Enjoy 14 days of Sri Lanka's fascinating history, rich culture and spectacular scenery. Explore the cultural triangle with a private guide, climb the 5th century Rock Fortress known as Lion Rock, travel through magnificent tea plantations and waterfalls on the train and wander through the historic Galle Fort.
CLASSIC SRI LANKA
HIGHLIGHTS
- Exploring the spiritual heart of Sri Lanka at Mihintale
- Discovering ancient Polonnaruwa, the ancient capital and the Sigiriya Rock Fortress
- Enjoying plantation lifestyle near Kandy
-
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 & Sigiriya Rock Fortress
This morning, after breakfast, your private chauffeur-guide will meet you at the hotel and drive you towards the Cultural Triangle. Before checking in to your gorgeous accommodation, stop at Sigiriya Rock Fortress for what will be a true highlight of your journey. 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. When you are ready, continue and check-in at Water Garden to spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Water Garden Sigiriya
-
Day 3 Polonnaruwa
After breakfast, meet your private guide for a private tour around Anuradhapura on bicycles. The pride of Anuradhapura is the ancient stupas and ancient reservoirs, magnificent rock carvings of monumental richness and remarkable grace. Cycle past colossal stone pillars that stand proud amidst the ruins of royal palaces, Buddhist monasteries and temples, and magnificent stone cut swimming pools with sophisticated hydrology engineering techniques. Continue on to Mihintale which 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. Return to Water Garden and enjoy an evening at leisure.
Overnight: Water Garden Sigiriya
-
Day 4 Mihintale and Anuradhapura
After breakfast, meet your private guide for a private tour around Anuradhapura on bicycles. The pride of Anuradhapura is the ancient stupas and ancient reservoirs, magnificent rock carvings of monumental richness and remarkable grace. Cycle past colossal stone pillars that stand proud amidst the ruins of royal palaces, Buddhist monasteries and temples, and magnificent stone cut swimming pools with sophisticated hydrology engineering techniques. Continue on to Mihintale which 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. Return to Water Garden and enjoy an evening at leisure.
Overnight: Water Garden Sigiriya
-
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, Adigar's Manor. Formerly the home of an aristocratic family, this beautiful manor house turned boutique hotel is located on the outskirts of Kandy and set within magnificent gardens. Enjoy chic interiors and one-of-a-kind antiques, Asian fusion cuisine and incredible views across a serene paddy valley. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Adigars Manor
-
Day 6 - 7 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: Adigars Manor
-
Day 9 Train to Haputale
This morning, you will be transferred to the station to board your train to Haputale. Your driver will wait for you to board the train, before continuing by road 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 Haputale, your driver will meet you and transfer you to Thotalagala, which will be your home for the next two nights. Enjoy an evening to relax and take in the spectacular views and scenery.
Overnight: Thotalagala
-
Day 10 Pekoe Trail
Winding through the emerald tea fields and mist-draped forests of Sri Lanka's southern highlands, the Pekoe Trail from Haputale to St. Catherine is a quietly magnificent journey into the soul of tea country. This 14-kilometre stretch - part of the newly restored Pekoe Trail - unfolds at a gentle pace, revealing a world of steep estate paths, shaded eucalyptus groves, and views that sweep down to the southern plains. Departing the hill town of Haputale, the trail ascends through fragrant woodland before emerging into the immaculately kept Greenfield Estate, where lines of tea pluckers pass in the still morning air. As you walk toward the village of St. Catherine - tucked beneath the watchful eye of Lipton's Seat - you pass vibrant Hindu temples, local homes, and tea-drying stations where the scent of fermentation lingers on the breeze.
Overnight: Thotalagala
-
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.
Overnight: Home
-
Depart
GUIDELINE PRICES - Per Person
| Low | $ 6,439 |
| Mid | $ 7,249 |
| High | $ 9,346 |
BOOKING NOTES
- Prices are per person based on two people sharing a room.
INCLUSIONS
- All accommodation as detailed in the itinerary.
- Daily breakfast.
- Private transfers throughout.
- All sightseeing, entrance fees and guide services as detailed in the itinerary.
- Internal flights where detailed in the itinerary.
EXTRAS
- International flights.
- Meals not indicated in the itinerary.
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, gratuities (discretionary).
- Entrance fees and excursions not specifically mentioned as included.
- Travel insurance or visa fees.
-
REASONS TO BOOK
Award-winning travel specialists with expert knowledge and the best contacts in the business.
READ MORE
