Picturesque Sri Lanka

 

Negombo	Beach Hotel	1 night
Ambewela	Warwick Gardens	2 nights
Kandy	Hunas Falls	2 nights
Galle	The Lighthouse	2 nights

9 days from £1190

excluding international flights

For those who want to unwind whilst getting to know this fascinating destination from a different viewpoint, this itinerary combines stays in the central Hill Country with lazy days on the beach.  Opportunities abound for walking, bird-watching or simply sitting by the pool and enjoying a cool drink.

DAY 1 - Depart UK.

Recommended flight from London: SriLankan Airways from London Heathrow (see below). If you are travelling from a country other than the UK we would be happy to give you guidance on your flight options.

DAY 2 - Arrive Colombo.  By road to Negombo.

On arrival in Colombo you will be met by a representative of World Discovery outside immigration and customs. You will then be taken by private car direct to your hotel in Negombo on the shores of the Indian Ocean.  The rest of the day is at leisure.
Meals included: Dinner.

DAY 3 - Ambewela - tea country.

After breakfast you will head into the mountainous interior of Sri Lanka - the island's famous Hill Country, where in British colonial days government officials and merchants escaped the searing heat of the plains.  Your destination is Warwick Gardens, a 19th century English Tea Planter's bungalow, now converted into a lovely hotel.  Soon after check in, depart on a walk of around an hour and a half through this spectacular area of tall fir trees, ferns, glades and babbling brooks.  Breathe in the pristine air of the mountains and enjoy the panoramic views all around you.  In the evening you will be treated to a mouth-watering mountain barbecue at the bungalow.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 4 – Ambewela.

A day to further explore the surrounding area on foot.  Recommendations include taking a gourmet picnic lunch with you, specially prepared by the hotel, and visiting a tea estate to see tea pluckers in action, observe them weighing the tea, and naturally sample a cup of tea with them.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 5 – Drive to Kandy.

Your journey continues through the lovely rolling scenery of the central Hill Country (pictured) as you travel to the romantic Hunas Falls Hotel, located just outside the city of Kandy in what is considered one of the most scenic parts of the country.  The hotel is overlooked by the forested Hunasgiriya peak, and nearby are a score of waterfalls tumbling down over rocks and precipices. This is the perfect place to relax by the pool, or perhaps enjoy an evening bird-watching expedition.  The hotel also offers a unique opportunity for you to plant a tree as a living souvenir of your visit.  At Hunas Falls you can do as little or as much as you like!
Meals included: Full breakfast, dinner.

DAY 6 - Kandy.

Spend the morning exploring Kandy, a lively city which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Kandy was the last capital of the Sinhalese Kingdom, and is famous for its lake and the renowned 'Temple of the Tooth' (pictured), Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist relic.  The sacred tooth of Buddha was reputedly snatched from the flames of his funeral pyre and eventually found its way to Sri Lanka towards the end of the 16th century.    After an afternoon at leisure, return to the temple in the evening to witness the colourful 'puja' ceremony.
Meals included: Full breakfast, dinner.

 

DAY 7 - Drive to Galle.

This morning drive down from the hills through attractive scenery to the city of Galle on the south west coast of Sri Lanka.  Your hotel is located on a lovely stretch of beach just outside the city.  Afternoon free.
Pictured: The lighthouse at Galle, after which your hotel is named.
Meals included: Full breakfast, dinner.

DAY 8 - Galle.

A day to explore this delightful spot.  Galle has always been one of Sri Lanka's most historic cities, the gateway to the sandy coves of the south.  Galle is also home to the magnificent 300 year old fort, like Kandy a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is the largest and best preserved colonial sea fortress in Asia, constructed during the Dutch occupation in the 17th century.  During your stay we recommend you take a lunch at the famous Sun House, an 1860s hilltop colonial mansion (now a small hotel) overlooking the harbour and fort.
Meals included: Full breakfast, dinner.

DAY 9 - Drive to Colombo for your homeward flight.

Drive along the western coast of Sri Lanka to Colombo Airport (approximately 4 hours) for your homeward flight.
Meals included: Full breakfast.                                                                        

International Flights.

We recommend the services of SriLankan Airways from London Heathrow. Flights are non-stop and have a choice of classes. Current timings (subject to possible change) are as follows:
Heathrow/Colombo. Depart at 21.25; arrive Colombo at 13.30 (next day)
Colombo/Heathrow. Depart at 13.15; arrive Heathrow at 19.45

Picturesqe Sri Lanka (Tour Reference: WDSL003)
2010 Departures
Price per person based on a minimum of two persons travelling together:

Departures on Fridays (see note below)	Price
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr	£1190
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct	£1285

Flights are available on most days of the week, but the timings differ each day and a Friday departure (returning on a Saturday) offers the best option.  On some days, for example, you would need to leave Galle in the very early morning in order to reach Colombo in time for your homeward flight.

Single Room Supplements on request.

The price includes:

• Hotel accommodation as listed above in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities.  Tented campin Udawalawe National Park
• 7 full breakfasts, 2 lunches and 7 dinners as shown in the itinerary
• Private transportation throughout
• All sightseeing as shown (unless indicated as ‘optional’), including entrance fees
• The services of a private English-speaking driver/guide throughout
• The services of naturalist guides in the National Parks
  

Not included in the price:

• International flights (see our recommendation above). We are happy to discuss the flights with you and give you further guidance
• Optional sightseeing
• International airport taxes
• Tipping. We will be pleased to give guidance in this often sensitive matter

A deposit of £250 per person is required at the time of booking. The balance of the price for your travel arrangements must be paid at least 8 weeks before your departure date.