CEYLON SENSATION... THE BEST OF SRI LANKA
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ITINERARY
Day 1
Travel to London Heathrow by complimentary private car (within 65 miles) in time for the departure of your SriLankan Airlines scheduled overnight flight to Colombo.
Day 2
A private minibus and driver will be waiting to transfer you to the Cinnamon Grand Hotel. Here you will have some time to relax or take an optional city tour of Colombo taking in several colonial buildings as well as the 100 year old clock tower, the Pettah bazaar for bargains galore, Hindu and Buddhist temples, the Colombo museum and the folk art centre.
Deluxe : Cinnamon Grand
Day 3
After breakfast drive to the Pinnawela Elephant orphanage – a wonderful river setting where you can see the herd of sixty elephants bathing in the river Maha Oya. The drive continues on to Habarana and the magnificent Cinnamon Lodge Hotel, your base for the next three nights. (B,D)
First Class : Cinnamon Lodge
Day 4
After breakfast depart for Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka’s first capital, dating back to 6th century BC. It is regarded as the cradle of ancient Sihala civilization and is close to the temple complex of Mihintale where Buddhism first originated on the island. Anuradhapura's monuments and gleaming white dagobas rise out of the jungle and show a very advanced ancient civilization. It boasts the oldest dams in the world and the sacred Bo tree, the oldest historically documented tree in the world. After a long and sometimes bloody history, it was abandoned in 1073 and is now today the most important religious and cultural site in Sri Lanka. Anuradhapura’s ancient, spiritual ruins can leave you in awe and are particularly inspiring during the festivals held throughout the year. Return to your hotel in Habarana. (B,D)
First Class : Cinnamon Lodge
Day 5
Today you will be taken to see the dramatic and inspiring rock fortress at Sigiriya, a world heritage site. A mythical past of feuding dynasties suits Sigiriya’s striking setting. Worthy of being called the “8th wonder of the world”, Sigiriya is Sri Lanka’s answer to the Taj Mahal and will astonish anyone with its outstandingly beautiful views, staggering engineering and peerless design.
After lunch your drive will continue onto Polonnaruwa, the 12th Century Sinhalese capital. It remained Sri Lanka’s capital until the late 13th century, but became increasingly susceptible to Chola invasions and it became lost to the jungle once more as the capital drifted south-west. Today, the ancient city’s ruins remain in remarkably good condition, and are a fascinating site to visit. The ruins of the Royal Palace and Gal Vihara where three giant Buddha statues are carved out of rock are the most rewarding. Return to your hotel in Habarana. (B,D)
First Class : Cinnamon Lodge
Day 6
Following an early breakfast, depart for Hiriwaduna Village and the nature trek. Begin your trek along a shaded, gravel path that leads on to the bund of the reservoir, which is a stunning picture of contrasts. The ashen trunks of long dead trees rise up starkly against the lush, green vegetation of the wetlands in the background, their skeletal shapes the perfect spots for roosting egrets. Pass a local farm and into vegetable plots and scrub forest where a waiting bullock cart will transport you through jungle and paddy fields. Another highlight today is a visit to the rock caves at Dambulla. Aside from the wonderful panoramic views, the caves and their occupying Buddhas offer some of the finest preserved ancient frescoes in Sri Lanka. Each of the five caves is spectacularly painted and different from the next.
Continue onto Kandy visiting a spice garden on the way. Arrive at Earl’s Regency, your hotel for the next two nights.
