Sri Lanka In-Style

Ayubowan and welcome to Sri Lanka! Affectionately known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is a total feast for the senses and we cant wait to dive in headfirst.

Separated from India by the Palk Strait, Sri Lanka boasts a rich history that spans centuries. Historically referred to as Ceylon, this beautiful tear-drop shaped island was officially named Sri Lanka in 1972.

Home to a rich blend of traditions and cultures, Sri Lanka has been carved by the diverse religions and ethnic groups that have thrived there for centuries. The best bit? These unique customs shift and change depending on where you are! So no matter where you go, theres always something fascinating to discover. Were in for a real treat!

Well arrive in Sri Lankas capital city of Colombo this evening, and transfer to our gorgeous hotel nestled by the beaches of Negombo.

Wake up and bask in the coastal-town-vibes of Negombo. Set alongside a picturesque lagoon and home to an impressive network of canals built in Dutch colonial times, Negombo was an important strategic outpost for the trade of cinnamon in colonial times and has been ruled at varying times by the Dutch, Portuguese and British empires.

Well enjoy the day at leisure today to rest up and refresh from our flight before our sightseeing commences in the early evening.

Special Experience
Take a scenic cruise along the jungle-fringed Negombo Lagoon at sunset, before enjoying a delicious BBQ dinner.

As the sun sets, keep an eye out for various colourful birds and water monitors while our boat navigates the mangrove islands. To welcome us to Sri Lanka, well be treated to a scrumptious dinner of traditional and local dishes, while we enjoy the opportunity to get to know our fellow travellers!

Negombos fish markets are full of life and colour each morning when the fresh catch is brought in and vendors voice their prices at the top of their lungs. Buyers bargain for the best deals in what is a daily practice for the locals of this coastal town. Well visit the fish markets during a morning tour of Negombo; dont wear your best shoes and have a handkerchief on hand just in case of a strong aroma (it tends to smell rather fishy)!

Next, well make our way to the Dambulla Caves, home to the best-preserved cave temple complex of Sri Lanka. The cave temples were built in the 1st century and the gigantic granite outcrop towers more than 160 metres above its surrounds. We explore the caves covered by ancient frescoes and their interior where over a hundred statues of Buddha (157 to be exact) are housed, some carved from the rock itself.

Sri Lanka is home to no less than eight UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites, five of which are situated in what is known as the cultural triangle that is located in the centre of the island. Neighbouring some of Sri Lankas most important sites and landmarks, Sigiriya is the gateway to the iconic cultural triangle and national parks. We make our way to Sigiriya and enjoy the remainder of our afternoon at leisure.

Our accommodation for the next few nights is nothing short of breathtaking. This unique property features chic villas separated by beautifully designed waterways, streams and lush green meadows, perfectly blending elegance with nature. Be sure to take in the stunning views of Lion Rock from the grounds of our hotel!

Set deep in the jungle around a large hill formed by huge sculptural granite monoliths, lies the ancient and now abandoned hermitage of Ritigala. Today the visible remains are those of a Buddhist monastic congregation that used to practice meditation in total austerity. Rarely visited by tourists, this mystical place is incredibly beautiful and unspoilt with shady forests filled with streams, pools and granite boulders leading to ruins with various meditation platforms. Lucky us we get to spend our morning exploring this enchanting location!

Our destination this afternoon is Minneriya National Park, where vast expanses of evergreen forest and scrub areas serve as the roaming grounds for elephants and sambar deer. The central feature of the park is the ancient Minneriya Tank, built in the 3rd century by King Mahasena. During the dry season from June to September, this tank is an incredible place to observe the elephants who come to bathe and graze, as well as the huge flocks of birds such as cormorants and painted storks that come to fish in the shallow waters. Here, well enjoy a game drive by jeep; make sure your camera is recharged.

Challenging Day
Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

This morning our eyes are set on Polonnaruwa, which lies at the cultural triangles easternmost point and became Sri Lankas second capital in the 11th century after the destruction of Anuradhapura. Well spend our morning discovering this ancient city that was built alongside a large artificial lake and is home to well-preserved ruins of palaces, bathing pools, stupas and exquisite rock sculptures of Buddha at the Gal Vihara. Well also get a chance to see the Quadrangle, a fascinating group of raised-ruins that are bounded by a walla total archaeologists dream!

After lunch in Polonnaruwa, well return to our hotel to freshen up and take some time to relax before dinner this evening.

Regarded as one of Sri Lankas most impressive sites, a visit to the famous rock fortress of Sigiriya is a must. The remains of a 5th-century fortress lie perched high atop a rock plateau, offering panoramic views over a vast plain and dense jungles. Built by King Kasyapa, an impressive 5-acre fort sat astride the rock and a city nestled at its base, but now the city is gone and the fortress is in ruins.

