Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka offers pristine beaches, ancient temples, lush tea plantations, exotic wildlife, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality—an unforgettable tropical escape.
Our trip of a lifetime begins in Colombo—Sri Lanka’s largest city, despite its relatively compact size. From here, we embark on an unforgettable journey through this magical and unique country, exploring everything from sacred temples and national parks to fascinating historical sites.
This is a private-style tour with a maximum of just 12 people, offering a more personal, relaxed experience compared to large group tours. With more time at each stop, a dedicated guide, and no crowds or rushing, you’ll enjoy greater comfort, flexibility, and the chance to truly take it all in.
The Hotels
Granbell Hotel, Colombo – A stylish 4-star retreat located in the heart of Colombo offering a blend of modern luxury and island charm. With 292 contemporary rooms it provides a serene escape overlooking the Indian Ocean. Guests can unwind at the rooftop infinity pool and bar, indulge in authentic Japanese cuisine at Minori, or relax at the Lotus Lounge & Spa. Additional amenities include a fitness centre and sauna. Our room type here will be a standard city view room.
Sigiriya Village Hotel, Sigiriya – A tranquil 3* retreat near the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Set amidst lush gardens, its 120 earth-toned cottages are arranged in themed clusters reflecting Sri Lankan village life. Guests can enjoy a range of amenities, including a swimming pool, Ayurvedic spa, and various recreational activities. Our room type here will be a cabin for sole use.
Devon Hotel, Kandy – A 4* friendly hotel offer a comfortable stay near Sri Dalada Maligawa and Kandy Museum. Guests can enjoy amenities like a swimming pool, fitness centre, and on-site dining. Rooms feature air conditioning, balconies, and flat-screen TVs. The hotel provides free Wi-Fi, room service, and a 24-hour front desk, ensuring a convenient experience. Our room type here will be a deluxe room.
Araliya Red Hotel, Nuwara Eliya – This 4* colonial hotel offers the most stunning panoramic views of misty mountains and Nuwara Eliya. Guests enjoy spacious rooms, diverse dining options, and a heated indoor pool. Its central location provides easy access to Gregory Lake and local attractions. Ideal for both relaxation and exploration in Sri Lanka’s hill country. Our room type here will be a deluxe room.
Oak Ray Wild Hotel, Yala – One of the finest accommodations in Yala, this modern 3* hotel is situated at Tissamaharama, in close proximity to the Yala wildlife sanctuary. The hotel consists of 44 rooms with modern amenities. The elegant restaurant and bar offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape garden. The pool secluded amongst the landscape garden is a vantage point to soak in spectacular views of the sunset. Our room type here will be a superior deluxe room.
Earl’s Reef, Beruwala – A 4-star beachfront hotel offering 57 elegantly designed rooms and suites, each featuring modern amenities and private balconies with stunning ocean views. Guests can relax by the outdoor pool, indulge in spa treatments, or stay active at the fitness centre. The on-site restaurant serves a variety of local and international cuisines, complemented by a stylish bar for evening refreshments. Our room type here will be a deluxe room.
Your Room
All rooms, in all hotels will feature either twin or double beds and provide a comfortable stay, complete with all the modern amenities you would expect.
Hotel Facts
- Rooftop pool
- Spa
- Fitness Centre
- Restaurants
- Tea/Coffee maker
- WiFi
- Hairdryer
- Toiletries
- Swimming pool
- Spa
- Restaurant and lobby bar
- Double bed
- Fridge
- Kettle
- Hairdryer
- WiFi
- Swimming pool
- Gym
- Restaurant and lobby bar
- Pastry shop
- Double or twin bed
- WiFi
- Minibar
- Hairdryer
- Indoor pool
- Spa
- 2 Restaurants
- Gym
- WiFi
- Tea/coffee maker
- Hairdryer
- Toiletries
- Swimming pool
- WiFi
- Shopping arcade
- Restaurant and bar
- Double or twin bed
- Fridge
- Tea and coffee facilities
- Hairdryer
- Swimming pool
- Spa and wellness centre
- Restaurant and bar
- Beachfront location
- WiFi
- Minibar
- Hairdryer
- Kettle
Itinerary
Day 1 & 2
We’ll depart from the UK or Ireland on Day 1 with overnight flights, arriving in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Day 2. Flights are available from a few UK airports in economy, premium economy or business class with Etihad, Qatar Airlines or direct from Heathrow with British Airways or Sri Lankan Airlines (a One World Alliance member).
