Luxury Ceylon

After a leisure breakfast, proceed towards Wilpattu .

Enroute visit the Kingdom of Dambadeniya (approx. drive time 30 mins).

Like many other legendary kingdoms in Sri Lanka, Dambadeniya is also another remarkable kingdom in the long-gone days. It is identified as the third kingdom of Sri Lanka, that flourished significantly after Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa kingdoms. Ruled by many kings back in the day, today, this region offers many historical and cultural sites for you to visit to get an overview of the rich heritage Sri Lanka bores. While in Dambadeniya, there are many unique places you can visit and the stories behind these places are full of exhilaration.

On completion visit Wilpattu National Park for an afternoon game drive (approx. drive time 2.5 hours).

Set out a safari to the largest and one of the oldest national parks in Sri Lanka. The name Wilpattu derives from the term “willu” which means natural lakes and the existences of nearly one hundred and sixty lakes within the national park is among the specialties. The national park is world-renowned for its leopard population but also the national park is reputed for the existence of elephants, sloth bear, spotted dear, mongoose and water buffalos.

Upon completion proceed to your hotel in Anuradhapura (approx. drive time 45 mins), check-in at the hotel and spend the evening at leisure.

Overnight Stay at Uga Ulagalla | Ulagalla Pool Villa
Meals: Half-Board

After your breakfast, enjoy a hike up the Ritigala Mountain (approx. drive time 01 hours).

Ritigala is a mountain in central Sri Lanka which is home to an ancient Buddhist monastery where many have visited on pilgrimage throughout the centuries. The ruins and rock inscriptions of the monastery date back to 1 st century BC and remains of bathing pools, courtyards, and pathways on route to the top of the mountain can be seen. There are several legends that surround the mountain. A more mysterious one is the belief of powerful medicinal herbs, found near the crest that have the power to prolong life and cure all human pain. These herbs are said to be guarded and protected by “Yakkas”, spirits of the mountain. There are many folk stories of great kings assisted in battles by these spirits of the mountain.

A very popular legend is the legend of Lord Hanuman, a half-man half-monkey God with powers such a flight, flying over the mountain and by accident dropped a chuck off a mountain of the Himalaya range he was carrying from India to Sri Lanka for its medical herbs. The herbs were said to have healing powers and Hanuman was taking the herbs to Prince Lakshman, the brother of Lord Rama, who was mortally wounded in battle.

On completion enjoy an evening cycling tour of the Anuradhapura (approx. drive time 30 mins).

Begin your cycle amongst local paddy fields, following your expert guide around Anuradhapura’s archaeological marvels and ingenious irrigation systems. Weave along hidden paths to ancient jungle-enveloped structures, neighboring local villages. Pedal beside soaring stupas including Abhayagiri Dagoba, the largest Buddhist monument in the world. After a break at the Elephant Pond (Eth Pokuna) continue a picturesque stupa-fringed cycle beside Basawakkulama Reservoir. Here, witnesses the local life this tank still supports and visit the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree, one of the most sacred Buddhist relics in Sri Lanka.

Upon completion return to the hotel in Anuradhapura.

Overnight Stay at Uga Ulagalla | Ulagalla Pool Villa
Meals: Half-Board

After a leisure breakfast enjoy a local village experience at Hiriwadunna (approx. drive time 01 hours).

Connect with the locals and enjoys an excursion in the tracks of a Sri Lankan village. This tour will be an opportunity for you to emerge through the nature and beauty of a Sri Lankan village. Begin your journey through the paddy fields and the vegetable cultivations, and you then will enter to the heart of the village and meet the simple lifestyle of the fellow villagers. Life here in the village is much simpler, much away from all the chaos and noise, the hustle and bustle of all the traffic, the tranquility roar through the jungle paths. If you have included a catamaran ride into your bucket list, this is the perfect expedition for you. You get the chance to enjoy a serene ride through the village waters, lilies, and fish. If you are a nature lover or even longing to connect with nature, this will be an absolute bliss. Finally, do not forget to enjoy a typical Sri Lankan meal as you complete your tour. This will be arranged at a villager’s house where you will dine the traditional way.

