Sri Lanka - A Tropical Jewel

14 days from £2650 per person

Sri Lankan fisherman in red turban sitting on a wooden ledge fishing in the sea

On this journey discover Sri Lanka's cultural triangle, exploring the world heritage sites of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura - the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka - the rock fortress of Sigiriya and the cave monastery complex at Dambulla. In the centre of the country is the beautiful lakeside town of Kandy, the last capital of the Sinhala kings and site of the famous Temple of the Tooth Relic. Continue with a visit to the old colonial hill station of Nuwara Eliya which is almost always wreathed in dawn mist before ending beside the Indian Ocean in beautiful Wadduwa.

Route: Colombo – Kandalama – Kandy – Kandapola – Nuwara Eliya – Wadduwa – Colombo

Itinerary Highlights

Anuradhapura, one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and famous for its well-preserved ruins.

The city of Kandy is the capital of the hill country, lying amongst the slopes of the Kandy plateau. It is home to the Temple of the Tooth relic, one of the most sacred sites of worship for Buddhists.

Often shrouded in mist, Nuwara Eliya in the Central Province has a temperate, cool climate providing the optimum conditions for growing tea and was once a summer retreat during British rule.

Itinerary: Sri Lanka - A Tropical Jewel

Day 1 Depart the UK

Today depart the UK on the SriLankan Airlines flight to Colombo. (N)

Day 2 Arrive Colombo

Colombo is Sri Lanka's capital. A former Portuguese trading outpost, the city grew under both the Dutch and British to become the commercial hub of the country and today is home to numerous colonial remnants, colourful bazaars and an interesting National Museum. Later visit the city for a brief afternoon tour. (N)

Accommodation in Colombo: Cinnamon Lakeside (or similar)

Day 3 Colombo to Kandalama – 160kms

Leaving Colombo drive north-west to Kandalama. 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. (B)

Accommodation in Kandalama: Heritance Kandalama Hotel (or similar)

Days 4 & 5 Kandalama

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. (B)

Accommodation in Kandalama: Heritance Kandalama Hotel (or similar)

Day 6 Kandalama 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. (B)

Accommodation in Kandy: Cinnamon Citadel Hotel (or similar)

Day 7 Kandy

With its palaces, parks and gardens, Kandy is an attractive city. The centre of town is known for its early 19th century architecture and this morning spend time exploring the colourful bazaar and interesting Kandy National Museum. In the afternoon travel outside of Kandy to the magnificent Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, a former royal pleasure garden but converted into its current form in 1821. With over 4,000 labelled species, Peradeniya is one of the finest botanical gardens in the subcontinent. (B)

Accommodation in Kandy: Cinnamon Citadel Hotel (or similar)

Day 8 Kandy to Nanu Oya – by train / Nanu Oya to Kandapola – 15kms

After breakfast, travel by train on the spectacular journey from Peradeniya Station to Nanu Oya in the heart of the island's tea growing region. At Nanu Oya continue to Kandapola. Located close to the old colonial hill-station of Nuwara Eliya, with its English country-style homes and pretty well-tended gardens, this afternoon visit the town and a neighbouring tea plantation. (B)

Accommodation in Kandapola: Tea Factory Hotel (or similar)

Day 9 Nuwara Eliya

Early this morning make your way to the Horton Plains National Park. Located on a high wind-swept saddle over 2,000 metres above sea level, this is the starting point for a 12kms circular walk to Baker's Falls and the dramatically located World's End. This walk provides some of the finest, and far-reaching, views in Sri Lanka. After the walk, in the afternoon a visit could be made to the Hakgala Botanical Gardens or, alternatively, explore one of the many footpaths that lead from the hotel. (B)

Accommodation in Kandapola: Tea Factory Hotel (or similar)

Day 10 Nuwara Eliya to Bentota – 220kms

Today drive to coastal Bentota and Club Villa for a four night stay. Designed by Geoffrey Bawa and located in the heart of Bentota, Club Villa has 17 charming rooms, a restaurant, spa and lovely outdoor swimming pool. (B)
Accommodation in Bentota: Club Villa (or similar)

Days 11 to 13 Bentota

At leisure to relax and enjoy the hotel. Lunuganga, the country home of the renowned Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa, and Brief Garden which was designed by Geoffrey's brother Bevis, are also close to Bentota and are well worth visiting. (B)
Accommodation in Bentota: Club Villa (or similar)

Day 14 Bentota to Colombo – 110 kms / Colombo to the UK

Today transfer back to Colombo Airport to catch the SriLankan Airlines flight non-stop to the UK. (B)

**KEY: N = No meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

What's included

International flights from the UK
Train travel as specified
Private car with English speaking driver-guide
Hotel accommodation and taxes

What's not included

Cost of visas
Travel Insurance
Expenses of a personal nature

Guide to Price

The above price is based on two people travelling together and sharing accommodation in low season. The price is only a guide and can vary according to selected airlines, hotels and date of travel. If you wish to travel with your family, friends or on your own we will be very happy to assist you with your arrangements.

