‘Sri
Lanka Tour & Beach’ is the staple offering of a
Sri Lanka holiday -- eight days touring Sri Lanka’s
varied landscape rounded off by five days’ on a beautiful
beach. After experiencing some of Sri Lanka’s highlights
--- ancient cities, tea-growing hills, the breathtaking vistas
of the hill country – you will be ready to unwind on
the tranquil sandy beaches of the south coast. We have carefully
selected a variety of properties, including charming plantation
bungalows and hotels in scenic locations. A camping safari
in the light tropical jungle of Uda Walawe game park is an
added attraction. That is sun, sea, wildlife and a glimpse
of an ancient cultural heritage – a variety that makes
this small island so unique. As ever, the itinerary is totally
flexible. If the tour does not quite meet your requirements,
just tell us. With Red Dot, you always go exactly where you
choose.
Holiday highlights
• Ancient ruins of Pollonaruwa
• Dambulla’s cave temple
• Sigiriya Rock fortress
• Spectacular hill country
• Camping safari in Uda Walawe
• Galle’s 17th century Dutch Fort
• Scuba diving and water sports
• Palm-fringed sandy beaches
Itinerary:
Day 1: Upon arrival in Sri Lanka transfer to Browns Beach
Hotel, located less than half an hour from the airport on the
sandy beach of Negombo, an ideal place for acclimatising to
Sri Lanka’s tropical climate 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 wind through Negombo's quaint town, or visit 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 lively mood.
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: Travel to Dambulla, gateway to the Cultural Triangle,
where you will stay three nights at the Thilanka Resort and
Spa. Explore Dambulla’s cave temple just a few minutes’
walk from the hotel. The rock ceiling has a sweep of colorful
frescoes, some of which dates back to over 2,000 years. This
cave temple has the largest number of Buddha statues all housed
in one place, including a 14-metre recumbent Buddha carved out
of the rock. Nearby is the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, built in
the 5th century by King Kasyapa. The walk to the summit brings
history alive in an adventurous fashion which appeals to people
of all ages. The ruins of the fortress upon the huge rock, the
wall frescoes, and the symmetrical royal gardens surrounding
the rock are amazing feats of this period. We also recommend
a visit to the ancient kingdom of Polonnaruwa, which was Sri
Lanka’s royal medieval capital between the late 11th and
13th century. After visiting Polannaruwa museum, which will
provide an overview of this ancient city and its heritage, move
onto exploring the ruins themselves. Visit Kalaweva, one of
the massive reservoirs built by King Dhatusena and lunch at
the Polonnaruwa Rest House.
Accommodation profile:Surrounded
by mountains, paddy fields, flowing rivers, and wilderness,
the Thilanka Resort & Spa is a brand new luxurious hotel,
located a few minutes away from the town of Dambulla. Centrally
located, this is an ideal spot from which to experience the
ancient heritage sites of the Cultural Triangle. The Resort
is situated on a 25 acre fertile land filled with fruit, spices,
and paddy – a tropical oasis with breathtaking views of
the surrounding mountains.
Day 5, 6 & 7: Journey to Sri Lanka's
hill capital – the lakeside town of Kandy. Visit the Temple
of the Tooth where a sacred tooth relic of the Lord Buddha is
enshrined. 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. Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens
in Peradeniya with over 60 hectares of tranquil, immaculately-designed
lawns, flowering hedges, pavilions and plant houses. Golfers
will relish the Victoria Golf & Country Resort; its challenging
and scenic course, one of the finest in Asia, is located nearby.
We suggest that you stay for three nights at the Lavender House,
a plantation bungalow located in Pusselawa en route to the hill
country.
Accommodation profile: The
Lavender House, set in the Hellbode tea estate in Pusselawa,
is an old planter’s bungalow refurbished by its Australian
owners,
owners of the Colombo’s
highly-successful Cricket Club Café. Lavender House retains
an old-world charm, spacious grandeur, and old fashioned hospitality.
The bungalow is set on seven acres of tea with mountain views
and terraced lawns.
