Sri Lanka's most famous foreign resident, science fiction writer, Sir Arthur C. Clarke, once wrote that it was " a small universe; it contains as many variations of culture, scenery and climate as some countries a dozen times its size." With vast plantations of tea and spices, floristically rich forests, stunning beaches, important archeological sites and amazing bird and animal life, it truly is a magically varied place. There’s also the mix of Portuguese, Dutch, British colonial and indigenous cultures evidenced everywhere from its architecture through to its fabulous food.
Experiences
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Hill Country & National Parks
Estates are dotted with tea pluckers in brightly coloured saris, scattered across the hill sides, creating a magical view from any of the fabulous bungalows.
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Kandy & the Cultural Triangle
Home to The Temple of the Sacred Tooth, the magnificent shrine with its lavish gold roof and exuberant statues protects this ancient relic.
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The South
The south encapsulates all that is traditional about Sri Lanka from its sun baked coastline to the national parks.
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The West
On the busy west coast lies the capital, Colombo, a fascinating mix of traditional and contemporary styles. Visit the beachside or the most important Buddhist shrine in Kenlaniya Raja Maha Vihara.
Choose a sample itinerary
Kandy Perahera Festival July/August 2010
DAY 1 COLOMBO AIRPORT-SIGIRIYA
Private transfer to Sigiriya (approx 3 1/2 hours) and to Vil Uyana. Spend 3 nights at Vil Uyana in a Paddy or Marsh Dewlling on a bed & breakfast basis
DAYS 1-3 SIGIRIYA, POLLONARUWA, ANURADHAPURA
Visit the Bhuddist sites of Sigiriya Rock, Dambulla Cave Temple, the ancient cities of Pollonnaruwa and Anuradhapura
DAY 4 SIGIRIYA-KANDY
Private transfer to Kandy via Dambulla Cave temples (approx 3 hours). Spend 3 nights at The Kandy House in a Super Deluxe Room on a bed & breakfast basis.
DAYS 4-7 KANDY
Three days to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the vibrant Kandy Perahera. One of the biggest Buddhist celebrations of the year, the annual Esala Perahera in Kandy is a 10 day religious ceremony during which devotees pray for good rains to cultivate the crops. One of Buddhism's most sacred relics, the Sacred Tooth is taken from the Temple of the Tooth and paraded through the streets for the first 9 nights and on the final day of the festival. Following this, more festive events take centre stage and visitors can expect to see a lively cast of dancers, jugglers and fire-breathers milling amongst the crowds, and see the illuminated and decorated elephant processions at night. Also visit the Pinnawella Elephant Orphanage.
DAY 7 KANDY-KOTUGODA
Private transfer to Kotagoda (approx 3 hours) to The Wallawwa, a beautiful garden retreat conveniently located just 20 minutes from Colombo airport. 1 night at The Wallawwa in a W Room on a bed & Breakfast basis.
DAY 8 KOTUGODA-COLOMBO AIRPORT
Private transfer to Colombo aiport for your flight back to London
Prices start from £1,995 including flights, including bed & breakfast basis, private transfers and entrance tickets to the festival and other sites
The confirmed dates of the Kandy Perahera are likely to be the end of July 2010, the precise date of the start of the festival is chosen by Bhuddist monks nearer the time based on auspicious factors.
Please call us for a bespoke itinerary and quotation.
Sri Lankan Gems
DAYS 1 – 3 Cultural Triangle
After spending the first night on a working estate, drive from Kandanagedara to the Cultural Triangle via Pinnawela, visting Sigirya, Polonnaruwa & Anuradhapura
DAY 4 Kandy
Transfer to Kandy via Dambulla Cave temples & the Spice Gardens.
DAYS 5 – 6 Hill Country
After a city tour of Kandy, drive to Hatton & enjoy two days in the Hill Country, visiting tea estates & relaxing in old colonial luxury
DAYS 7 – 8 Yala
Drive from Hatton to Yala for a two day safari, one can expect to see elephant & leopard among other wildlife
DAYS 9 – 11 South Coast
Transfer to the south coast visiting the turtle beach at Tangalle, Galle Fort, temples, gardens & local villages
DAYS 12 – 14 West Coast Beaches
Unwind on the beach in Bentota before travelling back to Colombo for some shopping prior to departure
Prices start from £1,570 excluding flights.
Please call us for a bespoke itinerary and quotation.
Luxury Sri Lanka by helicopter
DAY 1 Colombo
Spend you first day/night in Colombo, staying at the boutique Park Street Hotel in a deluxe room on bed & breakfast basis.
DAYS 2 - 5 Tea Trails/Cultural Triangle
Transfer by helicopter (approx 40 minutes) to Tea Trails in the Central Highlands staying in a garden suite on full board basis. From here take half day heli-tours of the famed Cultural Triangle visiting Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and fly over the Polonaruwa Monuments.
DAYS 6 - 10 Galle
Fly from Tea Trails to Galle (approx 30 minutes) and stay at one of three amazing hotels; take an ocean room at The Fortress situated by the beach, a suite at The Dutch House overlooking the town in or a chamber at Amangalla in the centre of the UNESCO World Heritage Dutch Fortress.
DAY 11 Colombo
After a blissfully stress free holiday return to Colombo for your flight home.
Price start from £3,730 per person including economy flights.
