Sri Lanka 2021/2022: 12-Day Luxury Small-Group Tour with Yala National Park Safari & Maldives Extension Available
Fall in love with the unspoiled beauty of Sri Lanka on this 12-day luxury small-group tour (max. 16 travellers). In between discovering the striking landscapes of this island nation, learning about the 150-year-old tradition of tea leaf picking at luscious plantations with a ‘high tea experience’ and roaming through the magnificent Yala National Park on a wildlife safari, you’ll end each day in superior comfort staying at the likes of the five-star Jetwing Yala and Jetwing Lighthouse, Galle.
Relish the intimacy of this unique small-group tour, as you spy Weligama stilt fishermen perched on a single pole above the ocean’s glistening waters, visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Sigiriya Fortress, also known as the ‘Lion Rock’, breathe in the rich aroma of Matale’s Spice Garden and enjoy a scenic train ride through hillside tea plantations to Nuwara Eliya. Your journey culminates with a tour of Galle, with its colonial architecture and UNESCO World Heritage-listed 16th-century fort.
Enjoy daily breakfast and a selection of handpicked lunches and dinners, the services of expert local guides to lead the way, private transportation and transfers throughout, and so much more.
- 11 nights of five-star accommodation across Sri Lanka, including two nights at the award-winning Jetwing Vil Uyana in Sigiriya, a luxurious stay at the newly built Jetwing Kandy Gallery, two nights at the recently refurbished The Grand Hotel in the heart of the tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya, a luxury safari stay at Jetwing Yala, two nights at the newly refurbished Jetwing Lighthouse in Galle, and a night at the historic Galle Face Hotel in Colombo
- Daily breakfast and select dining experiences as per the itinerary
- Discover sacred sites including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Sigiriya Fortress
- Ride one of the world’s most scenic train routes from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
- Learn about the full tea-making process and enjoy a tasting in the tea plantations
- Savour a high tea experience at The Grand Hotel
- Experience an unforgettable morning jeep safari tour in Yala National Park
- Breathe in the rich aroma of local spices on a guided tour through a family-run spice plantation
- Witness the famed stilt fishermen in Weligama
- Visit the Dutch Galle Fort on a city sightseeing tour
- Complimentary Ayurveda massage at Jetwing Vil Uyana’s spa per adult
- Expert guides accompanying you throughout the experience
- All sightseeing and entrance fees per itinerary
- Private air-conditioned transportation and roundtrip airport transfers throughout
Your journey takes you to: Colombo — Negombo — Sigiriya —Matale — Kandy — Nuwara Eliya — Yala National Park — Galle — Colombo.
Maldives extension available: Relax in paradise when you add a five-day escape to Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives. Stay by the water and feel the sand in between your toes in a Beach Bungalow with all-inclusive dining, free-flow cocktails and roundtrip flights from Colombo, Sri Lanka, included. Upgrade to an Overwater Bungalow for a surcharge. See the Fine Print for details.
Book with Confidence: We work directly with our trusted partners and provide 24/7 customer service to ensure that no matter what happens, we’re here to help. If your escape is affected by Covid-19 restrictions, we will do our best to assist you with a date change or provide you with a Luxury Escapes credit for another Limited Time Lux Exclusive accommodation, tour or cruise offer, less any unrecoverable costs; excludes flights. Find out more.
Covid-19 health and safety practices: Our expert Tours team is working hard to ensure the highest health standards at every point of your journey. Find out more.
The Tour – Experience geological wonders, sacred sites, mesmerising mountainscapes, wildlife and more
Sri Lanka serves up a remarkable feast for the senses. Uncover the beauty of the Golden Temple of Dambulla, the unique paved monastery that has been a pilgrimage destination for 22 centuries. Not far from here lies 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. Sigiriya’s climb to the top is tough but is rewarded with spectacular panoramic views.
Visit the city of Kandy, the gateway to the nation’s tea plantations, set on a plateau surrounded by hypnotic mountains. No visit here is complete without a stop at the Temple of the Tooth – one of Buddhism’s most sacred sites.
Take one of the world’s most scenic train journeys through Sri Lanka’s magical hill country, Nuwara Eliya, filled with lush tea plantations, with a beautiful backdrop of rolling hills. Learn about the 150-year-old tradition that remains a major export for the country, while also enjoying a wonderful tasting experience of 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 will take you from open parkland and jungle to waterholes, streams and lagoons in the hopes of spotting the incredible array of wildlife. This is your opportunity to spot elephants, leopards, sloth bears, water buffalos, monkeys and more.
