Best of Sri Lanka 12 nts / 13 days

OVERVIEW
DESTINATION INFO

Experience the finest sights of Sri Lanka, Historical Sights of Colombo, Anuradhapura – Ruins of Ancient Lankan Civilization, World Heritage Site.

 

Tour Route:-

Arrive Colombo 1 Night > Drive Habarana 3 Nights ( Excursion Polonnaruwa & Sigiriya ) > Drive Kandy 2 Nights > Drive Nuwara Eliya 2 Nights ( Horton Plains ) > Drive Yala 2 Nights ( Wildlife ) > Drive Bentota 2 Nights ( Beach ) > Drive Colombo & Leave.

Day 01 Arrive Colombo

Upon arrival in Colombo Airport you are met by our representative and transferred to your pre booked Hotel.

 

Afternoon commence a sightseeing tour of the city of Colombo. Drive through the commercial and city centre area known as the “Fort”, built by the Portuguese in the 16th century where grand colonial era buildings stand alongside modern office structures. See the busy markets and noisy bazaars of Pettah, the National Museum with its fine collection of lovely antiques and art of Sri Lanka. Drive past the Town Hall, Independence Square, the B.M.I.C.H (International Convention Centre) and Cinnamon Gardens residential area and visit a Buddhist temple and a Hindu Kovil to experience the diversity of religion, ethnicity and customs of the people.

 

Dinner and Overnight stay at a hotel in Colombo.

Day 02 Colombo – Habarana (Drive)

Breakfast in the Hotel
Later depart by private car for Habarana. Upon arrival in Habarana check in at your pre booked hotel.
Rest of the day free relaxing at the Hotel.

 

Dinner and Overnight stay at a hotel in Habarana.

Day 03 Habarana – Anuradhapura – Habarana

After breakfast at the hotel leave for Anuradhapura. On arrival in Anuradhapura, visit the sacred ancient city founded in the 04th century B.C a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1982. It has the largest number of ancient monuments of the great Sinhala civilisation which flourished in this region. You will see some of the most famous as well as the tallest dagobas of Sri Lanka, Ruwanweliseya Dagoba, 2nd century BC with its famous elephant walls and the 3rd century BC Thuparama Dagoba. Ruins of ancient royal palaces specially the pillars of the Brazen Palace, which once had nine storeys, temples, the image of the Samadhi Buddha one of the finest pieces of Buddhist sculpture, monasteries, the twin ponds, guard stones and the moonstone. The ‘Sri Maha Bodhi’ or the sacred Bo tree is over 2200 years old grown from a branch of the very tree under which “The Buddha” attained enlightenment – the oldest historically documented tree in the world.

 

Dinner and Overnight stay at a Hotel in Habarana

Day 04 Habarana – Polonnaruwa – Sigiriya – Habarana

After breakfast leave for Polonnaruwa, (UNESCO World Heritage Site) the Capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th to 13th century, a well-planned medieval city defended by enclosing walls (around 5 km. which still remain),graced by palaces, shrines, monasteries, pavilions, parks, ponds and irrigation lakes. Polonnaruwa is strewn with ruins in a resplendent state of preservation. Of these the ‘Vatadage’ and the ‘Thuparama Image house’ are the most spectacular. The ‘Gal Vihara’ which consists of statues of the recumbent, standing and seated Buddha have been cut from a single granite wall and rank among the true masterpieces of Sri Lankan Art. On completion, return to the hotel.

 

On completion leave for Sigiriya and climb the Rock Fortress (a UNESCO World Heritage site) built by King Kassapa in the 05th century A.D. which was a Royal Citadel for more than 18 years. The lion rock is a citadel of unusual beauty, rising 200 metres from the scrub jungle. The base of the rock is ringed by a moat and rampart and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens. The majestic Lion’s Paw picturesquely guards the stairway of the palace on the summit. See the famous frescoes of the “Heavenly maidens” of Sigiriya in a sheltered pocket of the rock and the 10 foot high Mirror Wall.

