The 'Island Getaway' is an hurried Sri Lanka holiday offering
three stops in a trio of fabulous villas and bungalows, all
set in spectacular natural locations – by the edge of
a lake in the suburbs of Colombo, perched on a mountain amidst
lush tea plantations and on the south coast where the turquoise
blue waters of the Indian Ocean offer complete relaxation.
The holiday has been specifically designed for couples and
small families, and it will appeal most to those people that
like small and personal properties in beautiful landscapes.
All the properties – java Moon, Tea Trails and Lansiya
– are also renowned for their friendly staff and delicious
food.
Holiday highlights
• Ancient cultural heritage
• Kandy’s sacred Temple of the Tooth
• Tea covered mountains and gushing
waterfalls
• The Elephant Transit Camp in Udawalawe
• Palm-fringed sandy beaches of the south coast
• Galle’s UNESCO protected Dutch Fort
• Turtle conservation in Tangalle
• Wildlife at Yala
• Stays in quaint, private villas in spectacular locations
Itinerary:
Day 1,2 & 3: Red Dot will meet you at the airport, probably slightly
bleary eyed and in need for some rest. For your first three
nights, we recommend staying at Java Moon located in the suburbs
of Colombo, by the side of the picturesque Bolgoda Lake. Here
you will rest amongst the tranquil surroundings that guests
have aptly described as a `little piece of paradise’.
For those wanting more action, there is much to do here including
fishing, canoeing, or even riding a traditional catamaran on
the Lake. Explore the suburbs of Colombo with its many wayside
boutiques, temples such as the ancient Buddhist temple, Bellanlwilla
Raja Maha Viharaya, and the beach resort of Mt. Lavinia with
it’s beautiful sunsets and quaint beachside restaurants.
A half an hour’s drive into Colombo’s city center
provides ample choices for shopping, entertainmentand fine dining.
Accommodation profile: Perched
on the banks of the Bolgoda Lake, Java Moon is a tranquil and
secluded property located in Piliyandala, a suburb of Colombo
and just 30 minutes drive from the city center. It is an ideal
location to rest at the beginning or end of your holiday in
Sri Lanka. Java Moon is a world in itself – the serene
lake, lush gardens with tall bamboo, tropical palms and flamboyant
trees, bird song and a constant breeze that lulls you to sleep.
The comfortable cottages are works of art with each following
a different colour palate – saffron orange, ochre, sea
blues, emerald greens and sandstone. The Lake provides for many
fun activities for children and adults alike.
Day 4, 5, 6 & 7: Today you begin your journey to the central highlands
with its tea covered hills, gushing waterfalls, and scenic beauty.
Travel into Sri Lanka’s tea-growing highlands and a four-night
stay at Ceylon Tea Trails, a wonderful collection of refurbished
tea planter’s bungalows in the southwest corner of the
hills, an area renowned for its fine tea and beautiful countryside.
The following morning you might like to enjoy the “Tea
experience”, which involves a visit a plantation to observe
first hand the process, starting from the plucking field where
it all begins with the picking of “two leaves and a bud”
to the factory where the processing begins. The Tea Trails also
provides an excellent base for a variety of adventure activities.
There are a number of mountain bike trails that loop through
the surrounding tea estates and guides are available on-demand.
The reservoirs of Castlereagh and Maskeliya offer a pristine
lake environment for kayaking – stable one or two-man
kayaks are available for hire. Maps, guides and safety gear
are all provided. A number of treks and scenic walks are also
available, including the famous pilgrimage site, Sri Pada, known
as Adam’s Peak, which is a conical mountain 7,360 feet
above sea level. This mountain is a pilgrimage site to thousands
of devotees from many faiths. The climb is best attempted at
night where you reach the mountaintop to see the sunrise and
the awe-inspiring view from the top. It can be one of the most
moving experiences in Sri Lanka.