We depart our hotel early this morning to visit Sigiriya. Braving the spiral staircase, well see the 21 frescoes of female nature spirits, known as Apsaras, painted beneath an overhang about 90 metres up the rock. These frescoes are beautiful still boasting vibrant colours even after 1,500 years. Just above them, a wall adorned with 1,000-year-old graffiti and poetry serves as a testament to visitors who recorded their impressions of the painted women. Reaching the summit after climbing 1,200 stairs, we are rewarded with breathtaking views over the Sri Lankan jungle below and intriguing remnants of a once-thriving kingdom.

Special Experience
Be welcomed into a quaint village near Sigiriya, exploring the community and enjoying a traditional lunch with a local family.

We get acquainted with the traditions of the local family as we watch how they prepare their meals, learn some traditional cooking techniques and enjoy a delicious meal together. Before we leave, well meet staff and children from the local school and learn about the Bunnik Familys connection to the community.

Well enjoy the remainder of our afternoon at leisure, our luxurious hotel features a large outdoor pool, ideal for relaxing after a day of sightseeing.

Challenging Day
Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

This morning we farewell Sigiriya with our sights set on Kandy! En route, well discover the impressive Coconut House, which is a wonderful opportunity to see how a local family utilises every element of a coconut tree, from extracting coconut oil to creating rope. We will also stop in Matale and visit some of the best spice plantations on the island. A large variety of spices such as cinnamon, pepper, nutmeg and precious cardamom (a relative of ginger) are grown here. Well be shown how some of these spices are grown and processed and will be able to purchase favourites to take home.

Kandy is a truly charming town that is set around an artificial lake and nestled amidst rolling hills covered by forests and tea plantations. Its known for housing the most important Buddhist temple in the country, the former capital of Ceylon and the last seat of the Sinhalese Kingdom is Sri Lankas cultural capital. Kandys beautiful city has a distinctive style due to the impressive colonial architecture that still survives today!

On arrival, well visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Ever since it was founded in the 16th century, it has housed one of the most sacred relics of Buddhisma tooth of Buddha collected from his funeral pyre, which is now protected within the gold-roofed Temple of the Tooth.

The stunning Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya is our destination this morning. Initially a Royal Park, it became a Botanical Garden in 1821 under British rule. Here exotic crops such as coffee, tea, nutmeg, rubber and cinchona (quinine)all of which are important to the country's economywere first tested. The Botanical Gardens include a beautiful orchid house and a wide variety of plant species from all over the world.

Well discover the city of Kandy on a guided tour, starting at the Queens Hotel, one of the oldest hotels in the country and the first to be officially established in Sri Lanka. We will also make our way to Kandy Lake, a scenic spot in the heart of the city, before making our way to the Kandy Market passing local streets en route.

To finish off the day, were treated to a mesmerising cultural show and traditional dance performance. Well witness the fascinating Kandyan dance, a vibrant art form unique to Sri Lanka that involves elements of fire dancing, drumming and acrobatics. The performance has deep cultural ties, traditionally being performed only during royal ceremonies, festivals and religious events.

The countrys main hill resort, Nuwara Eliya is the heart of Sri Lankas lush tea-growing region. Founded by the British explorer Samuel Baker in 1846, Nuwara Eliya was a sanctuary to the colonialists keen to escape the humidity and heat of Sri Lanka. The town was originally built with mock-Tudor houses featuring inglenook fireplaces and billiard tables, a golf course, racetrack, gentlemen's clubs and botanical gardens. Now a bustling town and the vegetable garden of Sri Lanka, it still provides a glimpse of life during the colonial heyday. The regions temperate climate makes this the coolest area in the country.

Deluxe Experience
Enjoy an exclusive visit to a tea plantation, learning the tea-making process and sampling the local produce while overlooking lush tea gardens.

Today well visit one of the most prestigious tea plantations not only in Nuwara Eliya, but in Sri Lanka as a whole! Here were immersed in the entire tea making process, from handpicking the tea leaves to the different techniques that help contribute to the delicious final product. Of course, no visit would be complete without enjoying some of the produce well enjoy an exclusive tasting session overlooking the incredible vistas of the rolling tea gardens. Meandering through some of the countrys most beautiful scenery, there will be plenty of photo worthy moments during our journey.

Well arrive at our hotel in the afternoonan elegant colonial property that dates back to 1891and have time to relax at the hotel before a delectable dinner this evening.

