Magical gardens touring holiday of Sri Lanka
A 9 night tour for an ultimate retreat to explore magical gardens, breathe pristine mountain air and rejuvenate your soul.
Day 1 - Colombo to Sigiriya
Arrive into Sri Lanka and you are met by your car and driver and transferred to Jetwing Vil Uyana for two nights, situated within the view of the ‘8th Wonder of the World’ - Sigiriya rock (approximately 4 hours drive).
Jetwing Vil Uyana
Day 2 - Sigiriya
Explore the most picturesque surroundings of Jetwing Vil Uyana in buggies.
Enjoy a visit to the Dambulla Rock Temples. Then climb Sigiriya, famous for its toadstool of golden-hued granite, protruding into the sky from a flat wilderness of scrubland, which is transformed in the rainy season to a water garden.
Day 3 - Sigiriya to Kandy
This morning, head to Kandy (approximately 2.5 hours drive). A score of spectacular waterfalls tumble down over rocks and precipices throughout the cool high country of Sri Lanka. Among them is Hunas Falls, which derives its name from Hunnasgiriya peak, the forest covered mountain which overlooks this tranquil landscape. Located close to the former royal Capital of Kandy, Hunas Falls provides an astonishing setting for 2 nights at the Jetwing Hunas Falls Hotel.
Jetwing Hunas Falls Hotel
Day 4 - Kandy
Explore the Royal Botanical Garden at Peradeniya containing more than 5,000 species including over 150 palm trees. In the evening, join the crowds to visit Kandy’s famous Temple of the Tooth.
Day 5 - Kandy to Tea Country
Journey from Kandy up into Tea Country (approximately 2.5 hours drive) which is a world apart from the rest of Sri Lanka, a misty landscape whose cool, wet climate has fostered the growth of a unique ecosystem. Check-in to Warwick Gardens for two nights and enjoy a mouth-watering mountain barbeque.
Warwick Gardens Hotel
Day 6 - Tea Country
Today, visit Hakgala Botanical Gardens. Highlights here are the mountain orchids, many of them endemic to Sri Lanka, and the Fernery and the mature temperate zone trees and plants originally introduced by the British. The cool, temperate climate of the Hakgala area was conducive to the introduction of conifers and cedars, cypresses and pines, English oak and a rose garden.
Day 7 - Tea Country to Bentota
Leave Tea Country and head towards the coast. Check-in to Lunuganga in Bentota for 3 nights (approximately 6.5 hours drive). This is no ordinary hotel. It’s a blissful patchwork of earth, foliage, water and light which is worth exploring.
Lunuganga
Day 8 - Bentota
You will have time to stroll along the gardens of one of the world’s most magical garden retreats and have the privilege of wandering the gardens at will and picnicking in one of the many picturesque pockets of the property or even aboard a boat on the lake. By evening choose an idyllic spot from where to sip the hotel’s signature cocktail - the Lunuganga Sour.
Day 9 - Bentota
Drive to Hikkaduwa and hop onto a glass bottom boat which will offer you fantastic views of coral reefs just off shore.
Day 10 – Departure from Colombo
Transfer to the airport for your departure (approximately 2.5 hours drive).
Prices from about £2275 per person for the above tour including scheduled return flights in economy class with Sri Lankan Airways London to Colombo, a car with English-speaking chauffeur guide, entrance fees and sightseeing as specified, accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis (unless otherwise specified).
Prices of this holiday will be tailor-made for you. Please call one of our specialist sales consultants who will help you. All our touring holidays can be adapted in any way, by adding or reducing nights or changing our suggested hotels for any others in the area. In all cases you are met on arrival at Colombo airport by your personal English-speaking chauffeur guide who will accompany you on your journey around the island. We can include a Mark II car, a Japanese car or a Mercedes, at varying costs. Entrance fees for places you want to visit will be included in your holiday price. Bed and breakfast will be included with dinners as specified at some hotels or half-board can be added at a supplement. All these details will be specified by your sales consultant.