- Mount Lavinia: 1 night
- Sinharaja: 2 nights
- Nuwara Eliya: 1 night
- Passikudah: 2 nights
- Waikkal: 1 night
Prices from £1,399pp for 7 nights including flights and transfers
Highlights
- Beautiful beaches of the East in Passikudah
- Explore Sinharaja Rainforest
- Tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya
- Sigirya Rock fortress
- Tour of charming colonial Galle
- Stay at historical Mount Lavinia
- Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
Hotel information
- Colombo (1 night): 4★ Mount Lavina Hotel
- Sinharaja (2 nights): 3★ plus Rain Forest Eco Lodge
- Nuwara Eliya (1 night): 4★ Araliya Green Hills Hotel
- Passikudah (2 night): 4★ Amethyst Resort
- Waikkal (1 night): 4★ Suriya Resort
Extend your tour with a Sri Lanka Beach Stay 4 nights from £279pp
Extend your tour with a Kerala Beach Stay 4 nights from £379pp
See the Highlights of Kerala 4 nights from £529pp
Extend your trip with a Maldives Beach Stay 4 nights from £719pp
Tour Dates:
2023
17 Jan, 21 Feb, 21 Mar, 25 Apr, 09 May, 23 May, 20 Jun, 29 Aug, 12 Sep, 10 Oct, 07 Nov, 21 Nov
2024
16 Jan, 20 Feb, 19 Mar, 23 Apr, 07 May, 21 May, 18 Jun, 27 Aug, 10 Sep, 08 Oct, 05 Nov, 19 Nov
Tour itineraries may be subject to change.
Overview – Journey through tropical lowland rainforests, rolling tea plantation-covered mountains and discover pristine white-sand beaches in the east of the island. Delve into the country’s fascinating history with stays in ex Colonial residences and tours of world heritage sites Galle and Sigiriya Rock. This breath-taking tour captures the very best this enchanting and beguiling country has to offer.
Day 1: Mount Lavinia
On arrival you will be transferred to the Mount Lavinia hotel. Dating back to 1806 when it was the British Governor’s residence, the hotel exudes colonial charm, has its own private beach and beautifully positioned pool and terrace. Enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel.
Dinner
Day 2: Mount Lavinia to Sinharaja
Depart the capital to travel down to the South of the island to visit the colonial town of Galle, without doubt Sri Lanka’s foremost urban attraction. Your guided city tour will explore Galle Fort, a walled town built by the Dutch in the 18th Century, and now a world heritage site. Inside the walls you will find the old Colonial traders’ houses transformed into a lovely mix of boutique art galleries, shops and bohemian cafes, infused with the scents of spices and the tropics. After enjoying lunch in Galle you will travel to the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, the last major undisturbed area of rainforest in Sri Lanka, where you will spend the next two nights at the award-winning Rainforest Eco Lodge. Each of the architecturally designed 16 chalets has its own living room and private deck to enjoy the breath-taking views of forest canopy, rice paddies and tea gardens. Enjoy a gentle and relaxing introductory walk around the tea estate and surrounding grounds.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Sinharaja
Enjoy an early morning walk around the forest on a bird and butterfly trail discovering many species of flora and fauna endemic to the forest. After a well-deserved breakfast there will be further opportunity to explore this UNESCO heritage recognised rainforest on a guided walk. Dinner will be prepared with ingredients from the lodge’s own gardens.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Sinharaja to Nuwara Eliya
Today your group will leave the tropical lowlands of Sinharaja and travel up into Sri Lanka’s mountainous interior to Nuwara Eliya, the city of light. En route visit the inspirational Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe, which is a rehabilitation project for injured elephants nursed back to health so that they can be released back into their natural environment. On arrival in Nuwara Eliya enjoy a visit to a tea estate and factory nestled up in the hills to see the entire manufacturing process.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Nuwara Eliya to Passikudah
This morning enjoy a tour of Nuwara Eliya passing British red post boxes, pretty Victoria Park, the 18 hole golf course and the pink bricked Victorian post office. The group will then travel to Passikudah via the small village of Mahiyangana . On arrival in Passikudah check into your hotel for your next two nights. The largely undiscovered east of the island boasts the best beaches in Sri Lanka, with pristine white sands and turquoise shallow waters.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Passikudah
Enjoy a full day at leisure relaxing on the beautiful Passikudah beach. Dive and snorkelling enthusiasts may choose to explore the healthy coral gardens teeming with colourful fish whilst others may take this opportunity to recharge their batteries lounging with a good book. Please note: Snorkelling and diving will be seasonal and will need to be booked and paid for independently
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Sigiriya to Waikkal
Depart early this morning to visit the stunning Sigiriya Rock fortress, a world heritage site dating back to the fifth century. Climb up steps carved into the rock face to the summit or enjoy the spectacular views of ancient citadel and jungle from the lily-pad-covered moats that surround the rock. Journey to Innamaluwa where you will visit a spice garden and enjoy a relaxing foot massage. After, proceed to Waikkal for your overnight stay, stopping in Dambulla for lunch on the way.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: Colombo to the UK
After breakfast transfer to Colombo airport for your flight back to the UK or transfer to your beach resort if you have chosen to extend your stay.
Breakfast
Is this the right tour for you?
This is the tour for you if you are looking for a short tour of Sri Lanka featuring some of the more off the beaten track destinations such as the east coast and Sinharaja Rainforest as well as the iconic sights of Sigiriya Rock, colonial Galle and the tea plantations whilst staying in comfortable 3-4* hotels.
Private Tour Upgrade to a private tour with local guide on the same itinerary departing on the day of your choice, please call for details.