Sri Lanka’s hill capital is, perhaps, its most beautiful town. The focal point of the town is the golden-roofed Dalada Maligawa, where the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha is enshrined. There are numerous shrines and temples in and around Kandy, where you will see rare paintings, frescoes, and stone carvings. (B,D)
First Class : Earl’s Regency
Day 7
Today take a relaxing walk in the Paradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens which are considered to have one of the most valuable collections of plants in the world. In the afternoon visit the highlights of the last citadel of ancient Ceylon, including the Temple of the Tooth which houses the most sacred relic in Sri Lanka, a fragment of the Buddha's tooth. (B,D)
First Class : Earl’s Regency
Day 8
Today your drive will take you on through some stunning countryside all the way to Nanu Oya in the heart of the tea country. Continue to Nuwara Eliya and stay for two nights at the beautiful Hill Club. At 2,000 metres above sea level, the views of the surrounding green countryside and rushing waterfalls are spectacular. You will have time to visit a tea plantation and factory to witness the process of fresh leaf being made into the world famous Ceylon Tea. (D)
First Class : Hill Club
Day 9
The morning is at your own leisure. You may decide to take a walk through the local plantations and villages or take an excursion to visit a local tea factory. This afternoon visit Nuwara Eliya. Once a pleasure retreat of the European planters the town is still very much an English town with many English style bungalows and buildings. Nuwara Eliya is a good escape for those who miss cool breeze in tropical Sri Lanka at any time of the year. (D)
First Class : Hill Club
Day 10
After breakfast drive to the western coast passing through immensely scenic countryside on the way with amazing views across the mountains and valleys. Stay 5 nights on at your beach hotel, The Blue Water (this one is on half board) or one of your choice, or transfer to Colombo airport for your flight to the Maldives where you will be transferred to the first class Velassaru Island (on bed & breakfast basis) or one of your choice. (B,D)
First Class : The Blue Water
Day 15
Privately transfer by road to Colombo for your return flight on SriLankan Airlines arriving at Heathrow the next day. Or extend your stay at your beach hotel. (B)
ACCOMODATION
Colombo
Cinnamon Grand 5*
Your perfect haven for exploring the city of Colombo or for relaxation after your flight. The elegantly appointed spacious deluxe rooms emphasise understated luxury and provide all you require for a comfortable stay. The seven restaurants serve an eclectic mix of fine cuisine from Eastern, Western or even fusion fare. Enjoy a morning swim, an evening massage or a late-night workout. The pools, sports facilities and gym are a dream for the fitness-minded, while the spa promises to pamper and rejuvenate. Buy a painting or shop at Colombo’s most modern mall right next door.
Habarana
Cinnamon Lodge 45*
Superbly located in a huge 15 hectare forest, bordering a picturesque lake which now form the hotel’s landscaped gardens. All rooms are “chalet style” mini suites with all modern amenities. Being in the centre of the cultural triangle, it is also one of the most convenient places to stay whilst making short excursions to the highlights of the area. Facilities are excellent including a lofty main restaurant, fine dining pavilion, large swimming pool, tennis court, badminton, Ayurveda centre, bird watching trails, elephant back safari’s and an ambience of its own.
Kandy
Earl's Regency 4*
Situated on the mountainside, overlooking the Mahaweli River and valley, the Earl’s Regency is surrounded by lush gardens. The rooms are spacious and elegantly furnished and are equipped with all contemporary amenities including television, air conditioning and hairdryer. Guests can dine at the on-site restaurant that serves a variety of delectable cuisine. You can relax at the cafe, with light snacks and beverages or sip on various cocktails at the cosy bar. Leisure facilities include a swimming pool, fitness centre, sauna, squash, tennis, shops and internet café.
Nuwara Eliya
Hill Club 35*
The Hill Club was founded in 1876 by a British Coffee Planter, as a ‘home’ away from home, and is today a privately operated club, with luxury rooms and all modern facilities.
It is perhaps one of the few remaining monuments that remind you of the colonial occupation of Sri Lanka. Over a century old, this cosy, comfortable holiday home once catered only to the British on the island and has an interesting history behind it. The Hill Club has seen the good times and bad, war and peace, grandeur and simplicity. Today it reflects a combination of exclusivity in style and class and modern service, an utopian mixture of the old and the new.
There are only 39 cosily appointed bedrooms, a large reading room, lounge, men's bar, mixed bar, games room, darts, billiards, dining hall serving eastern and western cuisine, and a la carte, internet facilities, and tennis.
Wadduwa Beach
The Blue Water 4*
The Golden Tulip Resort Khasab, is the place for a great escape from the noise and stress of the city.
Located on a fantastic rocky bluff, with panoramic views of the sea and the mountains.
The rooms are equipped with a large balcony with views of the spectacular mountain or sea, king size or twin beds, air conditioning, television, tea and coffee making facilities, minibar, fruit basket, hairdryer and ensuite shower.
Dibba restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and other locations serving food include the cappuccino lobby, terrace café, Al Tal Shisha café, and a bar serving light snacks.
For recreational activities there is a swimming pool, indoor gymnasium and dive centre.
DEPARTURES AND PRICES
Tailormade: We are tailor-made specialists which is reflected in the excellent value we are able to give our clients. We regularly receive special offers from airlines and hotels, enabling us to tailor-make the best possible price at the time of your enquiry. As a result the choice of airline and hotel will differ dependent on the time of your enquiry.
