Discover the beauty and culture of SRI LANKA
Enjoy a tailor-made private tour around this fascinating island, seeing UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Buddhist temples, traditional tea plantations, wonderful wildlife and an all-inclusive beach stay
This tropical, teardrop-shaped island in the middle of the Indian Ocean boasts culture and wildlife in equal measures. Its impressive landscape includes a verdant interior of hills and mountains, as well as a coastline scattered with palmfringed beaches. There are also Buddhist temples and ancient monuments to explore within the famous Cultural Triangle.
On this 11-day tour, exclusively for Country Living readers, you’ll take in highlights such as Dambulla, where you’ll visit the 600ft-high Sigiriya Rock Fortress, and Minneriya National Park, where you’ll see elephants in the wild on a jeep safari. You’ll also visit Dambulla Cave Temple, which dates back to the 1st century BC, the scenic city of Kandy, and Nuwara Eliya in the hill country, home of Ceylon tea.
Travelling in a private air-conditioned car with your own English-speaking guide and staying in hand-picked hotels throughout, this wonderful holiday ends with five nights in a beachfront resort on the south coast where you can relax in the sun.
THE HIGHLIGHTS WILDLIFE AND SCENERY
Known as the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’, Sri Lanka is naturally beautiful and you’ll see plenty of stunning scenery. Enjoy a half-day jeep safari in Minneriya National Park, where you can spot sambar deer, leopards, elephants and flocks of birds, including cormorants and painted storks. You’ll also explore the Matale Spice Gardens, and travel to Nuwara Eliya.
WORLD HERITAGE SITES
There are eight in Sri Lanka, with six being within the Cultural Triangle. Sigiriya is the mighty rock-fortress of a fifth-century king, famous for its amazing frescoes; Kandy is a Unescolisted city and you will enjoy a guided tour and visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic; and the Dambulla Cave Temple contains more than 150 images of the Buddha.
‘LITTLE ENGLAND’
Nuwara Eliya is the famous hill country town, which was retreated to in summer for its cooler climate. Often referred to as ‘Little England’, this genteel place still has colonial-era bungalows, Tudor-style hotels, well-tended hedgerows and pretty gardens.
TOURS AND EXCURSIONS
Everything is included in this exclusive tour, such as a visit to a working tea plantation and factory, where you’ll learn how Ceylon tea is cultivated, selected, and processed. You’ll also visit the bizarrely named Dambulla Dedicated Economic Centre, which is Sri Lanka’s biggest wholesale market.
HAND-PICKED HOTELS
You’ll stay in stylish hotels throughout on a mix of half-board and all-inclusive basis. The tranquil Sigiriana resort by Thilanka near Dambulla is surrounded by paddy fields and has its own mango orchards and cashew, pineapple, and banana plantations. In the regal city of Kandy, you’ll be based at the Hotel Topaz, known for its breathtaking views.
IDYLLIC BEACH STAY
In Kalutara, the seaside city just 24 miles south of Colombo, you’ll stay at the Turyaa Kalutara resort on an all-inclusive basis. Set over six acres of stunning oceanfront land, you can relax in the swimming pool, sea or spa, plus enjoy the freshest of seafood in its two restaurants, Svar and Pink Lobster.