Sri Lanka Panorama

Explore the diverse wonders of Sri Lanka, a stunning island gem in the azure Indian Ocean.

On this all-encompassing tour, you'll discover spectacular scenery, a vibrant history, ancient archaeological sites, fragrant tea plantations and more as you take in the island's unforgettable highlights. We highly recommend upgrading to the private option.

OVERVIEW OF TOUR
•   Watch elephants being bathed and fed at an elephant orphanage
•   Take a nature walk around Habarana's lush surroundings
•   Visit the magnificent Sigiriya Rock Fortress
•   Take an excursion to 12th-century Sinhalese capital Polonnaruwa
•   See the ruins of the Royal Palace and Gal Vihara
•   Journey to Sri Lanka's ancient capital, Anuradhapura, and the Buddha shrines
•   See the Dambulla Rock Caves and admire their ancient frescoes
•   Visit a spice garden in the royal city of Kandy
•   Wander around the Botanical Gardens in Paradeniya
•   Discover the famous Temple of the Tooth
•   Visit a tea plantation in hill station Nuwara Eliya
•   Spot elephants and other wildlife in Yala*
Extend your holiday to relax on the beach
•   Unwind on Bentota Beach in Sri Lanka or the white sands of the Maldives

Guide

Sri Lanka Panorama Tour is escorted by a local guide from Day 2 to arrival at your beach hotel on Day 12 or your departure from the airport. On the extensions, assistance is provided by our local representatives.

MEAL PLAN
Prices include breakfast throughout, lunch on Days 3, 4, 6, 10 and 12, dinner on Day 3 to Day 11. Breakfast only in Maldives.

ACCOMMODATION
All hotels are at least four star throughout the superior tour, and three star throughout the standard tour. All hotels have a swimming pool with the exception of your hotel in Nuwara Eliya. On occasion, it may be necessary to amend the itinerary.

TOUR INCLUDES
Airconditioned vehicle throughout.

GRATUITIES
Tipping is common practice in Sri Lanka. We recommend small amounts for porterage and slightly larger amounts for your driver and guide, if you are happy with the service.

TRAVEL TIPS
A sun hat is recommended during your climb of Sigiriya Rock and take lots of water!
GROUP SIZE
Maximum 30 passengers.

MINIMUM NUMBERS
This tour is subject to a minimum number of passengers. Please call for details.

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. The itinerary is subject to change.

DAY 1 LONDON to COLOMBO
Fly SriLankan Airlines from Heathrow.

DAY 2 COLOMBO to NEGOMBO
On arrival transfer to Negombo where you will stay in either the Jetwing Sea in a Standard room or its sister hotel the Jetwing Blue in a Deluxe room. Here, you will have some time to relax.

DAY 3 NEGOMBO to KANDALAMA
After breakfast, drive to Kandalama and the charming Heritance Kandalama hotel (Standard room), your base for the next three nights. En route Visit the famed Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage to see the elephants bathed and fed, and enjoy a typical Sri Lankan lunch whilst watching the elephants in the bay. In the evening take an optional elephant back safari.

DAY 4 KANDALAMA
Leave after breakfast for the staggering rock fortress at Sigiriya, where those of a more active disposition may experience this wonderful climb. The gallery of preserved frescoes and the view from the top is quite breathtaking and well worth the exertion. After lunch at Chaaya Village take an excursion to the 12th Century Sinhalese capital, Polonnaruwa to see the ruins of the Royal Palace and Gal Vihara where three giant Buddha statues are carved out of rock (approx. 108 miles, 3 hours drive).

DAY 5 KANDALAMA
After breakfast, leave for Anuradhapura, the ancient capital of Sri Lanka and visit the immense Buddha shrines. Another highlight today is your visit of Dambulla rock cave temple, where some of the finest preserved ancient frescoes can be found. Tonight a special dinner will be arranged at the hotel’s restaurant (approx. 120 miles, 4 hours drive).

DAY 6 KANDALAMA to KANDY
Early start for Hiriwaduna Village then take a short trek towards the spice garden before stopping for a traditional lunch at the Ranweli Spice Garden. Continue to Kandy and the four and a half star Earl’s Regency for two nights in a Standard room. This Royal city enjoys a picturesque lakeside setting, beautiful views, plenty of shopping and sightseeing. This evening, witness a Kandyan dance and cultural show (approx. 80 miles, 2½ hours drive).

DAY 7 KANDY
Proceed to Paradeniya to visit the Botanical Gardens offering a kaleidoscope of colours amid the diversity of tropical flowers and shrubs. In the afternoon visit the famous Temple of the Tooth famed for housing Buddha’s tooth relic, see also a gem and jewellery factory and showroom. (approx. 15 miles, 1 hours drive).

DAY 8 KANDY to NUWARA ELIYA
Today you have a unique opportunity to travel by train from Kandy to Nanu Oya followed by a drive to the celebrated hill station of Nuwara Eliya located some 6,000 feet above sea level and offering spectacular views of beautiful green hillsides, rushing waterfalls and tea plantations. On the way don’t miss the visit to a tea plantation and factory to enjoy the superb views of the countryside. Spend two nights at the Heritance Tea Factory (Standard room) at Nuwara Eliya and experience a high tea session (approx. 60 miles, 3 hours drive).

DAY 9 NUWARA ELIYA
This morning relax, or take an optional excursion to Horton Plains, and this afternoon explore Nuwara Eliya, including the lovely Botanical Gardens at Hakgala (approx. 65 miles, 3 hours drive).

DAY 10 NUWARA ELIYA to TISSAMAHARAMA
After breakfast, leave for Bandarawela. Enjoy lunch before proceeding to The Safari hotel in Tissamaharama for two nights.

DAY 11 TISSAMAHARAMA
A very early start with a jeep safari into Yala National Park where you will hopefully see boar, crocodiles, deer and wild elephants roaming free (approx. 60 miles, 2½ hours drive excluding jeep safari). *NB → Yala National Park is closed Sep01-Oct15, instead you will visit Udawalawe National Park (approx. 120 miles, 5½ hours drive).

DAY 12 TISSAMAHARAMA to COLOMBO to LONDON
Leave for Balapitya and enjoy a boat trip on the Madhu river en route. Thereafter proceed to your chosen beach hotel for any number of nights, or enjoy lunch and a brief city tour around Galle before your SriLankan Airlines flight to Heathrow, or overnight at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo until your early flight to the Maldives (see Maldives extension).

NB
The above is the four star itinerary. A three three star version of this tour is also available and stays at Sigiriya Day 3 to Day 6 and Days 10 and 11 are at Kataragama and Dickwella respectively.

SRI LANKA BEACH

DAY 12
Following your boat trip, continue on to Wadduwa and to The Blue Water for four nights in a Standard room.

DAY 16
Sri Lankan Airlines flight to Heathrow arriving later the same day.

SRI LANKA PANORAMA & MALDIVES

DAY 12
Proceed to the Cinnamon Grand Hotel where rooms have been reserved until your early morning airport departure.

DAY 13
Fly SriLankan Airlines to Malé, and on arrival transfer by boat to Velassaru Maldives and a Deluxe bungalow or your chosen resort for four or more nights.

DAY 17
Fly SriLankan Airlines direct (or via Colombo) arriving Heathrow later the same day.