Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka: Countryside to Coast

When

November To April

Price

From £4,750pp excl. flights
(based on 2 ppl sharing)

How long

11 nights ideal length

A lush tropical island with nothing below it but the huge expanse of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is a hive of energy. Visit fifth-century fortresses, learn how tea is made and explore gorgeous beachfront villages, all while staying in some of our favourite hotels in the world. We are the experts when it comes to Sri Lanka so can say with confidence that on this 11-night trip you’ll be completely charmed.

Explore ancient monuments

Chauffeured by your own driver throughout, this adventure begins with two nights at the Cultural Triangle. Hole up at the sun-drenched Ulagalla Resort; a retreat with a thatched bungalow on stilts floating above paddy fields. By day, visit some of Sri Lanka’s oldest historic monuments (think ancient wall paintings, climbing immense historical rocks, and rebuilding history in a UNESCO world heritage site) and unwind in your private plunge pool to catch some essential holiday sun. With a wine cellar and a lagoon for you to kayak on at your desire, you’ll be completely immersed in the authentic beauty of this Sri Lankan gem.

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Next, take an elephant safari in Minneriya, see the ancient Buddhist caves temples of Dambulla and the ancient city of Anuradhapura before heading off to cultural Kandy for the next two nights. Spend the day visiting Buddha’s tooth and exploring the stunning botanical gardens, where Giant Java trees have branches so wide they need stilts to stay up. Then, relax by the pool at the romantic Kandy House sipping locally grown tea: quaint, colonial comfort at its best.

The ultimate tea time

No trip to Sri Lanka would be complete without a visit to tea country. Journey through rolling fields of tea leaves and learn how tea is processed, before sampling the freshest cuppa of your life. It is here at Tea Trails where you’ll rest your head: four old planter’s bungalows now converted into a small boutique hotel. Enjoy evening jazz cocktail hours, discuss the next day’s personalised menu with the chef, and slumber soundly in your colonial-style room. Pastoral perfection.

Unwind on golden beaches

Now for some coastline fun, head to the white beaches of Tangalle. Stroll along the shore, surf, wakeboard, deep sea fish or simply indulge in the amazing Amanwella hotel. Relax in your suite complete with uninterrupted views of the palm-studded beach. Dine at the poolside restaurant overlooking golden sand beaches, perfect for reflecting on your Sri Lankan adventure. Time it right and you’ll be one of the very few people to experience the world’s two largest mammals all within one trip. From the elephants in the north to blue whales in the south, you’ll be able to marvel at some of nature’s most graceful, yet powerful creatures.

A Luxury Hideaway in an Ancient Fortress

Spend your final two nights at the Amangalla in the magical fortress town of Galle, an amazing fortified town filled with red-tiled rooftops over the eclectic mix of art galleries, cafes and boutique hotels. Visit the local markets with the chef during a cookery lesson, and create the dish of your choice (gotukola sambol, anyone?), or try some of the delicious ‘wade’ (street snacks) with the hotel’s signature ‘Arrack sour’ made with fermented coconut sap. Unwind in Sri Lanka’s most incredible spa before watching the sunset over the fort from Amangalla’s top floor lounge. Bliss. The next morning you’ll head to the airport for your flight home.

Where to rest your head

The Wallawwa

The Wallawwa is a stunning old colonial manor house, set in beautiful surroundings.  Everything is spot on here, from its impeccable service and hospitality to…
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Ulagalla Resort, Tirappane

Surrounded by lush green paddy fields, an enchanted forest and an expanse of a lake, Ulagalla will become your very own sanctuary in rural Sri…
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The Kandy House, Sri Lanka

Sleep in colonial luxury, set on a spice estate, at the fantastically renovated ancestral mansion, The Kandy House. Just outside the bustle of Kandy’s town…
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Tea Trails, Sri Lanka

Nestled in Sri Lanka’s ‘Golden Valley of Tea’ you’ll find four huge colonial bungalows set on a working tea estate perfect for quiet luxury living.…
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Amangalla

Amangalla is an iconic hotel nestled within one of Sri Lanka’s amazing UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Portuguese-Dutch Colonial Galle Fort. A peaceful, beautifully restored…
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Amanwella

Amanwella is a luxury hotel that embodies style and serenity.  Nature is the order of the day here and this retreat blends perfectly into its…
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