Description

Itinerary

• Habarana: 3 nights
• Kandy: 1 night
• Nuwara Eliya: 2 nights
• Colombo: 1 night

Day 1

Fly SriLankan Airlines direct from London Heathrow to Colombo.

Day 2

On arrival, transfer north to Habarana at the hub of the Cultural Triangle; a delightful drive through paddy fields and rubber plantations. Arrive at the Chaaya Village (pictured below), Habarana in a Standard room, your hotel for three nights, set in a 50 acre park bordering a lake. Set in beautiful gardens, its design is based on a traditional Sri Lankan village and is an ideal base from which to explore Sri Lanka's heartland (approx 120 miles, 3½ hours drive).

Day 3

After breakfast, enjoy a morning tour to the Ritigala monastery ruins, its ancient stones are steeped in legend and superbly crafted by artisans. Gigantic treesâ€' form its backdrop, 300 feet high with tropical lianas climbing and twining around the trunks. In the afternoon, experience a wonderful elephant-back safari through the forests and villages of Habarana amid the plentiful wildlife. Each elephant carries a wooden platform for four people.

Day 4

An early start to Hiriwaduna village for a varied trek, first to the reservoir, where the trunks of long dead trees stand stark against lush wetland greenery - Egret's roosting grounds. After a picnic breakfast, cross by catamaran at Oruwa and follow a narrow trail through banana plantations to the home of a Chena farmer - for a cool drink of king coconut, and onward into a scrub forest, where a waiting bullock cart is your jungle transport. Return to the hotel for lunch. Visit the staggering Sigiriya Rock Fortress, to climb its 1,200 steps and see the well preserved fabulous frescoes. The views from the top makes the steep climb more than worthwhile!

Day 5

After breakfast, leave for Kandy visiting the famed Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage en route to see the bathing and bottle feeding of baby elephants. Arrive in the hill capital Kandy for sightseeing of Kandy town and market including a visit to the much revered Temple of the Tooth relic. Overnight at Chaaya Citadel (pictured below), located by the Mahaweli River, in a Standard room. (approx. 5 miles, 2½ hours drive).

Day 6

Visit the colourful Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, then you have a thrilling opportunity to take an optional train ride, from the rail station at Gampola approx. 45 minutes drive outside Kandy, to Nanu Oya station and thereafter continue to Nuwara Eliya by road, 6,000 feet above sea level, for two nights at St Andrews hotel in a Standard room (approx. 65 miles, 2½ hour's drive).

Day 7

Leave for the Horton Plains for a three hour scenic trek through Sri Lanka's highest plateau (7,200 feet above sea level) to 'World's End' and Bakers Falls. Spectacular views, a bracing climate, rare birds and butterflies are all at your fingertips.

Day 8

Leave after breakfast stopping en route for an exhilarating level 3 1-2 hour white water rafting excursion on the Kelani River in Kitulgala (level three). Overnight at the Taj Samudra Colombo (pictured below) in a Superior room or extend your stay on the beaches.

Day 9

Fly SriLankan Airlines arriving Heathrow later that day.

Meal Plan

Breakfast and inner on tour from Day 2 to Day 7; breakfast in Colombo and your Sri Lanka beach extension. NB: If you take the optional train journey on Day 6 there will not be time for a full lunch.

Accommodation

Hotels will be three and a half star and above, all with swimming pools with the exception of Nuwara Eliya.

Tour Includes

All transport in a quality airconditioned vehicle > Special trekking guides for treks > 1-2 hour White Water Rafting programme with qualified river guide > 1 hour elephant back safari > Sightseeing and entrance fees where specified (optional excursions at extra cost) > Hire of catamarans (oruwa) and bullock carts for Hiriwaduna excursion.

Travel Tips

We recommend warm clothing is taken for your stay in Nuwara Eliya.

Minimum Numbers

This tour is subject to minimum numbers.

Nb

The short but exhilarating white water rafting ride on Day 8 is quite challenging, but suitable for anyone between ages 8 and 65. Children under 8 years are not accepted.

This tour is escorted by an English speaking local driver guide plus the services of a guide lecturer for groups of 7 or more.

MALDIVES OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS! (additional charges apply)

Day 9

Fly To Male And Transfer By Boat (Approx. 30 Minutes) To Kuramathi Island Resort (pictured below) In A Garden Villa, Or Your Choice Of Island For Five Nights Or More. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included at Kuramathi Maldives.

Day 14

Transfer By Boat Back To The Airport For Srilankan Airlines Flight To London Heathrow Direct Or Via Colombo Arriving Later The Same Day.

Disclaimer

All property information is the tour operators brochure description and is provided by an independent source. Facilities and amenities described herein can not be guaranteed by the Agent. All holidays are subject to availability changes. When a deal is gone, it is gone.

Certain countries require visas prior to travel. It is your responsibility to check for any necessary visa or inoculation requirements for your destination.