• Scenery-Tea-Plantation

  • People-Tea-Pluckers

  • Elephants

  • Elephants-Pinnawela

  • Pinnawela2

  • Wildlife-Leopard-6

Splendors of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is best known for its tea plantations, established by the British in the cooler, misty and incredibly picturesque hill country. With a strong cultural past Sri Lanka now offers oer 7 UN World Heritage sites.

From beautiful beaches, unbelievable flora and fauna, amazing ancient architecture as well as a vast amount of historical & religious sites, white water rafting, cycling and many other adventures for the more active, to the friendliest of people who carry a smile on their faces every day, Sri Lanka is an island of immense beauty and infinite variety.

  • Stop on the side of the road to quench your thirst with a King Coconut (Tambili) and eat a hopper from a local street stall.
  • Trail your morning tea to its source in Sri Lanka’s highlands – drink Sri Lanka’s finest tea and roam through the lush tea estates.
  • Spend a night under the stars whilst on Safari in one of the stylish tented camps.
  • See leopard, elephant, bear, crocodile, deer, birds within arms reach!
  • Gem shopping – find that perfect semi precious stone to remind you of Sri Lanka forever.
  • Eat many Mangosteens – they are truly the most exquisite fruit in Sri Lanka.
Day 1
Airport / Negombo (B)

Arrive Colombo International Airport – Ayubowan!

A 15 minute drive takes you to your hotel in Negombo (Kutogoda). Stop for a delicious “Tambili” (King Coconut) to quench your thirst and rehydrate after a long flight.
Plunge yourself into the refreshing pool and spend the afternoon relaxing with a good book and a cup of Ceylon tea in the beautiful gardens of this superb colonial manor house.

Optional: Treat yourself to a massage at the hotel’s ‘Z’ Spa. Try the signature massage which is perfect for assisting you overcome your jetlag. Enjoy a’ la carte dinner at your own expense.
Overnight at The Wallawa – Garden Suite (Boutique hotel)

Day 2
Negombo / Dickoya (B/L/D)

Depart Negombo after breakfast – 4 hours or 5 hours via Pinnawela Elephant Orpahange – and arrive in the tea country in time for a superb three course lunch overlooking the beautiful Castlereagh Lake.

Put your walking shoes on and stride out into the picturesque tea country. It is right at your doorstep – with so many incredible walks from 20 minutes to 4 hours. Enjoy the best cream tea in Sri Lanka and perhaps play a spot of croquet!

Optional: If it’s your dream to feed an elephant then you must not miss Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage – home to many abandoned or injured elephants. It is one of Sri Lanka’s most visited sites.

Overnight at Ceylon Tea Trails, Castlereagh Bungalow (Boutique hotel)

Day 3
Dickoya (B/L/D)

Spend the morning seeing how Ceylon tea is made and learn the art of becoming a discerning tea taster with the Master himself, Andrew Taylor – a descendant of James Taylor who planted the first tea seed in Sri Lanka in 1867.

Visit the nearby Warleigh Church built in 1878 by early British planters. It is situated in one of the most stunning locations.

Wander through the tea gardens and visit the local tea pluckers creche which is supported by Ceylon Tea Trails.

Optional: Take a walk from Castlereagh Bungalow to Norwood Bungalow (2 ½ to 3 hours gentle walk), accompanied by a guide and one of Tea Trail’s delicious picnics. There are so many magical picnic spots along the way.

If you have been out walking, try one of Tea Trail’s healing tea baths!

Overnight at Ceylon Tea Trails, Castlereagh Bungalow (Boutique hotel)

Day 4
Dickoya / Buttala via Nuwara Eliya (B/D)

Take a magical train journey through Sri Lanka’s tea country with prime seats in the observation carriage. A fabulous way to see Sri Lanka’s hilly villages, tea country and witness the daily lives of the local people. Tea Trails will pack you up with a delicious picnic. Depart from Hatton Railway station and arrive at Nanu Oya (Nuwara Eliya’s railway station ) – 2 hour train journey.