 

Dinner and Overnight stay at a hotel in Habarana

Day 05 Habarana – Kandy (Drive)

After breakfast at the hotel, leave for Dambulla and visit the famous Golden Rock cave temple which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Centre. A sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, this cave monastery, a vast isolated rock mass with its five caverns is the largest best preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. The Buddhist mural paintings (covering an area of 2,100 sq. meters) are of particular importance as are the 157 statues including a 47 foot long statue of the recumbent Buddha. The ceiling of one cavern is fully illustrated with paintings that follow the natural folds of the rock so closely that it appears to be made of cloth. The complex of caves is one of the most impressive Buddhist Temples in the world.

 

Dinner and Overnight stay at a hotel in Kandy

Day 06 Kandy

After breakfast leave for Kandy. On arrival in Kandy, check in at hotel and after a short break, commence a sightseeing tour of the city. This bustling hill country capital is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the pink painted famous Temple of the Tooth which houses the most sacred religious relic, the tooth of the Buddha. Drive past the picturesque premises of the University of Peradeniya and visit the Market Place, and an Arts &Crafts show room. Then drive along the Upper Lake road to get a panoramic view of the Kandy Lake built in 1807 which is an attractive centerpiece to the town. Also visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, where a rare collection of tropical exotic and indigenous flora including the famous Orchid House could be viewed. Kandy is also popular because of the annual festival known as the Esala Perahera where the inner casket covering the tooth relic of the Buddha is taken in a grand procession through the streets of the city held annually in the month of July or August.

 

Late evening enjoy the Kandyan Cultural show at the Kandyan Arts & Cultural Centre. The show features the graceful and rhythmic dancers and drummers culminating in an impressive fire walking display.

 

Dinner and Overnight stay at a hotel in Kandy

Day 07 Kandy – Nuwara Eliya (Drive)

After breakfast proceed to Nuwara Eliya. En route visit a tea plantation and a tea factory. At the tea factory witness the process of manufacture of tea from plucking of the green leaves to packeting of the processed tea. Set in the heart of Tea Country, situated 1890 meters above sea level, this beautiful town of Nuwara Eliya is where the British succeeded in creating an English countryside with homes in styles from Georgian to Queen Anne with well kept lawns with hedges. On arrival in Nuwara Eliya commence a sightseeing tour of the city. Visit the Nuwara Eliya Town, Market place, Golf Course, (one of the finest 18 holes Golf Courses in Asia) the Hill Club, and drive around this hill station viewing Lake Gregory.

 

Dinner and Overnight stay at a hotel in Nuwara Eliya

Day 08 Nuwara Eliya – Horton Plains – Nuwara Eliya

After an early breakfast at hotel leave for Horton Plains, the highest plateau in the country. It is one of the very important National parks in Sri Lanka especially for its topographical variations. It has unique vegetation and is famous for many rare and endemic highland birds. The most awesome physical feature of the Horton Plains is the escarpment that falls 880 meters to the lowlands of the southern region of the island. Aptly known as the ‘World’s End’ the view from the precipice of the countryside below towards the south coast is spectacular. Dawn or early morning is the best time for observing it. On completion, return to Nuwara Eliya.

 

Dinner and Overnight stay at a hotel in Nuwara Eliya

Day 09 Nuwara Eliya – Yala (Drive)

After breakfast proceed to Yala in the south of Sri Lanka. En route visit Rawana Waterfalls, a sight to behold with a scenic backdrop of mountains and valleys. It is featured in the Rawana mythology, where Sita is said to have bathed from this waterfall while she was in captivity. On arrival in Yala, check in at the hotel.

 

Dinner and Overnight stay at a Hotel in Yala

Day 10 Yala

After breakfast commence a jeep safari in the Yala National Park by private jeep accompanied by a tracker. Yala National Park one of Sri Lanka’s premier eco tourist destinations is renowned for its variety of wildlife notably its many elephants. It is also home to the spotted deer, sambar, wild buffalo, sloth bear, jackal, mongoose and crocodiles. The peacock, is easily the most famous of the birds in this park. Yala has a high concentration of leopards although seeing these nocturnal carnivores still requires some luck.