After your lovely local lunch proceed to Minneriya National Park for an evening game drive (approx. drive time 45 mins).

Enjoy an extraordinary evening by witnessing the world’s largest number of Asian elephants gathering in Minneriya. The elephants gather around the Minneriya reservoir during the dry season of the area, and it makes a fascinating view for the wildlife enthusiasts. The historical value of the reservoir dates to the third century AD to the era of king Mahasen. This area is declared as one of the “Important Bird Areas” in the island and the park is also a habitat for the endemic monkeys, samba deer, leopards, sloth bear, slender gray Loris and reptiles.

After your safari, proceed to Sigiriya.

Check-in at the hotel and spend the evening at leisure.

Overnight Stay at Water Garden | Deluxe
Meals: Bed & Breakfast

After an early breakfast proceed to hike the Sigiriya Rock Fortress.

Be a spectator of the breathtaking, ever-so tall, Sigiriya which dates to 5th century AD. This revived garden city is a unique masterpiece of affluent engineering skills, architecture, planning, landscape and especially irrigation. Even today it is a mystery to unveil the architectural skills our engineers possessed during a time like 400 AD. Sigiriya is significantly known as one of the best examples of ancient plumbing. King Kasyapa built Sigiriya as his Rock Fortress and you will see why when you reach the 660 feet straight up and saw the awe-inspiring view to much afar. His life story of becoming the king, by overthrowing his father, is mysterious and controversial. Especially because, in one story it is believed that King Kasyapa killed his father by entombing him to a wall, and another depicts to say he was buried alive in the bund of Kalawewa. Do not forget to capture these incredible stories and add to your collection of memories of your visit to Sri Lanka.

Upon your visit to Sigiriya, continue your way to Kandy. Enroute visit a spice garden in Matale (approx. drive time 45 mins).

Surrounded by the Knuckles Mountain Range, Matale is known as one of the most fertile valleys in Sri Lanka. Home to the spice gardens of Sri Lanka, is located on route from the Cultural Triangle to the Hill Country and is a perfect pitstop for some self-indulgence! Spend some time close to nature, while you are introduced to the vast variety of spices and their medicinal and gastronomic uses. Learn how each spice is grown, harvested, and produced.

Tantalize your taste buds an amazing aromatic meal, complete with all the spices before getting back on the road.

Enjoy a city tour of Kandy in the evening.

Kandy, or “Mahanuwara”, is the last capital of the ancient kings’ era in Sri Lanka. Tucked away amidst the hills, the Kingdom of Kandy is rich in religious history. The last king of Kandy, having embraced Buddhism, made Kandy home to the tooth relic of the Lord Buddha. It was said that the protector of the relic would also be the ruler of the land and the relic was placed close to the royal palace in what is now known as the Temple of the Tooth. Built in the image of the temples of Anuradhapura, the Temple of the Tooth is one of the holiest places of worship and pilgrimage for Buddhists around the world. The Temple of the Tooth is now a World Heritage site and many visitors can partake in Buddhist rituals, or “pooja” throughout the day, a spiritual and special experience.

Check-in at the hotel in Kandy and spend the rest of the evening at leisure.

Overnight Stay at The Kandy House | Deluxe
Meals: Bed & Breakfast

After your breakfast drive up the hills to Hatton. (approx. drive time 2 hrs 30 mins).

Board the intercity train from Peradeniya Railway Station to Hatton. The Train journey will take you through manmade tunnels, gray stone cliffs and rivers will flash past your window with occasional views of enormous waterfalls cascading down the mountainside, while the Train keeps climbing steadily.

