Luxury Sri Lanka holiday with Relais & Chateaux

Itinerary in brief:

• 1 night Kotugoda
• 3 nights Hatton
• 2 nights Yala National Park
• 2 nights Galle
• 4 nights Weligama

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart the UK from your chosen airport.

Included: International flights 

Day 2: Arrive Sri Lanka

On arrival in Sri Lanka, you will be met and driven to your hotel in Kotugoda, set deep in tropical gardens around 15 minutes’ drive from the airport. Check into your room, relax and recover from any jetlag.

Included: 5* hotel, transfers 

Day 3: Kotugoda to Hatton

After breakfast, you will be driven into the cool mountains in the centre of the island, to discover the tea hills of Sri Lanka. Check into your hotel in the Dimbula district, before spending the rest of your day at leisure in these beautiful surroundings.

Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, touring, 5* hotel       

Days 4 & 5: Ceylon Tea Trails

This lovely property can be found high in the tea hills of Sri Lanka. Made up of 5 restored tea planter residences, the vast bungalows sit in endless gardens and peaceful tea fields. It is such a tranquil place to begin your holiday, with a breath-taking backdrop of mountains and waterfalls as you explore. Indulge in the exquisite spa, sunbathe by the pool or sip on a cold drink brough to you by a private butler.

Try your hand at mastering Sri Lankan cuisine in a cooking class with the chef, or enjoy a tea infused dinner, learning about the different flavour profiles of the leaves. Tuck into jam and cream scones at afternoon tea and spend your days here soaking up the stunning surroundings. There are lots of scenic hikes to take through the rolling tea plantations – you can even take a walk with the resident tea planter who will teach you about the process of growing tea. Complimentary mountain bikes are provided, so you can head off onto the downhill trails, or even go back intime by playing croquet on the lawn outside your bungalow.

Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, touring, 5* hotel                       

Day 6: Hatton to Yala National Park

After breakfast, you’ll be driven south towards Yala National Park. During the journey, you’ll descend from the mountains to the coast, passing chilli fields and pepper plantations where kingfishers and bee-eaters flit through the warm air. You’ll arrive in Yala in the early afternoon and check into your hotel for two nights.

Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, touring, 5* hotel       

Day 7: Yala National Park

Now it’s time for a little exploration whilst still enjoying some of the finer things in life – this is your honeymoon after all! You’ll be staying at Wild Coast Tented Lodge in a Cocoon Suite. The lodge is a Relais & Chateaux property and the unique rooms boast vaulted ceilings that offer jungle views from the double-height double glazed facades. The décor is a combination of colonial expedition-style and contemporary design, perfect for a safari. On top of that, your suite has a four-poster bed and a free-standing handmade copper bathtub.

Today, you’ll set off on two game drives, although if you want to book more, just ask. The passionate guides will help you track elephants, sloth bears and the famous leopards of Yala National Park. At the same time, they’ll keep an eye out for some of the smaller residents, such as mongooses, cobras and bright blue bee-eaters.

There are also lots of extra activities you can book directly with the lodge, from guided bush walks to cycling trips through the local rice fields. In the evenings, sit back and relax with a drink at the Ten Tuskers Bar, or, for something unforgettable, we can arrange a private dinner on the beach under the stars.

Included: 5* hotel, breakfast, lunch, dinner, touring, 2 x jeep safaris                       

Day 8: Yala to Galle

Today you will be driven along the south coast to Galle. Stop in at Dondra Head to see the famous lighthouse on the way, or to play in the waves on the golden sands of Tangalle. When you arrive in Galle, you can check into your hotel and begin to unwind.

Included: Breakfast, 1 x jeep safari, touring, 5* hotel

Day 9: Galle  

This morning you’ll enjoy a walking tour of the Galle Fort. Explore the striking bastions and grass-covered ramparts while wander along small cobbled streets. This remarkable fort sits right next to the Indian Ocean – with 150 acres to explore, this tour will give you the chance to learn all about Sri Lanka’s religious and architectural history.

The afternoon is yours to explore the city a little more or relax at your hotel.

Included: Breakfast, touring, 5* hotel    

Day 10: Galle to Weligama

After breakfast, you’ll be driven along the palm fringed shore to Cape Weligama, where you’ll check in for your final three nights. Relax, enjoy a drink by the pool or watch the sun set into the ocean.

Included: Breakfast, touring, 5* hotel    

Days 11 to 13: Weligama

Nestled on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, Cape Weligama can be found in 12 acres of manicured gardens on the cliffs above the Indian Ocean. Enjoy seafood dinners bathed in sunset light each evening and relax in the peaceful infinity pool that stretches along the cliff edge. You’ll be staying in the Junior Suite, with lovely views over the pool.

You could spend your time here simply relaxing, especially after your adventure through Sri Lanka. However, if you want to keep busy, there are so many activities to fill your time. Take a bike ride through the leafy back-roads of a local village, practise yoga with ocean views in the early morning, try your hand at cooking some of Sri Lanka’s sumptuous cuisine or learning to surf on the wave-kissed sands.

On day 12, you’ll be taken over to Koggala Airport near Mirissa for a thrilling 45-minute flight over the Indian Ocean, in search of blue whales from the air. These huge whales are found here in concentrations not seen anywhere else in the world. Keep your eyes out for other sea creatures, like sperm whales and bottlenose dolphins. You’ll also be able to enjoy spectacular views of the coastline – what a perfect end to your trip to Sri Lanka.

Included: Breakfast, touring, 5* hotel, whale watching flight     

Day 14: Depart Sri Lanka

Your time in Sri Lanka has come to an end – after breakfast, you will be taken back to the airport in time for your flight home.  

Included: International flights, breakfast, transfers        

Day 15: Arrive UK