Full Itinerary

  Day 1: UK Airport / Colombo, Sri Lanka

  Depart on a choice of overnight flights to Colombo. Direct flights are with Sri Lankan Airlines from Heathrow, otherwise there are a range of one stop options with such airlines as Etihad, Qatar and Emirates.

Day 2: Arrive Colombo - Transfer to Horathapola Estate (D) 

On arrival you’ll be met by your private guide and transferred (1 hour) to the Horathapola Estate for 2 nights. The Horathapola Estate is a luxurious boutique hotel set within a 50 acre working coconut plantation. Relax by the large salt water swimming pool or explore the plantation's walking trails, where apart from coconuts, you’ll find tropical fruits, spices and rice grown. You can also take a bullock cart or ride a bike through the plantation and out to the neighbouring village. Don’t wander too far as afternoon tea is a celebrated event at Horathapola! Dinner is served looking out over the garden as you enjoy a selection of Sri Lankan curries prepared with estate-grown produce. All in all a gentle, authentic introduction to Sri Lanka.

Day 3: Horathapola Estate (B / D) - Free Day

A free day to recover from your journey, relax by the pool and explore the estate on foot, by bike or by ox cart following the well-marked walking trails and out to the neighbouring village. If you coincide your stay with a Saturday there is the option to join the staff on a visit to the weekend farmers market. Don’t miss afternoon tea and then dinner is included (drinks extra). Staying here is the perfect introduction to Sri Lanka.

Day 4: Horathapola Estate (B / D) - Transfer to Wilpattu - Private Jeep Safari 

After a leisurely breakfast looking out over the garden, transfer 3 hours north to Wilpattu for 2 nights at your choice of hotel. This afternoon enjoy a private jeep safari in Wlipattu National Park.

Wilpattu National Park (Land of Lakes) is well named, as the existence of over 60 natural water basins marks this park out as an area of special importance for the preservation of wildlife, especially as it’s located in the Northwest coast lowland dry zone. They act as natural reservoirs throughout the year. It’s the largest of Sri Lanka’s National Parks and boasts a healthy leopard population, as well as elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles and a huge variety of birds, especially aquatic, like the spoonbill and egret, because of its many lakes. After years of being isolated due to the civil war Wilpattu remains largely off the beaten track and its wild, untamed nature draws in visitors who want to explore a park that hasn’t yet been tapped by the mass market. 

Day 5: Wilpattu National Park (B / D) - Morning Jeep Safari - Optional Bird Watching Boat Tour

Early this morning enjoy a further jeep safari. Back at the hotel late morning and the rest of the day’s free. This afternoon there's the option to take short transfer to the coast and add a boat tour that will take you along the coast to the mangroves where the engine is cut and you are punted through in silence. This area is rich in birdlife from Sea Eagles to Kingfishers and if you’re lucky you may see pods of dolphins.

Day 6: Wilpattu (B / D) - Anuradhapura - Afternoon Private Tour

This morning head inland 1 hour to Anuradhapura. On arrival check-in to your choice of hotel for 1 night.

This afternoon your guide will take you on a tour of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka’s first capital that flourished for 1,300 years until the Indian invasion in 993AD. It was established around a cutting said to be from the fig tree under which the Buddha sat and gained enlightenment. It now sits as one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities.

As you wander around you’ll find that Anuradhapura is redolent with all that made ancient Sri Lanka great. Close to the Malvathu Oya River the vast complex boasts a rich collection of archaeological and architectural wonders: three colossal tanks (reservoirs), towering bell-shaped stupas (dagobas), the remains of a palace, Isurumuniya Vihara rock temple and the Royal Pleasure Gardens.

Day 7: Anuradhapura - Kandy Hill Country (B / D)

After breakfast your guide will pick you up for the 3.5 hour transfer to the Ancient Capital of Kandy. This tour assumes that you've already been to Kandy, but If you haven't we can include a stop at the Dambulla Cave Temple and City Tour. On arrival you check-in for 2 nights at Simpson’s Forest. Here you'll enjoy a hotel high in the hills, surrounded by 60 acres of tea and spice plantations that can be explored at leisure. Rest of the afternoon’s free.

