Classic Sri Lanka

HIGHLIGHTS

• Climb Sigiriya Rock, a UNESCO world heritage site
• Experience a stay in a colonial-style tea planters bungalow
• Explore Galle Fort

Day 1 - Depart London
Depart London Heathrow on your overnight Sri Lankan Airlines flight

Day 2 - Colombo/Sigiriya
On arrival you will be met and driven to Sigiriya (a journey of around three hours) and check into Vil Uyana where you will stay for three nights. Located within five kilometres of the Sigiriya rock fortress, this unique hotel features individual villas dotted amongst the rice paddies. Spend the afternoon at leisure.

Day 3 - Sigiriya/Dambulla/Sigiriya
Drive the short distance to the fifth century rock fortress at Sigiriya, where you can see the ruins of King Kashyapa's Palace. This ancient city has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. After lunch, visit the Dambulla Rock Temples, built in the 1st century BC and home to over 150 images of the Buddha.

Day 4 - Sigiriya/Polonnaruwa/Minneriya/Sigiriya
Take a morning tour to Polonnaruwa, once a medieval capital of Sri Lanka dating back to the 12th century. One of the highlights is the reclining Buddha, carved directly into the rock face. Later take a jeep safari in Minneriya National Park where at certain times of year the largest gathering of Asian elephants anywhere in the world can be seen.

Day 5 - Sigiriya/Kandy
Today travel on to Kandy, the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings, stopping at the Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage on your way. Spend two nights at the charming and stylish Kandy House, a boutique hotel set in lush gardens on the outskirts of Kandy.

Day 6 - Kandy
Begin the day with a visit to the famous Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. After lunch explore Kandy town with its lakeside setting and surrounding wooded hills. Visit the markets, an arts & crafts Centre, gem museum and in the evening visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic.

Day 7 - Kandy/Tea Trails
Today take a scenic train journey through the tea plantations to Hatton. Spend two nights at Tea Trails, in a colonial era tea planters' bungalow with authentic period furnishings. Each of the bungalows has its own housekeeper, chef, butler and houseboys, to convey a sense of being welcomed into a planter's home.

Day 8 - Tea Trails
Spend today at your leisure with your car and guide at your disposal
Scenic walking trails link the properties [which are from 5 to 15 km apart], offering views in all directions. Trekking along the Tea Trails takes you through the heart of the magic Ceylon tea country. A wide variety of activities and excursions are available including climbing the famed Adams Peak mountain, part of the Central Highlands World Heritage area, and golfing in Nuwara Eliya.

Day 9 - Tea Trails/Yala National Park
Drive down from Tea Trails through the Ella Gap from where, on a sunny day you can get wonderful views of Sri Lanka's southern coastal plains. En route you can visit the holy town of Kataragama, a place of worship for Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims, to witness pooja (offerings) take place at the temple. Continue to Yala, where you will stay at the Chaaya Wild for two nights.

Day 10 -Yala National Park
Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in Sri Lanka's largest national park. The park is home to a higher concentration of leopards than anywhere else in the world, as well as wild elephants, wild boar, wild buffalo, bears, deer, and crocodiles. There is also outstanding bird watching year round, with large flocks of migratory and indigenous birds also found here.

Day 11 - Yala National Park/Galle
Today drive along the south coast to Galle, passing many small fishing villages and palm-fringed beaches. The capital of Sri Lanka's southern province, Galle is a city with a colourful history. Its Dutch atmosphere is very much alive and its most popular site is the magnificent Dutch fort.. Spend two nights at the Galle Fort Hotel which provides the perfect base for visiting the fort's museums and low-rise streets lined with colonial villa and imposing churches.

Day 12 - Galle
The day is at your leisure for you to explore inside the fort at your own pace. Cycling tours can be organised, as well as whale watching between the months of November and April.

Day 13 - Galle/Bentota
This morning drive a short distance up the coast to Bentota, with its lovely beaches and sweeping bays. Spend three nights at The Paradise Road Villa Bentota.

Day 14 & 15 - Bentota
Spend your last two days in Sri Lanka at your leisure to relax and enjoy the beach.

Day 16 - Bentota/Colombo/London
Transfer to Colombo airport for your international flight home.

PRICING
With A&K all journeys are individually tailored to suit your interest and timescale. As a guideline, this 16 night suggested journey in Sri Lanka will cost from £2795 per person based on two adults sharing with flights from the UK, subject to availability.