Experience Sri Lanka’s ancient cultural heritage, its
tropical wilderness and the green-mantled hills of its tea-country.
Then follow this with five days of relaxation on the sandy
beaches of the Maldives. We have selected unique accommodation
including colonial period hotels and a tea estate bungalow
in Sri Lanka. In the Maldives we have opted for Bandos Resort,
a popular mid-range option with excellent facilities. 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 options.
Holiday highlights
• Polonnaruwa’s ancient ruins
• Sigiriya’s rock fortress
• Dambulla’s ancient cave temples
• Kandy’s Temple of the Tooth
• Tea-cloaked highlands
• Magnificent views and the wilderness in Horton
Plains
• Azure waters of the Maldives
Itinerary:
Day 1: Upon arrival in Sri Lanka transfer to Browns Beach Hotel located just half an hour away from the International Airport on the north-west beaches of Negombo. This is an ideal place for acclimatising to Sri Lanka's tropical climes after the long flight. You may like to take a boat ride along the centuries old Dutch canals that winds through Negombo's quaint town, 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. Although a large hotel, 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: Journey to the Cultural Triangle where you will be
staying for the next three nights at Chaaya Village in Habarana.
Explore Dambulla’s cave temple complex, which has the
largest number of Buddha statues all housed in one place, including
a 14-metre long, colossal figure of the recumbent Buddha carved
out of the rock. Frescoes on the ceiling stretch back more than
2,000 years. Located nearby is the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, built
in the 5th century by King Kasyapa. The climb up the huge rock
brings history alive in an adventurous fashion that delights
all ages. The ruins of the fortress upon the huge rock, the
wall frescoes, and the symmetrical royal gardens below are amazing
feats of this period. At Habarana, go on an adventurous elephant
safari 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 tropical foliage and a vast serene lake
that brings nature to your doorstep. Numerous species of birds
and butterflies, monitor lizards, monkeys and rock squirrels
have shared this natural habitat with the surrounding villagers
for centuries. Chaaya 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 4 & 5: The journey from the Cultural Triangle to Sri Lanka's
hill capital – the bustling lakeside town of Kandy –
will occupy most of the morning. Check into 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 an 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-bedroomed villa with panoramic views of the Mawanella mountain range.
Day 6 & 7:
This morning you head to Nuwara Eliya, a sleepy town nestled
in the tea-growing highlands - a land of lush tea plantations,
majestic peaks and gushing waterfalls.
Enjoy a two-night stay at the Hill
Club, a small country club that resonates with colonial memories
and is a living slice of history. The Hill Club stands at a
focal point of the town, and has easy access to the tight fairways
of Nuwara Eliya Golf Club, horse riding, boating in Lake Gregory,
bird watching and nature treks. Holy Trinity Anglican Church
and the Sita Amman Kovil will interest many. Visit a tea estate
and factory where you can learn about the process of making
Ceylon Tea. We recommend a day's excursions to Horton Plains,
an undulating 2000m high plateau 28km south of Nuwara Eliya.
The grassy plains, which are interspersed with small patches
of forest, are home to leopards, sambur, deer, bear, monkeys
and a rich array of birds, including some endemic species. The
most dramatic feature of the national park is "World's End"
where the plateau comes to an abrupt end and drops nearly a
1000m straight. The best way to explore the park is on foot.
The plains can also be explored by jeep, preferably from early
morning as the mist often falls by lunchtime.
Accommodation profile: The Hill Club, flanked by Single Tree Mountain at the back and overlooking the Pidurutalagala Mountains in front, has one of the finest settings in Nuwara Eliya. This 130 year old granite mansion, resembling a mini Victorian castle, is set on an extensive manicured lawn. Established as an exclusive social and events club in 1876 by a `homesick' British coffee planter, the Hill Club offers cosy accommodation and a personalized service. This is an ideal spot for golfers who would like to play a challenging round of golf at the Nuwara Eliya Golf course located just next door.
Day 8:
Leave after breakfast for Colombo, Sri Lanka’s laid-back
capital city, one of the greenest in Asia and an interesting
stopping point before your stay in the Maldives. Check into
the Galle Face Regency, the new wing of the famous Victorian
hotel located in the heart of Colombo. You may wish to go shopping
during the afternoon, or instead pamper yourself at the Spa.
In the evening we wholeheartedly recommend visiting the Gallery
Café for a truly special open-air dinner or the Galle
Face Hotel’s Seaspray restaurant, blessed by an ocean
frontage.
Accommodation profile: The
Galle Face Hotel, established in 1864 and once the mansion of
a British Governor, is a masterpiece of Victorian architecture.
It possesses an unrivalled location in the capital, Colombo,
on the edge of the Indian Ocean, at the foot of Galle Face Green
and offers an appealing, colonial-style alternative to travellers
seeking a change from standard five-star business hotels. The
Galle Face's new up market Regency wing offers a remarkable
transition between old and new, retaining the dignified and
polite atmosphere that gave the Galle Face Hotel such fame in
the colonial age.
Day 9 - 13:
Depart early in the morning for your flight to the Maldives
and a five nights stay in Bandos Resort. A 20 minute speedboat
ride from Malé International Airport takes you to Bandos, nestled
in the clear blue seas of the North Malé Atoll. Bandos is situated
on its own white-sand island. Many activities are on offer here
ranging from an idle stroll and swims by the beach, to diving,
parasailing, catamaran sailing and host of other quality water
sports. Diving at Bandos is particularly good with a plethora
of fish in nearby waters and a state of the art dive centre.
Off and out of the water Bandos has a Gym, Spa and a host of
good restaurants, bars and a disco.
Accommodation profile: Bandos is
a large resort by Maldives standards but does not suffer for
it, a comfortable well-developed destination that is by no means
flattered by its four star status. One of the earliest resorts
to open in the Maldives, Bandos has gradually grown into a stylish,
beautiful, active place for a holiday, with a great reputation
for diving and water-based activities. Bandos has a number of
different accommodation options to choose from Standard Rooms
to luxury Water Villas.
Day 14:
Depart in time for your return flight to London
Cost: TBC
Package price includes:
• Return
flight with SriLankan Airlines (inclusive of taxes)
• 13 night’s accommodation on double-sharing
BB basis
• Maldivian speedboat transfers to Bandos
Resort
• Airconditioned car and English-speaking
driver for Sri Lanka tour and transfers
• Entrance tickets to: Sigirya rock fortress,
Dambulla’s cave temples, Kandy’s temple
of the Tooth
• Entrance and jeep hire to Horton Plains
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 ]
Experience Sri Lanka’s ancient cultural heritage, its
tropical wilderness and the green-mantled hills of its tea-country.
Then follow this with five days of relaxation on the sandy
beaches of the Maldives. We have selected unique accommodation
including colonial period hotels and a tea estate bungalow
in Sri Lanka. In the Maldives we have opted for Bandos Resort,
a popular mid-range option with excellent facilities. 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 options.
