Ceylon Tour

One of our most popular tours, on this classic journey through Sri Lanka you'll discover many of the island's most fascinating archaeological, historical and scenic sights.

Some early starts ensure you'll experience the best of this captivating country, and magical sightseeing and breathtaking scenery make the long days more than worthwhile. We highly recommend upgrading to the private car and driver-guide featured below.

OVERVIEW OF TOUR
•   Visit Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage
•   Climb to the top of the rock fortress at Sigiriya
•   See the magnificent Dambulla rock caves
•   Discover Kandy's famous Temple of the Tooth
•   Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens
•   See fragrant tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya
•   Enjoy lunch in Kithulgala, where the Bridge on the River Kwai was filmed
Extend your stay by 4 nights
•   Bask on Bentota Beach on the glorious coast

Guide

ESCORTED SMALL GROUP TOUR
Ceylon Tour is escorted by a local guide from Day 3 to Day 8. Extensions are not escorted (excluding Udawalawe or Yala) but local assistance is provided.

MEAL PLAN
•   Prices include:
    o   Full breakfast and dinner on Days 3 to Day 8.
    o   Lunch on Day 3.

    o   Dinner on Days 3 and Day 5 on the 3 star tour and Days 3 to Day 7 on the 4 star tour.
    o   Breakfast only at your beach hotel in Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
ACCOMMODATION
•   A choice of 3 or 4 star hotels.
GROUP SIZE
•  Maximum 14 passengers.
MINIMUM NUMBERS
•   This tour is subject to a minimum number of passengers. Please call for details.
TOUR INCLUDES
•   Air-conditioned transport throughout.
PRIVATE TOURING
•   Enjoy your own car and driver-guide from Days 3-9. This costs a supplement of £90 per person (based on 2 people per car).

NB: For departures on other days of the week, depending on flight schedules, an extra night at the Mount Lavinia hotel may be required at the beginning of your tour.a

DAY 1 - LONDON TO SRI LANKA
Fly SriLankan Airlines from Heathrow, arriving the next day.

DAY 2 - MOUNT LAVINIA
Transfer to the colonial Mount Lavinia Hotel in a Standard room. Afternoon at leisure (approx. 31 miles, 1½ hours drive).

DAY 3 - HABARANA
Morning start for the popular Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage. After lunch continue on to Habarana for two nights (approx. 130 miles, 4½ hours drive).

DAY 4 - SIGIRIYA
In the morning, optional sightseeing is available at extra cost to Polonnaruwa, the 12th Century Sinhalese capital. Later, visit the rock fortress of Sigiriya. A climb to the top (only for the energetic!) will reveal a spectacular view. The gallery of frescoes half way up is a definite highlight (approx. 135 miles, 3 hours drive).

DAY 5 - KANDY
Drive to Kandy for a two night stay. En route, visit the magnificent Dambulla rock caves, a spice plantation and batik workshop. This afternoon visit the famous Temple of the Tooth and later enjoy an evening visit to see a Kandyan dancing and culture show (approx. 80 miles, 2½ hours drive).

DAY 6 - KANDY
A full day of enchanting sightseeing in Kandy. Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens ablaze with colourful exotic plants. This afternoon enjoy a tour of the city including the market square, a gem showroom and Upper Lake Drive (approx. 20 miles, 1 hours drive).

DAY 7 - NUWARRA ELIYA
Drive toward the hill country, with a stop en route to visit a tea plantation and factory. Then travel on to Nuwarra Eliya, the most celebrated of the hill stations and set in a stunning mountain valley some 6,000 feet above sea level. Afternoon sightseeing, with spectacular views of the beautiful green hillsides, rushing waterfalls and tea plantations (approx. 65 miles, 2½ hours drive).

DAY 8 - BENTOTA
Leave for Bentota, en route a typical Sri Lankan lunch is served at a charming local restaurant in Kithulgala where the Bridge on the River Kwai was filmed (approx. 300 miles, 6 hours drive). Spend the next four nights relaxing at the Bentota Beach (pxx). Alternatively, extend the tour for an extra night and visit Udawalawe National Park, famed for its herds of elephants, before then heading to the Bentota Beach.

DAY 12 - LONDON
SriLankan Airlines flight to Heathrow arriving later the same day.

YOUR CHOICE OF EXTENSIONS

UDAWALAWE NATIONAL PARK OR YALA AND BEACH
DAY 8 - UDAWALAWE NATIONAL PARK OR YALA
Leave Kandy for Udawalawe National Park for a jeep safari to see herds of elephants and other wildlife. Overnight at the simple Centuria hotel or similar.Yala Village or The Safari, Yala on the superior option (approx. 130 miles, 4 hours drive).

DAY 9 - BENTOTA
Travel to the Bentota Beach in a Standard room for four or more nights to relax.

DAY 13 - LONDON
SriLankan Airlines flight to Heathrow, arriving later the same day.

MALDIVES
DAY 1 - LONDON TO SRI LANKA
Depart Heathrow on SriLankan Airlines. Then as Ceylon Tour Days 2-11, with four nights or more at the Bentota Beach hotel in a Standard room.

DAY 12 - KURUMBA
Fly to Malé and transfer by boat (approx. 10 minutes) to Kurumba in a Superior room for six nights or more, or the island of your choice at the appropriate cost.

DAY 18 - LONDON
Transfer to Malé to connect with SriLankan Airlines flight to Heathrow direct or via Colombo arriving later the same day.