An intoxicating blend of cultures, this small tear-drop shaped island at the base of India is a tropical paradise home to colonial forts, lush tea plantations and a 2,500 year old Buddhist tradition.
Based on staying in some of the finest small, luxury, boutique hotels in Sri Lanka, your journey starts at the charming Notary's House in Makandura before heading north to Sigiriya to explore the famed sites of the Cultural Triangle and Minneriya National Park. From here continue to Kandy, the beautiful tea estates of Hatton, Yala National Park and historic Galle before ending beside the beach at refined Kumu Beach Hotel in sleepy Balapitiya close to Bentota.
Colombo – Makandura – Sigiriya – Kandy – Castlereagh – Yala National Park – Galle – Balapitiya
Trip Highlights
- Discover Dambulla, its cave temples decorated with religious frescoes and sculpture
- Explore charming Galle, a fine example of a fortified city built by Europeans in Asia
- Yala is a renowned national park and supports and is famous for its leopard population
- Climb to the summit of Sigiriya fortress stopping to see astonishing frescoes en-route
- Relax in beautiful tea country, birdwatch or follow trails through manicured tea gardens
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart the UK
Today depart the UK on the SriLankan Airlines flight to Colombo.
Day 2
Arrive Colombo / Colombo to Makandura – 35kms
Meet your driver-guide as you arrive in Colombo and continue north by car to Makandura and The Notary's House where you will stay overnight. This small six bedroom boutique hotel is surrounded by large gardens, has spacious bedrooms and an enticing outdoor swimming pool. The remainder of the day will be at leisure to relax after your flight.
The Notary’s House
Day 3
Makandura to Sigiriya – 130kms
Leave Makandura and drive to Sigiriya. This region is Sri Lanka's cultural heart and encompasses no fewer than five UNESCO World Heritage Sites from ancient cities and monasteries to rock-cut caves and monolithic Buddhas.
- Breakfast
Jetwing Vil Uyana
Ulagalla Resort
Day 4-5
Sigiriya
Over the next two days explore the surrounding area with your driver-guide. Highlights include Sri Lanka's first capital Anuradhapura and nearby Mihintale. Explore the wonderful archaeological remains at Polonnaruwa, the island's medieval capital between the 11th and 13th centuries, and the astonishing frescoes and rock fortress of Sigiriya. Time permitting, the Aukana Buddha and jungle remains at Ritigala are well worth visiting as is Minneriya National Park, home to a large elephant population.
- Breakfast
Jetwing Vil Uyana
Ulagalla Resort
Day 6
Sigiriya to Kandy – 90kms
This morning drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Dambulla and visit the richly painted caves of this important temple complex. Dating, at their earliest, from the 1st century BC, the frescoes and sculpture portray both religious and secular life. Later continue to Kandy. Capital of the highlands, Kandy is best known for the opulent Temple of Tooth and later visit the temple where Buddha's tooth relic is housed.
- Breakfast
Jetwing Kandy Gallery
Adigar’s Manor
Kings Pavilion Kandy
Day 7
Kandy
The picturesque city of Kandy is home to numerous palaces, parks and gardens and is located on a plateau surrounded by emerald mountains centred around scenic Kandy Lake. Spend the morning exploring the colourful bazaar and interesting Kandy National Museum in the city centre. Later that afternoon travel to the magnificent Peradeniya Botanical Gardens just outside of Kandy. The former royal pleasure garden is home to over 4,000 species and is one of the finest botanical gardens in the subcontinent.
- Breakfast
Jetwing Kandy Gallery
Adigar’s Manor
Kings Pavilion Kandy
Day 8
Kandy to Hatton – by train / Hatton to Castlereagh – 18kms
After breakfast, travel by train on the spectacular journey from Peradeniya Station to Hatton in the heart of the island’s tea growing region. At Hatton continue to Castlereagh and one of the Tea Trails bungalows for a two night stay. Tea Trails comprises of four classic colonial tea planters homes. Built between 1890 and 1939, each is in a different location and decorated with authentic period furnishings. It is possible to stay at different bungalows and there are many scenic walking trails to enjoy.
- Breakfast,
- Dinner
Tea Trails
Day 9
Castlereagh and the Bogawantalawa Valley
Today you are at leisure to relax or, alternatively, explore the beautiful Bogawantalawa Valley in which the bungalows are set. There are numerous trails through immaculate tea gardens ranging from gentle walks to more strenuous treks and the abundant birdlife makes for enjoyable birding. The old colonial hill-station of Nuwara Eliya, complete with 18-hole championship golf course, is also only a short drive away.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Tea Trails
Day 10
Castlereagh to Yala National Park – 185kms
This morning leave tea country and drive south to the famous Yala National Park. Established as a protected area in 1938, Yala is a large reserve with a mixture of habitats ranging from open parkland and dense jungle, to a myriad of flooded lagoons and high coastal sand dunes. This varied terrain supports a wide range of animal life and vegetation. Yala is also a base for visiting the ancient, and now abandoned, royal city of Tissamaharama.
