Uncover the Beauty of Sri Lanka: A Luxury Small-Group Tour
Fall in love with the unspoiled beauty of Sri Lanka on this 11-day luxury small group tour (max. 16 travellers). Stay in five-star style as you journey through the striking landscapes of this island nation and discover the bustling Sri Lankan capital of Colombo, the 150-year-old tradition of the tea plantations and the unique game animals of Yala National Park. Includes daily breakfast, a selection of handpicked lunches and dinners, an all-inclusive stay at Ceylon Tea Trails - one of Sri Lanka’s most luxurious hotels - a thrilling jeep safari, an indulgent massage, private transportation, expert local guides, exclusive insider experiences and more.
Enjoy the intimacy of a luxurious small group tour as you travel through one of the world’s most fascinating landscapes. Discover colonial history, stunning white beaches, head-turning terrain and UNESCO World-Heritage sites through insider experiences with the very best local guides. Sri Lanka truly is a nature lover’s dream.
What You’ll Love…
Five-Star Accommodation – Stay in luxury bungalows among tea plantations and in eco-luxury amid paddy fields
In between exploring the tropical country of Sri Lanka, you’ll end each day in handpicked five-star accommodation.
With a name that references “a garden of lakes”, Sigiriya’s Jetwing Vil Uyana offers world-class Sri Lankan hospitality in an exclusive sanctuary amid the paddy fields. Built on the agricultural lands of Sri Lankan ancestors, you’ll truly feel the blend of rustic tradition and modern luxury. Spend two nights in eco-luxury and awken to the sounds of surrounding wildlife as you experience a rural haven with contemporary comforts. Return from a day visiting the exceptional UNESCO World-Heritage site of the Sigiriya rock fortress and indulge mind and body with a complimentary Ayurveda massage at the hotel’s Island Spa. Finish your day with a dip in the plunge pool and settle down with a great book in the library.
Discover the tranquility of the vibrant green hills of Sri Lanka’s tea country with two all-inclusive nights at the majestic Ceylon Tea Trails. At 4,000ft above sea level, Ceylon Tea Trails comprises a collection of five beautifully restored plantation bungalows set around the picturesque Castlereagh Lake, near the town of Hatton. Originally built for British tea managers during the days of the Raj, you’ll overlook the grand tea plantations while enjoying chic style, gourmet cuisine and the finest service. Feel like an honoured guest as you unwind in the panoramic infinity pool overlooking the stunning lake and indulge in the services provided by your personal housekeeper, chef and butler.
Spend two memorable nights at Jetwing Lighthouse in Galle, an elegant hotel offering the ultimate tropical retreat amid the sun, sea and sand of Sri Lanka’s southern coast. Perched directly on the rocky shores of the Indian Ocean, Jetwing Lighthouse is the effortless luxury you need after a day discovering the historic city of Galle. Unwind on the expansive hotel terrace with a drink in hand, as you gaze out over the spectacular Sri Lankan sunset.
The Experiences & Sights – Embark on an exciting game drive through Yala National Park and enjoy a tea picking and tasting experience among the plantations
Begin your journey in the capital of Colombo - a port city famous for its ancient east-west trade routes, with a vibrant colonial heritage reflected in its mansions and lush gardens.
Uncover the beauty of the Golden Temple of Dambulla, the unique paved monastery that has been a pilgrimage destination for 22 centuries, dating back to the first century. Not far from here, is the ancient city of Sigiriya – an impressive rock fortress in central Sri Lanka. Also known as ‘Lion Rock’, due to the huge lion gateway that once stood at the entrance, yout steep climb to the top will be rewarded with spectacular panoramic views. At the peak, you’ll find the remains of a Buddhist monastery built in the 14th century, atop the remnants of an extinct volcano.
Sri Lanka serves up a remarkable feast for the senses. Visit the city of Kandy, the gateway to the nation’s tea plantations, set on a plateau surrounded by hypnotic mountains. Besides exploring the impressive array of colonial architecture, no visit here is complete without a stop at the Temple of the Tooth - one of Buddhism’s most sacred sites.
Take an incredible drive through Sri Lanka’s magical hill country. Filled with lush tea plantations amid a beautiful backdrop, you’ll learn about the 150-year-old tradition that remains a major export for the country, while also enjoying a wonderful tasting experience featuring some of the world’s best teas.
Embark on an exciting safari adventure through Yala National Park, the most visited national park in the country. Enjoy a guided game drive that’ll take you from open parkland and jungle to waterholes, streams and lagoons. This is your opportunity to spot elephants, leopards, sloth bears, water buffalos, monkeys and more!
Your Package Includes:
- Ten nights in handpicked five-star accommodation, including Jetwing Vil Uyana and an all-inclusive stay at one of Sri Lanka’s most luxurious hotels, Ceylon Tea Trails
- A selection of gourmet experiences, including daily breakfast, four lunches and four dinners
- Expert local English-speaking guides
- Private transportation throughout
- All sightseeing and entrance fees
- Return airport transfers
- A traditional Ayurveda massage experience
- A morning jeep safari tour in Yala National Park
- Tea experience and tasting in the tea plantations
- A morning climb to the top of the UNESCO World Heritage-Listed Sigiriya rock fortress
- A local spice tour
The tour begins and ends in Colombo (CMB). Private return airport transfers are included on the first and last day of the tour only. Please book your flight into Colombo any time on Day 1 and out of Colombo anytime after midday on Day 11.
