Beach, Jungle and the Cultural Triangle: An Introduction to Sri Lanka

Wake up to views across South Asia as you prepare to land in Sri Lanka. A private driver will be waiting on arrival to greet you and whisk you off to the small town of Makandura, an hour’s drive away. Here we’ve arranged for you to have access to a hotel room in a charming colonial-style hotel for the day. This is a great opportunity to relax, refresh and stretch your legs before continuing five hours on the road to Dambulla this afternoon. Nestled in the Cultural Triangle in the centre of the island, this historic town is home to the biggest and best-preserved temple complex in all of Sri Lanka. Settle in for two nights in a delightful hotel on the shores of Kandalama Lake and spend the rest of this evening enjoying the onsite facilities.

After a hearty breakfast this morning, your private guide will lead you on an exciting tuk-tuk adventure around Polonnaruwa, the former royal capital of the island and the second oldest of all Sri Lanka's kingdoms. The ancient city was the stronghold of the Sinhalese kings for two centuries and, as such, features a wealth of glorious sights, including several Buddha sculptures and the 12th-century rock temple of Gal Vihara. Continue on to the Golden Temple, a rock monastery and major place of pilgrimage encompassing no less than five sacred sanctuaries. As the largest and best-preserved complex of cave temples in Sri Lanka, it’s a sure sight to behold. Your final stop of the day is Sigiriya, an ancient rock fortress built by King Kashyapa during the 5th century. The architectural wonder is throned at the summit of a high block of red granite that rises to a height of nearly 700ft. Other than magnificent views over the Sri Lankan bush, you can also marvel at a collection of superb paintings from the fifth century, portraying King Kassayapa’s Maidens (royal concubines).

Your adventure across Sri Lanka continues today, two-and-a-half hours north to Kandy, a beautiful city nestled in the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka. Once again, you’ll be privately driven, so sit back, relax and enjoy the scenic views across rice paddies, misty mountains and serene tea plantations. Your home for the night here is a charming villa tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city, perfect for relaxing and unwinding. Once you’ve settled in and freshened up, head out with your driver-guide to the Botanical Gardens of Peredeniya. Renowned for their collections of orchids and simple aromatic plants, the gardens were developed in the 1840s to showcase local botanical exuberance. The star of the show is certainly the main avenue, which is lined with royal palm trees. Continue on to the legendary Temple of the Tooth to admire a rather curious religious relic: a canine tooth of the Lord Buddha himself. The complex thrums with an excitable feeling as hundreds of pilgrims come to venerate the tooth every day. The rest of today is then yours to play with. We can arrange further guided activities, such as a traditional Sri Lankan dance class or a visit to the Suriyakantha Art and Antiquities Centre, or you can simply kick back and relax at your hotel after a busy day.

On today’s agenda: an exhilarating train journey from Kandy and Nuwara Eliya. The railway network was built by the British in 1864 to transport tea from the mountains to the port of Colombo. From the steam locomotive to the tracks and even the station master’s cap, this journey takes you into the enchanting world of yesteryear. On arrival in Nuwara Eliya, settle in for two nights in a cosy country property and spend the rest of today relaxing in your new environment.

Rise and shine, you only have one full day in Eliya and there’s not a moment to waste. Known affectionately as ‘Little England’, Nuwara Eliya is a charming British-style town in the heart of Sri Lanka’s hilly countryside. During the colonial period, the British settled in this high-altitude town to escape the stifling heat of lower regions. Even today, the town thrums with a sort of old-world English charm and features an Anglican church, post office, pub, botanical park and golf course. On today’s agenda: a guided walk to Bambarakanda Falls, which, falling from a height of 860ft, are the highest falls in the country. The trail starts at the village of Weerakoon before winding through enchanting pine trees into a spectacular landscape of majestic mountains and green plains. We could also arrange a rafting adventure down the Kelani River or a guided hike in the remarkably diverse Horton Plains National Park.

After a delicious breakfast, hop back into your car with your private driver-guide and journey five hours to Yala National Park, Sri Lanka’s top safari destination. On arrival, settle in for the night in a cosy and comfortable camp located on the edge of the park and spend the rest of the day bounding through the park in a 4x4 with a seasoned local guide. The park is home to a magnificent number of ecosystems, including tropical rainforest, dry evergreen forest, meadows, mangroves and lagoons. As such, Yala houses a whole host of majestic fauna, from Sri Lankan elephants, buffalos and monkeys to sloth bears, spectacled cobras, saltwater crocodiles and Sri Lankan leopards. There are also over 200 species of birds here ranging from the widespread Eurasian Curlew to the endemic Lafayette cockerel. Head back to your charming camp this evening for a hearty meal around the campfire. 

Swap the wilderness of Yala National Park for the peace and quiet of the coast as you journey three hours to your next destination: the small seaside town of Ahungalla. Your home for the next two nights is a beautiful hotel surrounded by nature. Everything here is geared towards wellness and relaxation, with Ayurvedic spa treatments, delightful pools and stylish interiors. Spend today resting on the local beach and enjoying the hotel’s plethora of salubrious and relaxing facilities, so you’re ready for an action-packed in the great outdoors tomorrow.

Your final full day in Sri Lanka is dedicated to soaking in the splendid flora and fauna of one of the nation’s last original mangroves: the Madu Ganga lagoon. A fragile and protected environment, the lagoon links river and sea. Sail gently through a magical setting of mangrove trees, coconut trees, rice fields, cinnamon plantations and blue water lilies. Take advantage of a detour to a small Buddhist temple before stopping on the beautiful agricultural island of Mirala Duwa. Here, you’ll stroll through pineapple, fruit, vegetable and spice plantations while learning about the miraculous essential oils created from distilled cinnamon. A visit to the distillery makes it possible to really understand the properties and virtues of this precious spice.