When to go
January – March and November
Price
From £2,795
Flight time
11hrs 20mins
Introduction
This introductory tour to Sri Lanka combines visits to ancient cities, a local tea plantation, the most visited national park in the country, and a wildlife safari in search of leopards and sloth bears. Full of fun, excitement, and adventure, this once-in-a-lifetime 14-day trip will be one to cherish forever.
At a Glance
Duration
14 days & 12 nights
Guide price
Group: £2,795pp
Cities/Destinations (in order)
Colombo - Chilaw - Anuradhapura - Wilpattu National Park - Anuradhapura - Habarana - Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa - Dambulla - Kandy - Nuwara Eliya - Horton Plains - Wadduwa - Colombo
Tour Type
Experienced local tour manager and guided sightseeing
Tour Theme
Group Tour
Activity Level
Age Range
N/A
Star Rating of Tour
Superior
Accommodation
Anantaya - Forest Rock Garden Resort - Cinnamon Lodge - Cinnamon Citadel - The Blackpool - Blue Water Hotel
Board Basis
Varied - please see the sample itinerary for details
Min|Max Group Size
Average 12 people with a maximum of 18
Start/Finish
Colombo - Colombo
Extensions
Highlights
Visit the Wilpattu Safaris in Search of Wild Elephants and Leopards
Take a safari tour across the Wilpattu National Park in search of wild elephants, leopards, and more. The safari occurs for a full day with breaks for meals and rest. Complementary refreshments are included.
Join a Sri Lankan Cookery Demonstration
During your stay at Cinnamon Lodge, you will get the chance to participate in a live cookery demonstration. You will pick vegetables from the farm and cook them while incorporating traditional cooking techniques into the process. The result will be a set of beautiful dishes that bring out the best possible flavors and fragrances.
End the Tour With a Two-Night Luxury Beach Stay
Stay at the Blue Water Hotel for the last 2 days of your Sri Lankan trip. The hotel is conveniently located near the beach, which provides breathtaking views of the coastline and the opportunity to enjoy a pleasant swim, sunbake, or stroll along the sandy terrain.
Sample Itinerary
Magic of Sri Lanka
Learn about everything that this introductory trip to Sri Lanka has to offer in this sample itinerary. You will enjoy a full-day safari at the Wilpattu National Park, a visit to a local tea plantation, and a trip to the Royal Botanic Gardens, which is home to over 10,000 trees and has a long history dating back to the 19th century. Rest assured, your time in Sri Lanka will be one to remember, and you will leave with a deeper appreciation of this varied, beautiful country.
Day 1: Fly to Colombo
Fly overnight from London to Colombo. Regional connections available.
(N)
Day 2: Chilaw
Arrive and transfer to the Anantaya hotel for 1 night. Enjoy a welcome dinner.
(D)
Day 3: Anuradhapura
Drive to Anuradhapura via the Wilpattu National Park. In the afternoon, experience a wildlife safari in search of leopards and sloth bears. The park is spread across 131,000 hectares and is one of Sri Lanka’s largest and most protected areas.
Stay 3 nights at the Forest Rock Garden Resort.
(B, D)
Day 4: Wilpattu National Park • Anuradhapura
Enjoy a full-day safari at Wilpattu National Park. You will be guided by an expert wildlife expert, who will drive you across the park and give you plenty of opportunities to witness stunning wildlife from a safe distance. The tour will also include periodic meal and rest breaks.
(B, L, D)
Day 5: Anuradhapura
Drive to the ancient city of Anuradhapura. The city was once uninhabitable, and inaccessible, due to the large presence of dense, invasive jungle. It has since been restored, so the glorious palaces, monasteries, and monuments are once more accessible. Enjoy afternoon leisure.
(B, D)
Day 6: Habarana
Transfer to the small, picturesque city of Habarana. Then spend 2 nights at the Cinnamon Lodge. Here, you will enjoy an afternoon cookery lesson, where you will pick fresh vegetables, learn a few traditional cooking techniques, and then incorporates those techniques into your meals to create tasty, neatly presented dishes.
(B)
Day 7: Sigiriya • Polonnaruwa
In the morning, visit the town of Sigiriya. This UNESCO Heritage Listed site has impressive rock formations and provides gorgeous panoramic views of the mountain ranges. Then proceed to Polonnaruwa, once the second capital of Sri Lanka and comprised of stunning Brahmanic monuments.
(B)
Day 8: Dambulla • Kandy
Visit Dambulla in the morning, home to the Dambulla Cave Temple. A sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, the Cave Temple features 5 sanctuaries, 157 Buddhist statues, and Buudhist mural paintings.
Then proceed to the hill station of Kandy. Stay 2 nights at the Cinncamon Citadel. Enjoy an afternoon of sightseeing and in the evening watch a traditional Kandyan dance performance. Finally, visit the Temple of the Tooth to witness the puja ceremony, a public display of prayers and offerings to the Indu deity.
(B,D)
Day 9: Kandy
Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens in the morning. Marvel at the stunning sights and sounds of this nature wonderland. There you will see over 10,000 trees, including 40-meter high bamboo trees, a spice garden, and an orchid house. Later, enjoy afternoon leisure at Kandy’s markets.
(B,D)
Day 10: Nuwara Eliya
At morning, drive to the hill station of Nuwara Eliya via a tea plantation. Nuwara Eliya is the most well-known tea-growing district in Sri Lanka. While here you can walk through the sprawling plains and learn about the region’s unique approach to tea production.
Stay at The Blackpool (or similar) for 2 nights.
(B,D)
Day 11: Horton Plains
Visit Horton Plains in the early morning. Located on Sri Lanka’s highest plateau, Horton Plains is inhabited by a large population of monkeys and sambar deer. Here, you will participate in a 2.5 hour walk of the park, giving you a chance to admire the gorgeous scenery and witness these creatures, in action, in their natural habitat.
Enjoy leisure for the rest of the day.
(B,D)
Day 12: Wadduwa
Drive to Wadduwa. Located in the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka, the site is home to a beautiful local beach and hidden between coconut plantations, making for a perfect final retreat.
Stay 2 nights at the Blue Water Hotel.
(B,D)
Day 13: Wadduwa
Full day of leisure. Enjoy a farewell dinner.
(B,D)
Day 14: Fly to London
Transfer to Colombo and fly back to London.
(B)
