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Ceylon Splendours

The island paradise of Sri Lanka enjoys a tropical climate for most of the year and is occasionally clouded by a seasonal monsoon. Sri Lanka, a country with a proud history recorded since 500 B.C., is populated by a diverse community of Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim and bourgeois citizens with Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic and Christian beliefs.

Truly a beacon of cultural diversity, the people of Sri Lanka possess an exceptionally hospitable and generous demeanor. Ruled by Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial forces at one time, and descended from early Indian settlers, the small island nation boasts significant cultural influences from around the world, with countless historical experiences awaiting you at every turn.

Overview

From $4,799

Itinerary & Map

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Upon arriving in Sri Lanka, you will be met by our guide and embark on a transfer to Negombo.

Check in at hotel

Highlight: Negombo Boat Tour

Take a day trip from Negombo to the urban sanctuary of Muthurajawela which is a popular bird watching destination. This is an early morning boat trip of approximately 3 to 4 hours. This trip takes you to the southern end of Negombo Lagoon to visit these pristine marshlands. Relax as we take you across the main lagoon to the narrow channels of the marshes where we may find a variety of Birds and Wildlife. You could also see Prawn fishermen in the lagoon, Sea going fishing catamarans returning home after their night out in the sea and Mangroves vegetation. 

Upon completion, return to hotel and spend the rest of the day enjoying the hotel amenities.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Highlight: Dambulla Rock Cave Temple

Today we transfer to Dambulla. 

Upon arrival, lunch will be served at the hotel.

Post lunch, you will be transferred to the Dambulla Cave Temple. Dambulla Cave Temple is a vast isolated rock mass 500 feet high and a mile around the base. The famous Rock Temple dates to the First Century B.C. The caves of Dambulla sheltered King Walagamba during his 14 years of exile from Anuradhapura. When he regained the throne, he built the most magnificent of Rock Temples to be found in the Island. In the first Cave is a recumbent image of the Buddha 47ft long cut out of the Rock. There are images of deities associated with Buddhism all around. In the Second Cave, the finest and the largest of all, there are 150 life-size statues of the Buddha in various postures with few statues of Gods and Kings. The ceiling is also covered with frescoes, which depict great events in the life of the Buddha and landmarks in the history of the Sinhalese people. 

On completion, transfer to the hotel. 

Spend the remainder of the day at leisure.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Highlight: Polonnaruwa Ancient City

Proceed to Polonnaruwa. This is another “UNESCO World Heritage Site” and was the Capital of Sri Lanka from 11th-13th centuries, contains some splendid and spectacular statues. Lankatilake, Tivanka and Thuparama are the most beautiful and largest image Houses and Tivanka has the best examples of frescoes of the Polonnaruwa period. 

The medieval capital, Polonnaruwa was fortified with inner & outer moats and inner & outer walls. The Parakrama Samudra is on the western side of the city. The Royal Palace, Audience Hall and other buildings in the inner city were enclosed by another tall wall. 

Upon completion, enjoy a king coconut refreshment. 

Return to the hotel and spend the rest of the day enjoying the hotel amenities.

Highlights: Sigiriya Rock Fortress & Minneriya 

After an early breakfast, we will proceed to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. 

Sigiriya is a “UNESCO World Heritage Site” and the 5th Century “Fortress in the Sky” which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of the Island. It is also known as Lion Rock because of the huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the Palace on the summit of the 600-foot-high rock. On its summit are the foundations of the Royal Palace, Water Tanks to supply water and all other buildings and at the edges the guardhouses. On one of the stairways the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting survived in the form of Frescoes of 21 life sized damsels still shining in their original colours. The Water Gardens, Fountain Garden, Summerhouses, Boulder Gardens and the Caves within the enclosed area should not be missed. 

Transfer to Minneriya for an adventurous jeep ride at the national park. Minneriya forms part of the elephant corridor which joins up with Kaudulla and Wasgomuwa national parks, and up to 200 of them can be found here at certain times of year during their migrations between the various parks. Other mammals found in the park include Sambur, spotted deer, sloth bears and leopards, and there’s also a good chance of seeing macaque and purple-faced languor monkeys. In addition, an enormous number of birds have been spotted at Minneriya, including endemic species such as the Sri Lankan hanging parrot and the crimson-fronted barbet. 

Unforgettable Moment: Savour a Sundowner overlooking a picturesque lake.