Your international flights are not included in your package. Flights to Colombo from Australia will typically take a minimum of one stop and approximately 12-16 hours, departing from most major cities with Malaysian Airlines, Qantas, Emirates, Sri Lankan Airlines and more.
You MUST complete your booking form within 48 hours of booking. Following its completion, our Tours Concierge will be in touch to assist with any additional arrangements – including flights.
A visa may be required to the destination you are visiting. It is each traveller’s responsibility to ensure they are holding a current visa. Please take the time to visit our preferred vendor website Visa Direct to assist you with any visa application requirements and processes. If you require any supporting documentation when applying for your visa please let us know and we would be more than happy to assist. Click here to visit the website.
DAY 1: COLOMBO
On arrival in Colombo you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel. As most flights arrive into Colombo late in the evening, there are no activities scheduled for today and the evening (depending on your arrival time) is at your leisure.
ACCOMMODATION: Jetwing Colombo Seven
DAY 2: COLOMBO - SIGIRIYA
This morning we depart for Sigiriya, with a visit to Dambulla with its rock temple dating back to the first century BC. The caves of Dambulla sheltered King Walagamba during his 14 years of exile from Anuradhapura.
We continue on to Sigiriya arriving late afternoon where you have some time to unwind before your group dinner.
ACCOMMODATION: Jetwing Vil Uyana
MEALS: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 3: SIGIRIYA
This morning after breakfast we climb the fifth-century, UNESCO World Heritage-Listed Sigiriya rock fortress, also known as ‘Lion Rock’ due to the huge lion gateway that once stood at the entrance. On one of its stairways, frescoes which are the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting can be observed.
We enjoy a local lunch before we continue to Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka’s ancient capital featuring the Rock Temple and ancient palace ruins.
Returning to the hotel in the late afternoon, the rest of the evening is at your leisure.
ACCOMMODATION: Jetwing Vil Uyana
MEALS: Breakfast & Lunch
DAY 4: SIGIRIYA – MATALE – KANDY
This morning we depart for Kandy, with a stop en route at the Spice Garden in Matale to discover the different spices Sri Lanka is famous for. We continue to Kandy for a city tour incorporating Upper Lake Drive, the market square and the Temple of Tooth - the sacred temple home to the palm-leaf transcripts dating back to 1687.
Kandy is rich with temples, shrines and monasteries and is an example of Buddhism’s influence in Sri Lanka today.
After checking into the hotel the evening is at leisure.
ACCOMMODATION: Golden Crown
MEALS: Breakfast & Lunch
DAY 5: KANDY – HATTON
Today we enjoy a scenic drive through the hillside tea plantations to Hatton, regarded as one of the most beautiful journeys in Sri Lanka. Witness green rolling hills and tea pickers at work in the tea plantations.
Arrive at Tea Trails, a cluster of colonial-era planters’ bungalows packed with period furnishings. Each bungalow has its own housekeeper, chef, butler and houseboys – you’ll feel like an honoured guest.
ACCOMMODATION: Ceylon Tea Trails
MEALS: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 6: HATTON
After breakfast you enjoy a morning “Tea Experience” with a visit to the plantations and factory. First introduced to the country in 1867 by Englishman James Taylor, today tea is Sri Lanka’s main export. You will be able to personally acquaint yourself with the art of tea plucking and learn about the full process from planting and varietal differences to the auction process and tasting.
The remainder of the day is at leisure. Relax at your bungalow or explore the local trails which wind through the tea gardens by mountain bike or on foot.
ACCOMMODATION: Ceylon Tea Trails
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 7: HATTON - YALA NATIONAL PARK
This morning transfer southeast from Hatton to Yala National Park (approx. 5 hrs). Stop on the way for lunch before arriving in Yala in the late afternoon where the evening is at leisure.
ACCOMMODATION: Jetwing Yala
MEALS: Breakfast & Lunch
DAY 8: YALA
This morning you enjoy an early morning jeep safari in the beautiful Yala National Park. Yala is the best location to sight and photograph the rare and remarkable leopards and other highlights of Yala include wild elephants, bears, wild boars, buffalos, deer, crocodiles and many species of birds. The National Park ranges from open parkland to jungle with waterholes, streams, small lakes and lagoons.
Return to the hotel for breakfast and the rest of the day is at your leisure for your own discoveries, or to relax by the hotel’s pool or down by the beach – the choice is yours.
ACCOMMODATION: Jetwing Yala
MEALS: Breakfast
DAY 9: YALA – GALLE
This morning we depart for Galle after breakfast.
We enjoy a stop en route to visit the Weligama stilt fishermen and watch them going about their daily routine. In chest-deep water just a few metres off the shore, the stilt fishermen perch on a single pole planted into the sea-bed. This is a common method of fishing amongst the locals in the Southern part of Sri Lanka.
Continue to Galle, arriving in the late afternoon.
ACCOMMODATION: Jetwing Lighthouse
MEALS: Breakfast
DAY 10: GALLE
The morning we enjoy a tour of Galle with its colonial architecture and UNESCO World Heritage-Listed sixteenth century fort. Before Colombo, Galle was the main seaport of Sri Lanka and houses the fort which was initially built by the Portuguese in 1619 and later further developed by the Dutch and the British.
The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure.
This evening you enjoy a final group dinner at the hotel.
ACCOMMODATION: Jetwing Lighthouse
MEALS: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 11: TOUR ENDS
Your tour ends today with a transfer back to Colombo for your onward flight.
MEALS: Breakfast