Enchanted Sri Lanka

***Special Offer*** Save up to £200pp on specific dates; if booked before 28/02/2020***

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, offering a full flavour of the rich diversity of this enchanting island.

Day 1: Fly to Colombo
You will take an overnight flight from London (regional connections available) to Colombo with Sri Lankan Airlines. (N)

Day 2: Colombo
Afternoon arrival and transfer to the Cinammon Lakeside Hotel (or similar) for 1 night. (N)

Day 3: Dambulla
In the morning you will transfer to Dambulla. You will stay 3 nights at the Heritance Kandalama hotel (or similar). (B)

Day 4: Anuradhapura & 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. In the afternoon, visit to Mihintale, the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. (B)

Day 5: Sigiriya & Polonnaruwa
There will be a morning visit to the rock fortress town of Sigiriya. Then, continue to the 11th-century medieval capital of Polonnaruwa. (B)

Day 6: Dambulla • Kandy
In the 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 Hotel (or similar). There will be an afternoon city tour. Later, in the evening, take time to watch a traditional Kandyan dance performance and visit the Temple of the Tooth. (B)

Day 7: Kandy
Kandy is set on the shores of a beautiful manmade lake and the area abounds with rich and varied plant life. In the morning you can visit the Royal Botanical Gardens. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

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 (or similar) for 2 nights. (B)

Day 9: Horton Plains
Early morning visit to Horton Plains, situated on Sri Lanka’s highest plateau (this excursion involves a 2.5-hour trek*). Horton Plains is inhabited by large populations of monkeys and sambar deer. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)

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 before continuing to Yala. Stay 2 nights at Jetwing Yala (or similar). (B)

Day 11: Yala
Morning wildlife safari in Yala National Park. Covering 1,300 sq km, Yala National 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. (B)

Days 12-13: Galle • Ahungalla
Drive to Ahungalla, stopping for a tour of Galle. Stay 2 nights at Heritance Ahungalla or upgrade to the Vivanta by Taj Bentota (Superior Charm room) from £245. Following day at leisure. (B)

Day 14: Fly to London
Transfer to Colombo and fly to London with Sri Lankan Airlines. (B)

Meal basis
As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Important information

Superior tour
This tour is based in 4- and 5-star accommodation.

Accessibility
Due to high altitude and uneven terrain, the Horton Plains trek 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.

***Special Offer*** Save up to £200pp on specific dates; if booked before the 28/02/2020***

Departure dates and costs per person
23rd February 2020: £2245 £2045
1st March 2020: £2245 £1995
18th October 2020: £1945 £1845
15 Nov 2020: £2195 £1995
10th Jan 2021: £2345 £2145
24th Jan 2021: £2345
07th Feb 2021: £2345
21st Feb 2021: £2345
28th Feb 2021: £2345
17th Oct 2021: £2345
14th Nov 2021: £2345

Single person supplement available from £550

Similar tours maybe available on different dates, please ask for details.