Check in to Granbell Hotel and relax after travelling.
Day 3
Colombo/Anuradhapura/Sigiria (5-hours’ drive, 290 km)
From Colombo, continue your journey by private vehicle to Anuradhapura. Visit numerous temples, dagobas, stupas, gardens and palaces built by an and ancient monuments built many thousands of years ago. Later, visit Mihintale temple.
Anuradhapura historical city tour
Anuradhapura city tour starts after the lunch break, and it lasts 3-4 hours. Anuradhapura, with the recent excavations, goes back to the 8th C.BC. Or 2800 BP. However, legends take the history back more than 3000-5000 years when there were 4 tribes living in Sri Lanka. This historical city is home to many of the earliest and grandest monuments of Sri Lanka and is a popular destination for the Sinhalese Buddhist pilgrimage, mainly because of its many ancient Buddhist monuments. A few important places included in your city tour are
- Ruwanwelisaya (2nd century BC): It is a “stupa” that was built by King Dutugamunu and is one of the biggest completed ones to date.
- Thuparamaya (1st century BC): It is the oldest ‘dagoba’ in Sri Lanka and possibly the oldest visible one in the world.
- Lovamahapaya (2nd century BC): The significance of this building is that the roof was once covered in bronze tiles.
- Abhayagiri (1st century BC): One of the biggest viharas in Anuradhapura. It was a monastery to 5000 monks.
- Jethavanaramaya (4th century AD): A sacred world heritage site and accommodated some 3000 monks at the time. It is also quite similar to Abhayagiri.
- Mirisavetiya (2nd century BC): This stupa was built by King Dutugamunu after defeating King Elara.
- Lankaramaya (1st century BC): Also built by a king called King Valagamba in the Anuradhapura Kingdom times and is one of the eight sacred places in the city.
Sigiriya Village Hotel
Day 4
Polonnaruwa/Sigiriya (3-hours’ drive, 180km)
After early breakfast, leave for the first Sigiriya rock fortress and then to Polonnaruwa.
Sigiriya – According to the ancient Sri Lankan chronicle, the Culavamsa, Sigiriya was selected by King Kasyapa (477–495 CE) for his new capital. He built his palace on the top of this rock and decorated its sides with colourful frescoes. Its name is derived from this structure – Sīhāgiri, the Lion Rock and both the capital and the royal palace were abandoned after the king’s death. It was then used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century. You may need drinking water during the hike due to high humidity and warm temperature. Moderate fitness required to reach the summit of the rock.
Later visit Polonnaruwa historical city – this tour lasts around 2 hours.
Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa is the second-most historical city in Sri Lanka. It was made the capital of Sri Lanka after Anuradhapura. Today the ancient city of Polonnaruwa remains one of the best-planned archaeological relic sites in the country, standing testimony to the discipline and greatness of the Kingdom’s first rulers. Its beauty was also used as a backdrop to film scenes for the Duran Duran music video Save a Prayer in1982 and the ancient city is now declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In the 3- hour guided tour you will cover some of the following attractions:
- Royal Palace (Palace of King Parakramabahu, the most prolific and gifted builder of the era)
- Nissankamulla Palace (royal audience hall with impressive stonework)
- Gal Viharaya (Contains some of the best rock sculptures in the country)
- Thuparama & Lankathilaka Image Houses (good examples of vaulted shrine rooms)
- Vatadage (gives an idea of what a complete vatadage may have looked like)
- Rankoth Vehera (largest stupa in Polonnaruwa)
- Parakramabahu Statue (Statue of one of the greatest kings of ancient Sri Lanka)
Afterwards, enjoy a Sigiriya village tour and cooking class to experience typical Sri Lankan village life and learn to cook in the Sri Lankan way.