- Breakfast
Cinnamon Wild Resort
Uga Chena Huts
Wild Coast Tented Lodge
Day 11
Yala National Park
At Yala there is an impressive variety of flora and fauna and today explore the reserve with your naturalist on morning and evening jeep safaris. The park is known throughout Sri Lanka for its elephant population and, naturalists believe, it supports the highest concentration of leopards in the world although sightings of this elusive animal remain rare. Other animals here include sambar, spotted deer, wild boar, jackal, monkey, sloth bear and crocodile. Birdlife is also abundant with over 130 species recorded.
- Breakfast
Cinnamon Wild Resort
Uga Chena Huts
Wild Coast Tented Lodge
Day 12
Yala National Park to Galle – 170kms
After breakfast leave Yala and drive to the coastal city of Galle. Once the chief port of British Ceylon, today the city of Galle is divided into two parts—the modern, bustling centre and the historic, colonial fort. The charming old town was visited by Ibn Batuta during the 14th century and was subsequently controlled by the Portuguese, Dutch and British who finally captured the city in 1796.
- Breakfast
Fort Bazaar, Galle
Amangalla
Day 13
Galle
Today explore the atmospheric fort. The colonial architecture here is incredibly well-preserved with the city gates and ramparts, 18th century Dutch Reformed Church, Arab Quarter and pretty old post office particular highlights.
- Breakfast
Fort Bazaar, Galle
Amangalla
Day 14
Galle to Balapitiya - 45kms
Today drive to coastal Balapitiya and the welcoming Kumu Beach Hotel for a four night stay. Beautifully designed with the shimmering Indian Ocean as its backdrop, the Kumu Beach Hotel is a serene retreat with only ten rooms, a large infinity pool, spa, bar and restaurant.
- Breakfast
Kumu Beach Hotel
Day 15-17
Balapitiya
At leisure to relax. Locally you may also wish to visit Lunuganga the country home of the renowned Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa and Brief Garden, developed by Geoffrey's brother Bevis, who was an artist and landscape architect.
- Breakfast
Kumu Beach Hotel
Day 18
Balapitiya to Colombo – 130kms / Colombo to the UK
Today transfer back to Colombo Airport to catch the SriLankan Airlines flight non-stop to the UK.
- Breakfast
Extending your stay...
Include a second wildlife experience as part of your tour. For somewhere different to Yala, one option would be the Sinharaja Forest Reserve. An area of primary rainforest, Sinharaja supports 80% of the island’s bird species as well as butterflies, insects and reptiles.
Discover a selection of some of the lesser-known sites of Sri Lanka’s famous Cultural Triangle. Possibilities include Yapahuwa or Medirigiriya, the Dimbulagala cave temples, the medieval remains of Sasseruwa or the Vessagiriya Cave Monastery.
Relax at the end of your holiday in the Maldives, a true tropical paradise and an excellent alternative to Balapitiya. With untouched coral reefs and beautiful lagoons, experience some of the finest snorkelling in the world Regular flights link Colombo with the Maldives.
Add a day in Colombo to explore the Sri Lankan capital. Highlights are the historic Fort and Pettah areas of the city. Colourful and busy, explore the markets that sell everything from vegetables and gold to handicrafts and everyday items.
Guide to Price
18 days from £4895 - £5990 per person
What's Included
- International flights
- Train travel as specified
- Private car with English speaking driver-guide
- Wildlife viewing with local naturalist
- Hotel accommodation and taxes
What's Not Included
- Visas
- Travel Insurance
- Expenses of a personal nature
from £4895 - £5990
Travel Information
Getting There
SriLankan Airlines is currently the only airline offering non-stop flights from London Heathrow to Colombo. Other leading airlines, including Emirates, Oman Airways and Qatar Airways, offer indirect flights from most airports in the UK with changes in Dubai, Muscat or Abu Dhabi.
Flying Times From UK
A direct flight from London Heathrow to Colombo should take around 11 hours. Indirect flights usually take around 14 hours.
Time Zone
Sri Lanka is +5½ hours ahead of GMT.
Visa Requirements
You will need a visa to enter the country. Tourist visas are valid for a stay of up to 30 days in Sri Lanka. The visa must be obtained in advance of arrival and applications need to be made online via the official Sri Lankan government Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) website - www.eta.gov.lk. To enter Sri Lanka, your passport must have an expiry date at least 6 months after the day you arrive, and your passports must have at least two blank pages for visa stamps. Please note the Tourist Visa Fee is USD50.00 per person. The above visa information applies only to British citizens travelling on a UK passport.
Do’s & Don’ts
Always show respect by understanding and following local customs and traditions. Sri Lanka is a welcoming country with a rich culture, and it is important to understand the destination and its people before visiting.
When you are taking photographs, avoid snapping shots of the soldiers and police and always ask permission if you take pictures of people.
Be aware of the dangers posed by local wildlife. It is natural to be wary of predators, but many visitors do not realise that other large animals, such as the much loved elephant, are also dangerous to humans if they get scared and charge.
Holy areas welcome visitors, but make sure you observe religious customs. Remove your shoes and cover up respectfully. These are also good rules to follow if you are invited into somebody's home.
