Travel Kuoni

Luxury Sri Lanka Suggested Itinerary

We’ve gone all out on this chic Sri Lanka trip, picking all our favourite uber-luxe hotels around the Tear Drop Island so you can see it all in style.

You’ll travel in comfort too – a private chauffeur will whisk you around Sri Lanka’s must-see destinations and sights; they’ll also let you in on the best off-the-beaten track spots and side-of-the-road eateries that can only come from someone who knows the country inside out. You’ll hit all the hotspots like the Cultural Triangle, Hill Country and Yala National Park and rest your head in some the best addresses in town.

Suggested itinerary
Luxury

Itinerary overview

Days 1 to 3

Sigiriya

First up is the Cultural Triangle where the clue’s in the name. This is where you’ll discover man...

Day 4

Kandy

Your indulgent journey continues to Kandy, a busy city that has a rich and varied backstory. You’...

Days 5 to 6

Dickoya

Start your next travel day with an included Kandy tour that takes in its highlights: the Temple o...

Days 7 to 8

Ella

Another day, another region of the stunning Hill Country. And to reach your next destination, you...

Days 9 to 10

Yala

Swap tea plantations and rolling hills for the wildlife-rich national park of Yala. You’ll descen...

Days 11 to 13

Tangalle

It’s finally time to peace out; your final stop is Anantara Peace Haven in Tangalle. This stunnin...

Days 1 to 3

Sigiriya

First up is the Cultural Triangle where the clue’s in the name. This is where you’ll discover many of the country’s former capitals like Anuradhapura which now sit in wonderfully atmospheric ruins; heritage-meets-nature icons like Sigiriya Rock and Dambulla Cave Temples (an early morning climb of the former is included, and you can add an optional visit to the latter); and elephant-rich national parks where you could add on a safari. Your hotel for the three nights here is the stunning Water Garden Sigiriya, a boutique retreat surrounded by water and rice paddies with jaw-dropping views of the rock itself.

Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Anuradhapura

One of Sri Lanka’s most iconic landmarks, Sigiriya Rock is a sight to behold, towering 200 metres above the surrounding jungle. Formed from magma of an extinct volcano, the fortress was created over 1500 years ago by King Kashyapa and is considered one of the best-preserved examples of ancient urban planning.

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982, discover the vast history of the plateau at the onsite museum before making the climb up the vertiginous staircases to the summit passing impressive frescoes and the famed Mirror Wall and colossal Lions Platform as you go. From the top, explore the ruins of the ancient civilisation through the remnants of the palace and vast gardens and soak up the panoramic vistas of the jungle covered central plains.

Good to know
For the most pleasurable experience we recommend organising this excursion first thing in the morning or after 4pm to avoid the heat of the day. While suitable for all, the climb to the summit requires a good degree of physical fitness.

Minneriya Jeep Safari

Anuradhapura

If observing elephants in their natural habitat is on your to do list while in Sri Lanka, Minneriya National Park should be top of your list. While elephants can be spotted all year round in huge numbers, during the dry season, between April and October, the park plays host to one of the greatest wildlife spectacles in the world: The Great Elephant Gathering. As the Minneriya Tank dries up and gives way to a lush grass plain, 300 or more elephants gather in the late afternoon to feed offering visitors an unforgettable spectacle. Home to a host of other wildlife from two endemic monkey species to the Sri Lankan Sloth Bear, the endangered Grey Slender Loris and elusive Sri Lankan Leopard can also occasionally be spotted.

• Duration: half day
• Time: 3pm to 6pm
• Daily departures
• Operates year round
• Private experience
• Available for guests on a car and driver itinerary staying in Sigiriya, Anuradhapura, Dambulla, Habarana, Kandalama and Kandy

Good to know
Depending on the time of year, guests may be taken to the Hurulu Eco-park (Jan to May) or Kandulla National Park (Nov to Dec) as elephant migrations interchange between all three parks.

Anuradhapura Kingdom Ruins

Anuradhapura

Dating back as far as 377BC, this ancient kingdom is an essential stop on any tour of Sri Lanka. Established as the first capital city of the island by King Pandukabhaya, it survived 119 successive kings for over 1500 years before becoming one of the world’s most spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Regarded as the cradle of Buddhism, the sacred site is home to a vast network of temples and monasteries which can be explored at leisure during this four-hour tour. Discover the Sri Maha Bodhi Tree which is said to have grown from a cutting from the tree in India under which Buddha attained enlightenment, marvel at the preservation of the Twin Ponds and soak up the impressive history at the onsite museum housed within one of the ancient monasteries which is filled with ornate trinkets dating back to the pre-Christian era.

