SRI LANKA ESCORTED TOUR
9 night privately escorted tour from £ 1999pp
Polonnaruwa
Sigiriya
GLIMPSES OF CEYLON
9 NIGHT PRIVATELY ESCORTED TOUR BY AIR-CONDITIONED CAR
Kandy
UNESCO World Heritage sites • colonial history • unique touring included in Colombo
Habarana Dambulla
Sigiriya Polonnaruwa
Negombo
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 region ( approx 110 miles / 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 and which rises majestically from the scrub jungle . The 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 £ 79 ).
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 .
190 SRI LANKA
Later this evening , enjoy a city tour and drive around Kandy Lake , visit the town bazaar , an arts and craft centre and 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 ( extra cost ) 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 to visit a working tea plantation and factory to 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 ( approx 60 miles / 3½ hours drive ). If time permits , we suggest extending your stay in Nuwara Eliya .
DAY 10 Nuwara Eliya / Negombo
Travel to Negombo ( approx 100 miles / 4½ hours drive ) where upon arrival you are free to relax beside the pool or on the inviting sands . If time permits we suggest staying longer in Nuwara Eliya to soak up the stunning scenery .
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 196-199 ); or enjoy further time to relax beside the sea at a glorious beach resort ( see pages 200-209 ).
Negombo
Colombo
Kandy
SRI LANKA
Nuwara Eliya
Colombo 2 nights Sigiriya , Habarana or Dambulla 3 nights Kandy 2 nights ~ Nuwara Eliya 1 night Negombo 1 night
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Departures : Daily . Meals : Breakfast .
Tour price : The price shown for this privately escorted tour by air-conditioned car includes international flights , private transfers , 3H hotels , sightseeing as outlined and private services of an English speaking chauffeur guide .
Also available with 4 and 5H hotels and air taxi transfers . 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 , cutting journey times considerably ( sometimes by up to 6 hours ).
Tour also available with “ boutique ” hotels such as The Wallawwa , Ulagalla , Jetwing Vil Uyana , Kandy House , Ceylon Tea Trails , Aditya & Cape Weligama . These small , more personalised properties capture the essence of barefoot luxury and attention to detail .
if you want to see more wildlife , why not add on a side trip to a national park