The Enchanted Island Tour
Overview
The island nation of Sri Lanka has a wealth of cultural, archaeological and natural treasures. This comprehensive tour visits both the popular and some of the lesser-known sites in northern, central and southern Sri Lanka.
Prices from £1,995 pp for 12 nights including flights and transfers
Tour route –
Colombo (1N) – Dambulla (3N) – Kandy (2N) – Nuwara Eliya (2N) – Yala National Park (2N) – Ahungalla (2N)
Highlights
- Visit the impressive Dambulla caves & Sigiriya rock fortress
- Witness a Puja ceremony at the Temple of the tooth
- Stay in an authentic converted tea factory
- Finish the tour with relaxation on the beach
- Stay in 4- & 5-star accommodation
- Small group size – average 16 people (maximum 18)
Tour Dates
2023 10 Jan, 24 Jan, 07 Feb, 21 Feb, 28 Feb, 17 Oct, 14 Nov
2024 09 Jan, 23 Jan, 06 Feb, 20 Feb, 27 Feb, 15 Oct, 12 Nov
Inclusions –
- Small group size – average 14 people (max 18)
- 4- & 5-star accommodation
- Flexible – extensions, room & flight upgrades available
- Direct international flights with Sri Lankan Airlines
- Transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
- Experienced local tour manager
- 12 breakfasts
- Upgrade to half-board in Dambulla, Kandy & Ahungalla (7 nights) for £95
- Welcome drink to meet the group & guide
- Wildlife safari & national park entrance fees
IMPORTANT INFORMATION * Accessibility: Due to high altitude and uneven terrain, the Horton Plains walk requires a good level of fitness. Visits to certain ancient monuments in the Cultural Triangle require quite a bit of step climbing. In some cases, this is in excess of 1,800 steps and in other instances somewhere between 800 and 1,200 steps.
Private & tailored travel: This itinerary can be taken privately from an additional £160pp, please ask for details. Alternatively, it can be tailored to your exact requirements.
TOUR EXTENSIONS Maldives extension: 5 days & 4 nights from £2,495 The Maldivian archipelago of 1,190 islands stretches across the Indian Ocean. These tropical hideaways offer pure relaxation in exquisite surroundings. This extension price is based on a short flight from Colombo to Malé and a seaplane to the charming Fushifaru, which offers an idyllic stay on a beautiful island surrounded by verdant foliage and a tropical house-reef.
Prices from £1,995 per person for 12 nights including flights and transfers.
Tour itineraries and accommodations may be subject to change.
Contact us about this tour
Itinerary
Day 1 Fly to Colombo
Overnight flight from London (regional connections available) to Colombo with Sri Lankan Airlines.
Day 2 Colombo
Afternoon arrival and transfer to the Cinnamon Lakeside for 1 night. Enjoy afternoon tea at the iconic Galle Face Hotel.
Day 3 Dambulla
In the morning transfer to Dambulla. Stay 3 nights at the Heritance Kandalama.
Breakfast
Day 4 Anuradhapura to Mihintale
Drive to the ancient city of Anuradhapura. For 1,400 years this city was Sri Lanka’s capital and contains fabulous Buddhist shrines and relics. Afternoon visit to Mihintale, the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
Breakfast
Day 5 Sigiriya to Polonnaruwa
Morning visit to the rock fortress town of Sigiriya. Continue to the 11th-century capital of Polonnaruwa.
Breakfast
Day 6 Dambulla to Kandy
Morning visit to Dambulla, home to Asia’s most impressive cave temples. Continue to the beautiful hill station of Kandy and stay 2 nights at the Earls Regency. Afternoon city tour. This evening, take time to watch a traditional Kandyan dance performance and visit the Temple of the Tooth for the evening puja.
Breakfast
Day 7 Kandy
Kandy is set on the shores of a beautiful man-made lake and the area abounds with rich and varied plant life. Morning visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens. Afternoon at leisure.
Breakfast
Day 8 Nuwara Eliya
Early morning drive to Nuwara Eliya hill station via a tea plantation. Situated at 2,000 metres above sea level, Nuwara Eliya attracted the British in the 18th century and their legacy is still visible. Stay at the Heritance Tea Factory for 2 nights.
Breakfast
Day 9: Horton Plains
Early morning visit to Horton Plains, situated on Sri Lanka’s highest plateau (this excursion involves a 2.5-hour walk*). Horton Plains is inhabited by large populations of monkeys and sambar deer. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Breakfast
Day 10: Ella – Yala
Transfer to Ella; the view through the Ella Gap – a break in the hills – is one of the finest in Sri Lanka. Visit the Rawana Ella Falls and impressive Buduruwagala statues before continuing to Yala. Stay 2 nights at Cinnamon Wild (Jungle Chalet).
Breakfast
Day 11: Yala
Morning wildlife safari in Yala National Park. Covering 1,300 sq km, the park encompasses a diversity of jungle habitats, including scrub, brackish lagoons and riverside locations. Creatures that may be seen include elephants, leopards, sloth bears, spotted deer, sambar deer, wild pigs, jackals, marsh crocodiles and a great variety of birdlife.
Breakfast
Days 12-13: Galle – Ahungalla
Drive to Ahungalla, stopping for a visit to the Elephant Transit home and tour of Galle Fort. Stay 2 nights at Heritance Ahungalla or upgrade to the Taj Bentota Resort & Spa(Superior Charm Seaview room) from £85. Following day at leisure.
Breakfast
Day 14: Fly to London
Transfer to Colombo and fly to London with Sri Lankan Airlines.
Breakfast