DAY 1 - DEPARTURE Take your direct overnight flight to Colombo.
DAY 2 - ARRIVAL IN COLOMBO Transfer for one night to the nearby four-star Taj Gateway Hotel, with dinner. (2017 departures will stay at the four-star Jetwing Lagoon Hotel).
DAY 3 - DAMBULLA & HABARANA Today the adventure begins and the sights and the sounds of Sri Lanka gradually unfold. The countryside is stunning – scenic paddy fields studded by water buffalos accompanied by wiry, loin-clothed farmers, extensive coconut groves, pineapple fields, working elephants with attentive mahouts astride their necks and everywhere the dense jungle interspersed by huge lakes. We visit the amazing, 1st century cave temples of Dambulla, a UN World Heritage Site and a wonderful introduction to the Buddhist religion. Located within an immense granite outcrop, this series of five caves are richly adorned with remarkably preserved frescoes and over 150 Buddhist statues. In the caves’ semi-darkness, surrounded by the serene faces of dozens of beautifully painted statues, it’s not difficult to imagine the incredible sense of awe this sacred site held for generations of worshippers. We stay two nights in Habarana, at the three-star superior Habarana Village Hotel, with dinner. This charming hotel features spacious one-storey chalets spread amongst beautifully lush landscaped gardens as well as an open-air restaurant, bar, Ayurvedic spa and large pool with wonderful views (2017 stays will be at the three-star superior Sigiriya Village Hotel).
DAY 4 - SIGIRIYA ROCK This morning you visit what will surely be the most memorable and fascinating monument in Sri Lanka: Sigiriya, or the ‘Lion Rock’, is a massive 600ft granite tower with sheer cliffs on all sides crowned by the remains of a 1,500-year old Royal Palace. The entire site is encircled by a moat and ramparts enclosing a variety of water gardens. As you approach Sigiriya, you see some of the
finest ancient murals in the country – the ‘cloud maidens’ are found under a fold of rock and show in exquisite detail a procession of jewelled, beautifully dressed women bearing offerings of lilies and lotus flowers. Facing us is the imposing final entrance to the palace: in ancient times the colossal head of a lion (hence ‘Lion Rock’) was built in brick and plaster, visitors entering through its mouth. Today, just the two front paws remain, still guarding the palace above. There are numerous steps to the top of Sigiriya rock, but they should pose no problem for those with normal mobility. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the hotel’s pool and facilities.
DAY 5 - KANDY This morning we leave Sigiriya for Kandy. Sri Lanka is noted for its magnificent spices so en route we visit a fascinating garden where we see many indigenous plants such as pepper, nutmeg and cinnamon before arriving at Kandy, the country’s royal capital. You stay two nights with dinner at the four-star Cinnamon Citadel Hotel, beautifully located overlooking the scenic Mahaweli River and surrounded by peaceful forested hillsides. The hotel as a pool overlooking the river, with a colonnaded lobby, a charming bar and restaurant.
DAY 6 - KANDY Kandy’s bustling streets teem with daily comings and goings. The centre is dominated by a beautiful lake and the fascinating Temple of the Tooth, said to hold Buddha’s tooth. This is Buddhism’s most sacred shrine on the island and during our visit, you may be lucky enough to witness one of the many ceremonies. You also visit the stunning Royal
Botanical Gardens. Planted over 150 years and covering 150 acres, they hold some superb examples of mature tropical trees. Strolling through lawns, shady avenues and immaculately kept flower beds, we see exotic birds and the commemorative trees planted by Edward VII, George VI, Princess Anne and the Queen. Other highlights are the Avenue of Royal Palms and
‘Bat’ Drive where you can spot the large fruit-eating ‘Flying Foxes’ hanging upside down! The gardens also house Lord Mountbatten’s imposing HQ from World War II. Kandy is famous for its traditional dancing and so this evening we experience a colourful and skilful display of this ancient art.
DAY 7 - TEA ESTATES After a leisurely breakfast you leave Kandy, driving through increasingly mountainous scenery to Sri Lanka’s premier tea-growing areas. Winding ever upwards, the lush tropical jungle gives way to tall pine forests and then box-like tea bushes begin – soon covering every fold of the landscape like a huge green carpet. You visit one of the best-known tea estates to see how our favourite drink is rolled, dried and graded, followed by a refreshing cup of Ceylon’s finest. Nuwara Eliya, the main hill station, is nearly 7,000ft above sea level and called ‘Little England’ due to its spring-like climate, parks and golf course. You stay at the three- star superior St Andrews Hotel, with dinner and famed for its classic 19th century public rooms and English- inspired flower beds and lawns. Even High Tea is served.
DAY 8 - ELEPHANT TRANSIT HOME & YALA You say goodbye to Sri Lanka’s hill country this morning on your way to Yala National Park in the south of Sri Lanka. At around midday we arrive at the Elephant Transit Home, supported by the UK’s Born Free Foundation, at Udawalawe
National Park, where you’ll be able to watch young elephant orphans being given one of their daily feeds. You stay two nights at the excellent four-star Jetwing Yala Hotel with dinner. The hotel is located just 4km outside the national park and features a pool, bar and restaurant, set in a stunning beach location.
DAY 9 - YALA SAFARI An early start today, accompanied by the unique sound of a tropical dawn chorus. As the morning mist disappears you explore the jungle and its incredible range of wildlife in 4x4 vehicles. The normally elusive leopard offers the park’s most exciting game viewing and since they are the island’s top predator, they are far less shy than elsewhere in the world. Yala is also known for its elephants, saltwater crocodiles, wild boar, sloth bears, monitor lizards and huge variety of birdlife. After a late breakfast relax by the hotel’s pool before having the option to go on a second, early evening safari.
DAY 10 - GALLE After breakfast you return to the west coast, via guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Galle, with its imposing 16th century Dutch fort. You soon arrive at the excellent four-star superior Jetwing Lighthouse for a three night stay with dinner. This charming hotel boasts a main restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, an open-air coffee shop and a speciality fish restaurant. The spacious grounds are beautifully looked-after and feature a large pool and plenty of quiet sunbathing spots.
DAYS 11-12 - FREE DAYS Two whole days to take it easy at your hotel and enjoy the palm-shaded beach and pool.
DAY 13 - RETURN FLIGHT Fly back to the UK, arriving home later the same day.
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