The ultimate in luxury Sri Lanka holidays, this tour covers all of the highlights of this charming island, combined with some of the best luxury holiday accommodation in Sri Lanka.
The properties selected are some of Sri Lanka’s best newluxury boutique hotels showcasing the ultimate in service and hospitality in a truly Sri Lankan style and setting.
These properties are award winners in such high-end travel stalwarts such as Conde Nast traveler, Worlds Small Luxury hotels and are rated as the best in the region by Trip Advisor.
As is the case with everything in Footfalls we encourage you to use this itinerary as a guideline and allow us to custom design it to your personal specifications and choice of hotels in ensuring the ultimate Sri Lanka luxury holiday.
Day 01
Arrival and transfer to Colombo
The rest of the day will be at leisure to relax or explore Colombo on your own
Overnight Galle Face Hotel, Colombo (Regency Wing Dlx Room)
Day 02
Leave after an early breakfast for Sigiriya via Habarana the hub of Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle. Stop en route at Yapahuwa to explore the remains of one of Sri Lanka’s ancient capital cities.
Proceed to Habarana. Located in the north central part of the island, Habarana is a part of Sri Lanka’s dry zone. Thanks to the genius of our ancient kings dating as far as the 05th Century AD, the Sri Lankan Dry Zone is any thing but dry, with hundreds of lakes and reservoirs which are connected by an elaborate network of canals making up an old but great irrigation system. Aside from the benefit for agriculture and industry, the waterworks of the dry zone provide some of the most breathtakingly beautiful scenery and fertile habitat for the islands incredible bio-diversity.
In the evening take a catamaran ride on the Habarana Lake with a local fisherman
Overnight Vila Uyana, Sigiriya (Paddy and Marsh )
Day 03
Leave after breakfast for Sri Lanka’s ancient capital Anuradhapura.
Anuradhapura is Sri Lanka's ancient capital, 5th century BC - 9th century AD and the centre of the island's Buddhist civilization. In antiquity and the interest, it is the equal of any ancient 'buried city'. The island's oldest Buddhist shrines - some dating back to 3rd century BC are found here. Impressive white 'dagabas' (relic chambers) and monuments, embellished with handsome stone carvings and sculpture, the oldest documented tree on earth - The Sri Maha Bodhi (over 2000 years old) , pleasure gardens, beautifully executed stone baths and ponds, a superb irrigation system of reservoirs and canals are the attractions of Anuradhapura.
Also visit Mihintale located a little away from the main Anuradhapura town.
This forest clad mountain is sacred to all Buddhist because Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BC at this point. There is a Buddhist dagaba on the top of the rock which is riddled with shrines and rock dwellings. Mihintale is regarded as the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. A gravel stairway of 1,840 steps made of granite slabs 15 ft wide leads from the very foot of Mihintale to the summit.
Overnight Vila Uyana, Sigiriya (Paddy and Marsh )
Day 04
After breakfast proceed to the ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa where a collection of rich architecture and extraordinary irrigation methods can be seen.
Polonnaruwa rose to fame as the capital after the decline of Anuradhapura. Its period of greatness was from the 10th - 12th centuries AD. The entire landscape of the region is punctuated by huge man-made reservoirs, veritable inland seas the most famous of which is the Parakrama Samudra or the Sea of Parakrama, larger in size than the Colombo harbor. The monuments of this medieval city are relatively well preserved and give clear evidence of the glory of Sri Lanka's past. See the Royal Palace complex, the Quadrangle with its concentration of ancient heritage and the spectacular Gal Vihare complex of four massive images of the Buddha, cut from a single slab of granite – a highlight of ancient Sri Lankan rock carving.
Leave in the afternoon for Minneriya or Kawudullawewa National Park for a jeep safari. These parks are well known for a migratory herd of approximately 200 elephants.
Overnight Vila Uyana, Sigiriya (Paddy and Marsh )
Day 05
After an early breakfast visit the Sigiriya and climb the rock fortress.
Sigiriya - A mighty 600 ft high rock-fortress of a 5th century King is famous for its entrancingly beautiful frescoes which are found in a sheltered pocket of the rock. One cannot fail to marvel at the masterful execution of the sinuous forms of these women (originally 500, of which only 19 remain today). The old stairway to the top led through the mouth of a huge crouching lion, carved from the rock- today only the paws remain. Remains of the handsome royal citadel are on the summit.
