Tours in Sri Lanka

Classic Sri Lanka

13 DAYS / 12 NIGHTS

from £1,995 / US$2,585 per person*

Tour Highlights

  • Discover hidden colonial gems and the vibrant markets of Colombo on foot
  • Visit ancient monastic complexes and venerated stupas in Anuradhapura
  • Climb up to the summit of the Sigiriya rock fortress
  • Take a relaxed bicycle ride through the striking ruins of Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka’s medieval capital city
  • Visit a working spice garden and attend an evening ‘Pooja’ at the sacred Temple of the Tooth
  • Stay in a colonial-style planter’s bungalow in the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea country
  • Search for leopards and sloth bears inside Yala National Park, Sri Lanka’s premier wildlife reserve
  • Take an early morning boat safari in search of blue whales and sperm whales
  • Relax in a stylish beach-front resort before returning home
  • VIP meet and greet on arrival at Colombo airport

Tour Overview

COLOMBO • THE CULTURAL TRIANGLE • KANDY THE HILL COUNTRY • YALA NATIONAL PARK • GALLE

An enticing and stylish privately chauffeured tour designed to provide an introduction to the beautiful island of Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) with its idyllic beaches, ancient monuments, sacred temples, spectacular mountain scenery and tropical jungles that shelter leopards, elephants and bears.

The Classic Sri Lanka holiday is a well-paced tour through a land of outstanding natural beauty that is rich in culture and diverse experiences. Begin your journey with a stroll through bustling Colombo with its fine colonial architecture, then discover ancient ruins and spectacular monuments in the Cultural Triangle. Next, attend the lively evening ‘Pooja’ at Kandy’s sacred Temple of the Tooth, visit a luxuriant spice garden, and live the lifestyle of a colonial tea planter while staying in a historic bungalow in the verdant Hill Country. Embark on thrilling private jeep safaris through the jungle of Yala National Park before concluding your Classic Sri Lanka holiday with two nights to relax by the palm-fringed beaches of the Indian Ocean and a visit to the historic UNESCO World Heritage-listed Galle Fort.

Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive in Colombo

Colombo (skyline) Sri Lanka DT 128325248

Land at Colombo International Airport under your own arrangements (if you would like a quote for international flights, please ask us). On arrival, you will enjoy a VIP meet and greet service, and transfer to your chosen hotel. Later in the afternoon, a walking tour of Colombo will reveal the city’s many hidden colonial gems and includes a visit to the famed Pettah market.

ACCOMMODATION (1 night)

Sapphire: Galle Face Hotel (Landmark Room)

Diamond: Uga Residence (Park Suite)

Day 2 Arrive Sigiriya; Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Sigiriya Rock Sri Lanka DT 19107720

Drive inland to Sigiriya, an ideal base from which to discover the ancient cities of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle. Climb to the summit of the Sigiriya rock fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in the late afternoon. The fortified settlement atop Sigiriya dates back to the 5th century AD and is a stupendous architectural achievement. Hidden in the caves of the fortress are the famed Sigiriya murals, better known as the Sigiriya Maidens.

ACCOMMODATION (3 nights)

Sapphire: Aliya Resort & Spa (Deluxe Room)

Diamond: Water Garden Sigiriya (Deluxe Villa)

Day 3 Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura (Jetavanarama stupa) Sri Lanka DT 62582317

Set off to explore the ancient ruins of Anuradhapura. Visit Isurumuniya Vihara, a 2,300-year-old rock temple renowned for its rock carvings. Also see the sacred Bo tree, grown from a sapling of the original Bo tree under which Siddhartha attained enlightenment to become the Buddha and Jetavanaramaya, an architecturally striking dagoba, before continuing to Abhayagiriya (an ancient monastic complex) and Ruwanwelisaya, the most venerated of all stupas. The afternoon will be at leisure to relax. Alternatively, you might like to explore the attractive surrounding countryside by bicycle.

Day 4 Polonnaruwa, Minneriya National Park

Minneriya National Park (elephants. Jeep safari) Sri Lanka DT 51824195

Begin your day with a visit to Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka’s famed ancient capital city. A relaxed bicycle ride lets you explore the 11th-century ruins strewn across a single complex. Your tour will include a visit to the Royal Palace of Vijayabahu, originally seven stories high with 1,000 chambers; the Hall of Public Audience, the relic house, originally built to house the tooth relic of Buddha; and Gal Vihara, the rock-cut temple renowned for the images of Buddha. In the afternoon, take a jeep safari inside Minneriya National Park and look for wild Asian elephants in their natural habitat.

Day 5 Dambulla Cave Temples; Arrive in Kandy

Kandy (Temple of Tooth) Sri Lanka DT 235061272

Start the day with a visit to the fascinating Dambulla cave temples that date back to the 1st century BC. Then, a scenic drive through hills covered with lush forests will bring you to Kandy. En route, visit a spice garden and learn about the cultivation of spices and their role in Sri Lankan cuisine and traditional medicine. The afternoon is at leisure to relax and enjoy the leisure facilities at your hotel. Later, proceed to the sacred Temple of the Tooth to observe the lively evening ‘Pooja prayer ceremony’.