 

Dinner and Overnight stay at a hotel in Yala

Day 11 Yala – Bentota (Drive)

After breakfast leave for Bentota, a tourist resort in the south with the most beautiful, wide and sandy beaches En route visit Galle Places of interest in Galle are a Dutch Church, the Natural Harbour, the Dutch Cultural Museum and the National Maritime Museum. On arrival in Bentota, check in at the hotel.

 

After a short break visit the great church and national maritime museum.

 

Dinner and Overnight stay at a hotel in Bentota .

Day 12 Bentota

Full day at Leisure

 

Dinner and Overnight stay at a hotel in Bentota

Day 13 Bentota – Colombo (Drive)

Today you are transferred to Colombo Airport to board Flight for Onward Journey

For the price of the Tour kindly fill out the Price Request Form and submit it to us.

Our Expert Team will get back to you within 12 – 24 Hours with the complete day to day detailed itinerary, tour price, tour Inclusions and a full accommodation list.

Alternatively, you may call us on 01753 577330 and we would be happy to assist you with any further enquiries you may have.

Our holiday itineraries are planned with utmost care. In case you wish to modify any part of the Itinerary, our experts will help you to meet your requirements.

Tailormade Journey is a Specialist for Private Individual Holidays. All our Holidays are Fully Protected Under ATOL 9967.

All the tours are tailored as per our clients requirements and you may choose your own date of departure from the United Kingdom, your own choice of hotels and your own duration of travel.

Kindly Fill the Price Request Form and do mention all your requirements e.g type of hotels ( 3 , 4 , 5 Star ) , Departure Airport , etc in the Comment Box in the form and Submit.

Please do not forget to give us your correct e-mail address and your contact telephone number.


Mahaweli Reach

Nestled beside the mighty Mahaweli River, Mahaweli Reach Hotel combines a sense of refined luxury with the old-world charm of an ancient kingdom. Located at 488 meters above sea level, the city is the hill capital of Sri Lanka which offers incredible culture and history all the way to authentic local life. Discover the enchantment of Sri Lanka’s hill capital like never before at one of the leading Kandy hotels where “our world revolves around yours”. Guests can enjoy relaxing Ayurvedic massages after active workouts at the tennis courts. The hotel also provides bicycle rental, water sports and business facilities. Hearty meals featuring Sri Lankan specialities are served at the restaurant, which also features live entertainment. Mahaweli Reach offer so much more than a home away from home. Our specialized services feature exclusive signature cakes, laundry services and floral arrangements. We also operate Café M, Kandy’s very first coffee house. Café M is a popular hangout spot in the city that serves a delectable range of coffee, cupcakes, short eats, shakes and more! You can also head over to Refined Tastes to taste a selection of delicious “delicacies to go”. Both of these restaurants promote the ever popular Mahaweli Cakes that are ideal for any occasion. Press & Wear is a launderette that specializes in laundry services for both retail and corporate clients. From washing to pressing and dry cleaning, Press & Wear by Mahaweli Reach Hotel provides a high-quality treatment for your attire and garments.

