Destinations: Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Yala National Park, Galle, Colombo, Negombo, Sigiriya, Matale
Destinations: Colombo, South Male Atoll, Sigiriya, Matale, Kandy, Yala National Park, Negombo, Nuwar...
Fall in love with the unspoiled beauty of Sri Lanka on this 12-day luxury small-group tour (max. 16 travellers). Between discovering the striking landscapes of this island nation, learn about the 150-year-old tradition of tea-leaf-picking at luscious plantations with a high tea experience and roam through the magnificent Yala National Park on a wildlife safari, before ending each day in superior comfort at the likes of the five-star Jetwing Kandy Gallery and Jetwing Yala. Then, be transported to a literal paradise staying at Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives. Stay by the water and feel the sand in between your toes in an Overwater Bungalow with all-inclusive dining and free-flow cocktails included.
Relish the intimacy of this unique tour as you spot 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.
Your journey takes you to: Colombo — Negombo — Sigiriya —Matale — Kandy — Nuwara Eliya — Yala National Park — Galle — North Male Atoll, Maldives.
Destinations: Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Yala National Park, Galle, Colombo, Negombo, Sigiriya, Matale
Destinations: Colombo, South Male Atoll, Sigiriya, Matale, Kandy, Yala National Park, Negombo, Nuwar...
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.
Continue to Sigiriya, arriving in the late afternoon. Enjoy some time to unwind before your group welcome dinner.
This morning, after breakfast, 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, enjoy a local lunch before continuing to Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka’s ancient capital, home to Gal Vihara (Rock Temple) and ancient palace ruins.
Return to the hotel in the late afternoon, where the rest of the evening is at your leisure.
This morning, you’ll depart for Kandy, with a stop en route at the Spice Garden in Matale to discover the different spices Sri Lanka is famous for. 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 your leisure.
Today, you’ll enjoy the scenic train through the hillside tea plantations to Nuwara Eliya, regarded as one of the most beautiful train journeys in Sri Lanka (subject to availability). Witness green rolling hills and tea pickers at work in the tea plantations.
Arrive at The Grand Hotel and unwind in ultimate grandeur.
Please note: The scenic train is subject to availability and weather conditions. Should the scenic train not be available, it will be replaced with a scenic drive through this region.
After breakfast, you’ll 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, 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.
This morning, you’ll travel to Yala National Park (approx. five hours). You’ll stop on the way for lunch before arriving in Yala in the late afternoon, where the evening is at leisure.
This morning, 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.
This morning, you’ll depart for Galle after breakfast.
En route, you’ll 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.
This morning, 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, you’ll enjoy dinner at the hotel.
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.
This morning, you will be transferred to the airport (CMB) for your flight to Malé (MLE). On arrival, take a speedboat transfer to Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives – your paradise home for the next four magical nights.
Whether you’d like to laze around in your Water 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.
Refer to day 13
Refer to day 14
This morning, you will be transferred to the airport (MLE) by speedboat. On arrival, continue your onward journey home.
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Update 19 December 2024: Amendments & Cancellations section updated, please see below.
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Pre- & Post-Tour Accommodation Pre- and post-tour accommodation can be booked to extend your stay before or after your tour by contacting our Tours Concierge Team at tours@luxuryescapes.com.
Luxury Escapes uses a range of accommodation partners. For pre- and post-tour accommodation options where we can offer the same hotel as the start and end of your tour, your pre- and post-tour accommodation will be booked independent of your tour. If the hotel for your tour changes, this will be independent of your pre- or post-tour accommodation booking. In this instance, change fees may apply on your pre- or post-tour accommodation, if you choose to change; change fees can be found in your ‘My Escapes.’
For pre- and post-tour accommodation bookings, you may be required to check out of your room and check in again on the first or last day of your tour. You will need to confirm these details directly with hotel.
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