Riviera Travel Highlights of Sri Lanka

• Take a scenic boat safari along the Mahaweli River to learn about the region’s wildlife
• Enjoy a classic high tea at the Grand Hotel in Nuwara Eliya
• Visit the Elephant Transfer Home, dedicated to rehabilitating orphaned elephants
• Spend two days unwinding on a tropical beach

• Return flights and transfers
• 11nts in 4/5* accommodation
• Selected Meals: 11 breakfasts & 8 dinners
• 13 included experiences
• Services of an expert tour manager
• Welcome drink

Day 1: Departure
Board your overnight flight to Sri Lanka

Day 2: Arrive in Colombo
Arriving around midday in Colombo, transfer to your hotel.

Day 3: Dambulla
Leave Colombo and head through the countryside to the Dambulla Cave Temples, one of the country’s most treasured religious landmarks. Explore the caves adorned with frescoes and Buddha Statues before heading to your hotel. Here, enjoy a poolside drinks reception before dinner.

Day 4: Sigiriya Rock
This morning, visit the breathtaking monument of Sigiriya, a huge granite fortress topped with ruins of an ancient royal palace. On your way towards the rock, you’ll get the chance to see the ‘Cloud Maidens’, a series of beautiful frescoes. The afternoon is free to spend as you wish.

Day 5: Kandy
Set off towards Kandy, the former royal capital. Along the way, stop at a spice garden before arriving in the afternoon. Check into your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 6: Kandy
Begin your day of exploration with a visit to the Temple of the Tooth, the holiest Buddhist shrine in Sri Lanka where you may witness once of the ceremonies that take place here. Then, take a relaxing boat ride on the Mahaweli River. During this, an expert naturalist will explain the biodiversity that thrives along its banks. This afternoon, take a stroll through the immense Botanical Gardens, home to thousands of exotic plants. This evening, enjoy a performance of traditional Sri Lankan dance.

Day 7: Journey to Nuwara Eliya
Head to Nuwara Eliya this morning arriving in the afternoon after passing through the mountains and into the tea plantations. On arrival, check into your hotel.

Day 8: Elephant Transit Home
Journey south to reach the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe National Park. Here, you’ll have the chance to watch young elephants being fed before transferring to your hotel.

Day 9: Yala National Park
Early this morning, set off on a safari through Yala National Park. Keep your eyes out for leopards, elephants, sloth bears and numerous birds. Return for a late breakfast before having the rest of the day leisure.

Day 10: Kalutara
After breakfast, head back towards the west coast, stopping on route for a tour of the city of Galle, known for its Dutch Fort. In the afternoon, you’ll arrive at a 5* resort

Days 11-12: Free Day
Enjoy 2 days relaxing at the hotel

Day 13: Return home
Transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK

Arie Lagoon Hotel, Negombo****
This hotel is a short distance from the airport, lying between Negombo Lagoona and the sea. There are two pools, as well as a restaurant and bar. All of the room here are spacious, and offer a shower, hairdryer, safe, tv and coffee maker.

Habarana Village by Cinnamon****
Sitting on the shores of Habarana Lake, this hotel offers an open-air restaurant, bar, pool and spa. The rooms are in cottages and are all air-conditioned, and have a shower, hairdryer, safe, tv and coffee/tea making facilities

Cinnamon Citadel, Kandy****
Located on the Mahaweli River, this hotel is a 15-minute drive from the centre of Kandy. The hotel has a sun terrace and large pool, as well as a restaurant and lounge bar. All rooms are comfortable and have a shower, hairdryer, safe, tv and a balcony.

Golden Ridge Hotel, Nuwara Eliya****
This hotel in the mountains offer views out over the tea plantations, as well as a restaurant, a tea lounge and pub bar. All rooms have a balcony, and are equipped with a tv, safe, tea/coffee making facilities and a shower.

Chaarya Resort & Spa. Tissamaharama****
Sitting just 30 minutes from Yala National Park, this hotel has a restaurant, bar, fitness room, pool and spa, making it perfect for relaxing after your safari experience. The rooms here have a balcony or terrace and are furnished with a tv, safe, tea/coffee making facilities, a bath and a shower.

Anantara Kalutara Resort, Kalutara*****
Set on a narrow peninsula where the Kalu Ganga River meets the Indian Ocean, this luxury resort on Sri Lanka’s southwest coast offers two outdoor pools (one adults-only), a spa, fitness room, yoga pavilion, and a range of activities including watersports, cooking classes, artisan workshops, and cultural ceremonies. Dining options include international buffets at Olu, Thai, Chinese and Indian cuisine at Spice Traders, live Japanese teppanyaki, and Italian fare at Acquolina, with private dining and 24-hour room service also available. Guests stay in stylish Premier Garden View Rooms with modern comforts and garden-facing balconies

Fact File

• Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee
• Flight time: Approx.  10 hrs 35 mins (outbound), 11 hrs 10 mins (inbound)
• Languages: Sinhala, Tamil
• Time zone: GMT+5.5 winter, Summer daylight saving GMT+4.5
• Country: Sri Lanka

*All transfer times listed below are approximate and dependent on traffic