Upon completion, return to the hotel and spend the rest of the day enjoying the hotel amenities.

Unforgettable Moment: Picnic Breakfast at Mapagala Rock & Local Village experience

(Optional:) Mapagala Rock | Start time: 05AM Tour | Duration: 90 Minutes 

Today early morning, you will proceed to Mapagala Rock with your guide. 

Seven Hundred fifty metres south of the ancient Sigiriya Lion Rock lies another rocky mountain called Mapagala (rock of the heir-apparent) which may have been used as a fortress even before the time of Sigiriya. Our experienced guide will lead you to the top of the Rock. Comfortable seating and blankets will be provided, so you can relax and take in the beauty of your surroundings while enjoying your breakfast. 

A picnic breakfast on Mapagala Rock is an unforgettable experience that will stay with you long after your trip to Sri Lanka has ended. 

Return to the hotel and spend the rest of the morning at leisure.

Proceed to Sevanagama for your village experience. 

Bird life, natural beauty, wildlife, cookery demonstration tasting experience and much more. You will be warmly welcomed by local families as they offer you a unique chance to experience rural Sri Lankan life in all its colourful splendour. 

After enjoying lunch, you’ll embark on a village trek followed by a tuk-tuk ride. As we traverse through paddy fields, vegetable patches, chena cultivation areas, and banana and papaya plantations, we’ll witness the vibrant agricultural activities firsthand. 

Upon completion, return to the hotel.

After breakfast, we check out and transfer to Kandy. 

Responsible Tourism Initiative – You may choose to visit a local school and engage with the children. An experience you are sure to remember!

Enroute, stop at a Spice Garden to learn about real Sri Lankan spices. 

You will be given a guided tour of the spice garden, where you will learn about the unique plants, spices, and herbs that have been utilised for medicine and culinary purposes in Sri Lanka since ancient times. 

Continue your journey to Kandy.

Check in at the hotel and spend the afternoon at leisure.

Later in the evening, proceed to the Temple of the Tooth Relic. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a world-renowned place of worship, where the left Canine tooth of Gautama Buddha is enshrined. The temple which is venerated by thousands of local & foreign devotees and tourists daily was named as a world heritage by UNESCO in 1988. 

Next, a traditional Kandyan dance show in the cultural centre. Be awed by the spectacular dance, acrobatics, costumes and music. Held in Kandy town, this cultural show depicts various forms of Kandyan dancing which was once native to the area but has now spread to different regions of the island. Kandyan dancing plays an important role in Sri Lankan culture and is a much-anticipated event during perahera processions. During the show, you will see several dances which depict the graceful movements of birds and animals, which trace their origins back to the ancient ritual known as the Kohomba Kapkariya, as well as energetic acrobatic performances where the men perform a series of leaping pirouettes and stunts such as plate-spinning and the dramatic ‘fire walk’.

Return to the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Highlights: Kandy Cooking Demonstration, Market & Local Village house

Your gourmet adventure begins at the Kandy Market where shopping for fresh veggies, fish, meat or poultry is done in traditional style. Stroll through the conventional ‘Pola’ or marketplace where a wide variety of vegetables, green leaves, fruits, fresh herbs and spices are appealingly laid out in colourful rows. 

After buying everything we need, we leave for the countryside to a local villager’s house. A typical Sri Lankan meal will be prepared using the fresh and wholesome produce purchased at the market. Get involved in the fun process of cutting, chopping of the veggies, grinding of the herbs, pounding of the spices and scraping of fresh coconut. Watch closely how each dish is prepared using just the right number of spices and herbs to preserve the nutrition and goodness. Observe how the coconut milk is extracted and poured over the curries that are being cooked in terracotta clay pots on a crackling wood hearth. Then, enjoy the deliciously prepared Sri Lankan meal with your cook. 

(Optional): Candid City Walk

Explore the timeless streets of Kandy on foot with a local resident host. Learn about the evolution of this sacred city that was once Sri Lanka last Kingdom before it fell to the hands of the Colonists. Live through stories of how Kandy became the most conservative state in the island and the pivotal part it still plays in being the spiritual capital of the country. Walk through the nooks and crannies of the city learning the history of the heritage buildings and sample culinary delights. 

Afterwards, take a walk through the royal botanical gardens. 

The Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya are the oldest formal gardens in Sri Lanka. The gardens include more than 4000 species of plants, including orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palm trees and is renowned for its collection of orchids and the long, palm framed pathways. It encompasses a total area of 147 acres. Though the groundwork for the current gardens were laid in 1821 by Alexander Moon, the origins of the Botanic Gardens date as far back as 1371 when King Wickramabahu III ascended the throne and kept court at Peradeniya near the Mahaweli river.

Unforgettable Moment: A leisurely boat ride on the Kandyan lake. 

Breakfast at the hotel. 

Highlights: Scenic Train Journey & High Tea

Transfer to Kandy railway station and board the train to Nuwara Eliya. 

The train journey from Kandy to Nanu Oya Station in Nuwara Eliya is quite slow, taking around 3-4 hours to travel the 196km of train tracks. Let’s just say the train takes the scenic route! The train winds around mountain ranges and goes through the Tea Country region of Sri Lanka. It’s very picturesque – lush green landscapes, with the plantation workers waving at us. Then the higher our train goes, the closer we get into the low-lying clouds. This is a photographer’s dream: full of gorgeous vistas! 

Upon arrival at Nanu Oya train station, transfer to the hotel for check in. 

Later, enjoy a special high tea at the hotel with local treats and flavours, served with freshly brewed Ceylon tea. 

Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Unforgettable Moment: Tonight, or tomorrow night enjoy the TCK6685 Dining Experience at Heritance Tea Factory.

After breakfast, proceed on a panoramic city tour of Nuwara Eliya town. 

The ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, is set against beautiful backdrops of Mountains, Valleys, Waterfalls and Tea Plantations. All around Nuwara Eliya you will see evidence of the British influence, houses like country cottages or Queen Anne style mansions. Victoria Park, in the middle of the town, is a lovely place for a stroll or a picnic and is also good for Birding as you get some rare birds in this park. 

Afterwards, a tea factory visit. The factory tour will take you through the process of tea plucking, withering (takes out the moisture), rolling, fermentation, firing and sorting/grading. 

Return to the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to Yala.

On arrival, lunch will be served at the hotel’s main restaurant. 

Later in the afternoon, enjoy a jeep safari at Yala National Park. 

Yala National Park is Sri Lanka’s most visited wildlife reserve and covers an area of 1260 square kilometres. The park’s dry-zone landscape is strikingly beautiful, and the park’s wildlife has its own distinctive charm, with huddles of colourful painted storks, the sight of elephants marching sedately through the bush while rabbits scamper through the undergrowth. Leopards, sloth bears and elephants are the “big 3” here although crocodiles, jackals and the many varieties of birds are also a huge draw to this park which is the largest national park in the country. 

Unforgettable Moment: Sip on a sundowner at a lake close to the park.

Proceed on an Early Morning Safari at Yala National Park, followed by breakfast at the hotel.

Check out and transfer to the seaside town of Galle. On arrival, lunch will be served at the hotel.

The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Enjoy a guided tour of Galle Fort.

The South Coast’s major city is Galle, whose oldest landmark is the massive Portuguese and Dutch Fort which is a “World Heritage Site” in which the central city is contained. But the city may be much older. Some scholars believe it to be the “Tarshish” of the Old Testament, to which King Solomon sent his merchant vessels, and to which Jonah fled from the Lord.

Today, the 90-acre Galle Fort shows no evidence of the Portuguese founders. The Dutch incorporated the Portuguese northern wall in a great rampart in 1663. A second, taller wall was built inside of it. Between the two walls, a covered passage connected the central bastion with the Fort’s two half bastions overlooking the sea.

The Dutch also installed a sophisticated drainage system, complete with brick-lined underground sewers that were flushed twice a day by the high and low tides. The original gate to the fort was by the harbour. It is still there, marked by the British Coat-of-arms on the front and the Dutch V.O.C.

Upon completion, you will be taken to Fort Bazaar for a refreshment stop.

Return to hotel and spend the rest of the day enjoying the hotel amenities.

(Optional): Lagoon and Village Cycling Tour| Duration: 03 Hours

The Lagoon and Village Cycling Tour goes at your own pace – we get off the beaten track with an easy 12 km depending on how comfortable you are and how fast you wish to cycle. The tour stays primarily on dirt and gravel tracks where you will see local industries, Lagoon and mangroves, fauna, flora and meet the local people. If you wish to experience the lifestyle of the locals while cycling, this is a perfect tour for you!

