CLASSIC SRI LANKA

Day 1 Arrive Colombo

Arrive Colombo from your international flight and privately transfer to the Wallawwa. Located a short drive from Colombo's international airport yet tucked away in amongst tropical vegetation and small villages, this old colonial manor house has been lovingly restored to create a boutique, luxury private hideaway and is the perfect place to unwind after your long journey.

Overnight: The Wallawwa

Day 2 The Cultural Triangle & Sigiriya Rock Fortress

This morning, after breakfast, your private chauffeur-guide will meet you at the hotel and drive you towards the Cultural Triangle. Before checking in to your gorgeous accommodation, stop at Sigiriya Rock Fortress for what will be a true highlight of your journey. Rising 200m from the plains, Sigiriya Rock was one of the most short-lived, yet fascinating citadels of ancient Sri Lanka. Although little remains of the pleasure palace on the summit, it is still impossible not to marvel at such an achievement, as well as the incredible views. When you are ready, continue and check-in at Water Garden to spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight: Sigiriya Water Garden

Day 3 Polonnaruwa

After breakfast, meet your private guide for a private tour around Anuradhapura on bicycles. The pride of Anuradhapura is the ancient stupas and ancient reservoirs, magnificent rock carvings of monumental richness and remarkable grace. Cycle past colossal stone pillars that stand proud amidst the ruins of royal palaces, Buddhist monasteries and temples, and magnificent stone cut swimming pools with sophisticated hydrology engineering techniques. Continue on to Mihintale which is revered for being the place where the Sri Lankan king was converted to Buddhism, enabling the religion to spread over the whole island, and therefore is a place of great spiritual significance. Return to Water Garden and enjoy an evening at leisure.

Overnight: Sigiriya Water Garden

Day 4 Mihintale and Anuradhapura

After breakfast, meet your private guide for a private tour around Anuradhapura on bicycles. The pride of Anuradhapura is the ancient stupas and ancient reservoirs, magnificent rock carvings of monumental richness and remarkable grace. Cycle past colossal stone pillars that stand proud amidst the ruins of royal palaces, Buddhist monasteries and temples, and magnificent stone cut swimming pools with sophisticated hydrology engineering techniques. Continue on to Mihintale which is revered for being the place where the Sri Lankan king was converted to Buddhism, enabling the religion to spread over the whole island, and therefore is a place of great spiritual significance. Return to Water Garden and enjoy an evening at leisure.

Overnight: Sigiriya Water Garden

Day 5 Transfer to Kandy

After a leisurely breakfast, your driver will meet and transfer you by road to Kandy, often described as the most picturesque city on the island. The journey will take around three hours. On arrival you will check-in to a wonderful bungalow, The Kandy House. Formerly the home of an aristocratic family, this beautiful manor house turned boutique hotel is located on the outskirts of Kandy and set within magnificent gardens. Enjoy chic interiors and one-of-a-kind antiques, Asian fusion cuisine and incredible views across a serene paddy valley. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight: The Kandy House

Day 6 - 8 At Leisure 

Enjoy two full days to explore the city including the spectacular Botanical Gardens, opened originally for an ancient Sri Lankan queen and now home to an impressive variety of trees, plants and beautiful flowers. Also enjoy wandering around the fascinating golden roofed Dalada Maliga, where the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha is enshrined. Evenings to relax.

Overnight: The Kandy House

Day 9 Train to Haputale

This morning, you will be transferred to the station to board your train to Haputale. Your driver will wait for you to board the train, before continuing by road with your luggage. The train journey will take around three hours. Enjoy watching spectacular scenery roll by as you travel at a gentle pace through tea plantations and lush vegetation with waterfalls and tea pickers. On arrival at Haputale, your driver will meet you and transfer you to Thotalagala, which will be your home for the next two nights. Enjoy an evening to relax and take in the spectacular views and scenery.

Overnight: Thotalagala

Day 10 At Leisure

Positioned high in the hills of Haputale, Thotalagala pays homage to Sri Lanka’s 19th-century tea industry beginnings.  This original planter’s home remains within a 4,000-acre working tea plantation, and has just seven comfortable suites, a dining room and a Cigar Room.  Each suite is named after an influential British Colonialist and details such as decorative, antique cut-glass bottles and working typewriters are sure to transport you back in time.

Overnight: Thotalagala

Day 11 Transfer to Galle

After breakfast, bid your farewell and transfer by road to your magnificent accommodation, which is a ten minute drive from the historic city of Galle. Your home for the next three days is Kahanda Kanda, which is surrounded by lush greenery of a working tea estate, wonderful views over Koggala Lake and delicious cuisine.

Overnight: Kahanda Kanda

Day 12 Exploring Galle

One full day to explore the magnificent Galle Fort with your guide and meet interesting residents of the Fort along the way. Join a local resident whose family has lived and worked in Galle for generations for a guided walk through Galle's historic 17th Century Dutch Fort - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wonder the maze of narrow cobblestone paved roadways lined with colonial period buildings still in use and old merchant houses where generations of Moorish families still live. Stroll along the sturdy ramparts looking out to sea and visit colonial period churches, the lighthouse and museums. Evening at leisure.

Overnight: Kahanda Kanda

Day 13 At Leisure

One full day at leisure to relax in your wonderful surroundings. You may wish to stroll through the beautifully maintained garden, where there is an abundance of tropical flowers and birdlife or wander through the tea estate to learn about the fascinating tea process and chat to the tea pluckers. In the evening, the chef will come and personally meet with you to discuss your evening meal, which can be arranged in a private location on the estate.

Overnight: Kahanda Kanda

Day 14 Home

After a leisurely breakfast, your driver will meet and transfer you back to Colombo by road for your flight home.