You are now in cooler climbs – 6,500 ft. No better way to introduce yourself to what was labeled “Little England” than to have afternoon tea on the verandah of the British Colonial Hill Club built in 1876 – it is a huge part of Sri Lanka’s history.

Arrive in time for dinner – delicious organic vegetable curries await you.

Overnight at Kumbuk River (Echo Chalet).

Day 5
Buttala / Yala via Katagarama (B/L/D)

Spend the morning swinging in a hammock listening to the sound of the river with a good book or for the more active go gem panning in the river. The river is filled with semi precious stones such as garnets and quartz. Many a guest has departed with some superb stones and headed straight to the jewelers to have them cut and polished. Try your luck!

Early lunch – more of those delicious organic vegetable curries.

A three hour drive and a quick stop in Katagarama – Sri Lanka’s holiest city and home to thousands of Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims in August each year.

Overnight at Kulu Safari’s (Stylish tented camp)

Day 6
Yala National Park (B/L/D)

It’s Safari time! Leopard, elephant, crocodiles, bears, deer, amazing birds….they are all here in Yala National Park.

Kulu Safari’s is undoubtedly one of the most memorable experiences in Sri Lanka. Your guides and trackers are some of the best on the island. Dine under the stars, sleep in total comfort and even be treated to hot and cold showers! Remember to pack your own head torch!

Overnight at Kulu Safari’s (Stylish tented camp)

Day 7
Yala National Park (B/L/D)

More safaris in the morning and evening.
Swim in the ocean, see incredible birds and relax into camp life.

Overnight at Kulu Safari’s (Stylish tented camp)

Day 8
Yala / Galle (B)

A 4 hour drive brings you to Galle. Check in to your hotel – Kahanda Kanda (KK) which is an award winning boutique hotel that will only leave you wanting more. It is definitely one of the favourite hidden treasures of Sri Lanka and the food is superb.

In the afternoon wander on the ramparts and through the streets of the UN World Heritage Site – Galle Fort; considered one of the best examples of a living fortified city built by Europeans in South and South East Asia.

There is so much to discover and it is best to do it on foot. Use a map as well as a shopping & eating guide to discover the best of this Fort. For those wanting to purchase a Sri Lankan gem there are some great jewelers in Galle Fort.

Optional: Treat yourself to one of KK’s amazing dinners in a secret location.

Overnight at Kahanda Kanda (Boutique hotel)

Day 9
Galle (B)

Choose to simply relax by the magnificent infinity pool at KK, head to the beach or choose from one of the many other activities on offer.

Visit KK’s community project, the Tittagala Temple Sunday School. Take a moment to be responsible and offset your carbon footprint from your holiday in Sri Lanka. KK has its own Analog Forestry programme on Koggala Lake where you can purchase trees and even help plant them. Ask the owner, George Cooper to tell you his family history.

Overnight at Kahanda Kanda (Boutique hotel)

Day 10
Galle (B)

Relax by the magnificent infinity pool at KK, head to the beach or choose from one of the many other activities on offer.
Overnight at Kahanda Kanda (Boutique hotel)

Day 11
Galle / Airport (B)

It’s time to leave the Isle of Serendipity! Stop for your last “Tambili” on the way to the airport – 4½ hour drive.

For your last bit of shopping – enjoy the Duty Free shops at the airport, especially ODEL and STONE & STRING.

If you would like to stay on and continue exploring this incredible island, e.g. more time on the beach or exploring the incredible Cultural Triangle – we can tailor make an experience of a life-time that you will never forget!

  • Meet and greet on arrival at Airport.
  • Accommodation and meals as indicated in the itinerary (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner).
  • Entrance fees where applicable.
  • Tours as indicated in the itinerary.
  • Professional English-speaking guide/driver guide.
  • Transfers
  • Travel Protection is offered on all packages at an additional cost.