Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Highlights: Sigiriya, Kandy, Tea Country and Galle

The Cultural Triangle, the hill country and the coast in ten days, full board

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Highlights: Sigiriya, Kandy, Tea Country and Galle

The essential Sri Lanka, in a group of 16 at most and full board: Polonnaruwa, the climb up Lion Rock, a morning in the rice fields (mini-tractor, offering to the monks, dugout canoe), the Golden Temple of Dambulla and a jeep safari in Hurulu Eco Park, then Matale and its spices, Kandy and the Temple of the Tooth, Ramboda Falls and a tea factory in Nuwara Eliya, Galle and Colombo. With 3 beach nights at the end: Tangerine Beach 4* from €1,808 per person, Naya Collection Blue Waters 5* from €1,918; private version from €1,909.

When

Dec to April

Price

From 1 443€ excl. flights

(based on 2 people sharing)

How long

7 nights

Ideal length

The Cultural Triangle

Days 1-5

Polonnaruwa, Lion Rock, Dambulla and a safari among the elephants.

Day 1

Flight to Sri Lanka

Flight to Colombo. Dinner and night on board.

Day 2

Arrival in Colombo – Sigiriya

Welcome at Colombo airport and drive to Sigiriya (about 180 km). Lunch at the hotel and a free afternoon.

Day 3

Polonnaruwa and Habarana

The historic city of Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO site, its royal palace and the giant Buddhas of Gal Vihara. In the afternoon, a visit to a school in Habarana (outside school holidays).

Day 4

Lion Rock and village life

At dawn, the climb up Lion Rock, its gardens and frescoes. Then the rice fields of Audangawa by mini-tractor, the Dhane offering and the monks' lunch at the village temple, a dugout canoe ride on Hiriwaduna lake and, in the evening, traditional dances.

Day 5

Dambulla and a safari in Hurulu Eco Park

The Golden Temple of Dambulla, its five caves and 150 statues of the Buddha. A spice-cooking demonstration and a Sri Lankan lunch, then a jeep safari in Hurulu Eco Park to see wild elephants.

1 / 4

Kandy and the hill country

Days 6-7

The spices of Matale, the Temple of the Tooth and the tea road.

Day 6

Matale – Kandy

The temple of Nalanda Gedige, then Matale: tropical fruit, a spice garden, an introduction to Ayurvedic massage and a batik workshop. In the late afternoon, the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy.

Day 7

Ramboda – Nuwara Eliya

Drive to Ramboda Falls and the tea plantations, then Nuwara Eliya, at 1,880 m, and a visit to a plantation and its factory. The short train ride from Kandy to Gampola is suspended while the line is being repaired.

1 / 4

Galle and Colombo

Days 8-10

The Indian Ocean, the fortified town of Galle and the capital.

Day 8

Nuwara Eliya – Galle

South to Galle, a fortified town listed by UNESCO, shaped by the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British. Free time, a local lunch, then check in at the beach hotel.

Day 9

Colombo and Kelaniya temple – flight home

Lunch at the hotel, then drive to Colombo for a city tour and Kelaniya temple, one of the most sacred in the country. Transfer to the airport and fly to France.