Discover the Enchanting Wonders of Sri Lanka with Prestige TouEmbark on a captivating journey through the enchanting island of Sri Lanka with Prestige Tours. Immerse yourself in a rich tapestry of ancient history, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant cultural experiences.
On arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport, You will be greeted by your Sri Lanka Prestige representative who will introduce you to your English-speaking chauffeur guide. Thereafter we drive to our beautiful hotel near Airport, The Wallawwa, located approximately 30 minutes away.
Hotel – The Wallawwa (Dinner and Night) Or similar
After breakfast we drive to the Cultural Triangle with a stop at Dambulla en route.
Lunch on route at Lake Lodge, which boasts spectacular views over Kandalama Lake.
After lunch we visit the Dambulla Rock Cave Temple. Located in the north central province this UNESCO World Heritage Site which dates back to the 01st century BC, is an amazing complex of 05 caves, first used as a refuge by an ancient king who on regaining his throne, commissioned magnificent carved images within the living rock. Later kings made further improvements and the caves contain over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is a colossal figure spanning 15 meters. Cave inscriptions from the 2nd Century BC are found and on the walls are many paintings most of which belong to the
Kandy period (early 19th century). This temple is a perfect location to view evolution of ancient Sri Lankan art and is an important historical site due to the amalgamation of the material from many eras.
We proceed to Ulagalla Resort, in the town of Thiriappane.
Hotel – Ulagalla Resort (Dinner and Night) Or similar
Morning guided visit UNESCO Sigiriya Rock Fortress. We depart our hotel early this morning to climb one of Sri Lanka’s major attractions, the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. The most impressive facets of the unique complex are the Water Gardens, the Frescoes of beautiful maidens, the Mirror Wall with ancient graffiti, the Lion platform and the Summit of 1.6 hectares, which was completely covered by buildings during the period of Sigiriya’s glory.
Built by King Kashyapa (477-495 A.D), the “Lion Rock” is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200m from the scrub jungle. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town and the base is ringed by a moat, rampart, and extensive gardens. The world-renowned frescoes (originally 500, of which only 19 remain today) which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway are painted in earth pigments on plaster. The old stairway to the top led through the mouth of a crouching lion but today only the huge paws remain giving an indication of the massive proportions of the head. Remains of the handsome royal citadel are on the summit and several caves for meditation, audience platforms and baths complete the unique site.
Lunch on route at the Sigiriya Village Hotel.
Afternoon we visit Polonnaruwa. This medieval city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rose to fame as the capital (10th – 12th century AD) after the decline of Anuradhapura. The entire landscape of the region is punctuated by huge man-made reservoirs, the most famous of which is the Parakrama Samudra or the Sea of Parakrama, larger in size than the Colombo harbour.
The monuments are relatively well preserved and give clear evidence of the glory of Sri Lanka’s past. Highlights are the Royal Palace complex including the Kings Palace and Audience Hall, the Quadrangle with its concentration of ancient heritage and the spectacular Gal Vihare complex of four massive images of the Buddha, cut from a single slab of granite – a highlight of ancient Sri Lankan rock carving. Some of the best examples of the Hindu influence – the Temples of Shiva, intricate statues of Hindu Gods, fascinating Buddhist temples, the Lankatileka and Watadage, the Galpotha, the Lotus bath, the Kiri Vihare Dagoba and the remains of a former Temple of the Tooth are other impressive sights.
We return to Ulagalla in the late afternoon where we can relax before dinner. Those interested might like to go on a nature walk with a naturalist from the resort.
Hotel – Ulagalla Resort (Dinner and Night) Or similar
After breakfast we travel towards Kandy.
