Sri Lanka in Style

Tour Type:
Private Escorted Tours
Start:
Colombo
Duration:
14 Days
End:
Colombo
Departs:
Daily

Starting From

NZ$ 4274
Per Person Sharing Twin/Double Room ENQUIRE NOW

This tour not only exposes you to great culture and luxurious accommodation, it also encompasses all the major sites of the Cultural Triangle before taking a leisurely route through the centre and south visiting temples, tea plantations and a national park to reach one of the glorious beaches that stretches the length of the southwest coast. Highlights of the north include Anuradhapura, the 4th-century cradle of Buddhism, the exquisite carved rock Buddha images at Polonnaruwa and Kandy with its wonderful Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and the Temple of the Tooth. Carry on up to the High Country to relax on a charming tea plantation before going to the elephant and leopard Yala National Park located in the southeast. Follow the coast and explore the fort in Galle, then head north to beautiful beaches of northern Galle where you can relax and soak in the Sri Lankan sun. 

Itinerary

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DAY 1

Arrive at Colombo International Airport. Please clear immigration & visa formalities, collect your baggage and proceed to the arrival lounge through the green channel if you do not have goods to be declared to customs. TOTAL HOLIDAY OPTIONS Executive will page you by your name. Thereafter you will be assisted with a transfer to the hotel, check-in at the hotel and stay two nights in Colombo.

DAY 2

Enjoy a city sightseeing tour of Colombo, visiting Fort are, National Museum, commercial areas, Pettah, a colourful Oriental bazaar, mosques and temples.

DAY 3

After breakfast proceeds to Thirappane, a city in the heart of Sri Lanka's monument-rich Cultural Triangle region. Upon arrival Check-in to the hotel. The evening is free to relax and stay three nights in Ulagalla resort.

DAY 4

After breakfast explore the sacred city of Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This ancient city is believed to have sprouted from a cutting of the Buddha’s tree of enlightenment brought here in the third century BC by Sanghamitta, founder of an order of Buddhist nuns. This Ceylonese political and religious capital, which flourished for 1,300 years, was abandoned after it was invaded in 993. Hidden in dense jungle for many years, the site’s palaces, monasteries, and monuments are revealed to you today. Later visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, which remains one of the best planned archaeological relic sites in the country, standing testimony to the discipline and greatness of the Kingdom's first rulers. The ancient city of Polonnaruwa has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Later return to the hotel. Overnight stay in Anuradhapura.

DAY 5

Enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel before heading out to discover the ancient clifftop fortress of Sigiriya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the fifth century AD, this imposing citadel sits atop a 660-foot-high granite formation known as “Lion’s Rock.” Set out on an hour-long hike up winding cliffside staircases, summiting to reveal the ancient secrets of the short-lived kingdom of Kassapa. Explore the ruins of ancient palaces, moats, shrines, frescoes and water gardens as you take in commanding vistas of the misty forests beyond. Later in the afternoon approx. 15:00 hrs, travel to the Minneriya National park to see the elephants of Sri Lanka. Located between Habarana and Polonnaruwa, the 8,890 hectares of Minneriya National Park consists of mixed evergreen forest and scrub areas and is home to favourites such as sambar deer, leopards, and elephants. However, the central feature of the park is the ancient Minneriya Tank (built in the 3rd century AD by King Mahasena). During the dry season (June to September), this tank is an incredible place to observe the elephants who come to bathe and graze, as well as the huge flocks of birds (cormorants and painted storks to name but a few) that come to fish in the shallow waters. Return back to the hotel and overnight stay.

DAY 6

This morning after breakfast check-out and set out to explore The Golden Rock Cave Temple of Dambulla, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover its Buddhist mural paintings and more than 150 Buddha statues. A sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, this continuously operated cave monastery — which features five sanctuaries — is the largest, best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. Continue to Kandy. Enroute stop at Matale to visit a local spice garden, with its stimulating, potent aromas lingering in the air. Learn how cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and pepper lured ancient traders to this island and fertile valley. Continue on to your hotel in Kandy, a major city in the Central Province. Browse Kandy’s traditional local craft village. Later check-in at Bungalow by Amaya for two nights.

DAY 7

After breakfast visit Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens. 147 acres in extent; Started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the Kings of Gampola and Kandy. There are more than 5,000 species of trees, plants, and creepers. Some rare and endemic as well as flora from the tropical world are found in the gardens. Spice Garden and Orchid House are popular with tourists. There are 5 Palm Avenues beautifying the gardens, the earliest and tallest Palm Avenue (Royal Palm Avenue) was planted in 1905 and the Double Coconuts from the Seashells Island, with the largest seed of all plants in the world is one such avenue. Later on visit Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, which houses the Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha, is an important landmark in Kandy. The Tooth is kept in a two-storey shrine fronted by two large elephant tusks and rests on a gold lotus flower, encased in a jewelled casket that sits on a throne. The temple is decorated with beautiful local paintings and architectural features. Evening free to explore local bazaar or relax at the hotel. Overnight stay in Kandy.

