Essential Sri Lanka with East Coast

DAY 1  DEPART UK

Depart the UK on your flight to Colombo.

DAYS 2 & 3 THE NOTARY’S HOUSE    

Meet your local chauffeur-guide on arrival at Colombo Airport before being transferred to your boutique hotel where you will be for a two-night stay. Spend your first full day relaxing here amidst the tropical gardens and a coconut grove.

DAYS 4 - 6  HILL COUNTRY   

You will be transferred into the scenic hill country today by your chauffeur-guide where you will stay on the edge of the Knuckles mountain range for three nights. Spend a day with your guide exploring the beautiful tea fields, learning how tea is are grown, picked and processed. You’ll have the opportunity to meet the pickers and perhaps even carry one of the tea baskets. On your second day, take a guided walk or cycle ride through the local villages.

DAYS 7 - 9  CULTURAL TRIANGLE  

Spend time with your guide discovering the best sights in the Cultural Triangle, such as the ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa and the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress. There is also an opportunity to experience rural life in the area as you travel around the scenic countryside on local transport (tuk-tuk, bike, on foot or even a tractor). With your guide, you’ll learn firsthand about the history of the area and the life and work of villagers.  

DAYS 10 - 14 EAST COAST  BEACH & RELAXATION

It’s time for some relaxation on the east coast beaches. Here you’ll have a five-night stay at a lovely beach resort; time to fully unwind in beautiful surroundings.

DAYS 15 & 16 WILPATTU NATIONAL PARK  SAFARI ADVENTURE

Your driver will transport you west to Wilpattu National Park, one of the most important conservation areas in the country. During your two-night stay, you’ll enjoy a full day in the park for an authentic wilderness adventure, keeping watch for leopards, elephants, sloth bears and an array of beautiful birdlife. Wilpattu is a lot less busy than other parks in the country, making for a much more peaceful location to venture out on safari without the tourist crowds.

DAYS 17 & 18 COLOMBO   

Spend your last two days in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s vibrant capital and home to a delicious array of street foods, brilliant shopping opportunities and fascinating history. Weave through the busy, commercial area of Kotahena on a tuk-tuk tour, where you’ll discover remnants of its colonial past. Take to the streets on foot with your guide as they open up the cultural heart of the city to you, giving you a real insight into the influences, traditions and cultures that have shaped the city over the centuries.

DAY 19 FLY HOME

Your driver will drop you at Colombo airport to depart on your flight back to the UK.