Itinerary in brief:
- 1 night Colombo
- 2 nights Sigiriya
- 1 night Polonnaruwa
- 2 nights Gal Oya
- 2 nights Ella
- 1 night Galle
- 5 nights Maldives
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’ll be met and taken to your hotel in Colombo. Here you can relax and recover from any jetlag, before heading out on a food tour this evening.
Discover the flavours and spices of Sri Lankan cuisine with a local host as you cook your own dinner. It’s the perfect welcome to this beautiful country – cracking a coconut in half, chopping veg and tempering spices before enjoying your meals from a banana leaf.
Included: Transfers, evening food tour, 4* hotel
Day 3: Colombo to Sigirya
After breakfast you’ll leave the capital to be driven by your driver-guide to Sigirya. On arrival you’ll check ito your hotel for two nights. Tonight, you’ll explore a local village, learning about the daily lives of the local people. Wander along a scenic trail past crop fields and take a boat ride on an ancient reservoir, spotting butterflies and birds.
Included: Breakfast, touring, 4* hotel
Day 4: Sigirya
This morning, you’ll travel to the rock fortress of Sigiriya, a 5th Century “Fortress in the Sky”. The ‘Lion rock’ of Sigirya is a citadel of immense beauty rising out of the jungle. At the base of the rock you’ll find a moat and extensive water gardens before climbing the steep stairs to the top, for unparalleled views over the surrounding forests. The majestic lion’s paw guards the stairway to the palace on the summit next to the frescoes of maidens that have survived in a sheltered area of the rock.
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, touring, 4* hotel
Day 5: Sigirya to Polonnarua
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.
Included: 4* hotel, touring, breakfast
Day 6: Polonnarua to Gal Oya
After breakfast, you’ll leave for Gal Oya, one of Sri Lanka’s most remote wilderness areas. On arrival you’ll check into your hotel for two nights before heading off on a boat safari. Explore Sri Lanka’s largest lake, one of the view experiences in the country that allows you to spot wildlife from the water. It’s a unique way to immerse yourself in the animal’s habitats – with a little luck you could spot elephants swimming between islands or bathing at the lakes edge.
Included: 4* lodge, breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7: Gal Oya
Early this morning you’ll head off on a 1.5-hour trek to the top of Monkey Mountain – dramatic views over the forest valley await you at the summit. Watch the sun rise over the hills and return to your hotel for a well-earned breakfast.
In the afternoon, you’ll be taken on a jeep ride through the forgotten Nilgala section of the park, once the protectorate of ancient royalty for the abundance of medicinal plants and birdlife. Although the wildlife can be shy, there are so many animals to be discovered here – deer, hers of elephants and brightly coloured bee-eaters.
Included: 4* lodge, breakfast, lunch, dinner, touring
Day 8: Gal Oya to Ella
After breakfast, you’ll be driven north towards Ella, a little village surrounded by high mountains and breath-taking vistas in the central hills of Sri Lanka. During the journey, you’ll ascend from the coast into the mountains, passing chilli fields and pepper plantations where kingfishers and bee-eaters flit through the warm air. You’ll arrive in Ella in the early afternoon and check into your hotel for three nights.
Included: 5* hotel, breakfast, touring
Day 9: Ella
You’ll experience the beauty and serenity of Sri Lanka’s scenic hill country from the luxurious comfort of 98 Acres Resort and Spa. It’s an elegant boutique hotel made up of charming chalets surrounded by a lush and verdant landscape. The chalets are mostly made of recycled materials.
Your spacious room has its own private living area and offers breath-taking views of the Ella Gap and Adam’s Peak Mountain. The balcony is ideal for lingering over breakfast, watching the sunrise or simply gazing out at the mountains and tea plantations.
Your time here can be spent however you wish. We recommend head out with a guide to drive you around the local area, discovering the pretty walks, cascading waterfalls and the shuddering blue train that trundles through Ella each afternoon.
There are also plenty of adventures to get stuck into, such as ziplining, mountain biking and archery. For a slightly more sedate escapade, take a cooking class and learn how to whip up some local favourites. Alternatively, just chill out by the pool and enjoy the views.
Included: 5* hotel, touring, breakfast
Day 10: Ella to Galle
After breakfast, you’ll head to Galle. On arrival you’ll check into your hotel for 1 night before enjoying 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.
Included: 4* hotel, touring, breakfast
Day 11: Fly to the Maldives
This morning, you will be driven to Colombo for your flight to the Maldives. On arrival in the Maldives, you’ll be taken by speedboat to your resort, where you’ll check in for five nights.
Included: Breakfast, transfers, international flights, dinner
Days 12 - 15: Maldives
Welcome to the Maldives, a lush nation with a big heart made up of nearly 1,200 tiny islands. We’ve booked you an overwater bungalow at the lovely Sun Island Resort, so you can jump into the turquoise water for a quick snorkel before breakfast or catch a magnificent sunset from your deck.
Spend your days kayaking through the crystal-clear ocean or learning to dive on the colourful reef. In the evening, settle down for a sumptuous dinner, whether you fancy sushi by the sea or a private candlelit dinner on the beach. This is paradise – just lie back and soak it all up.
Included: 4* hotel, half board
Day 16: Depart Maldives
After breakfast, you’ll be met and taken by speedboat back to the airport, in time for your flight back to the UK.
Included: International flights, transfers, breakfast
Day 17: Arrive UK
