Sri Lanka - Off the Beaten Track 17 nights from £3,902 per person
ABOUT THIS ITINERARY
A unique itinerary, carefully prepared using the experience of many years conducting tours around the Island. This holiday includes the most important sites in Sri Lanka and you get to stay in some of the best boutique hotels mixed with some special hotels dotted around this Island.
The travelling around the country will be done in your own private car and with the services of chauffeur-guide, giving you enough flexibility to do things at your own pace. The travels in Sri Lanka also include the most scenic part of a world famous train journey and two nights in one of the most luxurious tea plantation bungalows in the world! The tour concludes at the luxurious Anantara Hotel on a quiet beach, in lesser known fishing town of Tangalle, giving you the chance to spend a few rejuvenating days before heading home.
Price Includes
International flights
Private transfers
Activities and tours as mentioned
All accommodation
24/7 support while you're away
UK airport transfers (conditions apply)
DAY 1
COLOMBO
You will be met on arrival by Tailored Journeys representatives and your chauffeur-guide will accompany you to your colonial hotel in central Colombo. The journey time is approximately 1 hour, depending on local traffic conditions.
After checking in to your rooms and settling down, your guide will return in the evening to take you on a brief tour of the city followed by dinner at a local restaurant. The restaurant we use in Colombo is the Beach Wadiya, patronised by Princess Anne, members of the Napalese Royal family and many of our own clients. The location and the settings bring an authentic element to the evening and an ideal way to start your holiday on this paradise island. We can recommend other restaurants for anyone opting for different cuisine.
Accommodation: The Kingsbury Colombo
DAY 2-3
ANURADHAPURA
Your chauffeur-guide will meet you at your hotel and drive you to Anuradhapura. Your chauffeur-guide will remain with you throughout your touring in Sri Lanka and until you arrive at your beach hotel on the south coast.
Today's journey will be made along the East coastal town of Puttalam and on to Ulagalla Hotel in Anuradhapura. Once a chieftain’s mansion, Ulagalla features a 150-year-old mansion at its centre, with 20 private, ecologically-built pool villas spread across 58 acres of lush greenery. Your perfect place to visit the laid-back ancient city of Anuradhapura.
Anuradhapura is a sacred city, established around a cutting from the 'tree of enlightenment', the Buddha's fig tree, brought there in the 3rd century B.C. by Sanghamitta, the founder of an order of Buddhist nuns. Anuradhapura, the very first capital of Sri Lanka flourished for 1,300 years before being abandoned after an invasion in 993. Hidden away in dense jungle for many years is now one of the major sites to be visited in the country. With its palaces, monasteries and monuments is now a must see in these parts of the island. The visit is combined with climb to Mihintale - a mountain peak close by, believed by many to be the place where Buddhist monk Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa met to discuss ways of introducing Buddhism to Sri Lanka.
Accommodation: Uga Ulagalla
DAY 4-5
HABARANA
Set off to Dambulla to stay in yet another unique boutique hotel in picturesque surroundings. This is also a central location from where you will be making short journeys to discover more ancient sites in the area.
After checking in to the hotel, it will be time to see the first site in the area - the Cave Temples of Dambulla, a World Heritage site. Dambulla is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka, major attractions are spread over five main caves, which contain statues and paintings dating back to the first century BCE
Later in the afternoon, you will set off in an open-top jeep to see herds of wild Elephants. There are two parks in the area and the park to visit will depend on local knowledge and where the bigger herd was last seen. This will give you the best chance to gaze at these gentle giants.
You will also make the short journey to climb the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya.
Lunch will be enjoyed at a local farmer's house.
You will also visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, the second capital of Sri Lanka in the 12th century.
Accommodation: Taru Villas Maia
DAY 6
KANDY
Head to the hills of Sri Lanka. The journey takes approximately 2 1/2 hours.
The afternoon will be spent visiting the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens followed by a visit to the Golden Temple of Kandy and finally settling down to watch a cultural dance show. The area is also popular for souvenir shopping, blue sapphires and batik making workshops.
You could also visit the British Garrison Cemetery (also known as the Kandy Garrison Cemetery) a British cemetery in Kandy.
Accommodation: Adigar's Manor
DAY 7-8
DICKOYA
After breakfast at the Hotel, you will set off to the tea plantations and the cooler climates of the Island. The drive to Hatton takes approximately 2 1/2 hours.
The next two nights will be spent at one of the Ceylon Tea Trails bungalow with all meals and drinks included.
Relive a bygone era at the wonder Ceylon Tea Trails. Old tea plantation bungalows turned into characterful luxurious villas in a lakeside setting will be your home away from home for the next 2 days. Each oozes its own distinctive character with timbered ceilings, panelled libraries, luxurious baths and large bay windows. A truly unique experience hardly found anywhere else in the world.
Accommodation: Ceylon Tea Trails Dunkeld Bungalow
DAY 9-10
ELLA
Make the short journey to the Hatton Railway station and await your train to Ella. This is renowned to be one of the most scenic train journeys in the world. The total journey time is just under 4 hours and your driver will leave you at the Hatton Station and continue with your luggage to Ella. He will then meet you off the train and take you to your next hotel.
You have free time to explore Ella and some of the highlights in the area are the Nine Arches Bridge, Ella water falls and the Buduruwagala Temple, a beautiful, 1000-year-old, rock-cut Buddha figures. Buduruwagala Temple is better visited en route to Tangalle in order to avoid any extra journey times. the journey time from Ella to Tangalle is 3 hours (without any stops).
Accommodation: 98 Acres Resort & Spa
DAY 11-15
TANGALLE
Tangalle, locally pronounced Tangalla, is a town in Hambantota in the Southern Province. Your hotel is right on a beautiful and quiet beach.
Tangalle is a regionally important fishing port, situated on one of the largest bays in Sri Lanka, which is protected from the ocean by an enclosing reef. It is a centre of tourism and a popular holiday destination on the south coast. In the town centre there is an old Dutch fort which is used as a prison today. The Dutch and subsequently the British used Tangalle as an important anchorage on the southern coast of the island. The Dutch Fort, Rest House and Court House are a few remaining examples of Dutch architecture in Tangalle.
You have 5 nights to completely unwind and relax or explore Galle nearby.
Accommodation: Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort
DAY 16-17
COLOMBO
Head west to Colombo to spend your last night on the island in a hotel close to the airport. The drive will be made via visiting the Dutch Fort in Galle, also an excellent place for a lunch break. The drive is a very scenic one along the Southwest coast.
You can also stop to visit a turtle hatchery before you arrive at your hotel in Colombo. The turtle hatcheries are close to Bentota Beach and are run as non-profit organisations, caring for the turtle population in Sri Lanka.
You will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight home.
Accommodation: Mount Lavinia
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