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 the 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 Kumbukgaha Villa where you will be staying for 2 nights. Kumbukgaha Villa is a private hideaway in the peaceful rural settings of Sigiriya, surrounded by wilderness & paddy fields where wild elephants, elusive civet cats & peacocks roam free.

Day 4: Cultural Triangle 
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.

Day 5: Cultural Triangle to Kandy
Today you will be transferred approx. 2.5 hours to Kandy to spend 1 night at Cinnamon Citadel with breakfast and dinner included. With good facilities and a great atmosphere, the Cinnamon Citadel climbs terraced slopes on a riverbank and is a lovely place to relax after sightseeing. This afternoon you will visit the UNESCO Temple of the Tooth and Royal Palace, followed by a walk around Kandy Lake.

Day 6: 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 Ferncliff Bungalow, a charming 1800s bungalow with a beautiful setting and excellent staff, making it a firm Sundowner favourite. You could stay in Ella instead – ask us to tweak the itinerary to suit you. Call 01273 923100.

Day 7: Tea Country
A full day to enjoy the Tea Hills with your driver available – you could 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”. This afternoon you will head to the Grand Hotel for afternoon tea!

Day 8: 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 1 night 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 9: Yala to the beach
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.

You will then drive approx. 3½ hours to the coast where you will be staying at Aditya Boutique Hotel for 3 nights with breakfast included. Aditya is one of the those true ‘secret gems’, a small, modern beachfront hotel with all the trimmings and fine service, it is in a prime position located on a secluded stretch of sandy beach.

Days 10-11: Beach
Two full days to relax by the beach or alternatively there is plenty to keep you busy at Aditya. Head out on one of the hotels excursions such as to Kosgoda an area known for its sea turtle conservation. With your driver at your disposal, you could head to the nearby historic world heritage fort city of Galle or just a little further south, Mirissa is one of the best whale watching regions in Sri Lanka. On your final evening you will be treated to a farewell beachfront dinner. Ask us to add-in more time on the beach.

Day 12: Beach 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!)