Sri Lanka
Nature & Culture Sri Lanka
3 weeks from £4,550 pp
Includes: Flights, all transport, accommodation, guides, immersive experiences, some meals.
Overview & Highlights
This holiday is an ‘off the tourist trail’ version of a ‘standard’ Sri Lanka highlights itinerary, carefully tweaked to better suit those more interested in wildlife and immersive cultural experiences.
Packed with local experiences and our favourite tried and tested boutique hotels, you will discover both the wildlife, culture, and diversity of this amazing island country.
All holidays are tailor made to your interests and requirements and will offer a distinct vantage point compared to DIY or more ‘package’ type holidays.
- Experience rural life, relax in a hammock or explore the jungle trails while staying in unique accommodation at The Mudhouse.
- Enjoy an incredible, immersive wildlife experience at Treetops Jungle Lodge: where wild elephants co-exist with people
- Relax on the wild, palm-fringed beaches of the far South
- Enjoy unique insider tours of The Cultural Triangle, Kandy and Colombo.
“I loved Sri Lanka with its dramatic tropical scenery, jungles and lush tea plantations. However, it can be very ‘touristy’ so my recommendation is to travel in an eco-sensitive, immersive way, getting off the beaten track and experiencing local culture and the natural world encompassing a variety of transport methods and activities.”
All holidays come with the service of in-country support teams and one of their fantastic chauffeur-guides who will be with you throughout your trip. This local support and guides give you the flexibility and freedom you need with peace of mind to make the holiday experience a pleasurable one.
These immersive holidays with our ethical tour operator partners work with communities in the country you are visiting. We always include three elements: immersive experiences, a ‘give back’ experience and a ‘secret’ extra. They will be unique to your holiday.
To provide this, every holiday we put together will include guides, drivers and their tips and expenses, hotels, entrance fees, any meals or snacks mentioned, national park/wildlife permits and internal/regional flights and trains.
- Day 1: Depart UK
- Days 2-3: Farm Life – You’ll be welcomed to Sri Lanka by your private chauffeur-guide who will transfer you straight to the Notary’s House. The residence is a fantastic spot in which to relax after your flight. Take a swim, explore the grounds or sit back and enjoy the hospitality.
- Days 4-5: Rural Anamaduwa, off the beaten track – Your guide will transport your north to The Mudhouse, an enchanting jungle lodge surrounded by lakes and forest, and at the foot of the mysterious Paramakanda Rock Temple. You can make the experience as adventurous or as relaxing as you please, enjoy early morning birdwatching walks, kayak in lakes, climb the ancient rock, cycle on jungle trails, and learn to cook Sri Lanka food or relax in the comfort of a hammock.
- Days 6-8: Cultural Triangle, history and ruins – With your chauffeur-guide, you’ll travel across to the Cultural Triangle where you’ll spend three days. Our insider tours of the Cultural Triangle don’t miss the ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa or the remarkable Sigiriya Rock Fortress, but they also incorporate some unique vantage points to give you a feel for the local way of life away from the crowds. With your guide, you’ll learn firsthand about the history of the area and the life and work of villagers.
- Days 9-10: Temples and countryside – You’ll be driven onwards to Kandy, Sri Lanka’s second city. During your stay our signature excursion will offer you the chance to discover the cities contrasts, combining the main tourist attractions with a visit to a heritage home where you’ll get a sense of Sinhalese culture and enjoy a traditional Sri Lankan lunch.
- Days 11-12: Rural adventures – Jump aboard Sri Lanka’s most iconic train ride and wind through the spectacular tea clad hills towards Haputale. On arrival, your driver will meet you with the car and your luggage to complete the journey by road. Check in to your hideaway accommodation and enjoy the lovely pool and beautiful views. While here you’ll have time to appreciate the scenery with walks in the hills and to local waterfalls.
- Days 13-15: Yala National Park-You’ll travel with your chauffeur-guide south to the low-impact Treetops Jungle Lodge – an extraordinary wildlife experience. Trackers will take you to local spots where elephants often bathe, and there are fantastic birdwatching opportunities just after sunrise. During your stay, there will be a full day four-wheel-drive safari to Yala National Park included. Yala is Sri Lanka’s most famous park on account of the high density of leopards, but it gets swamped with visitors in Yala Block One. Your trackers will take you to a different part of Yala and aim to find leopard sightings without the typical jeep-jams.
- Days 16-19: Tangalle, relax at the beach – Travel west along the coast with your chauffeur-guide to towards Tangalle. The beaches here are less busy than the west coast, and you’ll find some of the prettiest palm-fringed bays in the country here. Your accommodation is in the village of Rekawa and is one of the most comfortable and relaxing resorts in Sri Lanka. We recommend a visit to the wetlands and a bird sanctuary, but otherwise, we suggest that you spend the rest of your time at leisure here. It’s a great place to chill out around your hotel or at the beach, or maybe explore inland where you’ll find tropical vegetation amongst temples and idyllic villages.
- Days 20-21: Colombo, colonial heritage – Spend your last two days in energetic Colombo, alive with activity and with a fascinating history. On a morning tuk-tuk tour, you’ll find leftovers of the colonial past and former glory. After some relaxation time at the hotel, an evening walking tour will bring to life the cultural heart of the city to you, giving you a peep into the influences, traditions, and cultures that have shaped the city over the centuries.
- Day 22: Flight home
This is a sample three week itinerary, which we will tweak to your individual interests. Contact me to start planning your own unique holiday to Sri Lanka.
A few impressions…
“Thankyou for creating an absolutely wonderful holiday. We had great safaris, fabulous unspoilt beaches and the most amazing accommodation. Thankyou so much for making everything superb. Sri Lanka is an exceptional country, with warm friendly people, and I love would to go back and see more of the island. One day.s.”
John Doe
Let us begin the journey that will create memories to last a lifetime.
