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Lily Brough

Travel Specialist

020 7808 6788

020 7808 6788

Save up to £150pp on Sri Lanka: The Enchanted Island

Valid for travel 30 January 2024 departure. Book by 19 December 2023

For Ts&Cs and availability, please speak to one of our travel specialists.

Lead Price
From £2045pp
Duration
14 days & 13 nights
Itinerary Type
Group Tour
Holiday Type
General Interest
Tour Highlights

The Enchanted Island

The teardrop-shaped island of Sri Lanka contains a wealth of cultural, archaeological and natural treasures. This comprehensive tour visits both popular and lesser-known sites in the north, centre and south of the country. Highlights include the jungle-bound fortress of Sigiriya, wildlife-rich Yala National Park, and the cave temples of Dambulla.
Dates and prices

Itinerary

YEAR:
DAY 1: Fly to Colombo
- +

Fly to Colombo

Overnight flight from London (regional connections available) to Colombo with Sri Lankan Airlines. (N) Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

DAY 2: Colombo
- +

Colombo

Afternoon arrival and transfer to the Cinnamon Lakeside for 1 night. Enjoy a welcome afternoon tea at the Galle Face Hotel. (L)

DAY 3: Dambulla
- +

Dambulla

In the morning, transfer to Dambulla. Stay 3 nights at the Heritance Kandalama. (B)

Accommodation: Heritance Kandalama
DAY 4: Anuradhapura - Mihintale
- +

Anuradhapura - Mihintale

Drive to the ancient Anuradhapura. This city was Sri Lanka's capital for 1,400 years and contains fabulous Buddhist shrines and relics. Afternoon visit to Mihintale, the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. (B)

Accommodation: Heritance Kandalama
DAY 5: Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa
- +

Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa

Morning visit to the rock-fortress town of Sigiriya. Continue to the 11th-century capital of Polonnaruwa. (B)

Accommodation: Heritance Kandalama
DAY 6: Dambulla - Kandy
- +

Dambulla - 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. Afternoon city tour. This evening, take time to watch a traditional Kandyan dance performance and visit the Temple of the Tooth for the evening puja. (B)

Accommodation: Earls Regency Hotel
DAY 7: Kandy
- +

Kandy

Kandy is set on the shores of a beautiful manmade lake and the area abounds with rich and varied plant life. Morning visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

Accommodation: Earls Regency Hotel
DAY 8: Nuwara Eliya
- +

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. (B)

Accommodation: Heritance Tea Factory
DAY 9: Horton Plains
- +

Horton Plains

Early morning visit to Horton Plains, situated on Sri Lanka's highest plateau (this excursion involves a 2.5-hour walk*). Horton Plains is inhabited by large populations of monkeys and sambar deer. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)

Accommodation: Heritance Tea Factory
DAY 10: Ella - Yala
- +

Ella - Yala

Visit the Rawana Ella Falls and impressive Buduruwagala statues before continuing to the Elephant Transit Home. Then drive to Yala and stay for 2 nights at the Cinnamon Wild. (B)

Accommodation: Cinnamon Wild Yala
DAY 11: Yala
- +

Yala

Morning wildlife safari in Yala National Park. Covering 1,300 sq km, the park encompasses a diversity of jungle habitats, including scrub, brackish lagoons and riverside locations. Creatures that may be seen include elephants, leopards, sloth bears, spotted deer, sambar deer, wild pigs, jackals, marsh crocodiles and a great variety of birdlife. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner. (B, D)

Accommodation: Cinnamon Wild Yala
DAY 12: Galle - Ahungalla
- +

Galle - Ahungalla

Drive to Ahungalla, stopping for a tour of Galle Fort. Stay 2 nights at Heritance Ahungalla or upgrade to the Cinnamon Bentota Resort & Spa (Superior Charm Seaview room) from £70. (B)

DAY 13: Ahungalla
- +

Ahungalla

Day at leisure. (B)

DAY 14: Fly to London
- +

Fly to London

Transfer to Colombo and fly to London with Sri Lankan Airlines. (B)

DAY 1: Fly to Colombo
- +

Fly to Colombo

Overnight flight from London (regional connections available) to Colombo with Sri Lankan Airlines. (N) Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

DAY 2: Colombo
- +

Colombo

Afternoon arrival and transfer to the Cinnamon Lakeside for 1 night. Enjoy a welcome afternoon tea at the Galle Face Hotel. (L)

DAY 3: Dambulla
- +

Dambulla

In the morning, transfer to Dambulla. Stay 3 nights at the Heritance Kandalama. (B)