On route, we stop at a spice garden and we stop for lunch at Ena de Silva’s private residence in Matale. Ena De Silva is a pioneer artist from an elite Kandyan family and a well-loved cultural icon, who introduced the art of batik to Sri Lanka in the early 1960s. She remains the undisputed master of batik and Kandyan embroidery, and of Sri Lankan traditional design. Her unsurpassable batik designs are inspired by ancient Sinhalese flags and traditional motifs but are instilled with originality. Her finest work is carried out on a monumental scale. Her exquisite appliqué and embroidered patchwork quilts and wall hangings are a dizzying confusion of color and stitching that only de Silva can carry off with aplomb.
Afternoon (Late): We check into Adigar’s Manor, Kandy.
Late afternoon if interested we could arrange a visit to a renowned artist living in the hills of Kandy. You could join him for tea and discuss art, yoga, meditation and music, each of which he’s fluent in.
Hotel – Adigar’s Manor, Kandy (Dinner and Night) Or similar
After breakfast we visit the Royal Botanical Gardens with a professor from the Peradeniya University.
The Royal Botanical Garden, Peradeniya is one of the best botanical gardens in Sri Lanka, and one of the most beautiful in Asia. It is located just 6 km from Kandy, the second largest city in Sri Lanka. The botanical gardens is huge & well-organized gardens, It is renowned for the collection the variety of Orchids, and has more than 300 varieties of Orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palms trees attach it is the National Herbarium. Total land mass of the botanical garden is 147 acres; it is managed by the Division of National Botanic Gardens of the Department of Agriculture. The origins of the Botanic Gardens date as far back. The Classical Avenue of Palms is located in this Garden. One tree with a significant history is the Cannon ball Tree planted by King George V of the United Kingdom and Queen Mary in 1901. The tree is bent with their fruit which looks like Cannon Ball, which is how it came to be named
Lunch: A light lunch is served at the Botanical Gardens.
In the afternoon, we visit the British Garrison Cemetery dedicated to British Nationals who died in Sri Lanka during the colonial times. The highly informed caretaker who had accompanied Prince Charles himself around the graveyard has a story to tell about each of the 163 graves in this cemetery, if you have the time!
Afterwards we take you for afternoon tea to the Queens Hotel, one of the oldest hotels in Asia, and then we head into the Temple of the Tooth, Sri Lanka’s most sacred site. Temple of the Tooth – is the most important place for the present Buddhist because it is the final resting place of the sacred tooth relic of Buddha known as “Sri Dalada Maligawa.” It is famous for its carvings and the beautiful art that is unique to Sri Lanka. The most important part of the Dalada Maligawa is the octagon (Pathirppuwa). Thousands of people line up each day to get a glimpse of its majesty. Kandy is also the one of the most beautiful cities of Sri Lanka with its picturesque lake built by it’s last king, it’s hills surrounding the city, it’s devales the oldest the natha devale belonging to the 14th century and the palace of the last king of Kandy which are presently the districts courts and the archaeological museum. Kandy also is the centre for Buddhist cultural affairs with meditation centres and Buddhist publication societies.
We head back to your hotel
Hotel – Adigar’s Manor, Kandy (Dinner and Night) Or similar
After an early breakfast we depart for Peradeniya Train station to board the train leaving to Hatton at 0830hrs. It is recommended that you reach the Peradeniya Station by at least 0800hrs to ensure you don’t miss this picturesque train journey as you journey across beautiful hills of tea.
Lunch: At Tea Trails – in your bungalow..
Afternoon at leisure…
We stop in Hatton where your driver will await at the station to take you to one of the four classic colonial bungalows managed by Tea Trails. Tea planter’s bungalows were built for British tea estate managers in the days of the Raj. On arrival at Tea Trails you will be greeted by your personal butler who will attend to your every need and discuss the dinner options. Enjoy the evening at Tea Trails. Watch the sun go down over the mountains and the lakes from the splendid verandah and gardens at Tea Trails.
