Bonus Offers:
– 1 traditional Sri Lankan Lunch at a spice garden.
– 15 minutes head & shoulder massage at Spice Garden.
– Local Sri Lankan style ‘Roti & Lunumiris’ (chili and onion paste) with plain tea at a village shop.
Highlights: Udawalawe – Sankhapala Raja Maha Viharaya & Phussadewa Tomb – Kandy.- Peradeniya – Matale – Matale Aluviharaya Temple – Dambulla.- Sigiriya – Minneriya – Hiriwadunna – Waikkal
Other departures: Manchester – £1389, Birmingham – £1375, Newcastle – £1389, Edinburgh – £1389, Glasgow – £1389
Hotels:
Udawalawe – Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort
Kandy – Thilanka Kandy
Dambulla – Sigiriana by Thilanka
Waikkal – Suriya Resort & Spa
Ayubowan!Welcome to Sri Lanka!
Sri Lanka is a lush, tropical island paradise, known to ancient Greek mariners as TAPROBANE. Arab traders called it Serendib – hence the word “serendipity”, meaning discovery by happy accident. It was famously described by Marco Polo as “undoubtedly the finest island of its size in the world”. This is a culturally rich and environmentally diverse country, with nine World Heritage Sites (the oldest dating back to the 3rd Century BC); 86 species of mammals (including elephant and leopard)
and more than 400 bird species (including 26 endemics); a colorful array of flowering plants and trees, and a Hill Country famous for tea; 14 National Parks out of 100 areas protected by the government; and an Indian Ocean coastline boasting palm-fringed and sandy tropical beaches.
Entrances & safaris:
– Sankhapala Raja Maha Viharaya & Phussadewa Tomb
– 1 Tea Factory & Tea Plantation Visit
– The Temple of the Tooth Relic
– Peradeniya Botanical Gardens
– Cultural show
– Matale Spice Garden
– Aluvihara Rock Temple
– Sigiriya Rock Fortress
– Minneriya National Park & 01 Jeep Safari
– Hiriwadunna Village Experience with lunch
Itinerary:
Day 01: Airport / Udawalawe.
You will be warmly welcomed by your chauffeur guide who will be your travel buddy throughout the tour. After the formalities at the airport, leave for your first hotel in Udawalawe. (Approximately 3 ½ to 4 ½ hrs drive). Once reached, check-in and relax. Overnight accommodation at The Grand Udawalwe Safari Resort.
Day 02: Sankhapala Raja Maha Viharaya & Phussadewa Tomb/ Tea Factory./ Kandy.
Today after breakfast, proceed to ‘Sankhapala Raja Maha Viharaya & Phussadewa Tomb’ Sankapala Raja Maha Viharaya stands majestically on a rocky mountain as ample evidence to prove that this temple has been blessed by the saintly monks who spent their time in peaceful meditation. On completion, proceed to Kandy. En-route, stop at a Tea Plantation and visit a Tea Factory. (Approx transfer time: 1 1/2 – 2hrs). Renowned worldwide, Ceylon tea is one of Sri Lanka’s primary exports. It all started when British-born James Taylor first began developing Ceylon tea at the country’s first tea estate, Loolecondera, in 1867. Located in Kandy’s hill-country, the estate’s tea plantations soon spawned a tea factory and Sri Lanka’s tea industry has been growing ever since. As many as 28 different grades of Ceylon tea are produced at plantations across the island, from the country’s biggest tea-growing region, Sabaragamuwa, to the sparsely populated Uva province in the southeast.
While Sabaragamuwa might be a region best known for gems, Sri Lanka’s other famed commodity, the province is also the country’s biggest tea-growing region. Sabaragamuwa is known for producing low grown tea reaching altitudes of 2,500ft. Due to the lower altitudes, the tea produced here is of a different character and flavor and some of the plantations receive the highest rainfall compared to any other in the tea growing regions. Sabaragamuwa is a tea-growing region that gained importance with the expansion of markets to the Middle East and Russia. The liqueur produced here is characterized by a dark yellow-brown with a reddish tint with a hint of sweet caramel in its aroma.
On completion, continue to proceed to Kandy. Stop at a local ‘Roti Shop’ and enjoy a spicy Sri Lankan style coconut roti with a hot cup of Sri Lankan Tea. Very quick and easy and a meal in itself with a pat of butter and some onion sambal. Mainly eaten for breakfast but also for dinner. On completion, proceed to Kandy and check in to the hotel. Overnight accommodation at Thilanka Kandy.