Sigiriya Village Hotel
Day 5
Kandy/Nuwara Eliya (2-hours’ drive, 80 km)
After breakfast, leave for the hotel in Kandy. En route, stop at Dambulla Temple and Muttumari Amman Temple in Matale. You will do the city tour of Kandy in the afternoon.
Dambulla Golden Temple – In the 1st century BC, the king of Anuradhapura fled the city due to a South Indian invasion and took refuge in the caves of Dambulla. On recapturing Anuradhapura after 13 years, the king converted the caves into a monastery and gifted them to the Buddhist monks.
Spice/Herbal Garden – Spice Garden Matale is one of the most popular tourist spots. Here you see spices such as cinnamon, pepper, cardamom, etc., as well as herbal plants used in Ayurveda.
Kandyan cultural show (1 hour)
Sri Lanka’s culture is so closely connected to dance and drama, as a multi-ethnic land, and boasts a rich conflux of dance and drama. The two main ethnic groups share two spectacular dance and drama traditions, which enrich the fame Sri Lanka has gained in this sphere.
Temple of the tooth relic – Sri Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a Buddhist temple in the city of Kandy. It is located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, which houses the relic of the tooth Buddha. Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is a UNESCO world heritage site partly due to the temple.
Included Activities: Visiting the golden temple; Visiting Muttumari Amman temple; herbal garden tour; visiting museum and mine; Kandyan cultural show, Kandy view point. Later visit temple of the tooth relic.
Devon Hotel
Day 6
Nuwara Eliya/Ella/Yala (4-hours drive, 160 km)
After a leisurely breakfast take a scenic drive on the winding road to Nuwara Eliya, en-route stop at Royal forest park, Ramboda waterfall, tea factory and garden. In the afternoon take a walking tour of Nuwara Eliya.
Udawattekelse sanctuary/Royal forest park – Take a guided jungle walk in the royal forest park which lasts about 1 hour. Enjoy the beautiful natural forest just 15 minutes away from the Kandy city. Enjoy the fresh air, see the birds and butterflies and listen to birdsong as you walk through the forest. You may need drinking water inside the forest due to high humidity and warm temperature.
Included Activities: Royal botanical garden, tea factory and garden, waterfall visit, city tour of NuwaraEliya.
Tea factory – On a tea plantation visit, you can learn about tea picking and processing and enjoy some fine Sri Lankan tea tasting.
Nuwara Eliya city walk – A walking tour of Nuwara Eliya taking in the scenic views of Sri Lanka’s forested hills. It is known as ‘Little England’ and has old buildings with colonial and Tudor architecture, making it a pleasant place for walking around.
Araliya Red Hotel
Day 7
Nuwara Eliya-Ella-Yala (4-hours drive, 160 km)
This morning, say goodbye to Nuwara Eliya as you hop on a train for around 2 hours to Ella. The train trip from Nuwara Eliya to Ella is one of the most popular activities with travellers and it allows you to experience one of the most scenic train trips in the world.
Hill country train journey – an opportunity to see some of the finest scenery in Sri Lanka’s hill country. The landscape beyond the track is truly dazzling and the lush mountain vistas dominate every inch of the journey. The journey passes through tea estates dotted with workers in brightly coloured saris, pine forests, waterfalls, mountains, and gorges. The railway, built by the British in 1864 to transport tea and coffee from the Hill Country to the capital, Colombo, is now one of the best ways to explore the villages, towns, and national parks along the way.
