Ultimate 12 days Itinerary for Sri Lanka

Welcome to Sri Lanka!

You will be met upon arrival in Colombo and transferred to your hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Anuradhapura. At the pinnacle of its glory, the city of Anuradhapura extended over 52-square-kilometers. Its magnificent monuments, refined sculpture and paintings are testimony to a veritable and original Sri Lankan culture. Take in the sights of the ancient city, with its rich collection of archaeological and architectural wonders. Afterwards, continue on to Thirappane to your accommodation. You may wish to indulge in some of the optional activities available to you at the resort such as a jungle walk or, for something far less rigorous, be at one with your surroundings with a private yoga session.

Continue your journey of Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle with a visit to the Ritigala Archeological Monastery. The archeological site bears a certain mysterious nature owing to the long meditational pathways that open into the thick jungle and large stone-lined reservoirs. Remainder of the day at leisure at your resort.

This morning you will drive to Pidurangala and make the climb up this massive rock formation. The slightly taxing climb is all worth the effort once you reach the top and are rewarded with views of a green carpet of forest punctuated by Sigiriya Rock Fortress in the distance. In the afternoon, there’s the option to set out on a jeep safari at either of Kaudulla or Minneriya National Parks. Both national parks are famous for observing elephants in their natural habitat.

Drive this morning to Kandy. Steeped in political, cultural and religious history, Kandy became the country’s capital city in the 16^th century and also played a central role in the tea plantation industry once tea production began in Ceylon. Wander around the lake and the streets of Kandy getting a feel for this wonderful city and exploring the local markets. This evening visit the ‘Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic’.

Explore Kandy on a bicycle tour. Cycle along the streets and alleys of Kandy going beyond the usual landmarks and deeper into the everyday life of the locals. Afternoon is at your leisure.

Day at leisure to relax by the pool or you could take afternoon tea on the lawn while partaking in a game of croquet.

Today experience a breathtaking train journey through Sri Lanka’s hill country with lush tea plantations, mountains covered in mist and its smiling people. Arrive at Ceylon Tea Trails, the world’s first tea bungalow resort, perched at an altitude of 1,250 meters in Sri Lanka’s panoramic tea region. You can either relax or put your walking shoes on and stride out into the picturesque tea country – right at your doorstep.

Traditional ‘bed tea’ will be served by your butler this morning and later your chef can suggest meals based on fresh produce and homegrown vegetables and herbs. Spend the morning seeing how Ceylon tea is made and learn the art of becoming a discerning tea taster. Visit the nearby Warleigh Church built by early British planters located in one of the most stunning locations. Enjoy a walk/trek or bicycle ride through the tea plantations and indulge in one of Tea Trail’s delicious picnics!

After breakfast, depart for Colombo. With its large harbor and strategic position along the East West sea-trade routes, Colombo was well known to ancient traders as long as 2,000 years ago. Today it is a metropolis of over two million people where different ethnic groups, religions and cultures mingle. The contrast between high-rise hotels and colonial mansions, supermarkets and street bazaars, dazzling cars and motor-rickshaws, is found everywhere.

A morning at leisure to relax at your beautiful accommodation. Later in the afternoon, take a leisurely 2-3 hour walk that takes you through the city’s heart reflecting a bygone era of Portuguese, Dutch and English colonialism all the while mingling with modern high-rise hotels. Stroll to the Pettah market place with its labyrinth of gridlocked streets with tiny shops and footpaths stacked high with merchandise.

Your tour concludes after breakfast. Transfer to Colombo Airport for departing flight.