Witness the art of making tea by embarking on an interesting and informative tea tour. Sri Lanka has acres of tea-clad mountains where tea is plucked all year round; so treat yourself to hours of leisure in the salubrious environs of this scenic locale!
day | Location/Route | duration | Overnight |
---|---|---|---|
Day 01 | Arrival and transfer from airport to hotel | One night in Colombo | Value: OZO Colombo Signature: Cinnamon Grand |
Day 02 | Colombo to Galle | Two nights in Galle | Value: Amari Galle Signature: Owl and the Pussycat |
Day 03 | Galle | Last night in Galle | Value: Amari Galle Signature: Owl and the Pussycat |
Day 04 | Galle to Ella | Two nights in Ella | Value: Mountain Heavens Signature: 98 Acres |
Day 05 | Ella | Last night in Ella | Value: Mountain Heavens Signature: 98 Acres |
Day 06 | Ella to Maskeliya | Two nights in Maskeliya | Blue Magpie |
Day 07 | Maskeliya | Last night in Maskeliya | Blue Magpie |
Day 08 | Maskeliya to Ulapane | Two nights in Ulapane | Weir House |
Day 09 | Ulapane | Last night in Ulapane | Weir House |
Day 10 | Ulapane to Colombo | One night in Colombo | Rosyth Estate |
Day 11 | Departure to the airport |
The Kandy Esela Perahera, which is also known as The Festival of the Tooth is a unique religious and cultural event that takes place every year in July. The procession features many dancers, drummers and elephants, who parade through the streets paying homage to the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha which is housed in the Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy.
The Temple of the Tooth Relic, which is known as the Sri Dalada Maligawa is in the sacred city of Kandy. It houses the tooth relic of Lord Buddha and is an important shrine of Buddhist worship. The annual procession known as the Kandy Esala Perahera marks an important day in the Sri Lankan calendar.
Adam’s Peak, which is locally known as Sri Pada, is the fifth tallest mountain peak of Sri Lanka. The “sacred footprint” that is found at the peak is believed to be that of Lord Buddha’s. Many devotees ascend the mountain to pay homage to the sacred footprint during the Sri Pada season.
Galle Dutch Fort is a proud structure that still stands tall and mighty in southern Sri Lanka. Built by the Portuguese over 400 years ago, the fort was fortified by the Dutch, upon their invasion of the island. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, visited and admired by many, all through the year.
Hop aboard a vintage steam train in Kandy, and enjoy a picturesque ride into the heart of Sri Lanka’s charming hill country. The winding railway tracks chart a scenic course through the rolling hillsides of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya. Unwind in your air conditioned compartment, as you take in the majesty of the verdant landscape unfolding before your eyes.
Observe the shades of emerald that blanket the horizon, brimming with precious tea crops that are the nation’s pride. Envision the splendour of the island’s colonial heyday, as you tuck into a delicious four-course lunch accompanied by sparkling silverware and fine china. This journey is best begun in the late morning hours and lasts four to five hours.
Visit the Suriyakantha Centre for Art and Culture, and delve deep into the fascinating annals of European and Sri Lankan history. Housed in the Naranwala Walawwa, an 18th century Dutch-style colonial manor house, the centre represents a unique effort between a Frenchman and Sri Lankan, to showcase talent from eras past.
Explore the vast repository of local and European works over the course of two to three hours and understand the richness of Kandyan culture. Observe the various manuscripts, furniture, handicrafts, artworks and photographs on display. Located near the town of Kandy in Sri Lanka’s Central Province, Suriyakantha is open to visits between 08:00am and 04:00pm, throughout the year.
Spend half a day exploring four of Kandy’s famed medieval temples. Join your personal archaeologist on an informative, 3.5 hour coach tour of the Degaldoruwa, Embekka, Lankatilaka and Gadaladeniya Buddhist temples. Feast your eyes on the magnificent Kandyan murals on the ceiling of Degaldoruwa Temple. Witness the wonderful fusion of Buddhist and Hindu culture at Gadaladeniya Temple.
Take in the exquisite craftsmanship of the woodwork at Embekka Temple. Observe the traditional Sinhalese design of the Lankatilaka Temple, and discover the inscriptions carved into the rocks. Setting off in the morning is ideal, as the tour involves approximately 1.5 hours of travel to / from your hotel.
Discover the cultural and architectural legacy of Galle, inherited from the Portuguese and Dutch colonialists from centuries past. Familiarise yourself with its streets, as your experienced tour guide narrates intricately woven folktales, that have been passed down through generations. Observe the local practice of stilt fishing and pay a visit to highlights such as the iconic Galle Fort.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is the last European-built fortress still standing in southern Asia. Watch with bated breath as daring cliff divers spring themselves off the citadel’s walls and plummet into the waves below. The tour lasts two hours and starts early morning or in the afternoon.
