Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Sri Lanka – Colombo – Anuradhapura – Kandy – Tangalle – Ahungalla
100% customisable for you
Your grand adventure to Sri Lanka starts today with a ten-and-a-half-hour flight to the capital city of Colombo. Head to the airport, whizz through security and enjoy some nibbles and refreshments in the airport lounge as you await departure. Most direct flights to Colombo depart in the evening, so you’ll spend tonight onboard and touchdown in Sri Lanka tomorrow morning.
After a (hopefully) restful night on board, wake up to beautiful views across southern Asia as you prepare to land in Sri Lanka’s buzzing capital city. A private driver will be waiting at the airport to welcome you and whisk you off to your first hotel: a fabulous architect-designed property located in a quiet, upmarket neighbourhood. After taking the time to settle in, freshen up and recharge your batteries, spend the rest of the day discovering the delights of the capital’s food scene in the company of a clued-up local guide.
Colombo thrums with a dizzying yet delightful energy: think colourful tuk-tuks and flamboyant buses hooting and tooting their way through streets lined with spice markets, traditional shops and street food vendors. Explore the diverse influences that shape Sri Lankan cuisine, from Dutch and Portuguese to Indian and British. Sample a variety of local delicacies along the way, ending on a sweet note with dessert at one of Colombo’s oldest and most beloved spots.
As for dinner this evening (if you’re still hungry), our Concierge can arrange a meal at one of the city’s many fantastic restaurants.
Wave goodbye to the buzzing capital this morning as you travel four hours to your next destination: a splendid property nestled in acres of woodland near Anuradhapura. You’ll be privately driven, so you can kick back, relax and enjoy the changing scenery as you leave urban Colombo and head for the wilderness.
After settling into your new home, it’s time for a three-hour guided tour of the stunning Nachchaduwa region, boasting a rich cultural, natural and historical heritage. Hop in a 4x4 and get a real feel for authentic rural life as you pass by ancient bodies of water, farmland and rural villages.
You’ll have the chance to watch rice growers and local fishermen at work and spot birds, buffalo and even elephants near Nachchaduwa Lake, if you’re lucky. This expansive reservoir is surrounded by dense forests and distant hills, making it a perfect spot to enjoy an aperitif before heading back to your hotel for dinner.
Rise and shine, as today you’ll be soaking in the vast and varied historic treasures of Anuradhapura, an ancient Sinhalese city and UNESCO World Heritage site.
Founded in the fourth century B.C, Anuradhapura was the Sri Lankan capital for more than 1,000 years, and many of the sites here are still active places of worship. Spanning over 16 square miles, its vast ruins include towering white dagobas and ancient brick stupas (both dome-shaped Buddhist monuments), sacred pools and centuries-old temples. The Sri Maha Bodhi is another highlight: the world’s oldest documented fig tree. You’ll get the lowdown on all these fascinating sights from your driver, as they show you around this morning on a tuk-tuk tour.
This evening, you’ll be wined and dined at your hotel, surrounded by lush tropical jungle. Set in a secluded spot, your table will be beautifully arranged for a romantic evening. On the menu, there’s a delicious barbecue prepared with fresh ingredients from the hotel’s organic garden.
Today you’ll wake up to birdsong and the rustle of peacocks strutting through the forest. There’s time for a leisurely breakfast before you head out to explore Heenukkiriyawa Temple, a historic Buddhist site in Anuradhapura village.
On your tour, a local guide will show you the impressive wooden carvings and cave shrines that the temple is famous for – as one of the more intimate spiritual sites in the region, you might even get it all to yourselves. After your visit, you have the chance to meet the resident Buddhist monks, hearing about their traditions and daily life.
Back at the hotel, the rest of the day is yours to spend as you please, be that a dip in your plunge pool or soaking up the sights of the surrounding paddy fields.
Swap lakeside exploring for mountain adventures as you travel two-and-a-half hours to Kandy, a beautiful city nestled in the Central Highlands. On arrival, settle into your home for the night: a stylish hotel perched in the heights of the city, with fabulous views of the surrounding area.
This afternoon, head out for a private visit to a family-run brass workshop, which supports the local community by employing people with disabilities and women in need. Here you’ll see recycled aluminium and brass skillfully transformed into lamps, cutlery and handicrafts. Their products are sought after by hotels and stores, so keep your eyes peeled for them throughout the rest of your trip.
