Splendours of Sri Lanka
Explore the lustrous 'pearl of the Indian Ocean' as you travel from the sun soaked beaches through lush jungles to the verdant hill country.
One of the many statues of The Buddha
Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Sigiriya Rock Fortress is both serene and spectacular
The lovely Cloud Maiden frescoes half way up Sigiriya Rock Fortress
The views from the top of Sigiriya Rock Fortress are spectacular
A warm welcome awaits
You'll see many incredible statues of The Buddha
One of the fascinating Rock Caves at Dambulla
Gal Vihara
King's Palace, Polonnaruwa
One of the temples at Polonnaruwa
The Temple of the Tooth in Kandy
The cooler climate around Nuwara Eliya is home to the famous tea plantations
Tea pickers near St Claire waterfall
The countryside en route to Nuwara Eliya
Previous
Next
Your Itinerary
DAY 1: Depart UK.
DAY 2: Arrive Colombo.
On arrival in Colombo you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon, enjoy an included tour of this bustling city. Highlights include the Ul Alfar Mosque, St Lucia's Cathedral and the Pettah Bazaar. The remainder of the day is free to explore at your leisure, perhaps taking a stroll along the ocean front promenade.
DAY 3: Colombo - Anuradhapura - Mihintale - Sigiriya.
Today we travel to Anuradhapura to visit the ruins of Sri Lanka's one time capital, which dates back to the 4th century BC. Here you will see an array of ancient palaces, temples, stupas and the holy Bo-tree, the oldest recorded tree in the world. After lunch we visit Mihintale and then continue to Sigiriya for two nights. (B, L, D)
DAY 4: Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa - Sigiriya.
This morning visit the fascinating Sigiriya Rock Fortress or Lion's Rock, built on by controversial King Kasyapa, as a retreat from his enemies. It is surrounded by a moat and network of gardens and rises majestivally 656 feet above the green forests. Climb to the top for breathtaking views of the beautiful Sri Lankan countryside, and on the way, you will see the famous 'Cloud Maidens' frescoes painted on the rock wall. In the afternoon, visit Polonnaruwa and enjoy a sightseeing tour of its ancient ruins, featuring the remains of the Royal Palace, the statue of King Parakramabahu, the Thuparama Image House, and the majestic Buddha statues of the Gal Vihara. (B, L, D)
DAY 5: Sigiriya - Kandy.
In the morning you'll visit the fascinating Dambulla Rock Cave Temple which comprises of five caverns, each amazingly preserved, containing frescoes and statues of the Buddha. Lunch will be taken in Matale en route to Kandy, the cultural centre of Sri Lanka. Tonight, visit a cultural show and be entertained by Kandyan dancers and drummers. (B, L, D)
DAY 6: Kandy.
Today, visit the Royal Botanical Gardens, which are renowned for their collection of orchids, spices and medicinal plants, and the famous Temple of the Tooth, where it is said that the tooth of Buddha is enshrined. (B, L, D)
DAY 7: Kandy - Nuwara Eliya.
Enjoy wonderful scenery as you drive up through the mountains to Nuwara Eliya, a little slice of England. The town was a favourite hill station of the British, and has a post office, a golf club, an old race course and even a cooler climate - all straight out of the Home Counties. En route you'll visit a tea estate and see how tea is manufactured, and your overnight stay will be in a colonial-style hotel. (B, L, D)
DAY 8: Nuwara Eliya - Kitulgala - Colombo (or beach resort).
Today, enjoy an included visit to Kitulgala, the site used for the filming of the famous film 'Bridge over the River Kwai', before returning to Colombo for an overnight stay. (B,L)
DAY 9: Colombo - UK.
Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK, or extend your stay in the Maldives, or at one of Sri Lanka's beach resorts, Beruwela or Bentota.
Accommodation on Tour
Colombo: Ramada Colombo; Sigiriya: Sigiriya Village Hotel; Kandy: Mahaweli Reach; Nuwara Eliya: St Andrews, Grand Hotel or Hill Club.
Note: Tour hotels will be as specified or alternatives of a similar standard.
Special Offer
For £83 per person/tour you can take the tour in a private car with a qualified guide as your driver (min 2 passengers).
Things to note...
Guide
As a minimum you will have the services of a driver/guide.
Visa Information
From 1st January 2012, tourists will have to purchase a visa online before travelling to Sri Lanka. The website and more information for the online form is at http://eta.gov.lk/visainfo. The cost of the visa is USD$20. Additional fees apply for the purchase of a visa on arrival.
Your Holiday Map
Splendours of Sri Lanka
Splendours of Sri Lanka 7 nights
Availability and our best prices for all dates
Select the number in your party and departure month, update the calendar then select your holiday.
Splendours of Sri Lanka 8 nights
Availability and our best prices for all dates
Select the number in your party and accommodation options. Then select your holiday from the grid.
| Earlier Dates | Date | Depart From | Price from PP | Later Dates | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Jun 2012 | Birmingham |
Departure Times
|
Select | ||||||||
| 25 Jun 2012 | Glasgow |
Departure Times
|
Select | ||||||||
| 25 Jun 2012 | London Gatwick |
Departure Times
|
Select | ||||||||
| 25 Jun 2012 | London Heathrow |
Departure Times
|
Select | ||||||||
| 25 Jun 2012 | Manchester |
Departure Times
|
Select | ||||||||
| 26 Jun 2012 |
Make your own way
Make your own wayThis is the price of the holiday without flights
|
Select |
Splendours of Sri Lanka
Price from £1355.00
What's Included
- Flights UK - Colombo - UK
- Accommodation on tour in a twin room with private facilities
- Meals on tour 6 breakfasts (B), 6 lunches (L), 6 dinners (D)
- Travel on tour by minibus or private car with driver guide
- English speaking guide on tour and local representative in resort
- Transfers between overseas airport and hotels
- All local and airport taxes/service charges
All this included
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress
- Dambulla Rock cave temple
- Polonnaruwa Gal Vihara
- Kandy Temple of the Tooth, Botanical Gardens, cultural show
- Nuwara Eliya Tea estate
Departures from
- Birmingham
- Glasgow
- London Gatwick
- London Heathrow
- Manchester
- Newcastle
Departures between
25 Jun 2012 to 25 Mar 2013
NO HIDDEN EXTRAS: All prices shown include ALL compulsory charges (Fuel Supplement, Air Passenger Duty & Flight Supplement where applicable). Book with confidence: We are members of ABTA and all our air-inclusive holidays are financially protected by the Civil Aviation Authority under the ATOL scheme
© Copyright 2012. All rights reserved. All holidays and offers are subject to availability.