Accommodation profile: Nestled among the hills
of the Dickoya region in central Sri Lanka, at over 5000 feet
above sea level, is Summerville Bungalow. The bungalow is situated
high above the reservoir lake at the edge of a tea plantation.
The bungalow was originally built for British tea estate manager.
Sumptuously renovated the neo-traditional style of the rooms/suites
provides a sensitive balance of the classical and the contemporary.
Some suites open to private gardens and all have access to a
cozy lounge warmed by a roaring log fire.
Day 8 & 13:
You now travel out of the hills and head to the southeast costal
town of Tangalle for six days of beach relaxation. We recommend
staying at Lansiya, a quaint villa with much character, owned
by the same family that created Java Moon. Lansiya serves as
an excellent base for exploring the deep south, its wildlife
parks and cultural heritage. En route, visit the Elephant Transit
Camp at Udawalawe run by Sri Lanka’s wildlife department.
Here about 22 young elephants mostly babies, who have been orphaned
or recovering from injuries, are being kept before release into
the wild. Based at Mirissa Harbour (1.25 hour drive), Mirissa
Water Sports offers exciting water sports activities such as
sailing, fishing, coastal cruises, river trips, sea kayaking,
snorkelling and boating activities for visitors to the South
coast. Mirissa Water Sports is a charitable organization helping
to generate employment for the youth from the tsunami affected
coastal areas. Visit the Marine Turtle conservation project
at Rekuwa, a small coastal village located 10 km east of Tangalle.
This is an interesting project that aims at preserving this
endangered species without interfering with its natural breeding
habits. Visit the historic Galle Dutch Fort, a UNESCO-protected
World Heritage site and a melting pot of cultural influences
(a 2 hour drive). Several hours can be spent wandering along
narrow streets and browsing through antique shops and art galleries.
Several boutique hotels within the Gall Fort offer fine dining.
For the more adventurous, a jeep safari to the Yala National
Park with 400 sq. miles of jungle with herds of elephants, sloth
bear, deer, wild boar, monkeys, crocodiles and a variety of
bird species, is an interesting day’s excursion.
Accommodation profile: Lansiya
is situated on the side of a hill alongside the sandy beaches
of Seenimodera (Sugar Bay). Contained within a 3-acre plot of
land Lansiya provides a pleasant mixture of social areas and
private space. Ideal for groups of friends and/or family. The
master bedroom is A/C and with a vast double bed, outdoor shower
and assorted mod cons. The other two twin rooms are fairly basic
with a shared bathroom. There is also a pool, in-house chef
and groundsman. Day 14: It is time to head back home after
an adventurous and relaxing holiday. Catch the Air Taxi back
to the Bandaranaike International airport.
Cost: TBC
Package price includes:
•
13 night’s accommodation on double-sharing
basis • Full board at all properties • Airconditioned car and
English-speaking driver for tour and transfers • Entrance fees: Elephant
Transit Camp
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flights from us. So, for full protection on your Sri Lanka holiday book your Sri
Lanka flights with Red Dot, as well as your Sri Lanka accommodation. Red Dot has
the largest selection of Sri Lanka hotels, villas and guest houses at competitive
prices and offers independent advice and flexible itineraries. Trust Red Dot for
your holiday needs in Sri Lanka, Kerala and the Maldives. ATOL protection extends
primarily to customers who book and pay for their Sri Lanka tours or Sri Lanka
hotels in the United Kingdom. [ Check
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The 'Island Getaway' is an hurried Sri Lanka holiday offering
three stops in a trio of fabulous villas and bungalows, all
set in spectacular natural locations – by the edge of
a lake in the suburbs of Colombo, perched on a mountain amidst
lush tea plantations and on the south coast where the turquoise
blue waters of the Indian Ocean offer complete relaxation.
The holiday has been specifically designed for couples and
small families, and it will appeal most to those people that
like small and personal properties in beautiful landscapes.
All the properties – java Moon, Tea Trails and Lansiya
– are also renowned for their friendly staff and delicious
food.