Day 8:
Travel to the Uda Walawe National Park in the south-central
region for an adventurous camping safari organized with the
help of Mahoora Safaris, one of Sri Lanka’s most reputable
wildlife companies. According to wildlife reports there are
about 500 elephants in the park and they often roam in herds
of up to 100. Leopards, buffalo, deer and sloth bears keep them
company along with mongooses, bandicoots, foxes, water monitor
lizards and crocodiles. Visit the Elephant Transit Camp at Uda
Walawe run by Sri Lanka’s Wildlife Department. Here around
20 young elephants, mostly babies who have been orphaned or
who are recovering from injuries, are kept before release into
the wild.
Accommodation profile: Mahoora
Safaris is a strong wildlife outfit, operating in a variety
of different parks and rural locations in Sri Lanka. They provide
high levels of service, with friendly staff running simple but
smart campsites in some excellent locations. The campsite, set-up
in advance of your arrival, offers tents with comfortable beds,
fresh linen and soft pillows, wooden tables & chairs, hammocks,
flushable toilets and showers. Reliable meals use local produce.
Day 9, 10, 11, 12, & 13: Journey along
the beautiful beaches of the south coast until you reach the
fishing village of Koggala just 15 minutes away from the historic
city of Galle. We propose that you finish in unapologetic luxury
and stay at the Fortress, a new boutique hotel set on a broad,
sandy beach guarded by swaying palms. Visit the Martin Wickramasinghe
Folk Museum in Koggala just minutes from the hotel and discover
the age-old crafts and rituals of the Deep South. Galle’s
17th century Dutch Fort, a UNESCO-protected World Heritage site
and a melting pot of cultural influences, is an interesting
morning’s excursion. Several hours can be spent wandering
along the narrow streets and well-preserved ramparts, which
today are used for romantic evening strolls and convenient viewpoints
to grab a free view of Sri Lanka cricket matches held in the
Galle cricket stadium below. High on the headland of Unawatuna
Bay is Rhumassala Temple; the beautiful views stretching out
over the Indian Ocean make a walk around the headland near the
temple very special. Wander through hidden villages and verdant
wooded valleys, famous for natural medicinal herbs, and eventually
find yourself on “Jungle Beach”- a little known
and secluded beach. Around Galle there are also some of the
country’s best diving spots. A PADI centre in Unawatuna
offers diving suitable for beginners to advanced. As well as
the bright corals and exotic fish, there is the opportunity
to go cave and wreck diving. Mirissa Water Sports also offers
water sports such as sailing, fishing, coastal cruises, river
trips, sea kayaking, snorkeling and boating activities.
Accommodation profile: True to
its name, the luxurious and tastefully designed Fortress unfolds
inside tall solid walls. The building design and the interior
furnishings successful blend traditional Dutch, Portuguese and
Sri Lankan architecture with contemporary design. The property
is situated on Koggala Beach, one of the south coast's most
idyllic beaches. The hotel, which opened in 2006, is managed
by the world-renowned Per Aquum Resorts & Spas, a group
most famous for their luxurious properties in the Maldives and
Seychelles. Day 14: Depart to the Bandaranaike International
Airport in Colombo in good time for your flight back
home.
Cost: TBC
Package price includes:
• 13
night’s BB accommodation on twin-sharing
basis
• Airconditioned car and English-speaking
driver for tour and transfers
• Entrance Fee: Polonnaruwa ruins, Sigirya
Rock Fortress, Dambulla Cave Temple,
Temple of the Tooth
• Entrance and jeep hire for Uda Walawe
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 ]
‘Sri
Lanka Tour & Beach’ is the staple offering of a
Sri Lanka holiday -- eight days touring Sri Lanka’s
varied landscape rounded off by five days’ on a beautiful
beach. After experiencing some of Sri Lanka’s highlights
--- ancient cities, tea-growing hills, the breathtaking vistas
of the hill country – you will be ready to unwind on
the tranquil sandy beaches of the south coast. We have carefully
selected a variety of properties, including charming plantation
bungalows and hotels in scenic locations. A camping safari
in the light tropical jungle of Uda Walawe game park is an
added attraction. That is sun, sea, wildlife and a glimpse
of an ancient cultural heritage – a variety that makes
this small island so unique. As ever, the itinerary is totally
flexible. If the tour does not quite meet your requirements,
just tell us. With Red Dot, you always go exactly where you
choose.
