Glimpses of Ceylon

A privately escorted tour by air-conditioned car

Sigiriya 3 nights
Kandy 2 nights
Nuwara Eliya 1 night
Colombo 1 night

Day 1 Depart UK: From selected UK airports.

Day 2 Colombo/Sigiriya:: Morning arrival, drive to Sigiriya (approx 4 hours drive). After lunch, rest of day at leisure (approx 110 miles).

Day 3 Sigiriya/Polonnaruwa: After breakfast proceed to Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO world heritage site (approx 1 hour 30 minutes), the second capital city of Sri Lanka built in the 11th and 12 centuries AD. Visit the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya - four colossal statues carved from granite, the Lotus Bath, the moonstones and Tivanka Image House with its Buddhist frescoes. Travel to Giritale for lunch, then visit the imposing rock fortress of Sigiriya developed by King Kasyappa in the 5th century and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For the healthy, take a 600 feet climb to the top. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town with a moat, rampart, and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens that ring the base of the rock. You will also see the world-renowned frescoes of the 'Heavenly Maidens' of Sigiriya, which are painted in earth pigments on plaster and are sheltered in a pocket of the rock that can only be approached by a spiral stairway. Return to Sigiriya (approx 110 miles).

Day 4 Sigiriya:: Day at leisure or a chance to see the Minneriya National Park by jeep or visit the ancient city of Anuradhapura.

Day 5 Sigiriya/Kandy*: Take a morning drive to the Dambulla Rock Cave Temple which was built in the 1st century and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The most impressive of Sri Lanka's cave temples with a complex of five caves with over 2000 square metres of painted walls and ceilings; it is the largest area of paintings found in the world. It contains over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is the colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of rock and spanning 14 metres. Afterwards stop at a spice garden at Matale to see how different spices are grown and processed before continuing to Kandy. Proceed on a city tour of Kandy, the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and another of the seven HERITAGE sites found in Sri Lanka. Enjoy a drive around the Kandy Lake, the town bazaar, the arts and crafts centre and a gem museum. This evening enjoy an evening poojah at the Temple of the Tooth relic and a cultural show (approx 90 miles).

*Optional beach extension to Trincolamee on the East coast before going to Kandy.

Day 6 Kandy: Morning visit to Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage which was established in 1975 and has become renowned as a conservation and educational centre. During the afternoon visit the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya, which has an amazing variety of trees, plants and flowers (approx 70 miles).

Day 7 Kandy/Nuwara Eliya: Proceed to the cooler climes of tea country - Sri Lanka’s “Green Gold”. Enjoy a visit to a working tea plantation and factory where you will observe the manufacturing and grading process of tea. Proceed onwards to the former colonial hill station of Nuwara Eliya, some 6,000 feet above sea level. It is Sri Lanka's most popular hill resort and also the heart of the tea country. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure (approx 60 miles/3 hours 30 minutes). If time allows and to appreciate Nuwara Eliya in its full glory we recommend a 2 night extension to the Ceylon Tea Trails.

Day 8 Nuwara Eliya/Colombo: Continue via Kitulgala, the main location where the Oscar winning film “Bridge on the River Kwai” was filmed. En route pass by St Claire and Devon waterfalls. After lunch continue on to Colombo (approx 130 miles/5 hours drive).

You may wish to experience more wildlife at Yala Safari, Sri Lanka's largest National Park, see elephant, leopard, sloth bear, spotted deer, wild board and mongooses.

Day 9 Colombo/UK: Enjoy a city tour of Colombo which takes you past a 100 year old clock tower, numerous colonial buildings and visits the Pettah Bazaaar - where you can shop for bargains, a Hindu and Buddhist temple before enjoying the remainder of the day at leisure. Transfer to the airport for your departure to UK. Alternatively extend your stay at a Sri Lankan beach resort, fly to the nearby Maldives, or choose to break your journey home with a stop in either Abu Dhabi or Dubai. Please ask for prices.

If you are into bird watching and wildlife then we suggest a stay at Heritance Kandalama as well as Yala Safari.

For a more unique experience Glimpses of Ceylon can also be enjoyed using "boutique" hotels such as Jetwing Vil Uyana, Kandy House, Ceylon Tea Trails, Aditya and ReefVilla. These exciting, small and more personalised properties, some restored from the British rule and some newly built, capture the essence of barefoot luxury and attention to detail. Please ask for details.

Tour information

Tour number:Bronze 1402, Silver/Gold 1403

Departures: Daily from UK.

Sightseeing: As outlined

Meals: Breakfast.

Extensions: Available in each destination.. Please ask for details.

The tour prices: The price shown is a lead-in price for low season travel and includes international flights, bronze accommodation as stated, private transfers and services of an English speaking guide.

Due to en route sightseeing and the nature of the scenic, winding roads, some journeys can take several hours. If time permits an overnight stay at the Jetwing Beach Hotel in Negombo is recommended on day 2 before starting your journey to Sigiriya.

Tour Hotels