We have a full day dedicated to discovering Nuwara Eliya and its beautiful surrounds. This morning well board the local train for a scenic ride to Thalawakale station, passing magnificent landscapes with every twist and turn. We stop in the main town of Nuwara Eliya and enjoy a guided tour to acquaint ourselves with historically rich city. Here well discover the idyllic Gregory Lake and the busy Central Market and Bazaar, full of vendors and locals going about their day. Known as Little England, Nuwara Eliya features beautiful colonial-era architecture which well have the opportunity to see on our tour this includes the renowned Nuwara Eliya Post Office!

Our journey takes us out of town, venturing further to see the spectacular St. Clair and Devon Falls that cascade down the lush green mountains of the region. Known as Little Niagara of Sri Lanka, St. Clair Falls is one of the widest falls in the country. The nearby Devon Falls was named after an English coffee planter by the name of Devon, whose plantation is situated close by.

Back at our stunning accommodation, well indulge in a high tea iconic to the Grand Hotel, delighting in a range of locally sourced teas and delicious finger food. The evening at leisure for you to enjoy.

We make our way to Yala this morning, stopping to witness the gushing water of the incredible waterfalls at Ella before continuing to Udawalawe en route.

Special Experience
Visit the incredible Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe and learn about its extensive rehabilitation program.

Established in 1995, the Elephant Transit Home rehabilitates orphaned elephant calves until theyre strong enough for release back into the wild. This special place is situated on the western border of Udawalawe National Park, where the elephants get the opportunity to roam free. Best job ever? Very well could be! Although we cant get up close and personal with the elephants, well be able to see plenty of adorable calves being fed during feeding time.

Waving goodbye to our new elephant friends, we make our way to one of Sri Lankas most premier eco-tourism destinations, Yala National Parkthe gateway to some of the islands incredible wildlife. Established in 1938, Yala National Park boasts a diverse range of habitats, including scrub jungle, brackish lagoons, lakes, and rivers, that leopards, elephants, wild buffalo and more call home.

This morning well enjoy time at leisure to relax and enjoy our hotels facilities.

Grab your cameras, were heading out on an incredible safari this afternoon through Yala National Park! Among the oldest and best known of Sri Lankas national parks, our safari will take us through the parks stunning scenery and past a number of important cultural ruins. Think vast grassland terrain mixed with beautiful, open lagoons and water holes that are popular among the diverse species found here.

Keep your eyes peeled and get your lens ready to capture the numerous different species that call this park home. From the unique Sri Lankan sloth bear and wild water buffalo to the majestic Sri Lankan elephants that roam the area, there is magic to be found with every twist and turn. Here, youll also get the opportunity to spot the elusive Sri Lankan leopard. Affectionately known as the Lords of the Jungle, Yala National Park has a leopard density thats higher than anywhere else on the planet. Fingers crossed we can spot one!

Farewelling the lush greenery of Yala this morning, we make our way to the coastal walled city of Galle, the capital of the South Province. Built by the Portuguese in the late 16th century, this old trading port was further fortified by the Dutch and British colonialists. The narrow streets of shuttered mansions and churches protected by the stone walls, bastions and ramparts, are a delight to stroll through.

Deluxe Experience
Spend two days staying a short walk from the historic walled city of Galle, wandering the narrow streets and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Galle Fort.

On arrival in Galle, well enjoy a guided tour of the city on foot, learning about the towns history and immersing in its stunning colonial architecture. We will discover the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Galle Fort, a fantastically preserved colonial sea fortress and Galles best-known site.

Early this afternoon, we make our way to the seaside village of Habaraduwa to visit a special turtle hatchery. Set up to conserve Sri Lankas turtle population, well get the chance to see baby turtles before theyre released into the wild. We then make our way to the stunning town of Weligama, where well witness the unique stilt fishermen of Weligama go about their tradebring your camera, this makes for a cool photo opportunity!

This morning we enjoy a scenic cruise along the Madu River, meandering through islets forested with mangroves. Look out for the 46 different species of birds that reside in the area, including 14 aquatic varieties, as well as huge water lilies and colourful butterflies.

Well then visit the Moonstone Mine in Meetiyagoda. This mine is one of the few places where the semi-precious stone is found in high concentrations, hence the villagers believe this area is blessed by the moon. At Meetiyagoda you can see, or even go down into the deep, narrow shafts where the stones are mined.

On our way back to the hotel, we will make a stop at the moving Tsunami Photograph Museum which remembers the devastating 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami that inflicted widespread damage to the coast of Sri Lanka.

The rest of the afternoon is ours to enjoy at leisure. You may like to make the most of the luxurious hotel amenities, explore the Galle fort further on your own or take part in an optional cycling tour of Galles countrysidethe choice is yours!