Tailormade tour Highlights of Sri Lanka tour Sri Lanka

Arrive in Colombo and meet your personal chauffeur guide who will be your travelling companion throughout your tour of Sri Lanka. You drive inland to the Cultural Triangle (approximately 4.5 hours’ drive). The Cultural Triangle is a melting pot of heritage, culture and wildlife and home to a wealth of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Four of Sri Lanka’s eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites can be found in the Cultural Triangle, telling a captivating story of Sri Lankan civilisation. You spend 2 nights in Sigiriya.

This morning you visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress, one of Sri Lanka’s eight World Heritage Sites. The 5th Century Sigiriya Rock Fortress is one of the island’s most awe-inspiring archaeological sites and is a prime tourist location. This ‘Fortress in the sky’ is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder on the island. It is also known as Lion Rock because of the huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the Palace on the summit of the 600ft high rock. For just two decades in the 5th Century AD, King Kashyapa set up his capital here at Sigiriya. His creation was a remarkable feat of engineering and a true work of art. To fully appreciate Sigiriya, it is worth climbing up the steep steps to the summit. In the afternoon, continue for Polonnaruwa via Habarana, Minneriya and Giritale. Passing through Minneriya National Park, it is likely that you will see wild elephants, sometimes in large herds. This is the site of the ‘Elephant Gathering’ between July and October; where up to 300 elephants can be seen gathering around the tank in the late afternoon. Polonnaruwa is another World Heritage Site and contains the well-preserved monuments of the mediaeval capital of Sri Lanka, located amongst undulating woodland. The well-preserved ruins of Polonnaruwa tell a story of Buddhism, royalty, kinship, war and power and provide you with the opportunity to experience the grandeur of this period and marvel at the artistry of the island’s early craftsmen.

After breakfast, visit Dambulla, another World Heritage Site and home to marvellous cave temples whose walls are covered with murals exceeding 21,000 square feet. This visit involves a walk of about 10 to 15 minutes uphill, with wonderful views at the top. The caves of Dambulla are home to a wealth of history, most notably sheltering King Walagamba during his fourteen years of exile. Once he had regained his throne, he built the most magnificent rock temples to be found anywhere on the island. Then you will head south towards Sri Lanka’s spectacular hill country. On the way pause to visit a famous spice garden and to see some of the island’s best batiks at an authentic arts and crafts centre where there is the option of a rice and curry lunch (Sigiriya to Kandy is approximately 3 hours’ drive). Spend the afternoon at your leisure exploring Kandy, the royal capital of Hill Country. In central Kandy, British legacies remain in a few grand old buildings and hotels. There is also a lively market and numerous shops and arts and crafts workshops. You spend 2 nights in Kandy. Optional: Evening of contemporary art. If you choose this excursion you visit local artist, Rahju, at his hillside cottage near Kandy, and enjoy a 2-hour experience of Rahju’s spectacular paintings. He will give you a private viewing of his collection, where his life story, his inspirations, his ideologies and philosophies are illustrated. Rahju and his equally talented daughter Rudrani will discuss their works with you over tea and show you around their studio, giving you a glimpse into life of a truly talented Sri Lankan artist.

Today you will have a number of excursions around Kandy, the last capital of the Sinhalese kingdom. Today Kandy is still an important cultural and spiritual centre and an absolutely must see on your visit to Sri Lanka. The centre of town is close to a picturesque lake and is a delight of antique and gemstone shops, a bustling market and numerous restaurants. You will pay a visit to the Royal Botanical Garden at Peradeniya, Sri Lankan’s largest and finest gardens. Originally established as a pleasure garden for Kanydan nobility, the British transformed it into botanical gardens in 1821, laying the foundations for what it has become today. The gardens contain more than 5,000 different species, including over 150 palm trees, and highlights include the huge Javan Fig and the orchard house. You will then visit Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, (approximately 1 hour’s drive), a government-run orphanage. You will see more than 65 elephants, including baby elephants born in captivity. The best time to see them is at feeding time and bathing time in the river. In the evening, join the crowds to visit Kandy’s famous Temple of the Tooth located within the Royal Palace complex. This is one of the most sacred sites for Buddhists, containing the tooth relic of Lord Buddha. Optional: Kandy architectural walk This architectural walk starts at 08.30 hrs and gives you a fantastic insight into ancient Kandy and its architecture while also experiencing local lifestyles with visits to open air markets and trying local produce and street food! Your guide, a qualified architect, will take you through the town, showing you landmarks of significant architectural, historical and spiritual interest. You will make a visit to a Temple and are advised to take appropriate clothing for this.

After breakfast leave for Nuwara Eliya (approximately 2 hours). Today’s drive is one of the most scenic in the country as you pass through tea country with the mountains carpeted in tea, numerous waterfalls and tea pickers. Stop at a tea factory to see the processing and taste some of Sri Lanka’s famous tea. The hill town of Nuwara Eliya is the centre of ‘Little England’, with British influences clear throughout the town. In this quirky market town, enjoy a stroll in Victoria Park, wander alongside ponies on the ‘high street’ and enjoy strawberries and cream from the local market gardens. You will stay here for 1 night. Optional: Take the train with observation coach from Kandy to Tea Country A leisurely way of experiencing the scenery is to take the train travelling in the first-class observation coach from Peradeniya to Nanu Oya (for Nuwara Eliya). The train leaves at 12.30 and arrives at 15.50.

After breakfast, you will be driven to Colombo (approximately 6 hours). The tea plantation scenery continues this morning and includes two very high waterfalls, the St Clair and the Devon. There is a stop at the Tea Centre for a cup of tea chosen from more than 100 different blends. At Kitulgala see the location of the Bridge over the River Kwai and tropical rainforest. You will stay in Colombo for 1 night. Optional: Colombo City Walk Once you have arrived in Colombo, you will have the chance to go on a guided personalised city walk through Colombo. This evening you will spend 3-4 hours exploring this fine city at dusk. You will be shown all the lesser known parts of Colombo; the secret alcoves, the historical landmarks, the fantastic architecture and Colombo’s beginnings as a tiny trading port.

After breakfast, you will be collected for the return transfer to the airport for your onward flight or for a beach extension to this touring holiday.