pool.

Day 10: Yala Leopard 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. You may also want to head to Udawalawe to see elephants or Bundala for some excellent birding. Call us on 01273 923100 to tailor this holiday  to you.

Day 11: Yala to Mirissa
This morning you will drive approx. 1½ hours to the coast where you will be staying near Tangalle at Mawella Boutique Hotel for 3 nights with breakfast included. Mawella offers a gorgeous natural beach spot mixed with privacy and luxury to ensure a perfect holiday escape. Leave the rush of the daily grind behind for rest and relaxation: warm sun, chilled drinks, lazy walks and lots of splashing in the pool and sea.

Days 12-13: Beach & Whale Watching
Two full days to relax by the beach. The beach at Mawella is tranquil, away from the hustle and bustle of the town with very few tourists – just the odd glimpse of a fisherman going about their day in tropical paradise. The property’s idyllic surroundings are natural gems, offering up the option of lying on the unspoilt beach or swaying in the hammock under a palm tree in the lush, exotic garden. When evening falls, watch the mesmerising sunset from the villa terrace or take a late-night dip in the pool. Keep your eyes peeled, too, for Tangalle’s resident sea turtles swimming off shore; or failing that, check out the turtle conservation project at Rekawa, a small village 10kms from Tangalle. Ask us to add-in more time on the beach.

Day 14: Mirissa to Galle Fort
Today you will be collected by your driver and transferred approx. 2 hours to Galle Fort where you will be staying inside the fort walls for 1 night at Fortaleza Landesi with breakfast included. Fortaleza Landesi is a fine example of the Dutch colonial architecture with its tall wooden columns flanking the entrance. The three peaceful, luxurious rooms evoke the experience of staying in an authentic Galle House.

In the afternoon you will have a walking tour (from 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.

Day 15: Galle to the UK
This morning you will be transferred north to Colombo Airport for your flight back to the UK.

Welcome Home..(it may take a while to get back into the routine!)