Discover Sri Lanka
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Holiday Highlights
Join Travel Department on this holiday of a lifetime to discover the beautiful landscapes, ancient temples, amazing wildlife and relaxing beaches of Sri Lanka. We’ll immerse ourselves in this rich culture with wonders at every turn; from the walled city of Galle, to the spectacular Lion's Rock fortress in Sigiriya. An excursion to the ancient city of Anuradhapura will be a particular highlight, with its temples, landscaped gardens, ceremonial baths and the sacred ‘Bo Tree’, the oldest human-planted tree in the world. We’ll also get to experience local life as we visit traditional villages, take a ride in a tuk tuk, and enjoy an authentic Sri Lankan cultural performance. And to top it all off, we’ll have time to soak up the sun on this tropical island’s gorgeous white sand beaches.
What's Included
Return flights and transfers
4 & 5* Half Board accommodation
Fully guided
^ Please note this From price was correct at 14/04/23 and are subject to change. We reserve the right to change our product's prices at any time.
Itinerary
Day 1-14
Day 1: We begin our Sri Lanka holiday as we fly to Colombo.
Day 2: Following our arrival in Sri Lanka, we will be transferred with guide assistance to our hotel in the coastal town of Negombo, just north of Colombo. After check in at our hotel, we can settle in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Join us for dinner! Meals are included each night of our stay in Sri Lanka.
Day 3: This morning, accompanied by our expert guide, we discover Negombo, formerly a cinnamon trading centre and now a thriving fishing village. We explore this village very early in the morning before breakfast, as it is the best time to witness the locals selling their fresh catch. After breakfast at our hotel, we will discover more of Negombo on a guided tour, before departing for Habarana on a journey that will take approximately four hours (150km). Along the way, we take in views of the lush tropical countryside from our coach. Our Sri Lanka adventure has begun! We arrive at Habarana and check into our hotel, which will be our home for the next three nights. Let’s enjoy a leisurely evening to relax, unwind and discover our surroundings.
Day 4: We begin to uncover more of Sri Lanka on a full-day guided excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sigiriya, built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD). The spectacular ‘Lion’s Rock’ fortress is a large ancient rock palace surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens. The climb up has over 1,200 steps, with a narrow staircase. There are several platforms where we can take a break along the way and admire the views. Marvel at the beautiful collection of Water Gardens, painted frescoes and ancient graffiti, all on show at what is one of Sri Lanka's crowning glories. In the afternoon we discover more, on an excursion to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, the medieval capital of Sri Lanka. This UNESCO World Heritage site includes the Royal Palace complex and Gal Vihara rock temple of the Buddha. The entire landscape of the region is punctuated by huge man-made reservoirs and veritable inland seas, the most famous of which is the Prakrama Samudra or the Sea of Parakrama. Later we return to our hotel, where we can spend the evening relaxing after our day of exploration.
Day 5: After breakfast, we leave Habarana for the day and set off on an excursion to the ancient city of Anuradhapura, famous for its temples, landscaped gardens, and the sacred ‘Bo Tree’ which dates from around 245BC and is the world’s oldest known tree. Anuradhapura was the ancient capital of Sri Lanka for more than a thousand years from the 5th century BC and hosts many Buddhist monuments dating back over 2000 years. Let’s see more of Sri Lankan traditions and discover another lifestyle, as we visit a local village. We’ll savour the tranquil rural setting as we embark on a bullock cart ride past lush paddy fields, shops and mud thatched houses. After our adventure, we make our way back to our hotel for a well-deserved rest.
Day 6: This morning we say farewell to Habarana and transfer by coach to Kandy, an attractive bustling city that is encircled by hills and has a tranquil lake at its centre. En-route we experience more of Sri Lanka's treasures with a visit to Dambulla Cave Temple, which has been a sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries and contains a fascinating array of Buddhist mural paintings and statues of Buddha. The drive will take approximately three hours (96km). On arrival in Kandy, we uncover more history and culture with a visit to The Temple of The Sacred Tooth Relic, a centre for the Buddhist faith. This 16th-century temple houses the sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha, which was brought to Sri Lanka from ancient India in the 4th century. After the visit we depart for our hotel, which will be our base for the next two nights.
Day 7: On today’s tour, we revel in the beauty of The Royal Botanic Gardens in Peradeniya, home to exotic plants such as coffee, tea, nutmeg, rubber and Cinchona. The gardens feature an arboretum, an Orchid House and a colony of flying foxes. After we visit the gardens, we uncover more delights with a Tuk-Tuk ride around Kandy, one of the best ways to discover this city! During our adventure, we pass the British Garrison Cemetry, Aniwatta Residencial area, Kandy Market, Kandy Lake and finish with picturesque scenes from the Kandy viewpoint. The Tuk Tuk ride will take around two hours, after which we return to our hotel to relax and reflect on our day of sightseeing and discovery.
