SRI LANKA & THE MALDIVES

Arrive

Day 1 Arrive Colombo

Arrive Colombo and transfer by road to Ulagalla, perfectly positioned in the cultural triangle at Anuradhapura. This wonderful property borders two ancient reservoirs and has just 25 extremely private villas, which have been beautifully furnished with the highest levels of comfort in mind. Each villa has a private plunge pool, wonderful views and lots of space as the entire property sits on 58 acres. The property has a team of highly qualified chefs who create the most inspiring and delicious cuisine. Enjoy three full nights, exploring and relaxing.

Overnight: Ulagalla

Day 2 Anuradhapura - Mihintale

After breakfast, your private chauffer-guide will meet you for a full day to explore the cultural triangle. Your first stop will be the 12 metre high Buddha at Aukana dating back to the 5th century. After this continue on to Mihintale and Anuradhapura, a monastic city built around four forested hills. Mihintale is also known for being the birth place of Sri Lankan Buddhism and is a place of great spiritual importance on the island. Other highlights include Anuradhapura's monuments and gleaming white dagobas that rise out of the jungle showing a very sophisticated ancient civilisation. Boasting the oldest dams in the world as well as the sacred Bodhi tree, the oldest historically documented tree in the world, this ancient city attracts Buddhist pilgrims from all over Asia. Evening at leisure.

Overnight: Ulagalla

Day 3 Polonnaruwa & Sigiriya

This morning you will drive to Polonnaruwa, the famous medieval capital of Ceylon. Spend the morning exploring the ancient city. After some time back at the hotel relaxing you will drive a short way to Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Rising an impressive 200 metres from the plains, it is one of Sri Lanka's most fascinating citadels. It used to have a palace that stood at the summit and it is impossible not to marvel at this architectural achievement. Each of the materials used would have had to have been manually carried and hoisted to the top of the sheer rock face.

Overnight: Ulagalla

Day 4 Transfer to Kandy

After breakfast you travel to Dambulla where you will visit the five magically lit caves that feature hand carved Buddha statues, some of which date back to the 2nd century BC. From here you will continue to Kandy where you will enjoy the rest of your day at leisure in your hotel. In the late evening you can visit the Temple of the Tooth, which houses Sri Lanka's most famous relic, a fragment of Buddha's tooth. The best time to do this is during the evening Puja at 7pm allowing guests to bear witness to the beautifully lit temple and sounds of chanting and drums. Your accommodation for the next two nights is The Kandy House. Originally built in 1804, this boutique property has been wonderfully restored. It is beautifully finished with attention to detail in every way and it is perfectly positioned in peaceful surroundings. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight: The Kandy House

Day 5 Kandy

Spend your morning at leisure. You will then be picked up by your chauffeur guide and taken to the magnificent Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, where you can stroll round these beautifully manicured gardens and enjoy a delicious picnic lunch. Afterwards, your driver will transfer you into the centre of Kandy for afternoon tea in a cool little cafe where you can watch the world go by. Return to your accommodation in the evening to relax.

Overnight: The Kandy House

Day 6 Train to Hatton

This morning travel to Peradeniya where you will board the morning train taking you up into the tea country. Enjoy spectacular views of waterfalls and the rolling tea plantations and subject to availability you will be traveling 1st class in the observation car that boasts panoramic views as you gently pass through the surrounding countryside. On arrival at Hatton you will be met and transferred to your hotel where the rest of the day will be spent at leisure. Ceylon Tea trails comprises four colonial era tea planter's bungalows. Each bungalow, built between 1890 and 1939 offers gracious living thanks to authentic period furnishings and an array of helpful staff. The delicious food is cooked to order and ranges from Western food to traditional Sri-Lankan classics. Three out of the four bungalows have their own swimming pools and all have wonderful terraced lawns overlooking the views.

Overnight: Ceylon Tea Trails

Day 7  Tea Experience

Spend the morning learning about the tea making process, visiting a working tea factory. In the afternoon, you may decide to explore by hiking and biking through the beautiful tea hills.

Overnight: : Ceylon Tea Trails

Day 8  Castlereagh Lake - Colombo

After breakfast you will be driven to the Castlereagh sea plane landing pad where you will be flown to Colombo. On arrival you will be transferred to Kotugoda where you will spend the rest of the day at your leisure.

Overnight: The Wallawwa

Day 9 Fly to Male

After a restful night, you will board your short flight to Male before taking a short seaplane to at Amilla Fushi's floating jetty, which is five minutes from the resort by speedboat. Once you arrive you will be met on the resort's welcome jetty by the team and welcomed to your home for the next five nights with a refreshing cold towel and a much needed welcome drink. The rest of the day will be at your leisure to relax, catch up on sleep and familiarise yourself with the resort and all it has to offer. Amilla Fushi offers a choice of island homes including resort and private residences, which hover over the ocean, nestle amongst the treetops or hug the shores of pristine white sand. Relish the good life, amongst the lush island foliage. With delicious food, superb wine and impeccable service, Amilla offers a range of experiences to make your island home complete and boasts the first "supermarket" in a 5-star resort in the Maldives, making it easy for families to cater for themselves if they wish to.

Overnight: Amilla Fushi

Day 10 - 14 At Leisure

The next four days will be spent at your leisure enjoying the resorts facilities.

Overnight: Amilla Fushi

Day 15 Depart

Transfer to Male airport for your flight home.

Depart