DETAILED ITINERARY

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

Day 2: Makandura
Arrive and transfer approx. 1 hour to the beautiful Notary’s House where you will spend your first night. Designed with wide open spaces and surrounded by nature, it is the ideal place in the countryside for you to relax and unwind! The hotel offers some local activities, including guided walks and trips to the local temple, and there are complimentary bikes for exploring the surrounding villages and towns. 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 at this private hideaway in the peaceful rural settings of Sigiriya, surrounded by wilderness & paddy fields. Want longer in the Cultural Triangle? Remember, this is just a starting point 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 Ru Boutique. Situated in the heart of the hill capital, Ru Boutique Hotel offers elegance and sophistication as you experience true Sri Lankan hospitality in quiet surroundings. 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, this is a firm Sundowner favourite! You could stay in Ella instead – ask us to tweak the itinerary to suit you!

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 Koragaha. Nestled amidst the serene landscapes of Yala, Koragaha Lodge offers a truly enchanting retreat for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike, and provides a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. 

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 Thalpe Beach
This morning you will drive approx. 2½ hours to the coast where you will be staying at Era Beach for 4 nights with breakfast included. With beautiful views and a tranquil environment, this outstanding property offers pure relaxation and luxurious understated elegance and comfort. 

Days 12 – 14: Beach & Whale Watching
Three full days to relax on the stunning beaches of the South Coast, with chances to surf, kayak on Koggala Lake, and turtle spotting! Just an 8 minute drive away are the Koggala Stilt Fisherman – this is a unique sight that is definitely worth seeing, as fishermen sit on poles in order to fish in deep  waters. Head there for sunset for an even more beautiful experience! Ask us to add-in more time on the beach.

Day 15: Thalpe Beach to Galle Fort
Today you will be collected by your driver and transferred approx. 20 mins to Galle Fort where you will be staying inside the fort walls for 1 night at Bartizan Galle with breakfast included. The hotel overlooks the Fort’s perimeter and the ocean beyond, affording gorgeous views of the sunset over the ocean. In the afternoon you will have a walking tour (with 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 16: 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!)