Sri Lanka

A Taste of Sri Lanka – Tailormade Holiday

A Taste of Sri Lanka holiday – a 9 day Tailormade Tour from £1075 per person based on 2 people travelling sharing a room excluding international flights. 

Sri Lanka is a one of the most culturally rich holiday destinations in the Indian Ocean, mixing Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Christian faiths and traditions. Colonial powers – Portuguese, Dutch and British – likewise have left their mark.

Diverse landscapes provide a plethora of habitats for world class wildlife, whilst white-sand beaches afford an off-duty playground for visitors and residents alike. Island cuisine is first class, distinct flavours providing an enlivening culinary subtext to any visit.

Beneath its idyllic surface, Sri Lanka’s past has been challenging at times, having suffered a succession of travails, not least a long-running civil war, fortunately now in the distant past.

Designed for travellers short on time, this tour starts on the coast at Negombo; an important and authentic fishing hub where you will cruise on the dazzling lagoon, observing the kaleidoscope of colour of the fishing fleet.

Admire views of seemingly endless misty tea clad hills from one of the world’s most spectacular train journeys and listen to Sri Lanka’s tale of tea from a retired planter. Join pilgrims at the revered Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, and feel the history strolling on the atmospheric ramparts of Galle Fort.

For nature lovers, we stay clear of the jeep-packed thoroughfares of Yala National Park and here take peaceful alternatives away from the crowds in search of flora and fauna.

This Sri Lanka holiday may be only 9 days but it is far from short on memorable experiences and it will surely leave you wanting more of this wonderful and friendly island nation.

 

Tour ratings.

  • Fitness
  • Off the beaten track 
  • Culture
  • History
  • Wildlife

Tour Pace

Moderate/Busy

Tour style

Traveller

Relaxed Pace

Relaxed tours are easy paced with plenty of leisure time built in. The tour will in all probability still be off the beaten track, with the occasional early start and there may still be occasional long drives. In general on a relaxed pace tour you can enjoy easy-going activities and experiences with opportunities to absorb the sights and immerse yourself in the local surroundings.

Moderate Pace

Moderate pace tours are ideal if you want a tour experience that combines activities and experiences with some time to relax. Typically you will be active and busy for part of the day but then also have time to rest and recharge your batteries. In general on a moderate paced tour there may be some long journeys involved but the tour is not an expedition or a road trip. On a moderate paced tour it will be necessary to have some early starts.

Busy Pace

A busy paced tour means that you can expect to be doing, seeing or experiencing something new almost every day, and moving on from place to place to pack in as much as possible. There may be early starts, long journeys and tiring days along the way, but you’ll return home feeling you’ve really experienced as much as you possibly could.

Pioneer Class Tours

On our Pioneer tours, you will be amongst an elite group of intrepid travellers and some of the first to explore a country that few have been privileged enough to discover. Of course, exploring such areas of the world will come with its challenges; it may mean several nights camping, long journeys by 4WD and the need to maintain a degree of flexibility for when carefully laid plans change. These are challenging tours in countries and areas that may have poor infrastructure, high levels of poverty and illiteracy. This can translate in to low standards in hotels, bad roads and poor driving standards among other issues. We try and smooth out as much of these issues as we can but you should be prepared to experience the bad with the good.

Traveller Class Tours

Our Traveller itineraries are at the core of our programme. These journeys are designed for travellers who still want to discover a land away from the tourist crowds but expect minimum standards. Accommodation will be primarily hotel based, although you could still find yourself camping, or the guest of a local family. Depending on the destination and itinerary, you’ll likely be travelling in a private vehicle, with occasional use of public transport. This is adventure travel with some of the rough edges smoothed out.

Itinerary.

Welcome to Sri Lanka. On arrival meet with your chauffeur guide who will transfer you to the hotel. The rest of the day will be at leisure for you to relax after your journey. Overnight Villa Hundira. No meals.

(Overall approximate driving time today is 4 hours)

For early risers, you can optionally start the day with a visit to the authentic fish market of Negombo. If you are lucky you may see fishermen landing the catch from the beach and the hustle and bustle. The shear array of fish on offer is amazing to see. Later this morning take a boat ride on the lagoon at Negombo for great views of the colourful fishing fleet. The lagoon is also great for bird watching. Sit back and relax accompanied by the warm tropical wind. There will be a stop where you can actually disembark and paddle in the lagoon and enjoy some fresh tropical fruit. This afternoon we head inland to the important city of Kandy. Overnight Hotel Suisse Kandy (B)

This morning visit the temple of the Tooth (UNESCO), an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists around the world. Also explore some of Kandy’s markets to get an authentic feel of the flow of local life in the city. Later, if time allows you can spend some time exploring Kandy at leisure and enjoy the lakeside views. Overnight Hotel Suisse (B)

Options: – For food lovers you may like to add on lunch at a local home and get involved in the cooking of Kandyan dishes. For those preferring the outdoors a rural walk through the rice paddies and villages can be arranged for extra cost.

(Approximate overall driving time today is 3 hours)

This morning after breakfast, take a scenic drive and climb up into the verdant hills to the mountain town of Nuwara Eliya where you will be able to explore this historic hill station a little. Later transfer to nearby Naanu Oya and take a truly spectacular train journey, venturing never too far away from the lush tea plantations of Sri Lanka’s hill country. It’s a fabulous way to admire the shear beauty of the hill country. The train travels at a leisurely pace, so sit back and enjoy the commanding views! Your chauffeur guide will be there to meet you off the train and drive you to your overnight accommodation. Overnight Villa Perpetua – No Air Conditioning (B)

 Note: Train tickets cannot be confirmed until a few weeks before your journey as they are not permitted to be pre booked. Train tickets if secured will be given to you by our local team when you arrive in Sri Lanka.

