Sri Lanka Uncovered

On your arrival into Colombo International Airport, and after passing through immigration, baggage and customs, you will be met by a Lanka Sportreizen (LSR) representative. Private transfer approx. 20 mins to your hotel located in Kotugoda.

Introducing Kotugoda

Kotugoda is a charming town surrounded by coconut plantations, rice paddies, and tea fields. The sleepy village makes a perfect laid-back base for trips to the stunning Negombo Lagoon, pristine beaches, wonderful fish markets, and enthralling sacred temples, cultural sites, and museums. Sample local Sri Lankan cuisine such as seeni sambal and chicken curry, enjoy a spot of high-tea overlooking the valleys, walk among the breath-taking Wallawwa formal gardens, or indulge in a massage at one of the local luxury spas. Other popular activities include bird watching, fishing, guided nature as well as city tours of Colombo in the south and Negombo in the north.

After breakfast, you will be privately transferred to your accommodation in Dambulla, a drive of around 3 hours.

Introducing the Cultural Triangle

The Cultural Triangle is Sri Lanka’s historic heartland, situated in the northern centre of the island and covers an area which includes the World Heritage cultural sites of the Sacred City of Anuradhapura, the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa, the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya and the Ancient cave temple of Dambulla.

Dambulla Rock Cave Temple

This afternoon, visit the Dambulla cave complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1991. This temple, dating back to the first century BC, when hermit monks established a monastery here, is one of the most impressive in Asia. It has five caves under a large overhanging rock, carved with a drip-line to keep the interior dry. Inside the caves, the ceilings are painted with religious pictures and the colourful designs continue along the contours of the rock. There are images of Buddha, bodhisattvas (any person who is on the path towards Buddhahood), and various gods and goddesses. (This service is on a private basis.)

Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Sigiriya or Lion Rock as it is commonly known, is an ancient palace and fortress complex with significant archaeological importance. The Sigiriya rock plateau was formed from magma of an extinct volcano and is 200 metres higher than the surrounding jungles. The fortress complex includes remnants of a ruined palace, surrounded by an extensive network of fortifications, vast gardens, ponds, canals, alleys and fountains. In the 3rd century BC, the rocky plateau of Sigiriya served as a monastery. In the second half of the 5th century King Kasyapa decided to construct a royal residence here. After his death Sigiriya again became a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century, when it was abandoned. The main entrance is located in the northern side of the rock and was designed in the form of a huge stone lion, whose feet have survived up to today. The drive time is around 1 hour each way from your hotel and the climb up and down typically takes around 1.5 - 3 hours.

We recommend rising early for the climb up Sigiriya to enjoy the morning light and views as well as the more pleasant climate before the midday heat. For those who are not comfortable with heights or have problems climbing we suggest the gardens of Sigiriya which are amongst the oldest landscaped gardens in the world. They are located in the western part of the rock with bridges, fountains, as well as surface and underground water pumps. (This service is on a private basis.)

Minneriya National Park

The Minneriya Tank was created by King Parakarambahu at the height of Polonnaruwa’s glory as the capital of Sri Lanka. The national park based largely around the huge tank (reservoir) was created rather more recently but serves as an important gathering place for Sri Lanka’s large population of elephants. It is a great place for elephant spotting all year round – though as the dry season makes water scarce between June and September, more and more elephants gather on the shores of Minneriya Tank.

Indeed by late August and September, the awe inspiring site of up to 300 elephants can often be seen, in a phenomenon known as ‘The Gathering’. It is the largest concentration and gathering of Asian elephants that can be seen anywhere in the world. Watching baby elephants playing with each other, bull elephants tussling for dominance and the great matriarchs surveying the scene is not a sight you are likely to forget in a hurry. Aside from the elephant, Minneriya is also home to some 23 other species of mammals: some, like the Deer and Sambur you will see, some like the Leopard and the Sloth Bear will probably prove elusive. The arid dry zone is a paradise for many species of Lizard and you will see them here in all their technical colour brilliance if you look carefully enough, as well as snakes like the Indian Python and the Mugger Crocodile. Above all, of course, are Sri Lanka’s wonderfully varied bird population. Among the 150 or so species, particular favourites of ours you may see in Minneriya include the beautiful painted stork, and various other bird species.

Enjoy a private jeep safari of this incredible National Park.

Polonnaruwa Ruins

Morning visit to Polonnaruwa Ruins. Polonnaruwa was the 2nd capital city of Sri Lanka, built in the 11th and 12th centuries AD, and which is also a World Heritage Site. Within the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya, there are four splendid statues of the Buddha in 'Upright', 'Sedentary' and 'Recumbent' postures carved out of rock. In addition, the remains of stunning buildings including the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, king Parakramabahu's statue, and the Parakrama Samudraya lake built by King Parakramabahu the great, provide an insight into this great historic city. Polonnaruwa is also home to monuments of famous places of worship including the Shiva Temple, the Lankathilake, the Watadage, the Galpotha, the Kiri Vehera and the remains of a former Temple of the Tooth Relic, now found in Kandy.

Afternoon at leisure to explore independently.

