Sri Lanka Highlights

Upon arrival into Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport, you are warmly welcomed by our local representatives. You will no doubt be tired after the long flight and so we transfer them to a beautiful boutique hotel at the nearby Kotugoda village so that they can relax and unwind.

This morning you will meet your driver/guide who will look after you throughout your Sri Lanka tour. Transfer approximately 4 1/2 hours to Sigiriya in the cultural triangle. Check into Jetwing Vil Uyana which will be your base for the next three nights while you explore the highlights of the cultural triangle. The afternoon is at leisure so that you can relax after the long drive.

Today travel north to Anuradhapura, arguably the most impressive cultural site in Sri Lanka. Because Anuradhapura was the first political and religious capital in Sri Lanka dating back to the 5th Century BC, we visit this cultural site first.

Explore the enormous dome stupas and ancient reservoirs, amazing feats of ancient engineering. The Dagobas of Jetavaranamaya, Ruwanweliseya and Abhayagiriya are second only in height to the pyramids of Egypt. Explore Abhayagiri Monastery, the largest monastery complex in Anuradhapura consisting of an enormous stupa, a large Buddha statue, and an impressive pond. Visit the Sri Jaya Maha Bodhi, the oldest human planted tree in the world. Sri Jaya Maha Bodhi was grown from a sapling of the fig tree under which the Buddha had attained enlightenment more than 2500 years ago.

After breakfast your clients will climb to the top of nearby Sigiriya Rock Fortress. The word Sigiriya means the Lion’s Rock. Clients will climb up 1200 steps before they reach the palace ruins on top of the imposing 200-metre-high granite rock. Many of the steps are steel staircases attached to the rock itself and so this climb is not for those who fear heights!

Along the climb you will come across beautifully detailed and well-preserved frescoes. The lions’ paw is a good place to have a rest before the final ascent. Previously a lion statue with steps leading into the lion’s mouth, these days only the paws and steps remain. It will take a total of around 2-3 hours to climb up and back down.

As the Sigirya climb can be hot and tiring we recommend the afternoon is at leisure so that you can enjoy your resort. Perhaps you could embark on a nature walk or enjoy the pool.

This morning you will drive 3 1/2 hours to Kandy. Dambulla Cave Temple consists of five sanctuaries that are the largest and best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka and so we stop en-route to Kandy. Buddhist mural paintings adorn the cave walls which house the 157 Buddha statues.

Check in to The Theva Residency. This afternoon is at leisure so that you can enjoy a spa, sauna or the infinity pool.

The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is the most sacred Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka, if not the world and so is a must see in Kandy. The temple houses the tooth of Buddha nestled in a golden chamber located within the premises of the royal palace complex.

Later today you will explore the Botanical Gardens. Spread over 60 hectares, you will find a huge range of fascinating flora and fauna in this immaculately landscaped open space. Visit the Orchid House and the 40-metre-high Burmese bamboo, often inhabited by many mischievous monkeys. You will also come across a variety of bird life and fruit bats.

Kandy’s bustling markets are worth a quick visit and so you may want to ask your guide to show you around. As always, the exact itinerary details and timings are entirely up to your wishes on the day.

After breakfast, your driver/guide will drop you off at nearby Peradeniya train station. Enjoy the scenic train journey into the cooler tea growing region in either first class or the observation carriage. The 4 1/2 hour journey to Nanu Oya station is stunning and your clients will be able to capture some magnificent images along the way. Your driver/guide will meet and transfer you from Nanu Oya station to Stafford Bungalow.

Stafford Bungalow estate contains fantastic walking trails and mountain biking routes and so we suggest you explore the estate this afternoon at your own leisure. Stafford Bungalow staff know the estates well and therefore will be happy to guide you through the tea plantation.

Sri Lanka’s tea industry is incredibly successful, so this morning you will visit a nearby tea factory.

Later this afternoon you will explore nearby Nuwara Eliya hill town with your driver/guide. Nuwara Eliya is also referred to as ‘Little England’ as it has a similarly cool climate. Nuwara Eliya is filled with colonial-era bungalows, Tudor style hotels and pretty parks and gardens and so is well worth exploring.

The next stop is Uda Walawe National Park, a scenic five hour drive. We shall ensure you arrive in time to see the afternoon feeding at the Elephant Transit home. At the transit home, trained veterinary staff nurse baby elephants because they have been separated from their herds. Baby elephants are looked after until they are ready to be released back into the wild.

Around 700 elephants have been counted in Uda Walawe National Park and so you will head out on a private safari drive this afternoon to see these impressive creatures in their natural habitat. You will look out for spotted deer, endemic toque macaque monkeys, sloth bears, grey langur monkeys, crocodiles, jackals, monitor lizards, and water buffalo. Bird life is also prolific. Species include bee-eaters, peacock, white-bellied sea eagle, crested serpent-eagle, grey-headed fish eagle and booted eagle.

Wake before sunrise and enjoy an early morning safari drive in Uda Walawe National Park. After a late breakfast you will be transferred approximately 3 1/2 hours into historic Galle where you will explore this charming UNESCO protected fort with their knowledgeable driver/guide. During this walking tour you will begin by exploring the imposing ramparts. Later, you will stroll past a myriad of churches, mosques, Dutch colonial buildings, museums, British era post boxes, stylish shops and cafes.

Later this afternoon you will be transferred one hour along the coast to your relaxing beach resort at Balapitiya. As you will no longer need any further guiding, your driver/guide will head home to Colombo. Another driver will take you to the airport on the last day.

As you have had a busy few days, its now time for you to relax and unwind at this beautiful beach resort.

Unfortunately today you wave goodbye to the paradise we call Sri Lanka. at the appropriate time you will be transferred approximately two hours to the airport to meet your departing flight.