Proceed to Kandy visiting the Cave temples of Dambulla en-route.
Kandy - A lovely city, the Hill Capital and last stronghold of the Sinhala Kings retains an aura of grandeur, which time has not affected. Encircled by hills, with a tranquil lake in its center, it is the site of the renowned "Temple of the Tooth" and the Royal Botanical gardens home to one of the best collections of Orchids. Kandy and its satellite villages is the centre of the islands handicraft industry and its traditional dances are the most spectacular in the country.
Also visit a spice garden in Matale to see Sri Lankan spices growing in their natural habitat
Witness a Kandyan cultural dance performance in the evening.
Overnight at Kandy House (Super Dlx Room)
Day 06
Leave after an early breakfast for the Elephant Orphanage in Pinnawela to witness the bathing and bottle feeding of baby elephants.
Return to Kandy and take a brief sightseeing tour of Kandy including a visit to the to Arts and Craft workshops, Batik Manufactures and the much revered temple of the tooth relic of the lord Buddha.
Overnight at Kandy House (Super Deluxe Room)
Day 07
Leave after an early breakfast for the Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya.
Proceed to Sri Lanka's Tea country and visit a Tea Plantation and Factory to witness the process of turning the raw green leaf in to the familiar black/brown finished product.
Tonight you will staying on one of the working tea plantations of the Dilmah company at what was once the luxurious quarters of the “Resident Planter” that has now been converted to a luxury accommodation for guests.
Overnight at Bogawantalawa - Tea Trails Bungalow - (Luxury Room)
Day 08
Leave early morning for Horton Plains for a trek to Worlds End and the beautiful Bakers Falls (02 – 03 hrs).
Sri Lanka's highest plateau 7200 ft above sea level in the central mountain country. This ‘Fen” is a very scenic region with an astounding variety of scenery from mountains to grasslands, from marshes to trout streams. Sri Lanka's best flavored high grown teas are grown in the surrounding areas. Spectacular view from 'Worlds End' where the plateau plunges a thousand feet in a straight sheer drop. Cool and bracing climate, excellent for trout fishing and very good hiking country. Distinctive flora (many English field flowers grow on the plains) colourful butterflies and many rare highland birds.
Return to you Bungalow and spend the afternoon exploring the tea plantation on your own.
Overnight at Tea Trails Bungalow (Luxury Room)
Day 09
After a leisurely breakfast you will proceed to Koggala.
Rest of the day free for leisure.
Overnight at Fortress Hotel, Koggala (Ocean Room)
Day 10
After breakfast full Day free for Leisure or Own activities
Overnight at Fortress Hotel, Koggala (Ocean Room)
Day 11
After breakfast transfer to Galle
Galle, said to be the famous Tarshish of the Bible is the Port where the Portuguese first landed in Sri Lanka. Fortified by the Dutch who ruled maritime Sri Lanka in the 17th and 18th centuries, the city still retains the air of old Holland. Old Dutch Churches and monuments with armorial bearings, well preserved Fort and ramparts, imposing crested and monogrammed gateway dated 1669, many well preserved old Dutch houses and narrow alleys still bearing Dutch names. As for souvenirs, one may make a pick of exquisite hand-made lace, Ivory carvings, moonstone jewellery and beautiful translucent tortoise shell ware, including bracelets, trinket boxes, combs - sometimes inlaid with silver.
Overnight at Galle Fort , Galle (Loft or Porcelain Suite)
Day 12
Departure transfer to the airport
*********************
Price includes
11 Nights accommodation. Half board at all hotels except while in Colombo where accommodation will be on bed and breakfast basis.
All transfers as per the itinerary in an air-conditioned vehicle with the services of an English speaking chauffeur
Hire of catamaran for lake excursion
Jeep hire for 01 safari of Minneriya National Park
All entrance fees to cultural sites, national parks and places of interest as per the itinerary
Hotel service charges and VAT
Price excludes
Optional tours and excursions
Tips and other expenses of a personal nature
*********************