This morning, depart by road for Kandy, a drive of around 3 hours. En route, visit a spice garden and enjoy a guided visit where you can learn about the growth and use of spices in everyday life.

Introducing Kandy

Kandy, located in the heart of Sri Lanka's central highlands, is a vibrant city renowned for its rich cultural heritage and scenic beauty. As the last royal capital of Sri Lanka, it holds immense historical significance, most notably as the home of the revered Temple of the Tooth, which houses a sacred relic of the Buddha. Surrounded by lush hills and tropical forests, Kandy offers a picturesque landscape, centred around the serene Kandy Lake. The city is also famous for its traditional arts, crafts, and the annual Esala Perahera festival, a grand procession that attracts visitors from around the world.

Temple of the Tooth

This evening, visit the Temple of the Tooth. This golden roofed temple is home to Sri Lanka's holiest Buddhist relic, the tooth of Lord Buddha himself. Twice daily the tabernacle holding the relic is opened for Buddhist believers to pay homage to the tooth, and the temple is still at the centre of daily life in the city. Yet even without this world famous attraction Kandy would be a fascinating place - the home of kings and the last seat of the Sri Lankan dynasties.

Kandy - Guided Visit including the Royal Botanical Gardens

Enjoy a guided visit of the city including the picturesque Upper Lake Drive, which provides panoramic views of Kandy Lake, the cityscape, and the surrounding hills. Continue on to the Royal Botanical Gardens – one of the best of its kind in Asia with more than 5000 species of different plants, and also the headquarters of Lord Mountbatten during World War 2.

Afternoon at leisure to explore independently.

Private transfer to Kandy train station to board the train to Ella.

On arrival at Ella Station, you will be met and privately transferred to a small tea estate for a guided visit. Afterwards, continue to your hotel.

Introducing Ella

Resting on the southern edge of Sri Lanka’s picturesque Hill Country, the small, charming village of Ella is known for its rich biodiversity, its laid-back atmosphere, and its pleasantly moderate climate. This popular backpacker-hub has become a well-established tourist destination, and is an ideal base for travellers exploring the idyllic surrounding countryside cloaked in tea plantations, waterfalls and lush forest. With an eclectic selection of essential stores and tourist facilities, Ella has managed to retain its rural charm and visitors will find a single street winding its way down the hillside past a few quaint cafés, guesthouses and cottages enclosed in neat, flower-filled gardens. At the edge of the escarpment, you will find a stunning view past the renowned Ella Rock on the right and through a cleft in the hills – the so-called Ella Gap – to the plains far below.

Little Adams Peak - Nine Arches Bridge - Ella Gap

Begin exploring the region around Ella by viewing the famous Demodara nine arch railway bridge constructed with stones, brick and cement, but without any steel. Later proceed to climb Little Adams peak named after the more famous and arduous Adam’s peak due to its close resemblance. A 40 min walk to the base of the hill followed by some climbing will take you to the top of the 1,140 metre peak. Stunning views of tea plantations and waterfalls make the climb a rewarding effort.

A short drive from the base of Little Adam’s peak will take you past the Ella Gap to Ravana Ella Falls which ranks as one of the widest waterfalls in Sri Lanka. It measures approximately 25 metres in height and cascades from an oval-shaped concave rock outcrop. The falls form part of the Ravana Ella Wildlife Sanctuary. If you feel like a refreshing dip, take some time to enjoy some swimming in the waterfalls, but be careful as the rocks are slippery.

Private transfer today from 98 Acres Hotel to Weligama, a drive of around 3 hours.

Introducing Weligama

Weligama is a serene and unspoilt seaside town, with a lovely beach that stretches around a wide, half-moon-shaped bay. It’s an interesting blend of authentic fishing village and upscale resort town - with a dusting of five-star accommodation complemented by a traditional coastal culture. It’s located just a 40-minute drive from the cosmopolitan city of Galle - one of southern Sri Lanka’s most popular destinations - and offers both a tranquil diversion from the city’s pulsating pace and wide variety of activities. If it’s rest and relaxation you’re after, you need look no further than Weligama’s pristine shores. Don’t forget to pick up some of the handcrafted lace for which the town is renowned.

Enjoy a day at leisure to explore on your own.

Galle Introductory Walk

This morning you are driven to Galle, around 40 minutes away along the southern coast. Your guide will accompany you on an introductory walk through the historic walled city. Pronounced ‘gawl’ in English, Galle is the best example of a walled city built by the Portuguese in South Asia in the 16th Century. It was extensively fortified by the Dutch in the 17th century. The Fort is really a walled city, with a rectangular pattern of streets full of the low houses with gables and verandas in the Dutch colonial style. An irony of history is that most of the inhabitants of old Galle, occupying the houses of the Dutch, are the descendants of the Muslim traders that the Dutch despised so much for their petty trade that violated their monopoly. The Muslims have adapted many of the houses to their own likings, closing up the verandas with woodwork to prevent their women from being seen from outside. There are also several interesting buildings from early British times, and an early 20th century light tower. (This service is on a private basis.)

Enjoy a day at leisure to explore on your own.

Private transfer, approx. 3 hours to Colombo International Airport. Check in for the flight to London Heathrow.