When eating, only the right hand should be used. Sri Lankan culture considers the left hand to be unclean.
Money
The currency in Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). Colombo Airport provides currency exchange facilities. Sri Lanka has a closed currency and therefore you will get a better rate by exchanging your money locally. Accessing your money is straightforward in Sri Lanka, with major cities and towns having plenty of ATMs available. If you are heading out to rural areas, you will want to have cash with you. Most vendors, transport providers and retailers will prefer cash to debit and credit cards.
Tipping
If a waiter or driver makes a special effort, feel free to tip. A driver/guide who offers a more personal service will expect you to tip, and hotels will include a service charge as standard (usually 10%). As with services in the UK, if a tip box is provided and you feel an extra fee is deserved, nobody will be offended if you leave a small tip. A guideline for tipping your driver/guide will be advised prior to travel.
Food & Drink
Sri Lanka is well known for its tea which is grown and exported internationally. The country, formerly known as Ceylon, is the world's fourth largest producer of tea and it has a reputation for creating some of the finest teas in the world. Tea drinking forms a big part of Sri Lankan culture. Visit local tea houses and cafes or pick up a cup from a street vendor while exploring the country. Sri Lanka is not as strictly vegetarian as India, and meat dishes are widely available. However, much of the local cuisine focuses on vegetables and spices, so vegetarians will be spoilt for choice. Fish is more commonly cooked than meat, with curries and stews forming a big part of the Sri Lankan diet.
Accommodation
Sri Lanka has plenty of accommodation options to suit every visitor so it is possible to experience a bygone era at an opulent and historic tea plantation, stay in a luxurious lodge in one of the country's finest wildlife parks or indulge on the finest seafood at a five-star beach resort. There is a vast range of accommodation available throughout the island from luxurious small hotels, contemporary properties and one-off boutique accommodation to atmospheric wildlife lodges and charming colonial tea planter’s bungalows. The majority of Sri Lanka’s beach resorts predominately hug the north-east and south-west coastlines with a plethora of different options including everything from larger modern hotels to small independent properties – some with only a handful of rooms. Although heritage hotels can be found throughout the country, the majority are located in and around Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and adjoining tea plantations and the historic fort at Galle.
Shopping
Colombo is the place to be if you want to pick up a bargain. Many of the high street clothes we get in the UK are made in Sri Lanka and can make it to retail there at very low prices. Sri Lankan cities are more focused on market style trading and you will find a vast array of ingredients on offer including high quality spices and herbs. Haggling over prices is strongly encouraged and shop keepers will expect it. However, most are far less persistent than in other countries, and will engage with the bartering process in good humour and fun. Feel free to offer what you feel something is worth and walk away if you feel pressured into a sale.
Suggested Reading
For a good introduction to visiting Sri Lanka, you cannot go wrong with the Footprint Rough Guide. Learn a little more about the country before you get there with some great novels and memoirs set in Sri Lanka, including ‘Running in the Family’ by Michael Ondaatje, ‘The Village in the Jungle’ by Leonard Woolf, ‘The Teardrop Island’ by Cherry Briggs, ‘Woolf in Ceylon’ by Christopher Ondaatje and ‘Mosquito’ by Roma Tearne.
Health
Your doctor is the best person to advise you on staying healthy whilst abroad but current recommended vaccinations are Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus and Diphtheria. Yellow Fever is compulsory, but only if you have visited an affected Yellow Fever area within 5 days prior to your arrival. In some instances anti-malarial tablets may also be needed. For current information on health advice you may wish to visit the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website Travel Health Pro on https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/. The Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad (MASTA) website (www.masta.org) is also a useful resource.
Travel Advice
For current information on Sri Lanka the best resource is the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice) which is a comprehensive resource and updated regularly. We would also recommend visiting the Safer Tourism Foundation website (safertourism.org.uk) before you travel and will be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have. If you are considering a trip to Sri Lanka, Pettitts Travel are specialists in bespoke Sri Lanka tours including Colombo holidays. We can create an itinerary around your requirements to include Sri Lanka's key experiences and sights.
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Our Reviews
What our clients say
We enjoyed every minute of it
NR - Sri Lanka and the Maldives - November 2024
We returned this morning from our trip having had a really superb holiday. We enjoyed every minute of it and I wanted to thank you for the efficient way in which you organised our fascinating itinerary and the selection of lovely hotels in Sri Lanka. Everything went like clockwork and we have returned relaxed and refreshed. I am very grateful and I shall be in touch when we plan our next adventure.
Getting to know you
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Helping you to design your trip
Entirely tailor-made, there is complete flexibility to incorporate all your requirements.
On-hand support, when you need it
Our team are on hand to answer any questions and ensure you are fully ready, and excited, for your trip.
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Enjoy full support from our UK team and trusted local partners throughout your journey.
We’re pleased to confirm that Pettitts Travel will not apply any surcharges to our package holidays when we are operating as a tour operator, regardless of changes in global costs. The price you agree at the time of booking is the price you will pay, a commitment we have proudly upheld for the past 38 years.