DAY 8

This morning have an early breakfast, check out of the hotel by 7.45 am, load your luggage’s in the car and transfer to the Peradeniya Railways station to board your train to Nanuoya. The luggage’s will be transported by car to Nanuoya only have a small hand carry with your essential and munchies/water bottle for the train ride. Your guide will assist you in the train carriage for the journey to Nanuoya. Watch green hills studded with tea plantations roll past, the higher parts wreathed by early-morning mist approx. 13:45 pm the train arrives at Nanuoya Station, which has been serving Nuwara Eliya for over a century. Your guide will meet you here and, after a moment or two to stretch your legs, you'll make the 30-minute drive to Nuwara Eliya in a chauffeured private vehicle. Enjoy lunch at a restaurant of your choice (at own expense) Afterwards visit a Tea Estate in Nuwara Eliya, Tea is a huge industry in Sri Lanka. Ceylon Tea is world-famous for its taste, quality and health benefits as well. You will see how the tea pluckers with their baskets and bags pluck tea leaves from the plantations. With women of various ages engaging in this activity, seeing the tea plucking activity is fun and exciting. The trick is to pluck the right tea leaves with the correct properties. These tea leaves are then taken into the factories where the selection process starts. The fresh and best leaves are put into the machines for the processing. The rolling, withering, processing is all done with the help of the machines and a lot of helping hands gather around to do the packaging, storing activities as well. You will also get the chance to taste a fresh cup of tea straight from the factory and you will definitely love it. Later travel toward Nuwara Eliya Town once a favourite holiday resort for the British, as evidenced by the colonial mansions and their perfectly manicured lawns, the 18-hole golf course, and the Tudor-style post office complete with a clock spire one of the oldest post offices in Sri Lanka. Explore Lake Gregory, created by the British governor Sir William Gregory in 1873, and the beautiful Queen Victoria Park founded in 1897, which give Nuwara Eliya a sense of being displaced from time. On arrival check into the hotel Jetwing Warwick Gardens for overnight stay.

DAY 9

After breakfast the day at leisure to explore the small town on your own. For golfers, this town offers a chance to play at the historical 18-hole golf course.

DAY 10

After breakfast check out of the hotel and travel towards Yala, Tissamaharama (Yala) a town in south-eastern Sri Lanka. On our way, we stop at Kataragama, a pilgrimage town sacred to the Buddhist, Hindu, and Vedda (an aboriginal people inhabiting the forest of Sri Lanka. Learn about the town’s deity Katharagama, also known as prince Skhandha, as you discover more details about Sri Lankan religious traditions. Later continue our travel to Yala on arrival check into Chena Huts for two nights.

DAY 11

Early in the morning enjoy an exciting game drive at the Yala National Park. Yala Park is situated in the Dry Zone area of Sri Lanka, comprising of a range of habitats like scrub jungles, water reservoirs, brackish lagoons, and riverine habitats. Yala is known to have one of the highest leopard densities in the world, and its elephant herd consists of between 300-350 animals. This is the best park in the country to observe and photograph leopards, elephants, and mammals such as Sloth bears, Black-naped Hare, Spotted deer, Sambar, Hanuman langur, Toque monkey, Wild boar, and Golden jackal. You're also likely to see the reptiles like the Land and Water Monitor lizard, along with the marsh crocodile. Later return to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay in Yala.

DAY 12

After breakfast check out and travel to Galle. Enjoy a guided walk through Galle’shistoric 17C Dutch Fort - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Galle’s natural harbour has long been a hub of trade dating back to ancient times. The accidental arrival of the Portuguese Lorenzo de Almeida in 1505, when his fleet of ships steered off course following a storm at sea, changed the history of this island nation. The Portuguese were followed by the Dutch and then the British in 1796. With each occupation, Galle’s landscape changed and the cultural influences remained. Galle Fort covers nearly four sq. km and is protected by 12 bastions and connecting ramparts. Wander the maze of narrow cobblestone paved roadways lined with colonial period buildings still in use and old merchant houses where generations of Moorish families still live. Take a walk along the sturdy ramparts looking out to sea and visit colonial period churches, the lighthouse, and museums. Along the way, stop by for a cup of Ceylon Tea or fresh king coconut. This fascinating excursion will give you a memorable glimpse into life within Galle Fort – one of the best-preserved Colonial Forts in Asia. Later check-in at the hotel for two nights at Anantara Beach Haven.

DAY 13

After breakfast, the day is at leisure to enjoy the facilities of the resort.

DAY 14

After breakfast check out of the hotel in time transfer to Colombo international airport to board your onward flight

Inclusion


13 Nights Accommodation with private facilities (Check out 1200hrs/ Check-in 1400hrs)

Travel and transfers by a private air-conditioned vehicle with English Chauffeur Guide

Meals as specified

Sightseeing as specified

Entry fees and monument charges

Anuradhapura sightseeing

Polonnaruwa Ancient City

Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Wildlife safari at Minneriya and Yala National Park

Dambulla Cave Temples

Peradeniya Botanical Gardens

Sightseeing in Kandy

Tooth Relic temple

Scenic Train Ride

Tea Tour in Nuwara Eliya

Meet and greet at the airport

Return Airport Transfers

All currently applicable taxes

Exclusion


International Airfares

Any meals other than specified, drinks, laundry, mineral water, telephone calls, postage

Camera and Video entry charges at Monuments/Forts etc

Train or domestic airfares excluding those mentioned in includes column

Optional tour and meals unless otherwise mentioned in the includes column

Visa & passport fees

Travel insurance of any kind

Tips and gratuities

Extra baggage charges

Early check-in or late checkout.

Entry Visa Fees, please visit www.eta.gov.lk for more details / submit your individual visa application.

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