Accommodation: Heritance Kandalama
DAY 4: Anuradhapura - Mihintale
- +

Anuradhapura - Mihintale

Drive to the ancient Anuradhapura. This city was Sri Lanka's capital for 1,400 years and contains fabulous Buddhist shrines and relics. Afternoon visit to Mihintale, the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. (B)

Accommodation: Heritance Kandalama
DAY 5: Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa
- +

Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa

Morning visit to the rock-fortress town of Sigiriya. Continue to the 11th-century capital of Polonnaruwa. (B)

Accommodation: Heritance Kandalama
DAY 6: Dambulla - Kandy
- +

Dambulla - 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. Afternoon city tour. This evening, take time to watch a traditional Kandyan dance performance and visit the Temple of the Tooth for the evening puja. (B)

Accommodation: Earls Regency Hotel
DAY 7: Kandy
- +

Kandy

Kandy is set on the shores of a beautiful manmade lake and the area abounds with rich and varied plant life. Morning visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

Accommodation: Earls Regency Hotel
DAY 8: Nuwara Eliya
- +

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. (B)

Accommodation: Heritance Tea Factory
DAY 9: Horton Plains
- +

Horton Plains

Early morning visit to Horton Plains, situated on Sri Lanka's highest plateau (this excursion involves a 2.5-hour walk*). Horton Plains is inhabited by large populations of monkeys and sambar deer. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)

Accommodation: Heritance Tea Factory
DAY 10: Ella - Yala
- +

Ella - Yala

Visit the Rawana Ella Falls and impressive Buduruwagala statues before continuing to the Elephant Transit Home. Then drive to Yala and stay for 2 nights at the Cinnamon Wild. (B)

Accommodation: Cinnamon Wild Yala
DAY 11: Yala
- +

Yala

Morning wildlife safari in Yala National Park. Covering 1,300 sq km, the park encompasses a diversity of jungle habitats, including scrub, brackish lagoons and riverside locations. Creatures that may be seen include elephants, leopards, sloth bears, spotted deer, sambar deer, wild pigs, jackals, marsh crocodiles and a great variety of birdlife. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner. (B, D)

Accommodation: Cinnamon Wild Yala
DAY 12: Galle - Ahungalla
- +

Galle - Ahungalla

Drive to Ahungalla, stopping for a tour of Galle Fort. Stay 2 nights at Heritance Ahungalla or upgrade to the Cinnamon Bentota Resort & Spa (Superior Charm Seaview room) from £70. (B)

DAY 13: Ahungalla
- +

Ahungalla

Day at leisure. (B)

DAY 14: Fly to London
- +

Fly to London

Transfer to Colombo and fly to London with Sri Lankan Airlines. (B)

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The Cox & Kings signature experiences

  • Visit the impressive Dambulla caves & 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

Important information

Accessibility
Due to high altitude and uneven terrain, the Horton Plains walk requires a good level of fitness. Visits to certain ancient monuments in the Cultural Triangle require quite a bit of step climbing. In some cases, this is in excess of 1,800 steps and in other instances somewhere between 800 and 1,200 steps.
Private & tailor-made travel
This itinerary can be taken privately on a date that suits you. Alternatively, it can be tailored to your exact requirements. So, should you want to spend longer in a particular location, or add another experience or destination, we can make all the arrangements for you. Please contact our travel specialists for guideline prices.
Guaranteed departures
Where a tour date shows ‘Guaranteed departure’, this tour is guaranteed to run. For all other departure dates, once the minimum number of people booked has been reached, this tour is also guaranteed to run. Our sales consultants will be able to advise how many people are booked for your chosen date at the time of enquiry, giving you the confidence to book safe in the knowledge your tour will go ahead.
Dates and prices
Unless otherwise stated, the tour prices and upgrade supplements are all per person in pound sterling, based on two people sharing a twin/double room. The online price is a guideline price; your final quote may differ due to flight availability, and you may be asked to pay a flight supplement.

What's included

  • Small group size - average 14 people (max 18)
  • 4- & 5-star accommodation
  • Flexible - extensions, room & flight upgrades available
  • Direct international flights with Sri Lankan Airlines
  • Transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
  • Experienced local tour manager
  • 11 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 1 dinner
  • Upgrade to half-board in Dambulla, Kandy & Ahungalla (7 nights) for £111
  • Wildlife safari & national park entrance fees
  • Hotel porterage

Is your preferred tour date fully booked?

Please call or submit an enquiry about late availability.

Private journey option: guideline prices

Low season from £2,495 | Guide price month: January - March

High season from £2,495 | Guide price month: October - November

Single supplement from £595

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