Best of Sri Lanka

Colombo, Nuwara Eliya, Yala National Park, Tangalle, Galle

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This example itinerary from

$9,100pp

13 days

Highlights

Enjoy a tea planters picnic set in the lush greenery of the plantations
Experience the thrill of a private leopard safari with a local expert guide
Spot marine wildlife such as turtle hatching and whale watching
Explore on an architectural tour around the colonial coastal town of Galle 
Get creative whilst cooking local Sri Lankan delights on a cooking class

What’s Included

6 nights Bed & Breakfast at The Wallawwa, Amanwella & Rampart Street 
6 fully inclusive at Ceylon Tea Trails & Wild Coast Tented Lodge
All private guiding throughout 
Tea factory tour, picnic lunch and local hiking at Ceylon Tea Trails
Morning and afternoon game drives on safari
Cookery class
International Economy class flights
All seaplane transfers

Example Itinerary

Day 1-2 Day 2-5 Day 5-8 Day 8-12 Day 12-13

Day 1-2

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka

Enjoy afternoon tea in the hotel’s tropical gardens
Rest your head in a charming location and book a spa treatment for a relaxing start to your holiday

Positioned in southwestern Sri Lanka, this sleepy town is the ideal place for exploring the scenic surroundings of tea fields, coconut plantations and rice paddies.

Begin your Sri Lankan adventure with one night at The Wallawwa, an 18th century manor house with a charming country feel. Nearby to the airport, this hotel is the perfect place to rest your head post-flight before waking to the excitement of the Tea Country ahead. Nestled in a tranquil corner of Negombo’s rural backcountry, unwind by the serene jungle pool and even indulge in a relaxing spa treatment. Arrive in time to catch afternoon tea and enjoy an evening of fine-dining at The Verandah, an Asian-fusion restaurant overlooking the tropical gardens.

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Day 2-5

NUWARA ELIYA, Sri Lanka

Pick your own tea leaves in the tea plantations before learning how to make the brew
Kayak on the tranquil waters of Castlereagh Lake

The lush-green hillside town of Hatton is located in Nuwara Eliya in the Central Highlands and home to rolling hills covered in vibrant green tea plantations, waterfalls and spectacular birdlife.

Travel to the Hill Country where you’ll spend three nights in a sophisticated boutique bungalow at Ceylon Tea Trails, set alongside the spectacular Castlereagh Lake. For a quintessential tea experience, join a guided tour of Dilhmah’s tea factory and indulge in a delicious picnic lunch in the surrounding hills of Dunkeld Bungalow. Perfect for adventurers and explorers, enjoy mountain biking through the scenic valleys, climbing the heights of Adam’s Peak forest reserve, and hike through tea garden, jungle and waterfalls.

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Day 5-8

YALA NATIONAL PARK, Sri Lanka

Experience an exclusive sleeping experience in a caterpillar-like cocoon tent
Catch midnight elephant sightings on the wild beach

Sri Lanka’s second largest national park boasts a range of wild animals such as Sri Lankan elephants and leopards.

Continue to Yala National Park, where you’ll spend three nights at Wild Coast Tented Lodge. This is a chic and remote safari lodge where jungle meets the Indian Ocean, and lies adjacent to the Yala National Park. Whilst out on morning and afternoon game drives, experience exceptional wildlife sightings by seeking out crocodiles, sloth bears and elephants in the varied landscape of rocky lagoons and dense jungle. During the evening at the lodge, you’ll spot grey langur monkeys jumping between trees at sunset, and elephants on the beach under the stars.

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Day 8-12

TANGALLE, Sri Lanka

Surf and snorkel in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean
Take part in a cooking class in the alfresco kitchen by the beach

Located in the southern province, this port town is refuge to sandy beaches as well as charming Dutch architecture and the rock temple of Mulkirigala.

Travel on to Tangalle, where you’ll spend four nights at Amanwella, a chic retreat positioned in a coconut grove overlooking an idyllic bay and pristine beaches. From the beach, delve into the Indian Ocean whilst snorkelling and surfing. Similarly, we can arrange for you to go fishing and whale watching during the annual migration. Add a pottery class at B Karunasena’s home where you can try your hand at creating a piece to take home. Stroll around the nearby seaside town of Tangalle on nature walks and visit the ancient and modern spiritual sites that scatter the coastline.

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Day 12-13

GALLE, Sri Lanka

Observe the well-known stilt fishermen on the coastline
Explore the captivating Galle Fort by foot, located on the hotel’s doorstep

A charming walled city built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, Galle is dotted with colonial houses, a fort and boutiques, and is lined with beautiful golden beaches.

A trip to Sri Lanka isn’t complete without visiting Galle. As your final stop, you’ll spend your last night at Rampart Street, the first-ever villa to be owned by a foreigner in the post-colonial days. Boasting its own private pool within the walls of Galle Fort, enjoy this wonderfully exclusive property. On your own, spend your final moments soaking up the colonial charm of the town, visiting the celebrated fort and catching a glimpse of the famous fishermen on stilts.

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Judy & Chris

We had an amazing holiday in Sri Lanka. All the hotels, transfers, trips and experiences arranged by True Travel were perfect and all the arrangements went seamlessly according to plan. Our guide and driver, Thusita, was a really nice man and so knowledgeable, going out of his way to make sure that we experienced many of the Sri Lankan foods and traditions as possible. I would recommend True Travel to anyone especially if you have not visited the country before.