Day 8: This morning, we leave Kandy and set off for Nuwara Eliya on a drive of approximately two and a half hours (80km). En-route we visit a tea plantation and tea factories. On arrival in Nuwara Eliya, we’ll have a guided tour of the town before checking in to our hotel. The town’s name translates as “City of Light”, but it is also known as “Little England” as it was a popular destination for 19th century British colonialists who indulged in pastimes such as fox, deer and elephant hunting, polo, golf and cricket. The colonial history of the town can still be seen in buildings such as the Queen's Cottage, General's House, Grand Hotel, Hill Club, and Town Post Office. Let’s relax more, as we settle into our hotel and admire our magnificent surroundings. Nuwara Eliya lies in the heart of Sri Lankan hill country and is the home of the famous Ceylon Tea. Situated at an altitude of 1868m, the city is overlooked by Pidurutalagala, the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka, and enjoys a temperate highland climate. The rolling mountains are a carpet of velvety green tea plantations, and beautiful waterfalls dot the landscape.
Day 9: This morning we transfer onwards to Yala and en route we stop at Ella Waterfalls for a refreshing break. Today's journey will take approximately five hours (185km). Let's experience more, on a jeep safari drive in Yala National Park, the second largest national park in Sri Lanka and home to elephants, leopards, bear, water buffalo, crocodiles, as well as countless other animals and birds. The park has also been featured on Discovery and National Geographic documentaries, which focused on leopard research and conservation. After our adventure, we continue to our hotel for an overnight stay and evening at leisure.
Day 10: After breakfast, we experience one more game drive in Yala National Park and a second chance to spot the elusive Leopard! Cameras ready for action! After our exhilarating safari, we depart for Weligama. The drive will take approximately four and a half hours (205km). En route, we will experience more with a guided tour of Galle, and explore the 17th century Portuguese and Dutch Fort in which the central city is contained. We stroll through the streets to admire the Dutch-influenced architecture, old British residences, and mosques with their Arabic flourishes before proceeding to the beachside resort of Weligama. We can take it easy for the rest of the day and evening, soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying the ocean air.
Day 11: Relax more ! We have two full days at leisure in the delightful setting of Weligama. We can enjoy long walks on the beach, snorkelling, swimming and souvenir shopping, or simply chill out as we near the end of our unforgettable visit to Sri Lanka. Our expert guide will be happy to tell us about local attractions and activities.
Day 12: After a leisurely breakfast, we transfer by coach to our hotel in Colombo where we’ll spend our last night in Sri Lanka. The drive will take approximately three hours (147km). The rest of our day is at leisure.
Day 13: Departing Colombo, we will reflect on a treasure trove of memorable moments from our Discover Sri Lanka tour.
Day 14: We arrive home, following our once-in-a-lifetime trip to Sri Lanka.
Cinnamon Wild Resort Yala
Cinnamon Wild Yala boasts a wonderful location, between the sea and the renowned Yala National Park. Immersed in jungle greenery, the simple, charming chalet accommodation features indigenous woodcraft and local art in keeping with the unspoiled setting. A rooftop bar and garden swimming pool are among the property’s many desirable features, where guests can enjoy unforgettable views and glimpses of the abundant wildlife that inhabits this natural paradise.
Cinnamon Lodge Habarana
Set in a lush 27acre forest at the heart of Sri Lanka’s ‘cultural triangle’,Cinnamon Lodge Habarana offers its guests a total escape from everyday life. Built on a replica of the foundations of the nearby Ritigala ruins, an ancient palace-turned-monastery, the resort brings the original concept of a royal retreat to the 21st century, with chalet-style rooms that are pleasingly decorated in traditional themes and equipped with modern comforts. Several species of local wildlife will entertain and intrigue you, as you enjoy the beautiful setting and welcoming atmosphere at this hotel.
Earls Regency
Earl's Regency Hotel boasts a wonderful green setting, overlooking Mahaweli River and surrounded by mountains, yet just 5 km from the city of Kandy with its wealth of historical and cultural sites. With easy access to attractions such as the Temple of the Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha and Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, plus a range of leisure facilities, bar and dining options, guests at this hotel can be sure of a rewarding and enjoyable stay.
Weligama Bay Marriott Resort & Spa
With an idyllic beach front location, the Weligama Bay Marriott Resort & Spa has all the right ingredients for a relaxing seaside sojourn, with an extensive range of leisure and wellness facilities as well as high comfort levels in its well-designed accommodation. Guests can swim in the pool or the sea as they revel in the Indian Ocean views, and experience true Sri Lankan hospitality while sampling the offerings at the onsite bar and dining venues.
Blackpool Hotel
With its colonial-themed design and cosy guestrooms decorated in traditional style, the Blackpool Hotel is a relaxing base for touring this highland region of exceptional beauty. Surrounded by vast tea estates and breath-taking mountainous terrain, your hotel offers high standards of comfort and hospitality, with facilities that include an outdoor pool and bar and a restaurant serving local and international cuisine.
Jetwing Blue Hotel
This contemporary coastal getaway offers its guests direct access to Negombo Beach. Simple elegance is the key feature of the bright and spacious accommodation. Dining options at Jetwing Blue include open-kitchen and beachfront restaurants, while the pool bar is the place to gather with fellow travellers and enjoy a sundowner beside the dazzling Indian Ocean.