DETAILED ITINERARY

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

Day 2: Kaleliya (near Colombo)
On arrival you will be met by your driver/guide and transferred in your private vehicle 45mins to the village of Kaleliya to spend 1 night at Casa Heliconia, an intimate hideaway with only 2 guest pavilions, great service, a lovely pool and delicious meals served on your private terrace – what a start!

Day 3: Kaleliya to Wilpattu National Park
Today your adventure really starts as you head north to Wilpattu National Park to enjoy a jeep safari in the park.

You will then exit the park to spend 2 nights at Palpatha, a rustic eco retreat which supports the local community and is built to resemble a traditional village, offering an authentic back to nature experience on the doorstep of Wilpattu. Fancy something less rustic? Remember, this is just a starting point idea to give you a flavour of what we can do. All our holidays are uniquely designed for each individual client. Contact us on 01273 923100 to start designing yours.

Day 4:Wilpattu National Park
Full day jeep safari in Wilpattu National Park. One of the oldest and less known national parks in Sri Lanka, Wilpattu is dotted with many “villus” or natural lakes that support a variety of wildlife including elephant, leopard, sloth bear, endemic jungle fowls, mugger crocodiles and Indian pythons.

Days 5: Wilpattu to Cultural Triangle
This morning you will have the morning to enjoy one of the complimentary activities at Palpatha such as fishing on the Kala Oya River or taking a bike into the local village.

You will then drive into the Cultural Triangle region of the country to the incredible Dambulla Cave Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest temple cave complex in Sri Lanka.

After a fantastic day you will head to Arika Villa to spend 2 nights, a peaceful tropical retreat hidden away in the forest with 8 huge rooms, a lovely pool, attentive staff and some great food.

Day 6: Cultural Triangle
This morning you will be collected by your guide and driven to the iconic Rock Fortress of Sigiriya. Definitely a great opportunity to burn off that lovely breakfast at Arika you will enjoy a guided tour of this fascinating UNESCO complex and a hike to the top to enjoy the stunning scenery.

This afternoon you will then head into Minneriya National Park for a jeep safari in search of the large elephant herds, sambar deer and purple faced langur monkey. Contact us for more info on the famous Elephant Gathering….

Day 7: Cultural Triangle to Kandy
Want to stay an extra day or two in the Cultural Triangle & see Polonnaruwa & Anuradhapura? Contact us on 01273 923100 to design a holiday tailored to you or to get more ideas. This morning you will be driven south to the scenic city of Kandy, heading to the UNESCO Temple of the Tooth and Royal Palace where you will enjoy a guided tour and walk by Kandy Lake.

You will spend 1 night at the Theva Residency, a great value boutique hotel which offers incredible views of the city from the rooms, restaurant and infinity pool – perfect for a Sundowner!

Day 8: Kandy to Tea Country
Today will be driven 7km south of Kandy to Station where 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 House, a charming 1800s bungalow with a beautiful setting and excellent staff, making it a firm Sundowner favourite.

Day 9: Tea Country
Full day to explore this beautiful region with your guide and vehicle at your disposal. No trip is complete to this region without a visit to a tea factory and if you are feeling active we definitely recommend a nature hike in the Horton Plains National Park to the “Worlds End”!

Days 10: Tea Country to Yala National Park
An incredible drive today will take in the Ella Gap with stunning views of the southern plains (definitely a stop for a few photos!) as you head down to Yala National Park to continue your safari with 2 nights at the Cadjan Wild, a laid back eco lodge with only 4 jungle view chalets, on its own 3 acre estate that borders the park – it also has lots of hammocks!

Enjoy an afternoon jeep safari in the park – prime leopard country.

Day 11: Yala National Park
Full day jeep safari in Yala National Park. Yala is the most visited park in Sri Lanka and boasting the highest concentration of leopard in the world it’s no surprise.

Day 12: Yala to Uda Walawe National Park
This morning you will drive west to your final wildlife hotspot, Uda Walawe National Park, where you will spend 1 night at Kalu’s Hideaway, a 14 room house on an estate with beautiful tropical gardens & pool, owned by the Sri Lankan test cricketer Romesh Kaluwitharana.

Enjoy an afternoon jeep safari in Uda Walawe National Park. With a perfect environment for the Asian elephant this is a fantastic spot to view these majestic creatures in the wild.

Day 13: Uda Walawe to Galle Fort
Following a morning jeep safari in the national park you will continue west to the UNESCO Galle Fort to spend your last night within the ancient walls at Mango House, a stylish boutique guesthouse with bags of character and a great location in the heart of the fort. There are plenty of wonderful things to do in or around Galle Fort. Talk to us about the different options. 

Day 14: Colombo to UK
Following a final breakfast in the fort you will be transferred north to Colombo Airport for your flight back to the UK. Or add-on a few nights at the beach for a relaxing end to your holiday. Call us on 01273 923100 to tailor this holiday to you. 

Welcome Home…(how many photos!!)