After breakfast, check out and transfer to Colombo via Balapitiya. 

On arrival, a mangrove boat ride at Madu River. 

Experience the hidden beauty of the Madu River with an unforgettable boat ride. Embark on a journey through enchanting islands that promise the best lagoon tour experience in Sri Lanka from the moment you step on board. Your adventure begins as you glide through a natural mangrove cave, setting the stage for the wonders to come. Your first stop is Cinnamon Island, where you can witness the fascinating cinnamon manufacturing process. As you continue your journey, you’ll see rural fishermen enhancing the lagoon’s charm with their traditional catamarans, surrounded by stunning wildlife. The serene temples on the Madu Islands add a touch of tranquillity to your ride. 

Afterwards, we visit a turtle hatchery where you will be welcomed with an arrack cocktail. The Turtle Hatchery protects the eggs until they hatch. The project also rescues turtles that are injured while at sea. 

Continue your journey to Colombo.

Breakfast at the hotel.

After checking out, proceed to lunch at Gallery Café on Paradise Road. Located in the former offices of world-renowned Sri Lankan architect, the late Geoffrey Bawa.

Unforgettable Moments: Lunch at the internationally acclaimed Paradise Road Gallery Café and Farewell Dinner.

After lunch, enjoy a panoramic city tour of Colombo.

Colombo was originally a small seaport but began to flourish with the arrival of the Portuguese in 1505 and became a major harbour during the British colonial period. Colombo became the capital of Sri Lanka in 1815 after the Kandyan Kingdom was ceded to the British. The remains of the buildings during the period of Portuguese, Dutch and British rule are found in every area of the city. None of the Portuguese & Dutch fortifications are found today but some of their buildings and churches can be seen in the Fort & Pettah areas. Visit Fort, the former British administrative centre and military garrison, Sea Street – the Goldsmith’s quarters in the heart of Pettah, the Bazaar area where there is also a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carvings, the Kayman’s Gate with the Belfry at the original gate to enter the Fort, the Dutch Church of Wolfendhaal dating back to 1749, Kelaniya Buddhist Temple dating to 6th C.B.C., Davatagaha Mosque, Colombo Museum and the Natural History Museum are some of the sites to be visited.

Return to the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

For your comfort, a late check-out has been arranged for 7pm.

Farewell dinner – Come together for a final dinner at the hotel’s main restaurant.

After dinner, you will be taken to the airport for your departure.

Inclusions & Exclusions

  • 5-star Sustainable Luxury & Heritage Accommodation
  • Daily Breakfast, 5 Lunches, 14 Dinners
  • Transport from arrival until end of tour in an Air-Conditioned vehicle from day 01 to day 15 with the services of an English-Speaking guide throughout the tour
  • Sightseeing with Entrance fees 
  • Muthurajawela Bird Watching Tour
  • Dambulla Cave Temple
  • Polonnaruwa Ruins
  • Jeep Safari at Minneriya National Park
  • Sundowners after the Safaris
  • Sigiriya Rock Fortress
  • Picnic Breakfast at Pidurangala Rock at Sunrise
  • Sevanagama village Trekking with Authentic Sri Lankan Lunch
  • Temple of the Tooth Relic
  • Boat Ride at Kandy Lake
  • Cooking demonstration in Kandy
  • Peradeniya Botanical Gardens
  • Scenic Train Journey from Kandy to Nanu Oya
  • A Welcome High Tea at Heritance Tea Factory
  • TCK6685 Dining Experience at Heritance Tea Factory
  • Tea Factory Visit
  • Jeep Safari at Yala National Park
  • Guided Galle Fort Tour
  • Madu River Boat Ride
  • Turtle Hatchery Visit with Welcome Arrack Cocktail
  • Panoramic City Tour of Colombo
  • Day use room with Late checkout in Colombo on Day 15
  • Unforgettable Moments

 

  • International Airfare
  • Visa
  • Travel Insurance
  • Tips & Porterage
  • Meals not included in the itinerary
  • Optional Tours
  • Additional Transfers (outside group dates)
  • Expenses of a personal nature
  • Camera or Video permits

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    Enter the name and/or booking ID of your known travel companion in the below fields to share the room with him/her.

    Select shared room if you are booking individually and will share your room with a known travel companion or a fellow traveler of the same gender. Your room will have two separate beds.

    Enter the name and/or booking ID of your known travel companion in the below fields to share the room with him/her.

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