CLASSIC SRI LANKA

Arrive

Day 1 Arrive Colombo

Arrive Colombo from your international flight and privately transfer to the Wallawwa. Located a short drive from Colombo's international airport yet tucked away in amongst tropical vegetation and small villages, this old colonial manor house has been lovingly restored to create a boutique, luxury private hideaway and is the perfect place to unwind after your long journey.

Overnight: The Wallawwa

Day 2 The Cultural Triangle

This morning, after breakfast your private chauffeur-guide will meet you at the hotel and drive you towards Mihintale and Anuradhapura, a monastic city built around four forested hills. Mihintale is revered for being the place where the Sri Lankan king was converted to Buddhism, enabling the religion to spread over the whole island, and therefore is a place of great spiritual significance. Anuradhapura's monuments and gleaming white dagobas rise out of the jungle and show a very advanced ancient civilization. On arrival at your lovely accommodation, enjoy the evening relaxing and unwinding after a busy day.

Overnight: Sigiriya Water Garden

Day 3 Polonnaruwa & Sigiriya Rock Fortress

This morning you will be driven to Polonnaruwa, the famous medieval capital of Ceylon. After visiting the museum you will have plenty of time to explore the ancient city, which became Sri Lanka's capital in 1073 and retained power until the late 13th century. Today, the ancient city's ruins remain in remarkably good repair with palaces, treasuries, meeting halls and temples all visible. After lunch, you will be taken to Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Rising 200m from the plains, Sigiriya Rock was one of the most short-lived, yet fascinating citadels of ancient Sri Lanka. Although little remains of the pleasure palace on the summit, it is still impossible not to marvel at such an achievement, as well as the incredible views.

Overnight: Sigiriya Water Garden

Day 4 At Leisure

Spread across 35 acres, Water Garden Sigiriya is a beautifully laid-out and laid-back boutique hotel in the country’s Cultural Triangle. The property has been carefully landscaped around impressive water gardens and just happens to nod towards the magnificent Sigiriya Rock Fortress. There are just 30 super villas some of which come with a private plunge pool and there are two options for dining, both of which offer incredibly tasty locally sourced cuisine. The property is the most perfect spring-board to all of the cultural highlights, which include Dambulla Cave Temples and Ritigala ancient monastery. Further afield days out to Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura are entirely possible along with a visit to the must see National Park Minneriya where you are likely to see herds of elephants and other incredible wildlife.

Overnight: Sigiriya Water Garden

Day 5 Transfer to Kandy

After a leisurely breakfast, your driver will meet and transfer you by road to Kandy, often described as the most picturesque city on the island. The journey will take around three hours. On arrival you will check-in to a wonderful bungalow, the alleged Kandy residence of Lord Mountbatten with only four rooms and two suites, magnificent views, stunning pool and excellent service. Set high up in the hill country and only fifteen minutes from Kandy, the property is surrounded by well-maintained tea gardens and comes with several delightful staff. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight: Mountbatten Bungalow

Day 6 - 8 At Leisure 

Enjoy two full days to explore the city including the spectacular Botanical Gardens, opened originally for an ancient Sri Lankan queen and now home to an impressive variety of trees, plants and beautiful flowers. Also enjoy wandering around the fascinating golden roofed Dalada Maliga, where the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha is enshrined. Evenings to relax.

Overnight: Mountbatten Bungalow

Day 9 Train to Hatton

This morning, you will be transferred to the station to board your train to Hatton. Your driver will wait for you to board the train, before continuing by road to Hatton with your luggage. The train journey will take around three hours. Enjoy watching spectacular scenery roll by as you travel at a gentle pace through tea plantations and lush vegetation with waterfalls and tea pickers. On arrival at Hatton, your driver will meet you and transfer you to Ceylon Tea Trails, which will be your home for the next two nights. Enjoy an evening to relax and take in the spectacular views and scenery.

Overnight: Ceylon Tea Trails

Day 10 At Leisure

Four colonial era tea planters' bungalows located in central Sri Lanka make up Ceylon Tea Trails. Located in prime tea growing country in the Bogawantalawa Valley and all within a short distance of Castlereagh Lake, each bungalow, built between 1890 and 1939, offers a taste of gracious living thanks to authentic period furnishings and the presence of a manager, chef, butler and support staff to welcome guests as at a planter's home. Enjoy one full day to hike, explore, swim and cycle. We do recommend walking between bungalows for high-tea, lunch or dinner. We also recommend booking this in advance and we would be delighted to do that for you.

Overnight: Ceylon Tea Trails

Day 11 Transfer to Galle

After breakfast, bid your farewell and transfer by road to your magnificent accommodation, which is a ten minute drive from the historic city of Galle. Your home for the next three days is Kahanda Kanda, which is surrounded by lush greenery of a working tea estate, wonderful views over Koggala Lake and delicious cuisine.

Overnight: Kahanda Kanda

Day 12 Exploring Galle

One full day to explore the magnificent Galle Fort with your guide and meet interesting residents of the Fort along the way. Join a local resident whose family has lived and worked in Galle for generations for a guided walk through Galle's historic 17th Century Dutch Fort - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wonder the maze of narrow cobblestone paved roadways lined with colonial period buildings still in use and old merchant houses where generations of Moorish families still live. Stroll along the sturdy ramparts looking out to sea and visit colonial period churches, the lighthouse and museums. Evening at leisure.

Overnight: Kahanda Kanda

Day 13 At Leisure

One full day at leisure to relax in your wonderful surroundings. You may wish to stroll through the beautifully maintained garden, where there is an abundance of tropical flowers and birdlife or wander through the tea estate to learn about the fascinating tea process and chat to the tea pluckers. In the evening, the chef will come and personally meet with you to discuss your evening meal, which can be arranged in a private location on the estate.

Overnight: Kahanda Kanda

Day 14 Home

After a leisurely breakfast, your driver will meet and transfer you back to Colombo by road for your flight home.

Depart