Five-Star Sri Lanka: Grand Safaris & Sacred Cities

Flying overnight to Sri Lanka

Your Sri Lankan holiday begins this afternoon at London Heathrow. Meet the Tour Manager and fellow travellers, ready for a direct overnight flight to Colombo.

Welcome to coastal Colombo

The plane touches down at Bandaranaike International Airport. A coach transfer takes you to the five-star hotel in Colombo. The afternoon and early evening is free to unwind. This evening, travel to a nearby restaurant recreating a traditional Sri Lankan village around an ancient banyan tree for a buffet of authentic local cuisine.

Meals: Dinner

Getting to know the enchanting capital

Explore Colombo's deep history with an expert guide: drive through Pettah neighbourhood, see the Red Mosque, Old Parliament Building, Galle Face Green, Independence Square, and the Colombo Lotus Tower with lunch in its revolving restaurant. Evening dinner at the Ministry of Crab.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Driving through Sri Lanka's interior to Anuradhapura

Journey to the ancient UNESCO World Heritage city of Anuradhapura, considered the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Check into five-star hotel with sumptuous pool villas. Optional sightseeing tour available (payable locally). Dinner at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Wildlife explorations in Wilpattu National Park

Depart before sunrise with a packed breakfast for an early morning Jeep safari in Wilpattu National Park (131,693 hectares). Search for sloth bears, Sri Lankan elephants, mugger crocodiles, colourful birds and the elusive Sri Lankan leopard. Return to hotel around lunchtime; afternoon free. Dinner at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

To Kandy via Sri Lanka's Sacred Sites

Depart Anuradhapura after breakfast. Visit the UNESCO-listed Dambulla Cave Temples with a giant golden Buddha and over 150 statues. Continue to Matale Spice Garden. Final stop at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy. Arrive at five-star hotel overlooking Kandy's jungles and mountains for dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Getting to know Kandy and its Royal Botanical Garden

Begin at the Royal Botanical Gardens Peradeniya (4,000+ species). Guided walking tour of Kandy, visiting the market square. Lunch at the historic Queen's Hotel, the oldest pub in Sri Lanka. Relaxing afternoon at the hotel. Dinner this evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Riding the scenic 'tea train' to Nanu Oya

Leisurely morning before a coach transfer to the station for the 'tea train' journey to Nanu Oya in First Class. Scenic route through the central highlands with mountainous slopes, bridges, tunnels, misty hills, lush forests and cascading waterfalls. Packed lunch provided. Transfer to luxury hotel near Nuwara Eliya ('Little England'). Dinner at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sri Lanka's tea heritage

Travel to Ramboda to tour a tea plantation and factory. Hands-on experience plucking tea leaves and seeing how the product goes from plant to cup. Lunch independently at the restaurant. Afternoon at leisure at the Grand Hotel with its gardens, spa, indoor pool and billiards room. Dinner this evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Mountain and jungle views by rail

Coach to the station to reboard the tea train for a First Class journey to Demodara, crossing the Nine Arches Bridge viaduct nearly 100 feet above the ground. Coach transfer to resort hotel on the shores of Weerawila Lake, with a stop for independent lunch en route. Dinner at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Spotting leopards in Yala National Park

Early morning Jeep safari in Yala National Park with packed breakfast. Search for leopards, wild boar, elephants, crocodiles and bird species including the crested serpent eagle and rare purple heron. Afternoon at leisure. Pre-dinner drinks and snacks at the hotel's rooftop bar with arrack-infused drinks and Sri Lankan snacks. Dinner at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Towards the golden sand of the southwest coast

Travel along the south coast to the historic port city of Galle for free time and independent lunch, followed by a guided walking tour of the UNESCO-listed Portuguese and Dutch fortress. Continue to Bentota Beach hotel for the final three nights. Free evening.

Meals: Breakfast

Cruising through the mangroves of the Madu River

Coach transfer to the Balapitiya Estuary for a boat ride on the Madu River through narrow mangrove tunnels, past small islands including one producing cinnamon. Enjoy a king coconut drink and spot monkeys, crocodiles and 100+ bird species. Return to hotel for afternoon and evening at leisure on Bentota or Ventura beach.

Meals: Breakfast

A day to relax beside the Indian Ocean

Final full day at leisure. Enjoy the hotel's unique pool complex with an island in the centre, relax on the beach, or walk to Secret Island for temples, stupas and a lookout point with optional guided meditation sessions. Lunch and dinner independently.

Meals: Breakfast

Homeward bound

Depart the hotel early with a packed breakfast. Coach transfer to Colombo airport for the direct flight back to the UK, arriving at London Heathrow this evening.

Meals: Breakfast