End your journey with a city tour in Galle, home to the 16th-century fort of the same name, and a day in the capital of Colombo.
The Accommodation – Stay 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 some of the best 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, the hotel offers a blend of rustic tradition and modern luxury. Spend two nights in award-winning eco-luxury and wake to the sounds of surrounding wildlife as you experience a rural haven with contemporary comforts. Plus, once throughout your stay here, enjoy a complimentary Ayurveda massage at the hotel’s Island Spa per adult.
Discover the spectacular tea plantations in regal style with two nights at The Grand Hotel. Feel like a VIP with luxury facilities at your disposal including a Mindfulness Studio that includes everything from music therapy to yoga classes, and a lavish indoor, temperature-controlled swimming pool.
Spend two memorable nights at the recently refurbished Jetwing Lighthouse in Galle – an elegant hotel showcasing the sun, sea and sand of Sri Lanka’s southern coast. Perched directly on the rocky shores of the Indian Ocean, Jetwing Lighthouse offers the sort of 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.
Magical Maldives Extension – Four nights of all-inclusive beachfront indulgence (flights included)
If you’re not ready to head home just yet, why not end your tour with a little bit of relaxed sunshine combined with a lot of luxury in the incredible Maldives?
After your Sri Lanka tour ends, you’ll fly from Colombo to Malé and enjoy roundtrip speedboat transfers to Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives. Indulge in unbelievable inclusions such as roundtrip flights from Colombo, Sri Lanka, to Malé and speedboat transfers, plus all-inclusive drinks and dining at Vah Restaurant – daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, served alongside unlimited international beers, wines, spirits and cocktails. You can also enjoy freshly prepared local snacks throughout the day.
Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives is a five-star luxury resort that offers exciting activity and ultimate relaxation in equal measure. Stay in a stunning Beach Bungalow or choose to upgrade to an Overwater Bungalow for a surcharge. See the Fine Print for details. Relax into island time and soak up the warm rays or explore the abundant sea life and colourful underwater world straight from your overwater oasis.
Your tour begins and ends in Sri Lanka at Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) with roundtrip airport transfers.
Roundtrip flights are not included in your package and must be purchased separately. Please do NOT book your flights until your tour is confirmed.
Maldives Extension: Roundtrip flights from Colombo to Malé, Maldives (Velana International Airport, MLE) are included in your package. Please reach out to tours@luxuryescapes.com to confirm times after booking the extension package.
You MUST complete your booking form within 7 days 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 for 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 Visas 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.
Need flights? Our dedicated flights concierge can assist with all your flight requirements, contact sales@luxuryescapes.com
Important Destination Information: Sri Lanka
Time zone: India Standard Time GMT+5:30
Telephone: +94
Currency: Sri Lankan rupee (Rs or LKR)
Accessing money: Avoid buying Sri Lankan rupees ahead of time, as it’s unlikely you’ll get a good rate outside of Sri Lanka and remember to exchange back to your currency before returning home.
ATMs are widely available with credit cards widely accepted within the city. Cash is advised when visiting rural areas. Most institutions will exchange money for you.
Language: Sinhala or Tamil
Climate: Tropical and quite hot, Sri Lanka has an average yearly temperature that hovers between 28 and 30 degrees Celsius.
Important Destination Information: Maldives
Time zone: Maldives Time GMT+5
Telephone: +960
Currency: Maldivian Rufiyaa or US dollars
Accessing money: ATMs are widely available with credit cards widely accepted.
Language: Dhivehi
Climate: Warm and tropical with an average high between 29- and 31-degrees Celsius year-round. January and April are the driest months, with little rain and low humidity, making this peak season at resorts.
Day 1: Arrive Colombo, Sri Lanka – Negambo
Welcome to beautiful Sri Lanka. On arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel in Negombo. As most flights arrive into Colombo late in the evening, there are no activities scheduled for today. The day (depending on your arrival time) is at your leisure.
