Stay at Arie Lagoon Hotel

Stay at Arie Lagoon Hotel
After your lunchtime arrival, we will stay for one night at the four-star Arie Lagoon Hotel.

Visit the temples of Dambulla
Stay at Habarana Village by Cinnamon

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
UNESCO World Heritage site and a wonderful introduction to the Buddhist religion. Set in an immense granite
outcrop and reached by a number of steps, 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 at the four-star Habarana Village Hotel by Cinnamon.
Signature experience
Watch the sunset as you enjoy a poolside pre-dinner drinks reception at Cinnamon Habarana Village.

Visit Sigiriya Rock

This morning you visit what for many 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, the remains of numerous buildings and caves. As you
approach Sigiriya rock, 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 above: 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, their claws menacingly extended, still guarding the palace. It should be
noted that there are numerous steps to the top of Sigiriya rock but should pose no problem for those with
normal mobility.
The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to enjoy our hotel’s pool and facilities.

Visit a spice plantation
Stay at Cinnamon Citadel

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.

Visit Kandy
Visit Temple of the Tooth

Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens
Kandy’s crowded and bustling streets teem with daily comings and
goings: the many, white-uniformed children returning from school and
the myriad of shops.
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 (today or tomorrow
morning), 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 a huge 150 acres,
the gardens hold thousands of plant species and 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 hugely skilful
display of this ancient art.
Signature experience
Step aboard for a journey through nature’s wonders along the magnificent Mahaweli River, as a passionate
naturalist introduces you to the diverse creatures that reside along this magnificent waterway.
As you drift along on a private boat look out for brightly coloured kingfishers, probably the largest in Sri Lanka
and keep your eyes peeled for the water monitor lizards that slither along the riverbanks. This is also a natural
habitat for porcupines and tortoises, and you are also sure to spot grazing water buffalo and maybe even wild
boar at the water’s edge.

Visit a tea estate

Stay at Golden Ridge Hotel

Today you leave Kandy and journey to Nuwara Eliya. We journey

through increasingly mountainous scenery including some spectacular

views of Sri Lanka’s premier tea growing areas.

Lush tropical jungle gives way to tall pine forests and then box-like tea

bushes, few at first and then seemingly covering every fold of the

landscape like a huge green carpet right to the landscape horizon.

Arriving early afternoon to Nuwara Eliya, the main hill station, is nearly 7,000 feet above sea level and called

‘little England’ due to its spring-like climate, parks and gold course. You stay one-night at the four-star Golden

Ridge Hotel or The Grand Hotel.

Signature experience

Escape to the grandeur of another era and spoil yourself with high tea experience in Nuwara Eliya. Each

afternoon the elegant Tea Lounge and fountain lawn is bedecked with an array of traditional bite-size savouries,

sandwiches, and cakes.

Choose from a selection of fragrant local teas, then sit back and savour the teatime delights in the charming

ambience of this historic institution.

Visit the Elephant Transit home

Stay at Chaarya Resort and Spa

We say goodbye to Sri Lanka’s hill country and journey south arriving to

the Elephant Transit Home, supported by the UK’s Born Free

Foundation, located 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 three-star superior Chaayra Resort and Spa

Hotel, located near the towns of Tissamaharama and Kataragama.

Guided tour of Yala National Park

An early start this morning, accompanied by the unique sound of a

tropical ‘dawn chorus’.

As the morning mist disappears with the rising sun 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 Yala

has a high concentration of these big cats.

They are the island’s top predator so 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 a huge variety of birdlife.

After a late breakfast you can relax by the hotel’s pool before an optional second, early evening park drive (book

and pay local).

Guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Galle

Stay at Anantara Kalutara Resort

After breakfast, you return to the west coast via a guided tour of the

UNESCO World Heritage Site of Galle, with its imposing 16th-century

Dutch Fort.

In late afternoon, you arrive at the five-star Anantara Kalutara Resort, a

contemporary style hotel featuring local traditions. Uniquely located on

the southwest Sri Lankan coast where the Kalu Ganga River estuary

lagoon meets the Indian Ocean set on a narrow peninsular with 360-

degree ocean and lagoon views.

Personalise your holiday

Upgrade your stay 5-star Anantara Kalutara Resort

Upgrade your room during your 3-night stay to a Deluxe Ocean View room with private balcony.

From £159pp for double/twin occupancy

From £319 for single occupancy

For hotel information please see the accommodation section or contact us?for more information and to add the

above upgrade to your booking

Free time

You have the day free - perhaps relax in your hotel, rejuvenate at the

spa or simply enjoy the pool

Free time

You have the day free - perhaps relax in your hotel, rejuvenate at the

spa or simply enjoy the pool.