Riviera Travel Sri Lankan Highlights with Indian Ocean Beach Stay

– 12 nights in 3 & 4-star accommodation
– Daily breakfast and dinner
– 9 guided tours and visits
– 4-night beach stay
– Expert Tour Manager & driver guides
– All local accommodation taxes
– Return flights & transfers (inc. taxes)
– Checked Luggage

– Explore the UNESCO sites of Galle and Polonnaruwa
– 4×4 ride through Wasgamuwa National Park
– Relax by the Indian Ocean

Day 1 – Departure

Travel to the airport for your flight to Colombo

Day 2 – Arrive in Colombo

After arriving, transfer to the hotel and relax before dinner

Day 3 – Colombo

After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of Colombo, showcasing the eclectic mix of Portuguese, British and Dutch colonial heritage. As you explore, you’ll have the chance to have lunch at a local restaurant before leaving the city for Galle, a town with historic Dutch influence.

Day 4 – Galle

Spend the morning wandering through Galle, admiring the colonial buildings, ancient mosques and churches and museums. You’ll also get the chance to see local life in the area around the town, and pass by a cinnamon plantation, stopping for a refreshing local herbal drink. In the afternoon, you’ll take a walking tour of the Dutch fort.

Day 5 – Nine Arches

Enjoy a scenic drive to the edge of the Hill Country to Bandarawela. En route, stop in Ellam a village full of ancient temples and stunning views to admire. A highlight of the day is the Nine Arches Bridge, a viaduct bridge that is one of the best examples of colonial-era railway construction. Arrive in Bandarawela in the evening.

Day 6 – Lipton Tea

Visit Lipton’s seat, which offers fantastic panoramic views of the surrounding provinces. Later on, visit Dambatenne Tea Factory, where you’ll have a tour to see the manufacturing process and sample the final product.

Day 7 – Wasgamuwa

Travel north to Dambulla, where you’ll drive to Wasgamuwa National Park in the evening for a 4×4 drive, a great opportunity to see the majestic elephants that call this park home as well as Sri Lankan leopards and sloth bears

Day 8 – Sigiriya Rock

Visit Lion Rock, an impressive granite tower topped by an ancient palaces and surrounded by stunning murals and water gardens. In the afternoon, take some time to relax in the hotel.

Day 9 – Polonnaruwa

Visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, once a thriving commercial and religious centre. See the white dome of the Kiri Verhera, the Vatadage and the Gal Viharaya, all of which showcase the magnificence of the site. In the afternoon, continue onto the coast.

Days 10-12 – Free Days

Spend a few days at leisure in Passikudah, home to pristine beaches and picturesque fishing villages.

Day 13 – Chilaw

Travel west to Chilaw for an overnight stay

Day 14 – Return home

Transfer to the airport for your return flight home, arriving in the UK the same day.

Cinnamon Lakeside, Colombo – 4*

Cinnamon Lakeside is located in Colombo city along the banks of Beira Lake. The hotel features 9 dining options, a pool, bar, fitness room, sauna and complimentary WIFI.

The Grand Galle Hotel, Galle – 3*

This charming, modern contemporary complex overlooks the coastal cliffs of Galle and the Indian Ocean. The hotel features a number of amenities, including an outdoor pool, spa, steam and sauna, fitness centre, a garden and complimentary WIFI.

Bandarawela Hotel

Located in the misty central southern hill country, is the hill capital of Bandarawela and the Bandarawela Hotel. Classic colonial charm greets you with Sri Lankan hospitality in this unique hotel. The first of its kind within the hill capital, the original hotel dates back to 1893.

Sigiriana Resort by Thilanka, Dambulla – 4*

The Sigiriana Resort by Thilanka is surrounded by lush, green paddy fields and native mango orchards, the perfect tranquil haven after a day of exploring.

Anantaya Resort & Spa Passikudah – 4*

Anantya Resort and Spa is located on the beachfront of the bay of Passikudah, on the east coast of Sri Lanka. Featuring an outdoor pool and swim-up bar, a fitness centre and a spa which offers an array of treatments. From all-day dining to seafood cuisine, there is something for everyone.

Anantaya Resort & Spa, Chilaw – 4*

Located where lagoon meets ocean, Anantaya Resort Chilaw is conveniently 2 hours north of Bandaranaike International airport in the coastal town of Chilaw.

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

Mobility
There is a fair amount of walking involved throughout this tour, and as many places we visit as part of this itinerary are in national parks and historical areas, we cannot expect or guarantee the terrain to be flat and even. Whilst this should not pose any difficulty for clients who are in good health, please consider any mobility requirements personal to yourself.

Transfer Times
Arrival: Bandaranaike airport to Colombo: 1 hour
Departure: Chilaw to Bandaranaike airport: 2 hours