Start the day early with a short journey to Ella and enjoy the relatively easy short hike to Little Adams Peak for spectacular panoramic views in good weather. After the hike, visit the Nine Arch Railway Bridge dating from the 1920’s and a superb example of colonial-era railway architecture. You can then return to the hotel to freshen up and relax before later this afternoon taking a tour of the tea plantations with a retired tea planter to learn more about this important local industry and of course tasting some of the local tea. Overnight Villa Perpetua (B)

Note – We recommend walking to Little Adams Peak as early as possible. Conditions are at their best the earlier you go. The walk is around 1 hour in duration and is an easy grade for anyone of a reasonable fitness level.

(Approx. overall driving time today is 3 hours)

This morning leave the highlands in the rear view mirror and travel to Yala National Park, internationally acclaimed as the jewel in Sri Lanka’s wildlife viewing crown. After checking in at the hotel, embark on a mesmerising afternoon safari in the little visited Block 5 (subject to local permission). The more popular areas of Yala National Park are generally packed full of safari vehicles, so instead you will delve deeper into the park to Block 5 which is rarely frequented by tourist jeeps. It has a slightly lower density of leopards than the more popular areas of the park (though the designer of this tour did however spot one!), but the scenery is alluring and the anticipation of what, amongst a myriad of possibilities, may be around the corner is nothing short of thrilling.  Overnight Wild Trails Yala – Tent – No Air Conditioning (BD)

(Approx. overall driving time today is 3 hours)

Starting early today, you follow the palm-lined roads of the tropical south coast.  You will be able to stop at a couple of the palm fringed beaches along the way – just ask your guide. On arrival in Galle (UNESCO), spend the afternoon wandering the historic back streets and the crumbling ramparts of the Old Dutch fort.  You can even enjoy some thambili from a local vendor or savour some crispy vaddais. After the visit of Galle Fort you return to the hotel. Overnight Mango House (B)

Note – For those who wish to try and spot more wildlife, an early morning safari at Yala today will be possible for an extra cost.

 

This morning travel on a spiritual journey down the coast through beautiful rural countryside to visit Yatagala Raja Maha Viharaya Buddhist temple. Enjoy the journey there via tuk-tuk observing villagers working in the verdant paddy fields, harvesting their crops and going about their daily lives.  Visit serene Yatagala, a rock temple with a nine-meter standing Buddha and mural-covered walls. As you climb the long flight of stairs to the top you will enjoy some wonderful views overlooking the rice paddies. This is a place far from the crowds. Offer traditional pichcha flowers, burn incense, light votive lamps and offer water to a sacred Bodhi tree. As you carry out these Hindu rituals, known as pujas, your guide will tell you more about their meaning and significance. You will then receive a blessing from the devoted monks, who have lived at this peaceful temple site for centuries. Return to Galle, where you will enjoy the afternoon at leisure before spending your final full night in Sri Lanka enjoying warm hospitality at a local home feasting on deliciously authentic south coast seafood. Overnight Mango House (BD)

At the appropriate time, our driver/guide will take you on the expressway back to the airport for your onward flight (B)

NoteContact us if you wish to extend your time in Sri Lanka further, be it to relax on the beach, explore more of the culture and history of Sri Lanka, or perhaps spend more time in the jungle looking for flora and fauna.

Dates & Price.

We offer this Sri Lanka holiday for private departures only.

Prices start from £1075 per person based on 2 people travelling and sharing a room.

We can also tailor a similar or totally different itinerary to meet your requirements. Please contact us to discuss your travel plans.

Tour Notes

This is a private and tailor-made Sri Lanka holiday so there is no minimum or maximum group size.

Solo occupancy room supplement from £395.

Return flights from London to Colombo start from a very lowest base price (not direct) from around £450 per person, but there are many seasonal variations. More typically on a direct flight from London to Colombo, expect to pay upwards of £650 per person. Please contact us for a quotation.

Airport transfers are included on arrival and departure.

Upgrade to luxury accommodation from an extra £800 per person based on 2 people travelling and sharing a room.

This is a recommended sample but tour, but please contact us to design your customised tailormade tour to the Pearl of the Indian Ocean – Sri Lanka.

Mapped itinerary.

Want to see details of your itinerary on a map?

Download PDF.

Download the full tour dossier for this trip here.

Taste of Sri Lanka Holiday - Tailormade

For expert advice get in touch now with our passionate,
well-travelled team.

+44(0) 191 296 2674 from THE UK
1-800-614-2967 from THE US & CANADA
1-300-956-415 from AUSTRALIA

Tour inclusions.

  • Arrival and departure transfers
  • All accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary (we can book a range of accommodation)
  • Transportation throughout in a private air-conditioned vehicle
  • Services of an English-speaking driver / guide
  • Daily breakfast and two evening meals
  • Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary
  • Bottled drinking water in the vehicles

Tour exclusions.

  • International flights
  • Travel Insurance
  • Visa (if applicable)
  • Drinks
  • Meals other then daily breakfast and two evening meals
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Optional activities (such as extra safaris)
  • Tips (Discretionary)

We enjoyed this trip with wonderful wildlife experiences in a number of wildlife parks, island life in the Jaffna area, whale watching, the beaches of the East coast, and the contrast of the North of Sri Lanka. The hotels are varied and each offer something different Cocktails on the roof overlooking Jaffna City followed by crab curry anyone?

 

Yvonne Lockett, UK