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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.
Later this afternoon and after you have settled in, meet with the chef for a comprehensive introduction to Sri Lankan cuisine and how to recreate some of the country's most delicious dishes. During the demonstration, learn how to use clay pots, local spices and a variety of techniques that makes the Sri Lankan flavour so distrinctive.
Your evening will be at leisure.
Overnight: Nine Skies
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Day 8 Private Waterfall Trek and Picnic Lunch - Full Day
After breakfast, meet your private guide and transfer to the Haputale Mountain Range, with a journey time of around 90 minutes. On arrival, begin a short trek downhill into the jungle and through the forest towards a magnificent waterfall, which is breathtaking. The hike can be a little challeging in places so you will require a reasonable level of fitness. Your private guide will prepare delicious local hot snacks and refreshments before you dive into the natural pool for a swim. And the most treasured bit will be that you will have all of this incredible scenery and tranquility to yourself. When you are ready return to Nine Skies for an evening at leisure.
Overnight: Nine Skies
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Day 9 At Leisure
Enjoy a morning at leisure, then transfer by road in the afternoon back to The Wallawwa for the evening to relax before you fly home tomorrow.
Overnight: The Wallawwa
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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
