Day 1 – To Colombo: Overnight flight from London to Colombo with Sri Lankan Airlines. (N)
Day 2 – To Negombo: Afternoon arrival and transfer to Negombo for an overnight stay at the Jetwing Beach hotel. (D)
Day 3 – To Kandalama: Morning drive to visit the rock fortress of Sigiriya. Continue to Kandalama for the rest of the day at leisure. Stay at the Heritance Kandalama Hotel for 4 nights. (B)
Day 4 – Anuradhapura: Drive to the ancient city of Anuradhapura, founded in the fourth century BC. For 1,400 years, the city was the capital of Sri Lanka and now contains fabulous Buddhist shrines and relics. This evening, visit
Sri Mahabodhi Temple and the Ruwanweliseya stupa. (B)
Day 5 – Mihintale & Dambulla: Morning visit to Mihintale, where Buddhism originated in Sri Lanka and Kaludia Pokuna, the ancient forest
monastery. Continue to Dambulla, best known for its rock caves. (B)
Day 6 – Polonnaruwa: Drive to the 11th century medieval capital of Polonnaruwa, site of several magnificent carved buddhas. (B)
Day 7 – To Kandy: Morning visit to the studio of artist Laki Senanayake at Diyabubula, followed by the artist Ena de Silva’s
cooperative at Aluwihare, including her famous 32-dish lunch. Continue to the beautiful hill station of Kandy, set on the shores of an artificial lake. Visit the Tooth Temple and associated dewales. Stay overnight at the Suisse Hotel. (B, L)
Day 8 – To Bandarawela: Drive to Nuwara Eliya and visit Peradeniya Gardens. Continue to the Lankatilleke and Embekke temples.
Afternoon visit to Bandarawela chapel. Stay overnight at the Bandarawela Hotel. (B)
Day 9 – To Tissamaharama: This morning, descend through the Ella Gap and visit the Buduruwagala rock buddhas and / or the Maligawila monastery ruins near Okampitiya. Continue to the sacred area of Kataragama. Stay overnight at Mandara Rosen Hotel. (B)
Day 10 – To Ahungalla: This morning, visit the medieval monastery at Mulkirigala. Continue to Ahungalla, stopping en route to
visit Mirissa Hills, a hotel designed by the architect Chelvadurai Anjalendran. Afternoon visit to Galle Fort. Stay 3 nights at Heritance Ahungalla. (B)
Day 11 – Ahungalla: Drive to Balapitiya for a boat ride to the island temple at Kotduwa. Afternoon at leisure. (B)
Day 12 – Ahungalla: Visit to the Brief Garden (Beruwela). Afternoon visit to Lunuganga Garden. (B)
Day 13 – To Colombo: Drive to Colombo and visit the Kelaniya temple, the Karagampitya temple and Dehiwala. Visit the home of the
architect Geoffrey Bawa and a Colombo art gallery. This evening, there is an opportunity to meet Sri Lankan artists and architects. Stay 2 nights at the Regency at Galle Face Hotel. (B)
Day 14 – Colombo: Today’s visits include the museum, the fort and Seema Maleka, as well as optional visits to houses designed by Anjalendran and Channa Daswatte. Evening farewell dinner. (B, D)
Day 15 – To London: Fly to London with Sri Lankan Airlines. (B)
Meal Basis: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner, (N) = No Meals
Extensions: If you wish to extend your stay in Sri Lanka for more independent exploration, please contact Cox & Kings for details.