The Grand Hotel

Retreat into a personalized haven. Be pampered from top to toe, whether at the spa or taking a dip in Grand Hotel’s exclusive temperature controlled indoor pool - in perfect view of blue skies and theatrical clouds - made that much more sacred with a Champagne glass in hand. The Grand Hotel is situated on Nuwara Eliya Hill, adjacent to the Nuwara Eliya Golf Course. Surrounded by tropical greenery and enjoying cool climates, it features 2 restaurants, a shopping arcade and a gym. Rooms at Grand Hotel are equipped with heating. Each room has satellite TV, a mini fridge, and tea/coffee making facilities. The private bathroom offers a hot shower and a hairdryer. Guests can relax in the sauna, or play a round of golf. Other facilities include a 24-hour reception and a business centre. Laundry services are available. International dishes are served at Barnes Hall, while Grand Indian Restaurant offers specialities from North and South India. Revel in the serenity of a resplendent Coffee Bar offering, set to the backdrop of large bay windows and cafe style-seating that allow you to bear witness to the beauty of Nuwara Eliya. Enjoy a sumptuous coffee experience, complemented by fresh baked treats that soothe the soul. Named after Sir Edward Barnes, the founder of this luxury resort in Nuwara Eliya, Barnes Hall in all its grandeur offers a repertoire of culinary creations from all parts of the world. Patrons can enjoy their favourite dishes being made in front of their eyes in this much acclaimed Action-Kitchen styled buffet restaurant. Be submerged in a uniquely Indian gastronomy experience that will delight the senses and inspire the mind. Expect a journey of flavour spanning the subcontinent, as you enjoy the delicacies of a rich Indian offering. Immerse yourself in a truly authentic Thai experience, as you enter a surreal paradise of sight, sound and scent. Relish in the tantalizing flavors of exotic Thai-cuisine in Sri Lanka, at this luxurious culinary dining option. Elegant dining, old-English interiors and dated artifacts, all sync together at the Magnolia all-day restaurant, to provide you with a nostalgic ambiance to enjoy your favorite international delicacy, presented by the Grand Hotel’s culinary experts, in their own inimitable style and finesse. Witness the Barnes Fusion Grill come alive with colourful shisha, sizzling Asian and Arabic fusion cuisine, and a decadent wine selection.

Avani Bentota Resort & Spa

Throw back the curtains and there you’ll see: the Indian Ocean – in all its glistening glory. Relax in stylish coastal surrounds. Step outside for beachfront adventures, and get down with the locals with cultural experiences. Avani Bentota Resort has everything you need to make the most of your Sri Lanka stay. Avani Bentota Resort is located on the best beach strip along Sri Lanka’s western coastline. The property is 99 km from Bandaranaike International Airport and 66 km away from the city of Colombo. Designed by world-renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa, who took inspiration from an 18th-century Dutch village. The property has a contemporary feel and offers a tropical island beachside haven. Avani Bentota Resort houses two outdoor pools and ample parking facilities. The luxury guest rooms feature modern designs furnished with an executive desk, 42” flat screen television, luxury amenities and complimentary Wi-Fi. Each room has a private balcony or courtyard facing the ocean. Guests can choose from the extensive multi-cuisine buffet that is on offer at the Breeze Restaurant or for contemporary Asian cuisine head over to the Frangipani Restaurant and experience bold flavors in specialty dishes. The hotel’s watering hole Chatters Bar offers live entertainment and the best of local and international spirits & cocktails along with pub grub food. Dreamy ocean views. Friendly service. A tempting range of drinks. In our place or yours, we turn up the heat on dining from here and abroad. For something even more special, dine your way under the stars. You are spoiled for choice at our Bentota restaurants. Modern surroundings and ancient rituals – welcome to a paradise of a different kind. Drawing inspiration from the elements – Earth, Water, Fire and Air – our treatments make the most of Sri Lanka’s traditions and resources to melt away every shred of tension.