Accommodation: Jetwing Beach
Day 2: Negombo – Sigiriya
This morning, meet your local guide and the rest of your group before departing for Sigiriya. En route, you will enjoy a visit to Dambulla, with its UNESCO World Heritage-listed 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 to Sigiriya, arriving in the late afternoon. Enjoy some time to unwind before your group welcome dinner.
Accommodation: Jetwing Vil Uyana
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 3: Sigiriya
This morning, after breakfast, we climb the fifth-century, UNESCO World Heritage-listed Sigiriya Fortress, also known as ‘Lion Rock’ due to the huge lion gateway that once stood at the entrance. On one of its stairways, beautiful frescoes (which are the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting) can be observed.
Afterwards, we enjoy a local lunch before we continue to Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka’s ancient capital, home to Gal Vihara (Rock Temple) and ancient palace ruins.
We return to the hotel in the late afternoon. The rest of the evening is at your leisure.
Accommodation: Jetwing Vil Uyana
Meals: Breakfast and 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: Jetwing Kandy Gallery
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 5: Kandy – Nuwara Eliya
Today we enjoy the scenic train through the hillside tea plantations to Nuwara Eliya, regarded as one of the most beautiful train journeys in Sri Lanka. Witness green rolling hills and tea pickers at work in the tea plantations.
Arrive at The Grand Hotel and unwind in ultimate grandeur.
Accommodation: The Grand Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Please note: the scenic train is subject to availability and weather conditions. Should the scenic train not be available or does not run, it will be replaced with a scenic drive through this region.
Day 6: Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast, we will enjoy a morning ‘tea experience’ with a visit to the local plantations and factory. First introduced to the country in 1867 by Englishman James Taylor, 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 of production, from planting and varietal differences to the auction and tasting.
Afterwards, we enjoy an afternoon ‘high tea experience’.
The remainder of the day is at leisure. Relax in your room or explore the local trails that wind through the tea gardens by mountain bike or on foot.
Accommodation: The Grand Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, High Tea and Dinner
Day 7: Nuwara Eliya – Yala National Park
This morning we travel to Yala National Park (approx. five hours). 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 and Lunch
Day 8: Yala National Park
This morning we enjoy an early morning jeep safari in the beautiful Yala National Park. Yala is the best location to sight and photograph rare and remarkable leopards plus other incredible animals, including elephants, bears, wild boars, buffalos, deer, crocodiles and many species of bird. The national park ranges from open parkland to jungle with waterholes, streams, small lakes and lagoons.
Return to the hotel for breakfast and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Relax by the hotel’s pool or down by the beach – the choice is yours.
Accommodation: Jetwing Yala
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 9: Yala National Park – Galle
This morning, we depart for Galle after breakfast.
We’ll enjoy a stop en route to visit the Weligama stilt fishermen and watch them go 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 fishing method among 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
This morning we enjoy a tour of Galle with its colonial architecture and UNESCO World Heritage-listed, 16th-century fort. Before Colombo, Galle was the main seaport of Sri Lanka and it 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 we will enjoy dinner at the hotel.
Accommodation: Jetwing Lighthouse
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 11: Galle – Colombo
Following breakfast, you will be transferred back to Colombo. On arrival, the rest of the day is at your leisure to explore this unique city. The port city is famous for its ancient east-west trade routes with a vibrant colonial heritage reflected in its mansions and lush gardens.
Accommodation: Galle Face Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 12: Depart Colombo
Following breakfast, you will be transferred back to Colombo to the airport (CMB) for your onward journey.
Meals: Breakfast
Optional Extension – Maldives Package
Day 12: Colombo – Maldives
This morning you will be transferred to the airport (CMB) for your flight to Malé (MLE). On arrival, we take a speedboat transfer to Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives – your paradise home for the next four magical nights.
Accommodation: Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Days 13–15: Maldives
Whether you’d like to laze around in your Beach Bungalow, discover the underwater nirvana that makes the Maldives so famous, or book in some lavish day trips and spa treatments (additional cost), the next three days are yours to completely relax and unwind. Take advantage of your all-inclusive package: enjoy unlimited signature cocktails and feast on freshly prepared meals from morning until late evening as the sun sets over the turquoise lagoon.
Accommodation: Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 16: Depart Maldives – Colombo, Sri Lanka
This morning, you will be transferred to the airport (MLE) by speedboat for your flight back to Colombo (CMB). On arrival, continue your onward journey home.
Meals: Breakfast