Day 03: Kandy Sightseeing/ Peradeniya/ Kandy
After having your breakfast at the hotel, proceed on a sightseeing tour of Kandy. Kandy perhaps is Sri Lanka’s most beautiful town. Set 488 meters above sea level, Kandy is Sri Lanka’s most visited place after Colombo. The focal point of the town is the golden- roofed ‘Dalada Maligawa’, where the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha is enshrined. There are numerous shrines and temples in and around Kandy, where you will see rare paintings, frescoes, and stone carvings. Attractions within Kandy: Temple of the Tooth Relic
Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic. It is located in the royal palace complex which houses the Relic of the tooth of Buddha. Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country. Kandy was the last capital of the Sinhalese kings and is a UNESCO world heritage site partly due to the temple. Thereafter you will have the time to do some shopping in Kandy, where you could fetch souvenirs in wood, copper, silver, brass, ebony, bronze, ceramics, lacquer work, handlooms, batiks, jewelry and reed-ware at bargain prices!! Next- Sightseeing of Kandy with Upper lake drive, Market square, etc
Once completed, you will proceed to Peradeniya and visit ‘The Royal Botanical Gardens’. The Royal Botanical Gardens at ‘Peradeniya’ is where you could treat your eyes to an amazing, wide and rare collection of tropical and temperate, exotic and indigenous flora, and an orchid house with the largest collection in Asia. On completion, return to the hotel and relax. Enjoy a cultural show in the evening. Overnight accommodation at Thilanka Kandy
Day 04: Kandy/ Matale/ Matale Aluviharaya Temple / Dambulla.
After an early breakfast, leave the hotel and proceed to Dambulla. En-route visit the Matale Spice Garden. (Approximately 45mins drive)
For centuries, spices have been one of Sri Lanka’s celebrated exports. Spices are mostly grown in home gardens (as a home industry) and used not only to flavor food but also in medicine and cosmetics. Visit a Spice Garden and sample such scents and flavors as cinnamon, ginger, pepper, vanilla, cardamom, etc. Also, enjoy complimentary 15 minutes head & shoulder massage and herbal tea in the spice garden. On completion, enjoy a complimentary Sri Lankan traditional lunch at the spice garden. On completion, proceed to Aluvihara Rock Temple. (Approximately 20mins drive). Surrounded by hills, the famous Aluvihara cave temple 30 km south of Kandy on the Matale-Dambulla road is of great historic importance. The history of Aluvihara is traced back to the 3rd Century B.C in the reign of King Devanampiyatissa. It is believed that the King built the dagoba and planted the Bo sapling. Thereafter travel to Dambulla and check into the hotel. (approximately 01 to 01 1/2hrs drive). Overnight accommodation at Sigiriana by Thilanka
Day 05: Dambulla/ Sigiriya/ Minneriya / Dambulla
Today after an early breakfast, check-out from the hotel and visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress. (Approx transfer time: 30mins). Proceed to climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress which is known as the 8th wonder of the world. This rock fortress was built by King Kasyapa in the 5th century A.D. and was a royal citadel for more than 18 years. In a sheltered, a pocket, approached by a spiral stairway, are the famous frescoes. The summit of the rock, with an area of nearly one hectare, was the site of the palace and the outer wall was built on the very brink of the precipice. The UNESCO sponsored Central Cultural Fund has restored Sigiriya 5th century water gardens to their former glory. On completion visit the MInneriya National Park. (approx. Transfer time: 30mins)
Located Habarana Polonnaruwa, between and Minneriya is yet another haven for the elephants that migrate from surrounding jungles to enjoy the lush grass fields on the banks of the Minneriya reservoir, during the dry season. Reports of elephant sightings range from an impressive 100 to 200.
Endemic monkeys as well as many residents and migratory bird species also can be spotted along with endemic reptiles such as the painted-lip lizard. Among the reptiles that dwell here, are the saltwater crocodile, the Indian python, and the water monitor. The central feature of the park is the ancient Minneriya Tank (built-in 3rd century AD by King Mahasena). This tank is generally known as a place to observe the elephants that come to bathe and graze on the grasses 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. On completion, return to the hotel and relax. Overnight accommodation at Sigiriana by Thilanka
Day 06: Dambulla/ Hiriwadunna/ Waikkal
After breakfast, check-out and proceed to Hiriwadunna for an authentic village experience. (approx. transfer time: 30mins)
This is a super jungle and village experience which is a popular tourist attraction. Have an early departure to a point off the main road where you will begin a scintillating walk over village paths, a tank (ancient reservoir) bund, and forest. Cross a little jungle rivulet by catamaran to reach a farmer’s simple “wattle and daub” house where the breakfast/ lunch can be consumed. The villager will offer some tea and maybe sweetmeats. Proceed half an hour by foot and bullock cart to a point where a vehicle meets you for the transfer to the hotel, a truly Sri Lankan experience. Enjoy a traditional Sri Lankan lunch. On completion, proceed to Waikkal. (Approx transfer time: 3 – 4 hrs). Once reached, check-in and relax. Overnight accommodation and dinner at Suriya Resort & Spa.
Day 07- 08: Waikkal Beach Stay
Enjoy the beach stay and relax on the golden beaches. Overnight accommodation and dinner at Suriya Resort & Spa.
Day 9: Waikkal / Airport
Today you will be transferred to the Colombo Airport to catch your flight home, accompanied with all the happy memories of the Resplendent isle; Sri Lanka is once known as TAPROBANE. (Approximately 30 – 45 Min drive)
Package excludes:
– Expenses of personal nature
– Cost of beverages
– Porterage & Tips
– Early Check-in/ Late Check-out
Offer Includes
- Return flights from London Heathrow
- Airport taxes
- 8 nights accommodation as per Itinerary
- Air conditioned vehicle along with the services of an English speaking chauffeur guide from arrival up to your departure. (Vehicle will not be at your disposal while the beach stay)
- All applicable current local taxes
- Entrances & safaris as mentioned in the itinerary
Meal Plans