Itinerary in brief:
- 1 night Colombo
- 2 nights Sigiriya
- 1 night Kandy
- 1 night Nuwara Eliya
- 6 nights Maldives
Day 1: Depart UK
Depart the UK today from your chosen airport
Included: International flight
Day 2: Arrive Colombo
On arrival into Sri Lanka you will be greeted and taken to your hotel in Colombo.
After checking in and freshening up you will take a city tour where you will get the chance to visit both the town hall and Independence Square. You can also visit the National Museum and explore the religious and cultural sites of the Gangarama Temple, the Seema Malakaya and a Hindu Kovil. These sites represent the diversity of religion, ethnicity and customs of the Sri Lankan people.
Included: Arrival transfer, city tour & hotel
Day 3: Colombo to Sigiriya
After breakfast you will be collected and taken to the famous Golden Rock Cave Temple in Dambulla, a sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries this cave monastery with its 5 caverns is the largest, best preserved cave monastery in Sri Lanka.
Once you have finished here it is only ½ drive to your final destination, Sigiriya.
Included: Breakfast, car & driver guide & hotel
Day 4: Polonnaruwa & Minneriya National Park
After breakfast you will be taken to Polonnaruwa. Approximately 1½ hours away this city was the medieval capital of Ceylon during the 11th-13th centuries. Once here you can explore this once majestic city, the surrounding walls are still standing as are the remains of palaces, shrines, monasteries, parks and ponds. The statues of Buddha located here are considered to be masterpieces of Sri Lankan art.
In the afternoon you will head to Minneriya National Park where you will get to take a jeep safari. Minneriya is home to many animals including deer, sambar, leopards, sloth bear and elephants.
Included: Breakfast, car & driver guide & hotel
Day 5: Sigiriya to Kandy
After breakfast you will check out of the hotel and head over to ‘Lion Rock’. This UNESCO world heritage site was once home to a ‘fortress in the sky’, built by King Kassapa the fortress was a royal citadel for more than 18 years. The base of the rock is ringed by a moat and extensive gardens, there is also a majestic stone ‘lion’s paw’ guarding the stairway to the palace. Be sure not to miss the frescoes of the ‘heavenly maidens’ and the 10 foot high mirror wall.
From here it’s on to the bustling city of Kandy with a stop at the spice gardens en route.
After checking into your hotel it’s time for a tour of the city, take a drive to the top of the hill for a stunning bird’s eye view of the city. You will then get a chance to enjoy a traditional cultural evening at the Kandyan Arts & Cultural Centre where you will watch dancers, drummers and fire-walkers before heading to the sacred ‘Temple of the Tooth Relic’, said to hold the tooth of Buddha – here you will get to watch monks conducting their prayers and performing their daily rituals.
Included: Breakfast, car & driver guide & hotel
Day 6: Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast you will check out of the hotel and travel 3 hours to the town of Nuwara Eliya. En-route you will visit a tea plantation and tea factory and witness the manufacturing process from the plucking of the leaves to the packing of the tea for exportation.
On arrival into Nuwara Eliya you will check into your hotel before beginning a tour of this beautiful city. Set in the heart of tea country Nuwara Eliya is like a piece of the English countryside complete with Georgian style homes and well-kept lawns and hedges.
Included: Breakfast, car & driver guide & hotel
Day 7: Depart Sri Lanka for the Maldives
Once you have had breakfast you will be collected by your driver and taken to the airport for your flight to Male.
Welcome to paradise!
On arrival you will be greeted and taken by car and speedboat to your island resort.
Included: Half board, departure transfer, international flight, arrival transfer in Male & hotel
Day 8-12: Maldives
Now is the time to sit back and relax! After all the activity in Sri Lanka this will be a well-earned rest.
Soak up the sun, swim in the clear waters and take advantage of the spa in your hotel!
Included: Half board & hotel
Day 13: Depart Maldives
After breakfast you will be taken by speedboat and car to the airport to connect with your departure flight.
Included: Half board, departure transfer & international flight
Day 14: Arrive UK
