sri lanka vintage trains and perahera
Around
£3230 p.p.
This is a suggested tour itinerary. Call and speak to one for our maldives travel experts for a tailor made tour specific to your requirements on ++44 (0) 1273 921 001
Price includes
Based on
Based on 2 adults sharing in a double room
Tour description
Highlights of this tour include travel in two vintage train carriages in the hill country, witnessing the world famous Kandy Perahera which has been continuously happening since the 3rd century BC, exploring the UNESCO sacred city of Kandy including the Temple of the Tooth, a tea experience in the mountains and accommodation in properties such as Galle Face Hotel, Kandy House, Ceylon Tea Trails (Relais & Chateaux) and Cape Weligama (Relais & Chateaux). All meals throughout the tour including spa treatments.
Days 1
Colombo
4* Galle Face Hotel, Sri Lanka
Bed&Breakfast see on map
Upon arrival at the airport you will enjoy the VIP arrival service at the Colombo International Airport. You will be privately escorted off the aeroplane to the silk route lounge where you can relax, enjoy the refreshments while your luggage will be cleared through customs on your behalf. Free wifi will be available and you will meet your chauffeur / national guide at the lounge. VIP exit to your vehicle through a separate door.
Days 2
Kandy
4* Kandy House, Sri Lanka
Half Board see on map
After breakfast at the hotel, check out of Galle Face hotel and drive to Fort railway station to start your railway journey. You will witness an amazingly diversified village life, temples, paddy fields and much more during your journey to the last kingdom of Sri Lanka – Kandy where you will get off for your first stop.
In the morning take a relaxing walk down the gardens of Peradeniya. Proceed to the Royal Botanical Garden of Peradeniya for a relaxing walk down its path with an interesting hosted journey by Bandara Palipanne who is one of the foremost botanists in the field. It’s a very interesting journey listening to the history of the garden which dates back to 1843. During World War 2, the garden was used by Lord Louis Mountbatten the supreme commander of the allied forces in the South Asia, as the headquarters of the South East Asia Command. Visit the Orchid house as well.
Lunch will be at Royal Bar & Hotel.
Check into Kandy House and relax the rest of the day.
Read DetailsDays 3
Temple of the Tooth
4* Kandy House, Sri Lanka
Full Board see on map
After breakfast visit the Temple of the Tooth. It is located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, which houses the relic of the tooth of the Buddha. Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country.
Lunch will be at Empire Café.
Proceed back to the hotel since the roads will be closed early today for the Perahera procession.
Read DetailsDays 4
Parahera
4* Queen's Hotel, Sri Lanka
Half Board see on map
After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a relaxing spa treatment at the hotel.
Lunch will be at the hotel and check out of Kandy House and proceed to the Kandy City. Check in to Queen’s Hotel where you will have a standard room with a balcony reserved for you which is just above the road where the majestic Perahera procession unfolds. While 1000s of people sit on the road, on chairs on the streets, you will have your own air-conditioned room with refreshments where you can watch the Perahera at leisure.
Read DetailsDays 5 - 7
Vintage Train Journey
4* Ceylon Tea Trails, Sri Lanka
All Inclusive see on map
After breakfast check out of the hotel and start the second phase of your vintage train journey. Today you will travel through tea estates, jungles and next to waterfalls.
For the next 3 nights you will be pampered by the amazing service of Ceylon Tea Trails.
Read DetailsDays 8 - 9
Tea Trails
5* Cape Weligama, Weligama
Half Board see on map
After breakfast check out of Tea Trails and take a seaplane ride to Koggala with Cinnamon Air where you will check into another Relais & Chateaux property – Cape Weligama.
During your stay here you will explore the Galle Fort with a resident expert. Lunch will be at Kahanda Kanda.
Also visit a Virgin White tea plantation along with a Cinnamon Experience + a cinnamon infused lunch.
Meet up with an expert resident in the UNESCO Galle Fort who will take you around this magical enclosed living heritage city showing you the hidden gems and explaining about the lifestyles of the people. This will be a real hands-on experience where you will get a real idea of how the Portuguese, Dutch and the British have left their mark on Sri Lanka and how their descendants are living inside the Dutch Fort.
Visit the Virgin White Tea Plantation. 4000 years ago the Chinese emperor employed virgins wearing soft silky gloves to cut the tea leaves with gold scissors into a golden bowl. It was a drink exclusively served in the Imperial court. Virgin White Tea is the rarest type of white tea, completely untouched by humans from the tea bush to production and until it reaches the lips of the consumer. You will visit this tea factory who’s entire production is bought by Mariage Freres International – Paris. The only other place in the world that this brand is available for purchase will be at the factory that you are visiting.
Cinnamon was discovered in Sri Lanka by Portuguese. They identified it is a wild tree, researching its benefits and designing a method to cultivate and harvest it. In time cinnamon cultivation and export became one of the country's prime assets as Sri Lanka produces 90% of world's supply of true cinnamon. This spice is used in both and savoury foods, has a highly fragrant aroma and is incredibly beneficial for health, frequently used in traditional ayurvedic remedies. Cinnamon isn't as well-known as its tea export counterpart. Cinnamon cultivation is a very unique process, also a scarcely known operation. It is truly a one of a kind experience that is both interesting and different.
Read DetailsDays 10
Departure Day
* ,
After breakfast check out of the hotel and depart to the airport. VIP Departure at the airport and you will have access to the Executive Lounge as well.
Read Details