Observe the century-old tea manufacturing process at Ceylon Tea Trails. Meet up with your guide at 09:00am and set off into the estate. Walk in the footsteps of the tea planters of Ceylon’s heyday, as they traversed the leafy inclines in search of ideal pastures for tea cultivation. Understand the challenges involved in the skilled art of tea plucking and learn the secret behind the aromatic black tea blend; only two tender leaves and the bud, are harvested from each plant, by hand.
Study the traditional English machinery used at the Norwood Tea Factory, which dates back to colonial times.
As your 2.5 hours draw to an end, sit back and sample fragrant brews from the factory’s many grades of tea.
Ascend over 5,000 steps to the summit of Adam’s Peak, Sri Lanka’s most venerated mountain. Looming over Maskeliya’s horizon at a height of 2,250 metres, it has been a unique symbol of reverence for more than a millennium, thanks to the gigantic footprint carved into its peak. The Buddhists believe it to belong to Lord Buddha; the Hindus proclaim it to be Lord Shiva’s; while to the Muslims and Christians, it was left by Adam.
You can make the journey to the summit at any time of the year. However, to witness the annual pilgrimage made by thousands of worshippers, visit between December and May. Begin the five-hour ascent at 02:00am and reach the peak just in time to witness a majestic sunrise.
Colombo is the commercial hub of the island connecting several parts of the country, such as the north, south, east and hill country by a fine system of roads and railways. The heady mixture of Asian anarchy, colonial charm and modern progress defines its impressive character. Towering skyscrapers, retail stores, parks, restaurants and bars coupled with sacred shrines of the major faiths and religions can be found in this vibrant city.
Settle into your hotel, rest and relax from your journey. You may choose to dine in-house or opt to try out something different in town.
Local attractions: the Navam Perahera (1st Mar 2018 – tickets should be pre-booked) / Food Festival – Hotel Fairway (first weekend of every month) / Nelum Pokuna Art Street / shopping at Barefoot Gallery & Jazz Brunch every Sunday / seafood dinner at the Ministry of Crab / street food at Galle Face Green / authentic Sri Lankan meal in the beautiful setting of ‘Thunapaha on the Edge’- Waters Edge Hotel / Japanese cuisine at Nihonbashi or at the Dutch Hospital.
Breakfast will be served at the main restaurant.
We will be heading to Galle via the southern expressway (three hours). Do feel free to speak to the chauffeur if you wish to make a pit stop at the service area at the half-point of the highway to grab a snack.
Look out for the stilt fisherman along the coast.
Settle into your hotel this evening and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Dinner to be taken in your hotel or you may choose to dine out.
Local attractions: a spa treatment at Spa Ceylon – Galle Fort / A Minute by Tuk Tuk Café/ Fusion cuisine by Chef Malcolm - Bedspace Unawatuna / exotic cocktails & nightlife - Happy Banana (Saturdays only) / Indian cuisine at the Indian Hut & pizza at Wijaya Beach / street food by the Ramparts or simply explore the cobbled streets of the Fort scattered with arty galleries, bars & coffee lounges.
An early start this morning! A short drive will take you to the Mirissa Harbour for your whale watching expedition. Look out for the schools of dolphins!
You will return to your hotel for breakfast.
This afternoon you will explore the Galle Dutch Fort with your chauffeur guide. You will also visit the Hadungoda Virgin White Tea Factory for a tea tasting experience.
An early start this morning to make the most of your day.
Breakfast will be served at the main restaurant.
Your scenic drive will take you up into the highlands to Ella (4.5 hours). Sit back and enjoy the breath-taking landscapes!
Settle into your hotel and spend the rest of your evening at leisure
Dinner at your hotel or you may wish to try out one of the many lively restaurants in town.
After a leisurely breakfast this morning, you will head out to explore Ella town and its environs. A hike to Little Adam’s Peak is a must if you are an outdoor enthusiast.
This morning you will make your way to Maskeliya (four hours).
Enjoy your breakfast this morning seated out on the decking overlooking the forest. A hike up Adam’s Peak through Moray estate (a shorter and quieter route than the more frequented one) is a different experience altogether as this one is made during the day. You may, however, opt to climb at night to catch the sunrise too!
This morning after breakfast you will drive to Ulapane (2.5 hours).
Settle into the villa and spend the rest of your day enjoying the property.
This evening you will visit a coffee and pepper plantation.
Breakfast will be served in the dining area this morning.
You will visit Kandy city and tour its highlights.
After a leisurely breakfast, you will make your way to Kegalle (two hours).
Your first stop is the Millennium Elephant Foundation in Kegalle. Your host this day will take you around the property. You may choose to participate in bathing the elephants, walking alongside or feeding these great animals followed by an authentic Sri Lankan lunch.
Settle into your bungalow this evening and spend the rest of the day unwinding from your journey.
We will take you to the airport, to arrive two-three hours before your flight home.
If time permits, we recommend a massage either Ayurveda or spa – a perfect finale to your holiday before your flight!