Day 8: Kandy Hill Country (B) - Free Day to Explore or Join in with Walking Tours

A free day to do as much or as little as you want. The hotel is high in the hills, surrounded by beautiful forest and rolling tea estates. The day is free to relax by the pool or perhaps join the in-house naturalist on a complimentary nature hike (1-1.5 hours) or Natural Pool Experience: a 15-minute walk to a serene, eco-friendly pool. The preferct place to take a break from formal touring.

Day 9: Kandy Hill Country - Gal Oya National Park (B / D) 

This morning your guide will collect you for the 3.5 hour transfer east to Gal Oya National Park where you’ll stay at your choice of hotel for 2 nights. This evening there's the option to join the resident naturalist for a night walk.

Day 9: Gal Oya National Park - Boat and Jeep Safaris (B / D)

This morning join a shared jeep safari with other guests. 50% of Gal Oya is evergreen forest and a third is savanna, so when combined with the lake you can see why wildlife thrives in this environment. Join your jeep driver to explore the national park, home to herds of elephants, wild boar, deer, jackals, sloth bears, marsh mugger crocodiles and an array of rare endemic birds.

Back at the lodge mid-morning. Time to relax and enjoy lunch (own expense) then this afternoon you’ll enjoy a rather unusual boat safari (shared with other guests). Gal Oya is one of the less visited national parks, but as visitors look for less trammelled areas that offer more nature and fewer tourists, it stands out for its beautiful landscapes, abundant wildlife and even the chance to spot a swimming elephant. Senanayake Samudraya is the largest man-made lake in Sri Lanka that’s dotted with a series of islands and is one of the best birding sites in Sri Lanka. The islands offer tantalising grazing for the park’s crown jewels, swimming elephants that travel from island to island eating their fill. Back at the lodge late afternoon.

Day 10: Gal Oya (B) - East Coast Beach Stay

Gal Oya is well placed for the calm waters of the East Coast. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast then you leave for the 2.5 hour transfer to Pasikudah on the east coast. On arrival check-in to your choice of hotel for 4 nights (or longer).

Sri Lanka boasts an incredible range of resorts and hotels and so we’ll offer a selection of suggestions that we hope will fit the mark. If you’ve time a 5 minute conversation can often help us refine the choice to fit in with the style, budget and position you’re looking for.

Days 11-14: Beach Days (B)

3 full days to enjoy your beachside location and perhaps explore a bit further. 

Day 15: Beach (B) - Fly to Colombo - 1 night Negombo Beach

This morning you'll be transferred 1 hour to Batticaloa airport for the short flight back to Colombo Airport. As the flight is aboard a cesna prop plane it's a great way to end the holiday looking down at the scenery.  On arrival met and transferred 30 minutes to Negombo beach for 1 night at your choice of hotel.

The east coast beaches are a 7 hour drive from the airport, hence the flight. However half way between the two is the Cultural Triangle and a night or 2 can easily be added here with some fantastic tours.

Day 16: Negombo Beach (B) - Airport Transfer

Day free until your 30 minute airport transfer and overnight flight home.

Day 17: Arrive home

Inclusions

What's Included

Each featured itinerary is really a starting point from which to create your ideal holiday.

We can include as much or as little as you like, mix and match hotels, excursions and experiences, add extra nights and change the destinations you'd like to visit.

The common thread is that each is a privately guided holiday, allowing you to travel where and when you want, with your own private transport and dedicated guide.

General Inclusions:

• Return scheduled international flights (optional if you would like to arrange your own)
• English speaking, local guide & driver
• Choice of hotel accommodation
• Transport in private air-conditioned vehicles
• Domestic flights detailed in itinerary
• Admission fees to all attractions, temples and activities as mentioned in the itinerary
• All meals as detailed (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)

General Exclusions:

• Entry visas International airport departure taxes if payable locally
• Optional Tours / Excursions
• Any meals not listed in the itinerary
• Drinks
• Personal expenses
• Tips for Guides / Drivers (discretionary)
• Travel insurance
• Any camera or video fees charged at sites

Where You'll Stay

 Hotels

The hotels below are there as examples, designed to act as a starting point from which to create your holiday. There are plenty of alternatives to choose from and when we quote we will include other suggestions so we get to understand your likes and dislikes. Quite often clients mix and match hotel categories throughout their holiday.

Sri Lanka

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