Riviera Travel Sri Lanka

• Visit the Elephant Transit home at feeding time
• Embark on a guided tour of the tea-growing areas in Nuwara Eliya
• Climb Sigiriya Rock to views the Royal Palace
• See the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy

• Return flights and transfers
• 11nts in 4/5* accommodation
• Selected meals: 11 breakfasts & 8 dinners
• 10 included experiences
• Expert tour manager
• Checked luggage

Day 1: Departure
Arrive for your flight to Colombo

Day 2: Arrival in Colombo
Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for a 1-night stay

Day 3: Dambulla
Visit the amazing, 1st century cave temples of Dambulla, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a wonderful introduction to the Buddhist religion. Set in an immense granite outcrop and reached by several steps, this series of five caves is richly adorned with remarkably preserved frescoes and over 150 Buddhist statues.

Day 4: Sigiriya Rock
This morning, you’ll visit what is arguably Sri Lanka’s most memorable and captivating monument: Sigiriya, also known as the ‘Lion Rock.’ This colossal 600ft granite tower, surrounded by sheer cliffs, once housed a 1,500-year-old royal palace.

The site features a moat and protective ramparts, encompassing various water gardens, remnants of buildings, and caves. As you approach Sigiriya Rock, you’ll encounter some of the country’s finest ancient murals, including the exquisite ‘cloud maidens.’ These murals depict elegantly adorned women carrying lilies and lotus flowers in intricate detail. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure at the hotel.

Day 5: Kandy
This morning, leave Sigiriya for Kandy. Sri Lanka is noted for its magnificent spices so en route, visit a fascinating garden where you can see many indigenous plants such as pepper, nutmeg, and cinnamon before arriving at Kandy, the country’s royal capital.

Day 6: Kandy
The central area of the city features a beautiful lake and the revered Temple of the Tooth, believed to hold Buddha’s relic. It’s the island’s holiest Buddhist shrine, and you might witness a ceremony during your visit.

You’ll also explore the magnificent Royal Botanical Gardens, established over 150 years ago, covering 150 acres and hosting a vast array of plant species and mature tropical trees. The gardens offer serene walks through lawns, shaded avenues, and well-maintained flower beds, where exotic birds and trees planted by royalty like Edward VII and Queen Elizabeth II can be seen.

Day 7: Train to Nuwara Eliya
Today, you depart from Kandy and board a train to Nuwara Eliya. The journey unfolds amidst increasingly mountainous terrain, offering breathtaking vistas of Sri Lanka’s renowned tea plantations.

The landscape transitions from lush tropical jungle to towering pine forests, and eventually, vast expanses of neatly arranged tea bushes, creating a lush green carpet that extends to the horizon.

Day 8: Elephant Transit Home
Next, bid farewell to Sri Lanka’s hill country and travel south to Udawalawe National Park, where you visit the Elephant Transit Home, supported by the Born Free Foundation in the UK. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to observe young elephant orphans receiving their daily feeds.

Day 9: Yala National Park
This morning, you’ll embark on a jungle exploration in 4×4 vehicles, encountering an extraordinary array of wildlife. Yala National Park boasts an impressive population of the normally elusive leopard, making it one of the best places for thrilling game viewing. These majestic big cats, the island’s apex predators, are notably less timid here than in other parts of the world. Return to the hotel for a late breakfast and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 10: Kalutara
Following breakfast, you journey back to the west coast, exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Galle, known for its 16th-century Dutch Fort. In the late afternoon, you reach the five-star Anantara Kalutara Resort, a contemporary hotel that blends local traditions. This unique resort is situated at the confluence of the Kalu Ganga River estuary lagoon and the Indian Ocean on a narrow peninsula, offering breathtaking 360-degree ocean and lagoon views.

Days 11 & 12: Free Day
You have the two days at your leisure—whether you choose to unwind at the hotel, indulge in spa treatments, or simply bask by the pool is up to you.

Day 13: Return Home
Transfer to the airport for your return flight

This Signature Tour includes everything from the Classic Tour as well as the following:

Day 3:
Enjoy a poolside pre-dinner drinks reception

Day 6:
Embark on a guided boat journey along the Mahaweli River to discover its diverse wildlife, including kingfishers, water monitor lizards, porcupines, tortoises, water buffalo, and possibly wild boar along the riverbanks.

Day 7:
Indulge in the grandeur of yesteryears with high tea at Nuwara Eliya’s renowned Grand Hotel. Delight in traditional savouries, sandwiches, and cakes in the elegant Tea Lounge and fountain lawn, complemented by fragrant local teas, all in the charming ambience of this historic institution.

Plus, enjoy the more exclusive atmosphere of travelling in a small group of 25 or fewer guests.

For dates and prices, please enquire or call 0800 707 6229

Arie Lagoon Hotel, Negombo
The four-star Arie Lagoon hotel, conveniently close to the airport, offers a 24-hour front desk, lounge and bar, restaurant, fitness center, swimming pool with a swim-up bar and lagoon view, spa and wellness facilities, air conditioning, elevator access, laundry service, and complimentary Wi-Fi. The 55 spacious air-conditioned rooms in low-rise garden buildings feature terraces or balconies, natural wood furniture, showers, hairdryers, safes, minibars (additional charge), cable TV, tea/coffee makers, and free Wi-Fi.

Chaarya Resort and Spa, Tissamaharama
This hotel boasts a range of amenities, including a swimming pool, spa, massage services, lounge and bar, restaurant, 24-hour front desk, air conditioning, complimentary Wi-Fi, laundry service, and a terrace. The rooms feature balconies or terraces and are well-appointed with air conditioning, TV, safes, tea/coffee making facilities, bathtubs, rain showers, hairdryers, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Habarana Village by Cinnamon, Habarana
This hotel offers an array of amenities, including a swimming pool, spa and wellness center, lounge and bar, restaurant, 24-hour front desk, air conditioning, complimentary Wi-Fi, laundry service, terrace, and complimentary tea and coffee. The 108 air-conditioned rooms are situated in detached and semi-detached cottages and come equipped with showers, hairdryers, safes, minibars (local charges apply), cable TV, tea/coffee-making facilities, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Cinnamon Citadel, Kandy
This hotel offers various amenities, including a 24-hour front desk, lounge and bar, restaurant, coffee shop, fitness center, swimming pool, spa and wellness facilities, terrace, complimentary tea and coffee, and free Wi-Fi. The 121 comfortable air-conditioned rooms feature showers, hairdryers, minibars (local charges apply), safes, TVs, tea/coffee makers, and balconies with river views.

Golden Ridge Hotel, Nuwara Eliya
This hotel boasts a range of amenities, including a swimming pool, outdoor pool, spa and wellness center, lounge and bar, restaurant, fitness center, 24-hour front desk, air conditioning, laundry service, and terrace. All rooms feature balconies and are tastefully furnished with TV, safe, tea/coffee making facilities, mini bar, rainfall shower, hairdryer, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Anantura Kalutara Resort, Kalutara
The Anantara is a five-star resort designed by Geoffrey Bawa, blending contemporary style with local traditions to offer a perfect retreat. It features a swimming pool, outdoor pool, spa and wellness facilities, lounge and bar, restaurant, fitness center, 24-hour front desk, air conditioning, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a terrace. Activities include water sports, cooking classes, and cultural demonstrations. Room amenities include a separate bathtub, rain shower, hairdryer, safe, minibar (extra charge), cable TV, tea/coffee maker, iron & board, and a private balcony or terrace with garden views.

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 here are approximate and dependent on traffic