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Arrive
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Day 1 Arrive in Colombo
On arrival in Sri Lanka, transfer privately to relax and refresh at the stylish Wallawwa, a serene garden sanctuary conveniently located just 15-minutes’ drive from the airport. Set in 200-year-old tropical gardens, the award-winning 18-bedroom country house hotel with gourmet food, jungle pool and heavenly spa well-known for its Ayurveda-inspired treatments, exudes style and serenity.
Overnight: The Wallawwa
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Day 2 Tea Country
In the morning, transfer to the airport and board a Cinnamon Air scenic flight and fly over waterfalls and tea plantations to Castlereagh Reservoir. On arrival, transfer by road to Camellia Hills, a luxurious five-bedroom Sri Lankan tea bungalow high up in the hills of Dickoya. Cool, contemporary and uncluttered, this boutique hotel is surrounded by emerald green tea bushes and overlooks the stunning Castlereagh Reservoir. Gaze at the magnificent vistas whilst relaxing on comfy sofas by an open fire, or unwind by swimming in the deliciously cool garden pool.
Overnight: Camellia Hills
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Day 3 - 4 At Leisure
Two full days at leisure to explore the diverse nuances of this culture-rich region. Discover the nearby tea plantations, navigate the numerous walking trails and experience white water rafting. Why not stop off at a working Sri Lanka tea factory and see how the green leaves of the fields become that steaming cuppa that so many of us love.
Overnight: Camellia Hills
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Day 5 Nuwara Eliya
Continue your journey to the town of Nuwara Eliya, once the favoured cool-climate escape for the industrious (and hard-drinking) English and Scottish pioneers of Sri Lanka’s tea industry. Your home for the next two nights is the former tea planter’s bungalow, Goatfell, recently recreated as a four-bedroom boutique hotel. Take long walks through neatly clipped tea bushes, or simply relax with a cup of Ceylonese tea while you ponder the glorious landscape.
Overnight: Goatfell
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Day 6 At Leisure
Spend the day exploring the sights of the colonial-era hill station. Visit Horton Plains to see World’s End, a stunning escarpment that plunges 880m before continuing on to Tothupola Kanda, Sri Lanka’s third-highest mountain. Enjoy a picnic lunch before returning to Goatfell to admire the tea field views from the pool and enjoy a gourmet dinner of locally sourced food.
Overnight: Goatfell
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Day 7 Ella
Fill up on a hearty breakfast before hopping onto the observation car for a spectacular train ride to Ella, everyone’s favourite hill-country village. Your home from home for the next three nights is the newly-opened Nine Skies, a stylishly refurbished five-bedroom tea bungalow hotel. Close to the small laid-back town of Ella, Nine Skies offers striking salvaged claw-foot baths and rattan tables marked out for carom (finger-billiards), mixed with contemporary facilities that blend beautifully. There are just five bedrooms, a highly personal service, gourmet food, a refreshing pool and far-reaching hill country views across the valley.
Overnight: Nine Skies
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Day 8 Ravana Falls & Ella Spice Garden
Join your private chauffeur-guide and drive to Ravana Falls, the widest waterfall in the country. The views down the valley are spectacular and well worth the belly-churning moment when you make the hairpin bend turn between Ella Rock and Little Adams Peak. Capture some incredible photos from the mountain-side when you stop to swim in giant rock pools, then continue on to Ella Spice Garden for a chance to dig deep into the culinary traditions of Sri Lanka and learn to cook like a local. Spices are a staple of Sri Lankan food and the family are happy to give you a tour of their spice garden that contains everything from Pandan, pepper, cinnamon and chillies, before demonstrating how to use them in a cooking demonstration. After dining on the fruits of your labour, return to Nine Skies and enjoy the evening at leisure.
Overnight: Nine Skies
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Day 9 At Leisure
Enjoy a full day relaxing at the property by the pool, or take out a bicycle to explore the surrounding area.
Overnight: Nine Skies
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Day 10 Home
On your final day, transfer back to Castlereagh Lake and board the shared Cinnamon Air flight to Colombo, before checking in for your international flight home.
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Depart