Classic Sri Lanka
Bespoke Holiday Itinerary / Experience Tour
Info : Classic Sri Lanka
This tour encompasses much of the island - taking in the ancient cities, the hill country and a beach stay. Transport is with your own chauffeur-guided car, who will remain with you for the entire tour, leaving you for a few days while you relax on the beach at the end.
The idea is that you can be as flexible as you like and do what you want, when you want: its your holiday! We have included the main sites and all the entrances but there is much more to find and discover along the way.
There are lots of varied experiences included and we also ensure that plenty of time is left free so you can relax or follow the serendipitous whims that often strike in Sri Lanka.
The hotels are all fantastic, laid back, low key and unpretentious. We tend towards the smaller character hotels as believe Sri Lanka does them best but if there are other places you would like to visit then we would be happy to adapt this to suit.
Pricing & Inclusions
From £1949 pp inclusive of flights from the UK based on two travelling.
(This price is based on a tour price of £1311 pp and international flights from the UK from £638 pp = £1949 pp)
Inclusions
- International flights.
- All accommodation and meals as stated.
- All tours and transfers as stated.
Please note that the price of flights in particular can be higher during peak travel periods.
ALL EXPERIENCE TRAVEL TOURS ARE TAILOR MADE, PRIVATELY GUIDED AND DELIVERED BY THE BEST GUIDES IN THE COUNTRY.
Day-to-Day Itinerary : Classic Sri Lanka
DAY 1
Depart from London Heathrow for Colombo, Sri Lanka
DAY 2
Arriving in Colombo, you will be transferred to your accommodation at The Hideaway, Gampaha. This gorgeous little three bedroom villa is nestled within a working pineapple plantation, providing the perfect place to relax into the Sri Lankan pace of life. You will stay here for one night on a half board basis.
DAYS 3, 4 & 5
You will head up to the Cultural Triangle for three days to explore the majestic ancient cities of Anuradhapura & Polonnaruwa and the UNESCO world heritage site at Sigiriya (often referred to as the 8th wonder of the world)- a towering rock fortress with a fascinating history. The ancient cave temples at Dambulla are also worth a visit. We also included an afternoon safari in Minneriya National Park, where elephants roam freely. You will stay at The Chaaya Village for three nights on a half board basis. This is an excellent hotel and conveniently situated for exploring the incredible sites.
DAYS 6 & 7
Based at the Serendib Stone Bungalow, explore the cultural capital of Sri Lanka for three days. At leisure you may wish to visit the famous Temple of the Tooth', Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, the Peradiniya Botanical Gardens or shop in the myriad of stalls that make up the daily market. There is a great selection of restaurants in Kandy and the night market is an interesting place to taste a great range of dishes from the food stalls.
DAYS 8 & 9
Drive (or take a train) up through the tea covered hills to the wonderfully scenic town of Haputale. Stay in the Melheim Resort, a lovely small hotel in scenic surroundings. Walk in the mountains, visit tea factories, explore the picturesque towns of Bandarawela, Badulla and Haputale. Alternatively, stroll in the grounds of the hotel or relax on the lawn and enjoy the fresh, mountain air.
DAYS 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14
Drop down to the coast and spend 5 nights at the fantastic Thambapanni Retreat on the curving bay of Unawatuna. Set back from the beach, the hotel offers a peaceful retreat from a busy bay but close at hand are the excellent seafood restaurants and bars which make Unwatuna such a popular spot. You can also explore the southern and western coasts at leisure, taking in the historic town of Galle and the old Dutch fort. Talk to your consultant if you would like to upgrade the beach part of your trip.
DAY 15
Spend the last night of the tour in the capital city of Colombo staying at the D Villas. A chance to do some last minute shopping to sample some of the restaurants. A city tour can also be included on request.
Classic Sri Lanka Hotels
You can book this holiday tour on its own, with flights or it can be tailored for you.
Here are the hotels and villas within this holiday as standard...
Chaaya Village, Habarana
Excellent mid-range hotel with great facilities and a central location within the 'cultural triangle'
Melheim Resort, Haputale
Small, comfortable resort in a beautiful hillside location south of Haputale
Serendib Stone Bungalow, Kandy
Excellent value colonial era bungalow on the outskirts of Kandy
Thambapanni Retreat, Unawatuna
Set in a gorgeous garden on the side of a hill, this is a small hotel offering a lovely peaceful enclave in which to escape
The Hideaway, Gampaha
A relaxing and indulgent retreat, a short drive from both Colombo and the international airport
Classic Sri Lanka Experiences
You can book this holiday tour on its own, with flights or it can be tailored for you.
Here are the experiences & activities within this holiday as standard...
Anuradhapura Ancient City, Anuradhapura
The ancient city of Anuradhapura points to a civilisation over 2000 years old that was the world's most sophisticated
Dambulla Cave Temples, Dambulla
Beautiful and decorative cave temples hidden into rocks and ccaves at Dambulla
Minneriya National Park, Sigiriya
Jeep safari for elephant spotting around Minneriya Lake and surrounding National Park
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Kandy
A rare chance to get up close to Sri Lanka's Elephants
Polonnaruwa, Polonnaruwa
Sri Lanka's third ancient captal, home to some of the finest stone carvings and monuments
Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Sigiriya
One of the unofficial wonders of the world - a spectacular, must-visit ancient site full of mystery and intrigue
Temple of the Sacred Tooth, Kandy
Former royal palace turned temple - home to Sri Lanka's most sacred religious relic
Enhance your Experience+
Upgrade your beach stay for some seriously relaxing time at the end of your busy tour - we can suggest many options for you.
Apa Villa, Thalpe
These stunning villas promise homely privacy with the personal service and friendliness of a small hotel.
While in Colombo do one of our fantastic 'City Walks' which is a guided walking tour of the city, taking in local food, colour and history with a brilliant, fun and knowledgeable guide.
Colombo City Walk, Colombo
Spend a few hours exploring Colombo's hidden gems with local expert Mark Forbes