Jetwing Yala

Beautifully positioned between the serene tranquility of the Indian Ocean and the natural wonders of Yala National Park, Jetwing Yala rests within an uncharted patch of coastal wilderness at the end of Sri Lanka’s southern shoreline. With convenient accessibility to both the road and the sea, our home of Sri Lankan hospitality remains comfortably connected amidst the coastal wilds of our tropical island. Spread across 38 acres of land, Jetwing Yala features an outdoor pool, a business centre and luxurious rooms located on the borders of Yala National Park. Operating a 24-hour front desk, it provides free parking and offers complimentary Wi-Fi access throughout the property. Fitted with parquet flooring and four-poster beds, spacious air-conditioned rooms are furnished with a wardrobe, in-room safe, a flat-screen cable TV and sofa seating area. Iron, minibar and tea/coffee making facilities are also included. The large en suite bathroom comes equipped with a hairdryer and hot/cold shower. At Jetwing Yala, guests can indulge in a pampering massage at the spa or approach the tour desk for sightseeing and travel arrangements. Luggage storage, laundry. Overlooking our exclusive coastline, The Restaurant at Jetwing Yala is our prime dining space. Live action stations plate up a range of global and local delicacies that include seafood, tapas, and more, for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Complementing the fine dining experience at our home of Sri Lankan hospitality is Thambapanni – an alternative dining option specializing in Asian Fusion cuisine with dishes that draw inspiration from our island home and nations from India to Indonesia and beyond. To keep you in high spirits, The Bar also looks into the colourful horizon that serves as the backdrop to our hotel, with both indoor and outdoor seating to experience the best of Yala’s inviting ambience while looking over the Indian Ocean, while the Pool Bar serves as a more laid-back option to enjoy a cocktail in the calm waters reserved for you on our wild coastline. As a pleasure of our hospitality, Jetwing Yala also offers five Signature Dining experiences should you wish to indulge in your meals amidst unique settings within our resident landscapes. In addition to 24-hour room service across the property, we also feature a 24-hour travel desk to help plan your island adventures from our hotel. Daily housekeeping and a dedicated laundry service complement our list of facilities to ensure your comfort in our home, while free wireless internet is also available to keep you connected even at the edge of the wild. Should you require, Jetwing Yala also features I.D.D., fax, and e-mail services, along with purpose-built conference facilities to host your next event for business or for pleasure. Within the hotel grounds however, a refreshingly large swimming pool serves as an alternative form of aquatic leisure, while our modern gym is also available to complement your fitness routine on vacation.

Cinnamon Lodge Habarana

Located amidst green forests, the Cinnamon Lodge Habarana offers air-conditioned rooms with a private balcony. The hotel boasts a large outdoor pool, a butterfly garden and 3 dining options. Rooms at Habarana Cinnamon Lodge feature a comfortable seating area with a sofa. They are furnished with cable TV, a minibar and a personal safe. A tea/coffee maker is provided. Guests at the Cinnamon Habarana can unwind at Azmaara Spa, work a sweat on the tennis court, or enjoy a game of billiards. The hotel offers butler service and babysitting. Restaurant Ehala offers buffets with international and themed dishes, while The Lotus caters Western culinary delights and local contemporary cuisine. Beverages can be enjoyed at cafe Veranda or bar Tuskers. Cinnamon Lodge Habarana is a 25-minute drive away from Minneriya National Park.

Ramada Colombo

Ramada Colombo is located in the capital city of Sri Lanka, a 5-minute drive from Colombo Fort Railway Station. The hotel offers an outdoor pool, 2 restaurants and a bar. Free parking is available. The air-conditioned rooms are equipped with a minibar, cable TV and coffee/tea maker. Private bathrooms and a personal safe are provided. The hotel features a business centre, room service and laundry services. Guests can book excursions at the tour desk. The hotel’s bar has a pool table. Ramada Colombo is a 45-minute drive from Bandaranaike International Airport. Free parking is available for any size vehicle. Begin each morning with a full American-style buffet breakfast for a nominal fee. All guest rooms feature Internet access and mini-bars. Take advantage of additional amenities like same-day laundry service, childcare, free WiFi in public areas, 24-hour coffee shop, 24-hour room service, gym, sauna, and pool. Visit local attractions like Galle Face Promenade along the beach, just steps from the hotel. Learn something new and get a sense of local culture when you explore Colombo National Museum, Colombo Dutch Museum, or National Art Gallery. Discover the sights at Bandaranayake Memorial International Hall and National Zoological Gardens in nearby Dehiwela. Go online at any time of the day or night with high-speed Wi-Fi access The 23 metre outdoor swimming pool at Ramada Colombo is the perfect place to cool off, unwind and beat the heat! At this hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka, holidays are made even more relaxing at the poolside Jacuzzi that offers a muscle soothing dip, while there is even a kid’s pool section for those travelling with little ones. A fully equipped gym and fitness centre complete with a steam room and personal trainers, is open to all guests and local members alike. Convenience & cutting edge technology combine to help take care of all your business needs. Wash out the tired soreness of your muscles and allow your body and mind to heal after an exciting day of sightseeing, a long day of meetings or an intense workout at the gym. When it comes to urban spas in Colombo, we provide a space in which to enjoy true tranquillity as you unwind, kick back and let the steam do the work.

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