Nine arch bridge – The Nine Arch Bridge is considered one of the greatest sites in railway engineering. It is located just a couple of kilometers from the Ella holiday resort near the Ella railway station. It is one of the most popular sites in Ella, and it is on the bucket list of every tourist who visits Ella. The bridge is a masterpiece of colonial-era construction completed in 1921, during the British colonial era. It is 100 meters long and rises up to 33 meters from the valley below. The awe-inspiring views from the high-rise bridge take travellers by surprise. The architecture of the nine-arch bridge is masterminded by a local constructor from Welimada, a small town a few kilometers down the road.
Included Activities: Scenic Sri Lanka hill country train journey, tea factory tea garden, Nuwara Eliya city tour.
Oakray Wild Hotel
Day 8
Yala/Bentota (3-hours’ drive, 230 km)
With an early morning pick-up (with breakfast packets) from your hotel in Tissamaharama, you will be heading to the Yala wildlife park entrance, which is about 30 minutes away from your hotel. After Yalasafari head to the beach hotel in Bentota. En-route stop at Mirissa beach, sea turtle conservation project, gallefort and few other popular attractions on the coast.
Yala safari – Yala is considered to be one of the best places to witness leopards in the world, with 17 ½ leopards in every 100 square kilometers of the park. Block 1 of Yala National Park is said to be home to the densest population of leopards in the world; the densities in this tiny area have maintained around 1 leopard every 2 sq. kilometers. Unlike most other national parks where leopards can be seen in the dark, Sri Lanka leopards are on the move during the day as well.
Bentota – Bentota is a resort town on Sri Lanka’s southwest coast. Its long beach stretches north, where it becomes a sandy strip known as Paradise Island, parallel to Bentota Lagoon. Coral-rich dive sites include Canoe Rock.
Seaturtle conservation centre – Projects have been launched to conserve the population of turtles that are reaching extinction, and such projects are found along the southern coast of Sri Lanka, where turtles come ashore to lay their eggs.
City of Galle – Galle is one of the ancient seaports of Sri Lanka and was an anchor point in the Silk Route. It was later discovered by the Portuguese, where they built a fortress, and the Dutch that succeeded them fortified it further. This fortress is today a World Heritage Site.
Stop at stilt fishermen – Stilt fishing is a traditional and unique style of fishing practiced by local fishermen on the southern coast. With a perfect balance and an insurmountable amount of patience, fishermen perch themselves on cross-shaped beams and wait for their catch of the day!
Galle Fort – The heritage value of the fort has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site under criteria iv for its unique exposition of an urban ensemble that illustrates the interaction of European architecture and South Asian traditions from the16th to the 19th centuries.
Hikkaduwa – Hikkaduwa is one of the most popular tourist destinations in southern Sri Lanka. It is 98 km south of Colombo, and its beautiful beaches add a lot of glamour to this town.
Activities: Yala safari, guided walking tour of Galle Fort, Visiting Sea Turtle Conservation Centre.
Earls Reef Hotel
Day 9-14
Relax in the beach resort.
Accommodation hotel on the south-west coast – Earls Reef Hotel
No activities are planned for next 5 days allowing you to relax in the beach resort. However, you can engage in many optional activities such as water sports, divng, boating etc with the help of our resort guide.
Departure day – After the leisurely breakfast at the hotel leave for Colombo international airport (times advised in accordance to return flights).
Location
Sri Lanka offers tourists stunning beaches, ancient temples, lush tea plantations, vibrant wildlife, and rich cultural heritage. From safari adventures to serene retreats, it’s a destination full of variety.
Flights are from London Heathrow direct or via Dubai or Doha from a few other UK airports.
This holiday is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.
Please note that, for operational reasons, hotels may occasionally be changed to a property of similar quality.
To enter Sri Lanka, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the day you arrive.
British citizens need a visa to visit Sri Lanka. Tourist visas are normally valid for 30 days. You should apply for a Sri Lanka ‘Electronic Travel Authorisation’ (ETA) online, at least a few days before departure. You should get your approval notice within 24 hours, and you can use this to enter Sri Lanka.
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