If you fancy exploring more, the Temple of the Tooth and the Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya should be top of your list. Located in the heart of the former Kingdom of Kandy royal palace complex, the Temple of the Tooth houses a precious relic of Buddha’s canine tooth. Continue on to the beautiful botanical gardens, the largest in the country, to admire a wonderful collection of plants, including renowned orchids and palm trees.
This morning you’re getting stuck into traditional Sri Lankan crafts in a hand-looming workshop. Watch skilled artisans at work, learning about the intricate processes and techniques involved, before trying your hand at some weaving stages.
Afterwards, you’ll be driven to your sea plane, bound for the South Coast. The journey time is under an hour, and it’s just as beautiful as the destination, with epic views over Sri Lanka’s coastline and jungle. Upon arrival, check into your beautiful villa near the coastal town of Tangalle, where you’ll be hanging your hat for two nights. With a lagoon on one side and a white sandy beach on the other, there’s no shortage of beautiful spots for sundowners.
Once you’ve settled in or had a dip in the pool, it’s time for a visit to a nearby cinnamon farm. One of Sri Lanka’s most prized exports, you’ll see first-hand the intricate methods used to grow and process this fragrant spice.
After an action-packed few days, you might fancy a lie in and a slow breakfast this morning. The day is yours to do as you please: soak up the sun on the beach, relax with a book under the shade of a palm tree or take to the sea on a snorkelling or kayaking adventure. Animal lovers can pay a visit to the small fishing village of Rakuwa, where a fascinating Marine Turtle Conservation project is helping to save this endangered species.
For history buffs, a trip to Galle should be on the list today. Just an hour’s drive away, the town is home to the fascinating Galle Fort, the largest fortress built by Europeans in Asia and a proud UNESCO World Heritage site. Founded by the Portuguese in the 16th century, the complex was later embellished by the Dutch using the riches of the fabled Dutch East India Company. The old streets are lovely to wander through, with many arts and crafts shops that have come to characterise the place.
Hopefully you’re feeling rejuvenated after your relaxing day yesterday, because this morning you’re off on a scenic cycle. Pedal through scenic countryside on a seven-and-a-half-mile bike ride, starting and ending near Wijaya Beach. Follow quiet lanes and local paths through the Eluvila bird reserve and lush rice fields. Midway, take a break under an ambalama tree in a private jungle garden to enjoy a refreshing coconut.
Once you’ve freshened up, your driver will be waiting to whizz you off to your final destination: Ahungalla Point, on the south-west coast of the island. It’s a short two-hour drive, with stunning scenery along the way.
Your base for your last three nights is a boutique bolthole, perched along rocky outcrops and coconut tree-lined shores – where better to round off your trip?
After a delicious Sri Lankan breakfast on your balcony, it’s time for a guided tour of the Brief Garden – the lifelong masterpiece of Bevis Bawa, elder brother of renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa.
Located near Kalawila, this magnificent garden is a labyrinth of lush terraces, winding stone pathways, tranquil water features and striking sculptures by Bawa himself. Unlike formal gardens, it has an organic, free-flowing design, creating a peaceful retreat with tropical birds, monkeys and squirrels. The house is equally enchanting, filled with period furniture, paintings and personal artefacts. After all the exploring, you’ll likely have worked up quite an appetite, so it’s time for lunch on the garden terrace.
Spend the afternoon lounging in the sun and soaking in the views of the ocean.
Spend your final full day in Sri Lanka relaxing and enjoying the slow-paced rhythm of life on the island’s tropical shores. You can drift effortlessly between poolside loungers at your hotel and the soft golden sand of the beach on your doorstep. The hotel also provides any beach equipment you may need to make your final day as fun, chilled or exhilarating as you want it to be.
Sadly, the time has come to bid the tropical landscapes of Sri Lanka a warm farewell and embark on the journey home. After breakfast this morning, you’ll be collected at your hotel and privately transferred two hours back to the airport in Colombo. After checking in and whizzing through security, escape the crowds and enjoy some peace and quiet in the airport lounge as you await the departure of your 12-hour flight back to the UK, which will land this evening.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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