Day 1
Depart the United Kingdom on multi-award winning Emirates Airlines for your flight to Colombo via Dubai.
Day 2
On arrival in Colombo, there is a private transfer to the JetWing Blue Negombo for one night including daily breakfast; the rest of the day is at leisure to explore Negombo. Set amongst lush two and half-acre palm tree estate, the contemporary five star resort commands stunning views over the Indian Ocean. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax by the resorts infinity pool, or sink into the resorts second pool on a submerged lounger and catch a few rays. For dinner this evening, try the JetWing Blue ‘The Kitchen’ for a selection of international and Sri Lankan cuisine with a central open show kitchen for added theatre. Explore the quant-fishing village of Negombo, head down to the bay and watch the old-world fishing craft bringing in their amazing catch of the day, then spend the evening in one of the local restaurants feasting on unctuous seafood.
Day 3 (approximate travel time 3 ½ - 4 ½ hours)
After breakfast at the JetWing Blue Negombo, your English Speaking Guide will meet you for a private transfer to the Wilpattu National Park, the oldest and largest National Park in Sri Lanka. On arrival transfer to a 4x4 vehicle for your exhilarating Game Drive, explore this beautiful National Park with a keen eye for leopards, elephants, bears, deer, crocodiles, reptiles and a colourful variety of birdlife. This evening, check into The Paradise Resort & Spa Dambulla for two nights, including daily breakfast. Set is exotic gardens and leafy surrounds, this lovely resort is the epitome of tranquillity, relax by the padded swimming pool with an icy cool drink from the pool bar, indulge yourself in a traditional Thai and Ayurveda Spa or work up an appetite in the resorts fitness centre. Your tropical eco villa tastefully appointed with teak furniture, parquet flooring and large Terrace. An array of dining options, enjoy authentic pizza prepared in traditional pizza ovens at the poolside Pizzeria A La Forno. For stunning views over the treetops and elegant fine dining, Salt and Pepper is the ultimate dining experience, experience more casual dining at the Orchid Restaurant. For a post dinner drink, relax at the Blue Elephant bar with a signature cocktail.
Day 4
After breakfast in the Orchid Restaurant, your English Speaking Guide will meet your for your tour to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. According to ancient Sri Lankan legend, King Kasyapa (447-495) chose this site for his new capital, building his palace on top of the rock, on a plateau halfway up the side of the rock King Kasyapa built a gateway in the form of an enormous lion, from this structure, Sigiriya Rock takes its name Lion Rock. Sigiriya used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century, now a UNESCO Listed World Heritage Site one of the best-preserved examples of ancient urban planning. This afternoon return to The Paradise Resort & Spa and the rest of the day is at leisure to relax by the pool, or indulge yourself with a wonderful Spa Treatment.
Day 5
Enjoy breakfast this morning before checking out of your hotel, your journey commences with a 35 to 40 minute journey to visit to the Dambulla Cave Temples, sometimes known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla, a World Heritage Site since 1991,the best-preserved and largest cave temple complex in Sri Lanka, towering 160m over the surrounding plains. A total of 153 Buddha statues, four statues of gods and goddesses and three statues of Sri Lankan Kings, including statues of Hindu gods, Vishnu and Ganesh. With over 2000 square metres of pained ceilings and walls, the caves contain one of the largest areas of painting found in the world. Prior to the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, prehistoric Sri Lankans lived in this cave complex. Your tour continues onwards to the Spice Gardens in Matale taking between 1 – 1 ½ Hours, Matale is famous for its spices grown in home gardens as a cottage industry, also famous for batik production, the ancient art of painting cloth, Sri Lanka is one of the world leaders in batik design. From Matale your journey continues onwards to Kandy approximately 1 – 1 ½ hours away, check-in to the Mahaweli Reach for two nights including daily breakfast, located on the banks of the Mahaweli River surrounded by verdant tropical flora and surrounded by the ancient kingdom of Kandy. Your spacious guest room, luxuriously appointed enjoys a private terrace, with views over the pool, garden or the Mahaweli River. Facilities include outdoor swimming pool, fully equipped gym, tennis court, bicycles, boat rides and the Ayurvedic Spa.
Kandy was last stronghold of the Sinhala Kings retains its aura of grandeur, at the centre of its tranquil lake sits the site of the famous ‘Temple of the Tooth’. Since ancient times, this relic has played an important role in local politics, the legend is whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country and the importance of the Temple has enabled Kandy to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kandy is the centre of the islands handicraft industry; its traditional dancers are renown throughout the country. This afternoon enjoy a tour to visit the Temple of the Tooth before watching a wonderful cultural dance performance this evening.
Day 6
After breakfast at your hotel, there is a tour to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya, originally the King’s own pleasure garden. Filled with tropical, temperate, exotic and indigenous flora this beautiful garden is a garden lovers paradise, visit the largest collection of orchids in the orchid house. From these stunning gardens your tour continues onwards with a city tour of Kandy possibly one of the most beautiful cities in the world, surrounded by lush green hills, with a large lake dominating the town centre. At the end of your tour return to the Mahaweli Reach Hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 7
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, before checking out and transferring to Pinnawala Village in Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage home to around 70 displaced elephants and now the largest captive group of elephants in the world, feeding Time at the Orphanage is around 1315 and your journey time is approximately two hours. Your journey continues onwards to Beruwala around three to four hour journey, on arrival check-in to the Cinnamon Bey, Beruwala for three nights on an all-inclusive basis.
Day 8-12
The rest of your time in Sri Lanka is at complete leisure, or explore Beruwala.
With stunning views of the azure waters of the Indian Ocean, from your private terrace or balcony, your spacious beautifully appointed Superior Room complimented with wooden latticework, reminiscent of Cinnamon Bey’s 10th Century Arab settlements in Sri Lanka. Relax at the infinity edge pool with the pool bar at hand to keep you cool with lashings of ice cream and frozen yogurt. To ensure you continue with your exercise regime whilst you are on vacation, there is a fully equipped gym, along with a multipurpose hall for yoga. Enjoy a range of exhilarating water sports available just a 20-minute ride from the resort, conveniently arranged through the concierge or tour desk. If an adrenalin rush is not your thing, relax and rejuvenate at the Azmaara Spa with a range of specialised treatments, to refresh and invigorate your mind, body and soul. Enjoy dining in one of the eight restaurants serving an eclectic mixture of cuisines all with their own unique views of the Indian Ocean.
Beruwala gem trading fair known as China Fort and a considerable amount of the world’s precious and semi-precious gemstones trading through the China Fort merchants. The famous sapphire engagement ring now worn by Princess Katherine is a Ceylon Sapphire, sourced from Sri Lanka, along with the beautiful sapphire studded hairpin, a wedding gift from the Sri Lankan Gem and Jewellery Authority, worn at the Royal Wedding. If you are in the market for some beautiful Ceylon Sapphires, now is your opportunity to go the main source. Spend an evening with the sea turtle project and release a baby turtle into the ocean under the night sky, the sight of the baby turtle waddling its way down to the sea is a remarkable sight.
At the end of your stay, there is a private transfer to the airport for your return Emirates Airlines flight back to the United Kingdom via Dubai.
If you would like up upgrade your room type, extend your stay in Sri Lanka, stopover in Dubai, travel in a premium cabin, depart from one of Emirates Airlines regional airports, or discuss travel insurance please contact our friendly knowledgeable Travel Specialists for more information.
