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sri lanka essentials luxury

Around

£890 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

     
    - private transfers
    - accommodation
    - guided tours

Based on

  1. Minimum 2 passengers (or single supplement will apply) 

Tour description

The idyllic islands of the Maldives are what holiday dreams are made of, while exotic Sri Lanka offers scenic splendour and great cultural encounters. Combined they bring together the best of the Indian Ocean. Begin in Sri Lanka at the 5th century rock fortress of Sigiriya, often described as the eighth wonder of the world, before visiting the giant recumbent Buddhas of Polonnurawa, bathing elephants at Pinnawala and exploring Kandy, the country's cultural core. Then indulge with seven nights on a Maldives Resort island, in a stylish villa beside a turquoise lagoon.

Days 1 - 2

Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa

5* Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sigiriya

Bed & Breakfast

Arrive in Sri Lanka and transfer to the Jetwing Vil Uyana near the spectacular rock fortress of Sigiriya. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
 
After breakfast, climb UNESCO-listed Sigiriya Rock, a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200m from the scrub jungle. In the afternoon, visit Polonnaruwa, the second capital of Sri Lanka, also honoured by UNESCO.

Days 3 - 4

Kandy

4* The Kandy House, Kandi

Bed & Breakfast

Start with a visit to the 1st century Dambulla rock temples. It's hard to know what to admire most, the complex of five painted caves, the giant rock Buddha that stands at the entrance, or the lines of devotees who come to place offerings in a haze of insence.
 
In the afternoon you'll continue to Matale where you'll visit a spice garden where you'll learn more about Sri Lanka's famed spice industry. From there you'll head to Kandy, Sri Lanka's cultural capital, and check into The Kandy House. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, either relaxing at the hotel or exploring the city at your own pace.
 
Transfer from The Kandy House to Peradeniya (approx 45 minutes), where you'll vist Royal Botanical Gardens. This beautiful garden was first built by a Sinhala king and later expanded by the British. It covers approximately 147 acres and is something of a walker's paradise with extensive lawns, pavilions, an octagon conservatory, fernery, a giant Javan fig tree and numerous flowerbeds, as well as a spectacular orchid house.
 
Return to Kandy in the afternoon for a city tour. The name 'Kandy' conjures visions of splendour and magnificence and the city - a UNESCO World Heritage site - was in fact the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is packed full of historical treasures. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive today, and you'll see much evidence of this as you tour through the city this afternoon. The tour includes a drive around Kandy's beautiful lake, built by the last Sinhala king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798, as well as a visit to the town's bazaar, an arts & crafts centre and a gem museum / lapidary. You'll also visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic, one of the country's most important historical sites, before enjoying an evening cultural show.

Days 5

Pinnawala

5* The Wallawwa, Colombo

Bed & Breakfast

Today you'll head to the renowned elephant orphanage in Pinnawala, which offers visitors the best chance to see Sri Lankan elephants in large numbers, and at close quarters. The orphanage was established in 1975 and began with just seven orphaned elephants. Assisted by local and foreign elephant experts, Pinnawala began a successful captive breeding program and the first baby elephant was born at the centre in 1984. Feeding time offers a unforgettable opportunity to see the baby elephants being bottle fed, before the entire herd heads for a bath in the river near by.
 
In the afternoon you'll make your way to Kotugoda where you'll check in to the Walawwa where you'll spend the night.

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