The `Island Hop’ takes you through Sri Lanka’s
most interesting and beautiful landscapes – from the
lush green tea covered hills through scrub jungles and finally
to the tranquil beaches of the west coast. We have selected
some unique hotels and bungalows for this itinerary, making
each day and night a special experience on this beautiful
island. The tour strays away from the well-trodden tourist
trail to allow you see Sri Lanka at its resplendent best.
Of course, we are able to tinker with this itinerary if you
wish and add an extra night here and there. We can also discuss
other hotel or villa options.
Holiday highlights
• Ruined cities of ancient kingdoms
• Rock fortresses and hilltop palaces
• Dambulla’s serene Buddhist cave temples
• Kandy’s Temple of the Tooth
• Train through tea-growing highlands
• Safari in Yala National Park
• Galle’s 17th century Dutch Fort
• Turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean
• Colonial bungalows and chic hotels
Itinerary:
Day 1:
Upon arrival in Sri Lanka transfer to the Browns Beach Hotel
located just half and hour away on the north-west beaches of
Negombo, an ideal place for acclimatising to Sri Lanka’s
tropical climes and rejuvenating after the long flight. Explore
Negombo’s quaint fishing villages or join a fisherman
on his catamaran as it sets sail into the sunset. You may like
to take a boat ride along the old Dutch canals that criss-cross
the local area, or experience Negombo's Colonial heritage including
Catholic churches and the ruins of the Dutch Fort.
Accommodation profile: Browns Beach, perched
on a beautiful stretch of private beach, is an ideal location
from which to experience Negombo's colourful culture and heritage.
Red Dot recommends the Beach Rooms which have direct access
to the beach. The rooms have been stylishly refurbished and
offer superb value-for-money for your one-night stay.
Day 2, 3, & 4:
Journey to the Cultural Triangle where you will be staying for
the next three days at Chaaya Village in Habarana. The ancient
capital of Polonnaruwa, the Lion Rock of Sigiriya and Dambulla’s
Buddhist Cave Temples are all UNESCO world heritage sites and
are included in your package. Explore these three cultural sites,
all set in beautiful scenery, at your own pace, planning your
days with the assistance of our expert driver. You might also
consider a safari at Minneriya National Park when you visit
Polonnaruwa or an adventurous elephant safari at Habarana where
you’ll be taken on elephant back through a jungle trek
and across shallow waters.
Accommodation profile: Chaaya Village set
on an acre of garden blends seamlessly into its natural surroundings
amidst tall trees and tropical foliage and a vast serene lake
that brings nature right to the doorstep. Numerous species of
birds and butterflies, monitor lizards, monkeys and rock squirrels
have all shared this natural habitat with the surrounding villagers
for centuries. Chaay Village is a treat for those wanting to
experience Sri Lanka’s unhurried and wholesome rural village
lifestyle, the rich cultural heritage, and the tropical wilderness
– with the added comforts of luxurious living, good food,
and courteous service.
Day 5 & 6:
The journey from the cultural triangle to Sri Lanka's hill capital
– the small lakeside city of Kandy – will occupy
most of the morning. Check into the Ellerton Lodge, a plantation
bungalow in Gampola on the outskirts of Kandy with magnificent
mountain views. Visit the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy where
a sacred tooth relic of the Lord Buddha is enshrined since 4th
Century A.D. The temple has decorative walls, a golden roof
and fine woodwork. Religious services (pooja) with traditional
music and drumming are held daily at dawn, mid-day and in the
evening where guests can participate.
Accommodation profile: Set on a hilltop,
2,400 feet above sea level with magnificent views, Ellerton
is a tranquil planter’s bungalow situated on a 9 acre
organic tea and spice estate in Gampola. Located just half an
hour from the hill capital Kandy, Ellerton is an ideal stop
en route to the hill country towns of Nuwara Eliya and Hatton.
This 100 year old planter’s bungalow has been refurbished
blending old world charm along with tasteful modern touches.
The property consists of the old colonial style Main House and
the Valley House, a separate newly constructed three bed roomed
villa with panoramic views of the Mawanella mountain range.
Day 7 & 8:
This morning you hop on aboard a train and head to Haputale
in the tea-growing Southern Highlands – a land of lush
tea plantations, majestic peaks and rushing waterfalls. Haputale
is one of the favourite haunts of the tea millionaire Sir Thomas
Lipton.
Check into Kelburne Mountain View
Cottages and spend your time here savouring the magnificent
views. Stroll through the Kelburne Tea plantation and visit
the tea factory where you will gain insight into the manufacturing
process as well as an opportunity to taste and purchase the
different grades of hill country tea. Adisham - a Benedictine
Monastery with a century old stone buildings, several waterfalls
including Dunhinda, Diyaluma, and Ravana Ella are all located
nearby in the towns of Haputale and Ella.
