Sri Lanka
Highlights of Sri Lanka
Kotugoda, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya & Weligama
based on 12 nights inc. flights & selected experiences
Price Guide:
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* Pricing is a guideline only and excludes special offers. Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year and other public holidays) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
Price includes:
International economy flights and taxes from the UK
Accommodation
Private transfers
Selected experiences
Daily experiences
Goatfell based on an All Inclusive Basis
per person based on two sharing. On a bed and breakfast basis except at Goatfell which is on an all inclusive basis.
Prices subject to peak season surcharges, over periods such as Christmas and New Year.
At a Glance
You will have your own private driver/guide to show you around the country
This itinerary lets you see all the main highlights of Sri Lanka
You will have the opportunity to experience the ancient cities, the Hill Country before heading to the South Coast
A year round itinerary although it can rain more on the south coast between May and September
Take a scenic train journey from Kandy up to Nuwara Eliya winding through the Hill Country
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Best time to Visit
Good time to visit
Average time to visit
The driest seasons are from December to March for the west & south and the Hill Country & from April to September for the ancient cities region. There is also an inter-monsoonal period in October and November when rain can occur in many parts of the island. The weather doesn’t follow strict rules, though – it often seems to be raining where it should be sunny & sunny where it should be raining.
July/August is the time of the Kandy Esala Perahera, as well as Kataragama festival in the South.
We design each itinerary around you, so this suggested itinerary is a starting point that we can tweak or transform into something completely bespoke to you. Call us on 020 3993 8476 to start planning your holiday.
Itinerary
Sri Lanka has it all: inviting mountainous terrains punctuated with waterfalls and rainforests with tea gardens beyond, tropical palm-fringed beaches, and fascinating towns bustling with colour and culture. This itinerary allows you experience all of the highlights, giving you a great first taste of this beautiful country.
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Days 1-2: Sri Lanka's West Coast
Your journey in Sri Lanka starts with one night to relax just outside of Colombo, giving you plenty of time to re-energise after your international flight. On arrival you will be met by your driver who is also your guide and who will be on hand through your trip to assist you and enlighten you about their beautiful country. As your driver / guide is at your disposal for the trip, if you decide on the day to adjust a tour or slightly change the day’s schedule, this is absolutely no problem.
Accommodation: The Wallawwa (1 night)
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Days 2-5: Sigiriya
On your first morning in Sri Lanka, you'll transfer to the Cultural Triangle, which is an area of immense archaeological fascination. There are the ancient Sinhalese cities of Polonnaruwa, the rock fortress of Sigiriya and the Buddhist caves at Dambulla - with three nights you are not rushing around seeing things all-day everyday - there is plenty of time to chill out and relax. For each day of your time in the Cultural Triangle, we have included a morning experience and an afternoon at leisure. On your first day as you transfer to the Cultural Triangle, you’ll make a stop at Dambulla, on the second you’ll be able to visit Polonnaruwa with an en-route safari at Minneriya and on your third we have included as a finale, the climb of Sigiriya which is spectacular.
Accommodation: Vil Uyana (3 nights)
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Days 5-7: Kandy
You can then drive to Kandy, an attractive town which is just getting into the hill country. Kandy contains the Temple of the Tooth - the Buddhas tooth to be precise. Of course, over your two nights in Kandy your guide will introduce you to the temple along with a tour through the beautiful Botanical gardens which are expansive and have an interesting history.
Accommodation: The Kandy House (2 nights)
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Days 7-10: Nuwara Eliya
No trip is quite complete without taking the local train that winds its way up to the Tea Country from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, a beautiful way to experience the countryside. We have included three nights for you here, allowing time to relax, walk through the stunning scenery and seeing a working Tea Estate at work.
Accommodation: Goatfell (3 nights)
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Days 10-13: Weligama
Finally finish with a stay on the stunning south coast of Sri Lanka. The drive from the Hill Country down to the coast is fairly long, at seven hours, however your guide will make interesting stops for you along the way and it is a lovely way to experience more of the Sri Lankan countryside. We have included three nights for you on the coast so that you can enjoy some sunshine and finish of the trip with a beautiful relaxing stop. However, for those that like to be active there is plenty to explore nearby and we have included a tour of the Galle Fort for you during your stay here. Galle Fort, dates from 1663 and is surrounded on three sides by the ocean making its architecture unique and fascinating to explore.
Accommodation: Cape Weligama (3 nights)
Experiences
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Colombo Night by Bike
Cycle through the charming city of Colombo at dusk, as you visit some of its most iconic landmarks.
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Dambulla Buddhist Caves
Dambulla is an ancient historical site set on a large granite outcrop. The caves at Dambulla are famous for their temples and have been repainted several times in the 11th, 12th and 18th centuries with secular and Buddhist scenes.
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Explore the Kapu Ela River by boat & Cycle through Rural Galle
Enjoy a scenic and immersive tour through the beautiful countryside surrounding Galle. Your journey will take you down the Kapu Ela River by boat and then by bike across the paddies, ending with a traditional Sri Lankan meal and a lesson in hopper making.
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Guided Tour of Kandy: Gods, Kings & Men
Today head to the centre of Kandy, once known as the Kingdom of Kandy. Take some time to visit the famous UNESCO protected Temple of the Tooth. Next wander around the colourful market followed by some tea at the historic Queen's Hotel.
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Kanneliya Rainforest Trek
One of Sri Lanka's hidden secrets, Kanneliya Rainforest Reserve is an enchanting forest reserve which is home to some incredible wildlife. Within the thick canopy, explore this wild and undisturbed scenery, accompanied by your wildlife tracker.
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Polonnaruwa Ancient City
The ancient city of Polonnaruwa dates from the 10th century AD. Originally planned as an expression and statement of imperial power, the city was eventually abandoned in 1288. Many of the remains are still in excellent condition.
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Shared Afternoon Safari - Yala National Park
Enjoy a evening safari in Yala National Park. Yala is a must for anyone wanting to spot the elusive leopard, and with over 250sqkm / 96sqm of land to explore, you will likely have some luck in spotting not only leopard, but sloth bear and elephants.
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Sigiriya Rock
The Sigiriya rock rises majestically from the jungle floor. It is famous for its ‘mirror wall’, so called because of its highly polished surface. Half-way up there are galleries with frescoes in brilliant tempera. Sigirya dates from the 5th century AD.
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Trek the Knuckles Mountain Range
Explore the Knuckles Mountain Range on this full day trek. A local tracker will guide you through the Knuckles Forest Reserve, hiking the Corbett’s Gap Viewpoint track.
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Visit a Cinnamon Plantation
Today head to Villa Mayurana, close to Koggala on Sri Lanka's South Coast. Learn about the process of growing cinnamon and the history that goes with it. Still a major export, cinnamon has medicinal values as well as being used in everyday cooking.
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Weligama - Deep Sea Fishing
Enjoy some deep sea fishing in the waters of the southern town of Weligama. Perfect for beginners or those more experienced at fishing, let your skipper help you catch some big game fish from sharks and tuna to marlin and swordfish.
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Whale and Dolphin Watching by Private Catamaran
On this full day boat trip you will have the opportunity to spot vast amounts of marine life from blue whales, false ores, sperm whales and bottlenose dolphins.
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Your free time at Cape Weligama – Scott Dunn suggests
Enjoy a stay at Cape Weligama on Sri Lanka's beautiful southern coastline and choose from a number of activities to make the most of your holiday.
Location
Kotugoda, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya & Weligama
How to get there
Fly into Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo. It takes just 20-minutes to drive to The Wallawwa from the airport.
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