You will take along a packed lunch provided by the hotel

Proceed to Hatton by Train (train journey is around 02.5 hours)

Train times are as follows:
Leave Peradeniya 0850hrs Arrive Hatton 1120hrs
Leave Peradeniya 1110hrs Arrive Hatton 1340hrs
Leave Peradeniya 1230hrs Arrive Hatton 1500hrs

By the time you reach Hatton station the driver guide will be at the station and take you to your hotel in Hatton (approx. drive time 2 hrs 30 mins).

Hatton is a busy city, surrounded by misty hills and mesmerizing views of the lush green tea plantations. The name of the town refers to a village in Scotland and few other estates are also named after Scottish villages. Hatton has been found during the British colonial era for Coffee cultivation and later it has been replaced with tea cultivation. The town is also a gateway for the pilgrims of Adam’s Peak and Sinharaja Forest Reserve. During your visit to Hatton miss not to visit a tea plantation and to taste a freshly brewed cup of Ceylon tea 4200 ft. above the sea level!

After a breath-taking drive check-in at the hotel in Hatton. Evening at leisure

Overnight Stay at Camelia Hills | Camelia Bedroom
Meals: All Inclusive

After your breakfast proceed to Udawalawe (approx. drive time 4 hrs 30 mins) and visit the Elephant Transit Home.

You will find the entrance to the only elephant transit home in Sri Lanka. This is a sanctuary for baby elephants who are rescued from the jungle roaming around after the loss of their parents. They are bottle fed until a certain age and then are introduced to a grass diet. As they become adults, if the elephants are strong enough to survive themselves, they are released back to the National Park.

On completion proceed to Yala, check-in at Chena Huts by Uga Escapes (approx. drive time 02 hrs) and spend the evening at leisure.

Overnight Stay at Uga Chena Huts | Cabin with Pool
Meals: All Inclusive

Early AM game drive at Yala National Park

The perfect place for all; a wildlife enthusiast, an explorer, and a tourer, to travers through the jungle trails to discover the best wildlife package Sri Lanka has to offer. This is also the most watched and most gratifying wildlife destination in the isle.

With a typical safari tour, you can expect to see Crocodiles, uncommon birds, a group of spotted deer, colourful peacocks, and elephants. On a rare occasion, if you are lucky, you will get the chance to see a Sri Lankan Leopard, a Sloth Bear and even a Sambar Deer. Yala can also be taken as a terrific birdwatching location, where in some months you will see hundreds of migrant birds’ flock together adding more colour to this wonderful park. All in all, it is highly recommended to enter with an open mind as we never can assure how the wild will turn out to be. Even if you couldn’t see any of the above you would still experience once in a lifetime ride through one of the most eloquent national parks in Sri Lanka.

After your morning safari proceed to the southern coast of Sri Lanka to enjoy the sandy beaches.

Check-in at The Fortress Resort and Spa and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight Stay at Fortress Resort and Spa | Fortress Room
Meals: Half Board

After a leisure breakfast proceed towards the central hub of Sri Lanka – Colombo (approx. drive time 2 hrs 30 mins).

Enroute visit Lunuganga Geoffrey Bawa’s Country Estate.

A guided tour shared with other guests. There are three daily tours commencing at 11am, 2pm and 3pm and clients may book one of these time slots in advance.

On your arrival in Colombo, enjoy a guided city tour by Mark Forbes

A personalized city walk through the city of Colombo, where you can experience first hand the borrowed words from the Portuguese to the amazing architecture the Dutch/English left behind, see the vision and love the Englishman had for this land - all while learning and experiencing what being Sri Lankan is all about. Mark Forbes walk is generally 3 - 4 hours and are conducted in the evening-time allowing the body to battle the humidity levels and experience the wind-down time of island culture. And most of all, to give that photographer in your midst the opportunity to create a masterpiece of Colombo City. With this personalized walk, we guarantee to engage your senses and set it all a-buzz as you will experience (safe) local food and beverages.

Check-in at the Maniumpathy and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight Stay at Uga Residence | Park Suite
Meals: Half Board

After your breakfast you’ll be dropped at the airport to connect with your departure flight (approx. drive time 45 mins).