Accommodation profile: At the edge of a mountain ridge
in Haputale, with breathtaking views over five provinces including
the southern plains, stand the three cottages of Kelburne Mountain
View: Wildflower, Aerie, and Rose Cottage. Set amidst a 50 acre
working Organic Tea plantation, the Kelburne Cottages is a destination
that stirs the senses. The cottages dates from the turn of the
19th/20th century and each comes with cozy furnishings, a working
fireplace, books and magazines, as well as a chef to prepare
meals at any time of day. Here is a chance to unwind in the
serene hill country.
Day 9:
Head southeast to the serene and tranquil town of Tissamaharama,
which was the capital of the ancient Ruhunu Kingdom in the 2nd
century B.C. Tissa is dominated by lakes and gigantic Buddhist
Dagobas (temples), lush green paddy fields and lotus-filled
lakes attracting many species of water birds including cormorant,
purple heron, Caspian tern and the painted stork. Travel on
to Yala where you will stay the night at the Yala Village Hotel
located close to the game park and its 40 stylish cabanas blend
subtly into scrub forest. Yala National Park, with a total protected
area of 126,768 hectares, consists of scrub plains, lagoons
and rocky sections and offers the broadest cross-section of
the country’s flora and fauna. In terms of game-viewing
this is probably the best place to see all of the ‘big
three’: elephant, leopard and water buffalo.
Accommodation profile: Yala Village Hotel
located in a Kirinda, enjoy a scenic location, stretching from
a lagoon to the border of Palatupana-Kirinda beach, which boasts
some of Sri Lanka’s finest unspoilt sand dunes. Animals
may wander through the Village unhindered as the management
pursues a policy of existing in harmony with nature. The nearby
beach is remote and attractive, although swimming is not recommended
here. The view from the top deck of the bar-restaurant over
the pool and to the lake beyond, where animals and birds come
to drink and bathe, will tempt some to stay for hours.
Day 10, 11, 12, & 13:
Travel along the scenic southern coast to the Heritance Ahungalla,
a Geoffrey Bawa creation, where you will be staying for the
next four nights. A day’s excursion to the city of Galle,
an hour’s drive from Ahungalla, will enable you to explore
Protugese and Dutch period architecture within the 17th century
Galle Fort, a UNESCO protected world heritage site. Several
hours can be spent wandering along narrow streets, well preserved
ramparts, the lighthouse, the Dutch Reform Church, and several
houses with the typical manor house style architecture with
columns, courtyards, and verandas. There are several newly renovated
interesting boutique hotels with excellent cafes and restaurants
within the Fort. Accommodation profile: Heritance
Ahungalla is a five star property designed by Sri Lanka’s
famous architect Geoffrey Bawa. The hotel is designed keeping
the beautiful ocean landscape in full view from every angle.
The Hotel is approached through a long stretch of roadway off
the main Galle Road, which provides for a dramatic entrance
with views across the infinity pool edging the sea. The main
areas on the ground as well as upper floors are designed as
linked open pavilions all with continuous views of the sea.
The deluxe rooms reflect a contemporary design while maintaining
an image of elegance and sophistication with clean modern lines.
Elegant bathrooms complete the look, with amenities in all rooms. Day 14: Depart to the Bandaranaike International
Airport in Colombo in good time for your flight back
home.
Cost: TBC
Package price includes:
•
Return flight with SriLankan Airlines (inclusive
of all taxes) • 13 night’s accommodation
on twin-sharing BB basis • Airconditioned car and
English-speaking driver for tour and transfers
• First Class train from
Ellerton to Haputale (subject to availability) • Entrance fees: Dambulla
Cave Temples, Sigiriya Rock, Polonnaruwa, Temple
of
the Tooth • Entrance fees and jeep
hire for Yala National Park
Red Dot's Sri Lanka holidays and Sri Lanka tours
are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority as long as you buy Sri Lanka
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
our licence ]
The `Island Hop’ takes you through Sri Lanka’s
most interesting and beautiful landscapes – from the
lush green tea covered hills through scrub jungles and finally
to the tranquil beaches of the west coast. We have selected
some unique hotels and bungalows for this itinerary, making
each day and night a special experience on this beautiful
island. The tour strays away from the well-trodden tourist
trail to allow you see Sri Lanka at its resplendent best.
Of course, we are able to tinker with this itinerary if you
wish and add an extra night here and there. We can also discuss
other hotel or villa options.
