Cox and Kings Sri Lanka: The Enchanted Island

– International flights (and domestic flights if applicable)
– UK departure and overseas airport taxes
– Selected meals: 11 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 1 dinner
– Small group size – average 14 (max 18)
– 4- & 5-star accommodation
– Local Transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle
– Experienced local tour manager
– Fully escorted by an English-speaking guide throughout
– Wildlife safari and national park entrance fees

– Visit the impressive Dambulla caves and Sigiriya rock fortress
– Witness a Puja ceremony at the Temple of the Tooth
– Stay in an authentic converted tea factory
– Finish the tour with relaxation on the beach

Day 1: To Colombo
Overnight flight from London (regional connections available) to Colombo
(No Meals)

Day 2: Colombo
Afternoon arrival and transfer to the Cinammon Lakeside (or similar) for 1 night. Enjoy afternoon tea at the iconic Galle Face Hotel.
(Lunch)

Day 3 – Dambulla
In the morning transfer to Dambulla.
(Breakfast)

Day 4: Anuradhapura & Mihintale
Drive to the ancient city of Anuradhapura. For 1,400 years this city was Sri Lanka’s capital and contains fabulous Buddhist shrines and relics. Afternoon visit to Mihintale, the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.(Breakfast)

Day 5: Sigiriya & Polonnaruwa
Morning visit to the rock fortress town of Sigiriya. Continue to the 11th-century medieval capital of Polonnaruwa.(Breakfast)

Day 6: Dambulla to Kandy
Morning visit to Dambulla, home to Asia’s most impressive cave temples. Continue to the beautiful hill station of Kandy and stay 2 nights at the Earls Regency (or similar). Afternoon city tour. Later, in the evening, take time to watch a traditional Kandyan dance performance and visit the Temple of the Tooth for the evening puja.
(Breakfast)

Day 7: Kandy
Kandy is set on the shores of a beautiful man-made lake and the area abounds with rich and varied plant life. Morning visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens. Afternoon is at leisure
(Breakfast)

Day 8: To Nuwara Eliya
Early morning drive to Nuwara Eliya hill station via a tea plantation. Situated at 2,000 metres above sea level, Nuwara Eliya attracted the British in the 18th century and their legacy is still visible. Stay at the Heritance Tea Factory for 2 nights.
(Breakfast)

Day 9 – Horton Plains
Early morning visit to Horton Plains, situated on Sri Lanka’s highest plateau (this excursion involves a 2.5-hour walk*). The remainder of the day is at leisure.
(Breakfast)

Day 10: Ella to Yala
Visit the Rawana Ella Falls and the Buduruwagala statues before continuing the Elephant Transit Home. Then, drive to Yala.
(Breakfast)

Day 11: Yala
Morning wildlife safari in Yala National Park. Covering 1,300 sq km, Yala National Park encompasses a diversity of jungle habitats, including scrub, brackish lagoons and riverside locations. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner.
(Breakfast and dinner)

Day 12 – 13: Galle • Ahungalla
Drive to Ahungalla, stopping to take a tour of Galle fort.
(Breakfast)

Day 13: Ahungalla
Day at leisure
(Breakfast)

Day 14: To London
Transfer to Colombo and fly to London with Sri Lankan Airlines.
(Breakfast)

Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo, Colombo
Nestled in the heart of Colombo, on the edge of the Beira Lake, the Cinnamon Lakeside is set among 2.8 hectares of lush landscaped gardens.

Earls Regency Hotel, Kandy
The Earl’s Regency hotel is set in the Dumbara valley, overlooking the lush Knuckles mountain range and the Mahaweli river. The hotel has 104 en suite bedrooms each with private balcony overlooking the countryside

Heritance Ahungalla, Ahungalla
This 5-star property is situated in Ahungalla, an ancient fishing hamlet. The setting is idyllic – a long stretch of unspoilt palm-fringed beach on the south-west coast beside the Indian Ocean.

Heritance Kandalama, Dambulla
The Heritance Kandalama stands on the shore of an ancient manmade lake, at the foot of a rocky outcrop, which once was the home of hermits who sought isolation for meditation in its caves.

Tea Factory Hotel, Nuwara Eliya
Set 6,800 feet above sea level, The Heritance Tea Factory was built as the Heathersett Tea Factory in the days of the British Raj. The conversion combines much of the original building’s style and machinery with a range of modern innovations. The views are entrancing, with a wide panorama to the front and gentle pastoral scenes to the rear.

Cinnamon Wild Yala, Karinda
Cinnamon Wild Yala is situated at Kirinda, bordering the Yala Wildlife Sanctuary and the Indian Ocean. Spanning 4 hectares of jungle and endless miles of beach, Cinnamon Wild Yala is truly a nature resort of untamed beauty.