A journey through Sri Lanka makes for a wonderful holiday. So you explore ancient cities and lost temples. Then you travel through mountain scenery and tea estates. Finally, you kick back on the palm-fringed beaches of the south. This route does not try to do everything. Instead, it showcases the absolute highlights. As such, it is perfect for a first trip. Throughout, you have a private driver-guide and complete flexibility.
From a gentle first night near Colombo, drive up to the Cultural Triangle. In the late afternoon, climb the spectacular Sigiriya rock. The next day, explore ancient Anuradhapura, then Mihintale, the birthplace of Buddhism here. Along the way, you also stop in a rural village to see local life. Another day, visit Polonnaruwa, best seen by bicycle. Afterwards, head to Minneriya National Park to look for wild elephant.
Next, drive south via the Buddhist caves at Dambulla. Pause in Kandy to see the Temple of the Tooth. Then continue up into the hill country. Here you might visit a working tea factory. Afterwards, take a short walk through the countryside. Slowly, the pace begins to ease.
Finally, fly to Galle and transfer to the beach. While there, take a walking tour of the fort. If you wish, set off on an immersive cycle through the countryside. Either way, the final days are all about relaxing by the sea.
What sets this trip apart is how you see the sights. So your guide shows the highlights in innovative ways. For example, you might cycle around Polonnaruwa rather than drive. Equally, you can detour to an off-the-beaten-track village. There you see Sri Lanka away from the tourist trail. As a result, even the classics feel fresh.
Naturally, the hotels are lovely throughout. First, the Wallawwa or Horathapola Estate eases you in. In the Cultural Triangle, you might choose Vil Uyana or Wildgrass. Up in the hills, Ceylon Tea Trails or Taylor’s Hill await. Finally, The Fortress delivers the beach.
Throughout, you travel privately with your own driver-guide. So you can stop wherever something catches your eye. Meanwhile, a short flight saves the long haul to Galle. The drives, in turn, are broken up with sights along the way. As a result, the journey feels relaxed throughout.
Generally, the drier months from December to March suit this route best. By contrast, the south-west sees the monsoon in summer. So we usually favour the winter window. Either way, we advise on the ideal timing for your dates.
Above all, this works beautifully as a starting point. For example, you can add a wildlife safari at Yala. Equally, extend your time on the beach. Some guests also add the hill country’s colonial side. So the highlights are simply the beginning.
Wildlife slots in beautifully here. For example, add a safari at Yala for leopard and elephant. Equally, Wilpattu offers a quieter alternative. Meanwhile, the south coast is superb for whale-watching. So you can build in as much wildlife as you like. As ever, the choice is yours.
Beyond the headline sights, the real magic is everyday life. So we stop in rural villages along the way. There you see traditional crafts and farming up close. Meanwhile, a market visit reveals the island’s flavours. As a result, the trip feels personal rather than packaged. In short, it is Sri Lanka beyond the guidebook.
Above all, this route is designed to feel unhurried. So the sights are spread out comfortably. Meanwhile, there is always time to pause and explore. Because everything is private, the days bend around you. As a result, you finish refreshed rather than worn out.
Finally, the highlights are only a starting point. For example, add nights on the beach or a countryside cycle. Equally, weave in the colonial hill country. As ever, every detail is shaped to suit you.
The route covers a lot of variety in a short time. First, the dry-zone plains and ancient cities. Then the cool, green hills around Kandy. Finally, the warm southern coast. So the landscape shifts beautifully as you go. Meanwhile, the drives are short enough to stay enjoyable.
One highlight is the famous hill-country railway. So, if time allows, we put you aboard. As the train climbs, tea fields roll past the windows. Meanwhile, locals hop on and off at tiny stations. As a result, it is a journey as memorable as any sight.
As ever, the highlights are only a starting point. So we shape the pace and the hotels to suit. In the end, the trip is entirely your own.
Very much so. It gathers the island’s headline sights in one relaxed loop. As such, it is ideal for first-time visitors.
The core route works well over around ten days. Of course, it can be shortened or extended. We will shape the length to suit you.
Yes, easily. A safari at Yala or Wilpattu slots in neatly. We will weave it into the route for you.
Generally, December to March is most comfortable. We will advise on timing for your dates.
| £2500P.P | - | £3500P.P |
|---|---|---|
| Silver | Gold |
| Days | Location | Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Negombo | Horathapola Estate The Wallawwa |
| Day 2-4 | Cultural Triangle | Wildgrass Vil Uyana |
| Day 5-6 | Hill Country | Taylor’s Hill Ceylon Tea Trails |
| Day 7-9 | Galle | The Frangipani Tree The Fortress |
| Day 10 | Fly home |
Arrive at Colombo and stay nearby for the first night. So you avoid a long drive after the flight.
Your driver-guide takes you up to the Cultural Triangle. In the late afternoon, climb Sigiriya Rock. From the top, the views are spectacular, with superb murals in the caves halfway up.
Today, explore the ancient city of Anuradhapura. Then visit Mihintale, the birthplace of Buddhism here. Along the way, stop at a rural village to see local life.
Next, explore Polonnaruwa, best seen by bicycle, though a vehicle is fine too. Afterwards, head to Minneriya National Park to look for wild elephant.
Drive south via the Buddhist caves at Dambulla. Pause in Kandy to see the Temple of the Tooth. Then continue up into the hill country.
Today, explore a working tea factory. Afterwards, take a short walk through the countryside.
Finally, fly to Galle and transfer to the beach. While there, take a walking tour of the fort. If you wish, set off on an immersive cycle through the paddy fields and villages.
Most people think Sri Lanka is just a winter-sun destination, but much of the north and east of the county is perfect in the summer months.
Sri Lanka has it all; amazing luxury boutique hotels, fantastic experiences, breath-taking scenery, sumptuous cuisine and you can even hop around in a private helicopter.
This journey to Sri Lanka combines the tea country with a stay on Sri Lanka’s south coast, more of a relaxing holiday than immersive tour, a way to sit-back and relax and simply enjoy the destination.
We arrange totally bespoke trips and design an itinerary that is designed around you. You may have seen a suggested itinerary that we can base your plans around, or we can start with a blank sheet and paper and design something from scratch. You can leave a phone number and suggest a time to call you back, and we can also arrange to do this during the evenings or at weekends if you are busy during the daytime. We can also meet up with you in you fancy a coffee and are based in and around London.