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 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. Welcome to Sri Lanka! 

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 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. 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. 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 Villa Rosa. A relaxing alternative to Kandy’s large hotels, this small boutique hideaway has simple but stylish rooms and sublime views. 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 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 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”.

Day 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. 2½ hours to the coast where you will be staying in Mirissa at Ubuntu by Lantern Boutique Hotel for 3 nights with breakfast included. Ubuntu by Lantern is a vibrant boutique hotel made up of two 8-bedroom villas right on the beach. The gentle sea breeze backed with the lull of the waves makes for an irresistibly relaxing environment.

Days 12 & 13: Beach & Whale Watching
Two full days to relax by the beach. Dip into Mirissa or Weligama if you fancy the buzz of the beach, hang out on your own tranquil sandy beach, or splash in the pool. Mirissa is one of the best whale watching regions in Sri Lanka and on the first morning you will be taken on a boat trip out to spot blue and sperm whales. With the continental shelf so close to the surface, the whales tend to often be in view as they travel along their ancient migration routes. 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. 1 hour to Galle Fort where you will be staying inside the fort walls for 1 night at Fort Printers with breakfast included. This elegant mansion in Galle Fort is the perfect Sri Lankan retreat-from-the-heat. Behind its teak doors are spacious and airy interiors with high ceilings, a huge lounge with oversized sofas and large boho bedrooms – some with beautiful vistas across the rooftops of Galle.

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!)