ACCOMMODATION (2 nights)

Sapphire: The Kandyan Manor (Standard Room)

Diamond: The Kandy House (Ultra Rooms)

Day 6 Peradeniya Botanical Garden

Kandy (Royal Botanical Garden) Sri Lanka DT 3856686

Spend the morning exploring the magnificent Peradeniya Botanical Garden, which has an incredible collection of over 300 varieties of orchids and 4,000 plant species. The unmissable sights here include the double coconuts, conjoined like Siamese twins and the century-old giant Java Willow Tree. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 7 Train to Hatton, Arrive in Hill Country

a. general (Nuwara Eliya. scenic rail journey) Sri Lanka DT 26285096

Embark on a scenic train journey from Kandy to Hatton, in Sri Lanka’s hill country. The train journey, which passes through quaint hill-side villages, picturesque hills carpeted with lush tea estates, and cascading waterfalls, reveals the dramatic landscape of the central highlands of Sri Lanka. On arrival at Hatton, your chauffeur-guide will meet you and take you to your hotel. The afternoon is at leisure to relax and enjoy the striking natural setting of your converted planter’s bungalow in the heart of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country.

ACCOMMODATION (2 nights)

Sapphire: The Oliphant (Luxury Room)

Diamond: Camellia Hills (Camellia Bedroom)

Day 8 Tea Experience

a. general (women tea pickers. Tea planation) Sri Lanka DT 45371013

Take a tour of the tea gardens accompanied by your resident tea planter this morning, and learn first-hand about the history of tea, observe the colourful saree-clad tea pickers at work, watch the various processes involved in the journey of tea from leaf to cup, taste the different varieties of tea and gain an insight into the art of tea blending.

Day 9 Arrive Yala National Park, late afternoon wildlife viewing

Yala National Park (elephants) Sri Lanka DT 13396413

A scenic drive through the hills including innumerable hairpin bends and stunning panoramas will bring you to Yala, the premier National Park in Sri Lanka with the reputation of having the highest density of leopards anywhere in the world. Those staying at Rhunu Safari Camp will be collected by an experienced resident naturalist at a pre-arranged meeting point. Your chauffeur-guide will come to collect you again on the morning of Day 12. Later this afternoon, enjoy a private jeep safari in search of leopards and other wildlife.

ACCOMMODATION (2 nights)

Sapphire: Cinnamon Wild (Jungle Chalet)

Diamond: Kulu Safaris (Tent)

Day 10 Yala National Park

a. general (wildlife Leopard) Sri Lanka DT 2808194

Today’s early morning and late afternoon wildlife safaris offer the thrilling prospect of encountering wildlife up close. Search for the elusive leopards, sloth bears, wild elephants, and crocodiles. Look out for a variety of colourful birds, including the Malabar pied hornbill and crested serpent eagle, and keep an eye open for mammals such as toque macaque monkeys.

Day 11 Arrive Galle coast

Galle (coastline) Sri Lanka DT 122789403

Embark on a scenic drive along the south coast and check in at your preferred beach retreat. If you are interested, it is possible to arrange an early morning visit to Yala Wildlife Reserve for one final jeep safari (supplement applies). After check-in, the remainder of the day is at leisure to relax and enjoy the golden sandy beaches and the deep blue waters of the Indian Ocean.

ACCOMMODATION (2 nights)

Sapphire: Lantern Boutique (Deluxe Room)

Diamond: Kumu Beach (Kumu Room)

Day 12 Galle Fort

Galle (Galle Lighthouse) Sri Lanka DT 229680698

This morning enjoy a guided walking tour through the fortified town’s will reveal a maze of narrow streets complete with churches and a melange of architectural styles dating back through the centuries. Sightseeing will also include a visit to Galle’s lighthouse, warehouses, and an opportunity to sample Sri Lankan street food at a local café. The afternoon is at leisure.

Day 13 Farewell to Sri Lanka

Sri Maha Bodhi Anuradhapura Sri Lanka © Bennetts

Transfer to Colombo International Airport and check in for your onward flight.

Customise your tour

Personalise this Sri Lanka tailor-made holiday by adding some extra nights into the itinerary or extending the tour. Here are some ideas…

2 NIGHTS

Guided treks through Sinharaja

Sinharaja Forest Reserve Sri Lanka DT 74931040

4 NIGHTS

Discover Jaffna

Nainativu Island (Jaffna Peninsula. Nagapooshani Amman Kovil temple) Sri Lanka DT 50846435

3 NIGHTS

Relax on the beach

Tangalle (beach) Sri Lanka DT 47373311

Pricing Notes & Information

Price Guideline

*Price guideline, per person, based on two people sharing.

LOW SEASON
Sapphire Hotels from £1,995 (US$2,585)
Diamond Hotels from £4,545 (US$5,889)

HIGH SEASON
Sapphire Hotels from £2,245 (US$2,909)
Diamond Hotels from £5,095 (US$6,601)

What's Included

  • Accommodation as described
  • VIP meet and greet service on arrival at Colombo airport
  • Service of Corinthian Travel representatives
  • Sightseeing and entrances as per the itinerary
  • Meals: 12 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners
  • Accompanying English-speaking chauffeur-guide in an air-conditioned vehicle
  • Transport inside wildlife reserves in a 4×4 Jeep (or similar)
  • Bottled water in the vehicle for transfers

Notes

Classic Sri Lanka is a private tour operating throughout the year based on arrival in Colombo on any day of the week. The best time to visit the north-central plains, Kandy, the central highlands, the south-east, the deep south and the south-west coasts of Sri Lanka is between December and April. High Season falls in February, with a peak season applying over New Year and Easter. The low season typically runs from May to mid-July.

All prices are subject to availability at the time of booking. Prices do not include international flights (please ask us for a quote), are per person, based on two people sharing a room, and a minimum group size of two.

Single and sole traveller supplements will apply.

Our Team

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Our Holidays

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