Hotel – The Ceylon Tea Trails (Dinner and Night) Or similar
After breakfast we visit the Dunkeld Tea Factory & Plantation for the essential tea experience. A Resident Tea Planter will demonstrate the age-old tea making process. First, follow the trail of the planters of old Ceylon, as they trekked through the dense jungle looking for the best slopes on which to plant tea. Then on to watch the tea pluckers pick two leaves and a bud with deft hands.
Then to the factory where the all-important conversion to “made” black tea happens. The machinery used is of very traditional British design, some as old as 100 years. The process is a very artisanal one, unchanged for a century. The daily complimentary group tour ends with a tasting of different grades of this great brew.
Together with the tea-infused cuisine, tea based spa treatments and trekking trails that traverse tea-blanketed hills, you can literally lose yourself in tea. You will leave Tea Trails with a newly found appreciation of this wonder herb “Camellia Sinensis” & the terroir of Ceylon Tea.
Note – Please note that plucking of Tea leaves is not done on public holidays & Sundays. As such the Tea production process does not take place, however a tour of the factory will be arranged where the process is explained.
Lunch is served on the verandas at Tea Trails.
Afternoon at leisure with the option of partaking in the various activities available at Tea Trails
Hotel – Tea Trails (Dinner and Overnight) Or similar
After breakfast, we travel out of the hills and head south to Yala National Park.
Sri Lanka’s most known national park is popular for Elephant, Leopard, Bear, Crocodile and Wild Boar. More than three times larger than Udawalawe at 97,800 hectares, this is the second largest of Sri Lanka’s national parks. Its open undulating terrain made it famous for elephants for many years, but recently the park has also received much fame through publicity by National Geographic and the Discovery TV channels, which focused on a leopard research/conservation and identifications project. Claims have subsequently been made that Yala National Park has the world’s highest concentration of leopard per square kilometer.
This park is primarily shrub jungle with several salt and fresh water lagoons. The areas popular with leopard are rock strewn hillocks with dense shrub in which the animals hide.
Hotel – Chena Huts (Dinner and Overnight)
Full Day: Game safaris.
Partake in two exhilarating game drives to Yala National Park.
Hotel – Chena Huts (Dinner and Overnight) Or similar
After breakfast we drive to our hotel by the beach.
Day leisure on the beach.
Hotel – Amanwella (Lunch, Dinner & Overnight)
Morning and Evening: Relax on the beach.
Optional: Snorkelling and Surfing or Visit the Mulkirigala Temple.
Hotel – Amanwella (Overnight) Or similar
The drive is a scenic one along the coast. It is worth stopping to see the legendary Taprobane Island. Built in the 30’s by Count de Mauny, a French landscape architect who created this legendary folly on a piece of land which was originally a cobra dump. The octagonal white villa has attracted everyone from Noel Coward, Paul Bowles and Robin Maugham and is currently featured in Hip Hotels.
By late afternoon we arrive at the beautiful Amangalla hotel located within the 17th century Dutch fort of Galle.
Lunch: Lunch is on route and spend the afternoon at leisure
Hotel – Amangalla (Dinner & Overnight) Or similar
Morning: Guided visit to Galle Fort with a local resident
In the morning, we explore the Galle Fort
The port of Galle, thought by some to be the Biblical city of Tarshish, splendidly illustrates the solidity of the Dutch presence in Sri Lanka. The 36-hectare (89 acre) Dutch Fort, built in 1663, has withstood the ravages of time. Its massive ramparts surround the promontory that forms the older part of Galle, and shelters within its walls sturdy Dutch houses, museums and churches. This area has a quiet, relaxed atmosphere that seems almost detached from the flow of history. The New Oriental Hotel, built for Dutch governors in 1684, is a colonial gem with a wonderfully atmospheric bar.
Lunch: Lunch is on your own in the fort and spend the afternoon at leisure
Dinner at an old spice merchant home
Hotel – Amangalla (Overnight) Or similar
Depending on your departure flight we leave for Airport
We’ll tailor your trip to match your individual interests, tastes, and preferences, offering genuine advice drawn from our firsthand experience.