Journey Through Sri Lanka

(14 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Colombo, Cultural Triangle, Kandy, Hill Country, Yala National Park, South Coast, Galle

This in-depth private tour of Sri Lanka features a full range of the country's most interesting cultural, culinary, scenic and wildlife experiences. Highlights include touring ancient Buddhist sites, visiting tea and spice plantations, exploring colonial sites, visiting markets, private wildlife safaris, a scenic train ride, a Sri Lankan cooking lesson, and staying in Sri Lanka's most exclusive and luxurious resorts.

Begin in Colombo, the vibrant capital of Sri Lanka, with private touring of historic sites, modern architecture, bustling markets and interesting neighborhoods.

Next, explore the Cultural Triangle, a region filled with fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Tour the ancient Buddhist cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. See monumental stupas, ruined palaces and sculptures carved in stone. Visit one of Sri Lanka's most revered Buddhist sites, a temple built around a sacred bo (bodhi) tree thousands of years old. At Mihintale, see a beautiful water garden, abandoned monasteries and centuries-old stone staircases shaded by frangipani trees. Visit Sigiriya, an ancient rock citadel that's Sri Lanka's most spectacular attraction. See the Sigiriya Damsels frescoes, which were painted on the rock walls centuries ago, and climb to the top of the rock to explore the ruins of a fifth-century palace and take in panoramic views over farmland, forest, lakes and mountains. Also spot wild elephants and other animals in Minneriya National Park.

Next, visit Dambulla to see impressive cave temples filled with Buddhist sculptures and vibrant religious paintings. Continue to Kandy, a former royal capital in the hills. En route, visit a spice plantation to learn how different spices—including Sri Lanka's renowned cinnamon—are grown and harvested. In Kandy, see a puja (religious ceremony) at the Temple of the Tooth, a UNESCO site dedicated to a sacred relic of the historical Buddha. Also, visit a local market, and tour the Royal Botanic Gardens in Peradeniya. In the evening, enjoy a performance of traditional Sri Lankan dance and fire walking.

Venture into the Hill Country, where verdant tea plantations cover rolling mountains. Stay at Tea Trails, an atmospheric hotel set in several renovated tea planters’ cottages. Tour a historic tea factory to learn about tea picking and processing and sample different types of high-quality Sri Lankan tea. Also enjoy a guided hike through the tea fields.

Next, enjoy a scenic train ride through the beautiful mountains of the Hill Country to Ella, taking in views of tea plantations, terraced farms, waterfalls and native forest along the way. Descend from the mountains to Yala National Park for a safari in Sri Lanka's most renowned wildlife reserve. During private game drives in the park, search for colorful birds, wild elephants and elusive leopards.

Continue to an exclusive luxury resort on the South Coast of Sri Lanka. During private touring, learn to prepare traditional Sri Lankan curry and rice or visit a working cinnamon plantation. During leisure time, perhaps relax by the pool or book spa treatments at your resort. Additional touring and activities can be arranged upon request, such as snorkeling, surfing lessons, whale-watching excursions (Nov-Apr) and visits to other cultural sites.

Continue along the south coast to Galle, an ancient fortified port and UNESCO site with a colonial-era atmosphere and unique mix of cultures. Stay in the heart of the Galle Fort historic district at Amangalla, one of the finest and most romantic luxury resorts in Sri Lanka. During private touring, visit local museums, explore evocative backstreets, walk on the sea walls to the lighthouse, look for reminders of the Dutch and British colonial years, observe daily life, and browse local shops, some of the best in the country. Also, enjoy flexible private excursions to regional highlights such as a sea turtle hatchery, a traditional mask workshop and Lunuganga, the private country estate of Geoffrey Bawa, Sri Lanka's most acclaimed modern architect.

We can easily combine our private Sri Lanka tours with other destinations such as India, Dubai, the Maldives, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Qatar, Singapore or England.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Colombo VIP airport assistance. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 1 night. Afternoon flexible private city tour Day 2 Colombo – Cultural Triangle Scheduled flight or private transfer to hotel for 3 nights. Afternoon private excursion to an elephant reserve Day 3 Cultural Triangle: Mihintale & Anuradhapura Full-day private tour Day 4 Cultural Triangle: Polonnaruwa & Sigiriya Full-day private tour Day 5 Cultural Triangle: Dambulla – Kandy Private transfer to hotel for 1 night with private touring en route. Evening private dance performance Day 6 Kandy – Hill Country Morning flexible private tour. Afternoon private transfer to hotel for 2 nights Day 7 Hill Country Privately guided hike through tea plantations or scenic touring. Afternoon at leisure Day 8 Hill Country – Ella – Yala National Park Morning tea factory tour. Private transfer to train station. Morning first-class train from Hatton to Ella. Private transfer from Ella to safari lodge for 2 nights Day 9 Yala National Park Morning at leisure. Afternoon private game drive Day 10 Yala National Park – South Coast Morning private game drive or nature walk. Afternoon private transfer to resort for 2 nights Day 11 South Coast Morning cooking class or visit to cinnamon plantation. Afternoon at leisure Day 12 South Coast – Galle Private transfer to hotel for 2 nights with touring en route. Afternoon private tour of Galle Fort Day 13 Galle & environs Morning private cooking lesson. Afternoon flexible private tour of the region Day 14 Depart Colombo Private airport transfer and VIP airport assistance

Hotels

Colombo: Shangri-La Colombo or Wallawwa Cultural Triangle: Water Garden Sigiriya or Taru Villas Maia Kandy: Kings Pavilion or Kandy House Hill Country: Ceylon Tea Trails Yala National Park: Wild Coast Tented Lodge Yala or Chena Huts South Coast: Amanwella or Cape Weligama Galle: Amangalla

Cost

Upon request