Your Holiday In Sri Lanka

Our holidays to Sri Lanka are completely tailor-made with all arrangements made to fit your exact requirements and interests. Pettitts Travel have organised bespoke tours to Sri Lanka for over 30 years so, whether a first time visitor or a return traveller, you can be assured that we can design an itinerary unique to you that can cover all four corners of the island. All of our itineraries, whether those featured on our website or quoted following an enquiry, include hotels and transport, guided sightseeing and entrance fees. When travelling in Sri Lanka you will have a private car with driver-guide at your disposal throughout your holiday. In Sri Lanka your driver is also your guide so they will accompany you on all sightseeing visits. In most national parks and wildlife reserves you will have the additional services of a naturalist. Whilst you are on holiday you will also have round the clock support and assistance from our both from our partners in Sri Lanka and our UK office.

Most clients use the tours featured on our website as inspiration – a starting point for discussion or a series of ideas to be adapted to meet specific requirements, adding or removing days, including places of interest or adjusting the accommodation. Sri Lanka: A Tropical Jewel is ideal for the first time visitor to Sri Lanka with a focus on the cultural triangle, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya before ending with a few days of relaxation beside the beach in Bentota. A Journey through Ceylon builds on this journey with extra time spent in and around the cultural triangle as well as two days in historic Galle. Sri Lanka is also a fabulous summer family destination with the itinerary Sri Lanka: A Summer Family Adventure mixing both adventure and wildlife with relaxation and snorkelling. Wild Sri Lanka is a comprehensive itinerary featuring the island’s premier national parks and wildlife reserves whilst Hidden Treasures of Sri Lanka showcases the underexplored northern and eastern coasts. For those looking for culture followed by pure relaxation, our two-centre journey linking Sri Lanka with the Maldives is the perfect combination.

Ancient Sites of Sri Lanka

Despite its diminutive size, Sri Lanka is blessed with an astonishing number of cultural and historic treasures so there is plenty to see and do wherever you are on the island. Highlights include the 1,500 year-old cliff-top fortress at Sigiriya with its colourful frescoes and spectacular views, the Dambulla Cave Temple complex which has been a place of worship since the 1st century BC and the UNESCO protected ancient cities of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura – the former famed for its mammoth standing and reclining Buddhas, the latter for its well-preserved ruins including the towering terracotta stupa of Abhayagiri vihara. The bustling hill capital of Kandy is the home of the Temple of the Tooth. Located in the Royal Palace complex, the heart of the temple houses one of the most important relics in the country, the Buddha’s tooth. This temple, as well as the mountain-top shrine of Mihintale and the spectacular standing Buddha at Aukana, are significant pilgrimage sites and draw devotees from far and wide.

Wildlife in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka harbours an incredible diversity of flora and fauna and offers some of the finest wildlife viewing in Asia. Yala, a substantial reserve in the south-east of the island, is Sri Lanka’s best known national park. Although elusive, Yala is believed to have the world’s highest concentration of leopards, whilst its range of habitats supports a range of animals from deer and monkey to bear and crocodile. The national parks of Udawalawe, Minneriya and Gal Oya are all associated with elephant – Udawalawe and Minneriya have significant populations whilst Gal Oya, which is centred on Senanayake Samudraya Lake, has the unique spectacle of ‘swimming’ elephants. Wilpattu, the country’s largest reserve, remains little-visited due to its inaccessibility and, consequently offers a truly wild wildlife experience. Wilpattu is home to leopard, crocodile and deer and has excellent birdwatching. For something completely different, the primary rainforest of the UNESCO protected biosphere reserve of Sinharaja not only has fine birdwatching but is also the best place on the island to see butterflies, insects, amphibians and reptiles.

Sri Lanka - A Tropical Jewel

14 days from £2650 per person

Itinerary Highlights

Itinerary: Sri Lanka - A Tropical Jewel

What To Do Next?

What's included

What's not included

Guide to Price

What Is A Tailor-Made Holiday?

View On The Map

When to Visit

Your Holiday In Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Holiday Review

Ancient Sites of Sri Lanka

Wildlife in Sri Lanka

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19 Things to Do in Sri Lanka

Covid-19 Travel Promise