Glimpses of Ceylon
PRIVATE TOUR see page 7
9nt privately escorted tour from £ 1779pp
Sigiriya Rock
Sri Lanka- Tour
Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque, Colombo Nuwara Eliya
Glimpses of Ceylon
9nt privately escorted tour by air-conditioned car
UNESCO World Heritage Sites • colonial history • unique touring included in Colombo
DAY 1 Fly to Colombo
DAY 2 Colombo
On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel with the rest of the day free to relax.
DAY 3 Colombo
Morning at leisure. This afternoon enjoy a personalised“ Old Colombo” Walking tour, a perfect way to take in the amazing architecture left behind by the Dutch and British.
DAY 4 Colombo / Sigiriya, Habarana or Dambulla
After breakfast you will set off for the Cultural Triangle area( approx 3 hours drive).
DAY 5 Sigiriya, Habarana or Dambulla
Visit the imposing Sigiriya rock fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating from the 5th century which rises majestically from the scrub jungle. This rock was the innermost stronghold of the fortified town with a moat, rampart, and extensive gardens including the famed water gardens that ring the rock’ s base. You will also see the world-renowned frescoes of the‘ Heavenly Maidens’ of Sigiriya, which are painted in earth pigments on plaster and are reached by a spiral stairway. Those feeling fit can tackle the 600 feet climb to the top and be rewarded with memorable views. Later, drive to Polonnaruwa, another UNESCO World Heritage Site( approx 1½ hours) and the island’ s medieval capital. Visit the Royal Palace ruins, the Gal Viharaya- four colossal statues carved from granite, the Lotus Bath, the moonstones and Audience Hall.
DAY 6 Sigiriya, Habarana or Dambulla
At leisure or you can take an optional excursion to Minneriya National Park for a jeep safari( from £ 69).
DAY 7 Sigiriya, Habarana or Dambulla / Kandy
Drive to the 1st century Dambulla Rock Cave Temple, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. This impressive temple complex of five caves has the world’ s largest area of paintings and a colossal Buddha figure carved from rock. Visit a spice garden at Matale to see how they are grown and processed before continuing to UNESCO listed Kandy( approx 2 hours), the last capital of the Kings. Later this evening, enjoy a city tour and drive around Kandy Lake, visit the town bazaar,
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an arts and craft centre plus a gem museum. Finally, visit the Temple of the Tooth and watch a cultural show.
DAY 8 Kandy
This morning is at leisure to relax. Alternatively, you can join an optional cycling tour( at extra expense) in the Hanthana Mountain Range with a visit to the Ceylon Tea Museum. This afternoon proceed to the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, first built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala king and then expanded by the British. It’ s a walker’ s paradise with extensive lawns, pavilions, an octagon conservatory, fernery, orchid house and numerous flower beds.
DAY 9 Kandy / Nuwara Eliya
Head to the cooler climes of the tea country( approx 3½ hours drive) to visit a working tea plantation and factory where you’ ll see the manufacturing and grading process of tea, before sampling a cup of pure Ceylon tea. Continue some 6,000 feet above sea level to the former colonial hill station of Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka’ s most popular hill resort and heart of tea country. The rest of the day is free to enjoy the colonial splendour in all its glory. If time permits, we suggest extending your stay in Nuwara Eliya.
DAY 10 Nuwara Eliya / Negombo
Travel to Negombo( approx 4½ hours drive) where upon arrival you are free to relax beside the pool or on the inviting sands.
DAY 11 Negombo / Colombo
Time at leisure before your tour concludes with a transfer to the airport for your onward journey.
Alternatively, after the tour, why not extend your stay?
Options include a short stay at one of Sri Lanka’ s superb national parks to view the wildlife( see pages 204-207); or enjoy further time to relax beside the sea or at a wellness resort( see pages 208-217).
Negombo
Colombo
Habarana
Dambulla Sigiriya
Kandy
Nuwara Eliya
Polonnaruwa
SRI LANKA
Colombo 2nts Sigiriya, Habarana or Dambulla 3nts Kandy 2nts | Nuwara Eliya 1nt | Negombo 1nt
What you need to know:
Daily departures
3H hotels. Also available with 4 and 5H hotels or with“ boutique” hotels such as The Wallawwa, Uga Ulagalla and Ceylon Tea Trails. These small, more personalised properties capture the essence of barefoot luxury and attention to detail.
Breakfast.
The price shown includes international flights, private transfers, accommodation, sightseeing as outlined and private services of an English speaking chauffeur guide.
Note: Extensions also available in each destination. Due to en route sightseeing and the nature of the scenic, winding roads, some journeys can take several hours. However, air taxis are available for some routes( at extra expense), cutting journey times considerably( sometimes by up to 6 hours). Please ask for details.
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