• Duration: half day
• Daily departures
• Operates year round
• Private experience
• Available for guests on a car and driver itinerary staying in Anuradhapura, Dambulla, Habarana, Kandalama and Sigiriya hotels

Good to know
Legs and shoulders must be covered, and shoes will need to be removed when exploring the temples.

Day 4

Kandy

Your indulgent journey continues to Kandy, a busy city that has a rich and varied backstory. You’ll be treated like royalty at your home for the night, King’s Pavilion. It’s tucked away from the bustle of the centre of Kandy but within easy reach some independent city time.

Kandy’s Highlights

Sri Lanka

Whether time is of the essence or you’re after an introduction to this vibrant city that’s brimming with history and culture, this half day excursion will ensure you don’t miss any of Kandy’s major attractions. Discover one of Buddhism’s most sacred shrines at the golden-roofed Temple of the Sacred Tooth, where the relic tooth of Buddha is housed and explore the spectacular Royal Palace complex – the perfect backdrop for some holiday snaps.

Dating back to 1821, finish your trip with a meander through the delightful Royal Botanical Garden where you’ll find over 100 endemic plants before exploring the rest of the city at leisure or returning to your hotel to unwind.

The Art of Drumming

Sri Lanka

The traditional music and percussion instruments of Sri Lanka are the focus on this short but sweet experience from Kandy. Learn about the history and culture surrounding the Kandyan drum, their importance and use during festivals, rituals and at temples. There’ll be the chance to try out the skill for yourself under the guidance of an experienced drummer; this is a great experience to enjoy together as a family.

• Duration: 2 hours
• Time: 9am to 11am or 3pm to 5pm
• Daily departures from Kandy
• Operates year-round
• Private experience

Days 5 to 6

Dickoya

Start your next travel day with an included Kandy tour that takes in its highlights: the Temple of the Tooth and the totally tropical Botanic Gardens. Then it’s time to head on up to the Hill Country where you’ll pause for a couple of nights at Uga Halloowella in Dickoya. A whole day has been set aside for you to just soak up the reservoir-meets-mountain views or to explore the surrounding tea hills.

Days 7 to 8

Ella

Another day, another region of the stunning Hill Country. And to reach your next destination, you’ll take one of the most scenic rail journeys on Earth that passes through tea plantations, past waterfalls and along gloriously gorgeous hillsides. As soon as you’ve reached Ella, you’ll be whisked off to a hotel that sits at the top of our absolute favourites list: Nine Skies. You’ll have an entire free day here and we are pretty sure you won’t want to leave. But that’s fine as you can chill in the infinity pool, learn some new skills during a cooking class and dine in the in the bungalow gardens. Pure perfection.

Ultimate Ella

Sri Lanka

Embark on a full day excursion visiting the highlights of Ella. Rise early in the morning and get your hiking boots on for a trek up Adam's Peak, one of Sri Lanka's most beautiful natural landmarks. The hiking level ranges from moderate to hard, but by no means are you expected to complete it if you feel like you don’t want to. This will be followed by a visit to the iconic Nine Arches Bridge; be sure to have your camera at the ready in case you see a train passing over this famous bridge. Then, you'll head to the stunning Ravana Falls and see the Dhowa Temple, before taking a ride on the Flying Ravana Zip Line. This double wire zip line, stretching over half a kilometre, means you can ride in pairs and have a bird's-eye view of the breathtaking landscapes. After this adrenaline-pumping activity, you'll end the day with your feet up poolside with a cocktail in hand at the Ravana Pool Club. Get your dose of fun and serenity with the Ibiza vibes of this pool club, which perfectly overlooks the mountain views of Ella. After 3 hours soaking up the unique surroundings, you'll then be driven back to your hotel.

• Duration: Full Day

Good to know
You'll need comfortable shoes, and wear trousers or shorts for the zipline, and swimwear/sunscreen and shades for the pool club.

Days 9 to 10

Yala

Swap tea plantations and rolling hills for the wildlife-rich national park of Yala. You’ll descend from Ella and head south east towards Uga Chena Huts, a wonderful hideaway between the Indian Ocean and the park. You’ll head off on safaris in the morning and evening, on the lookout for elephants, sloth bears, endemic birds and of course, leopards. Between game drives, make the most of your African safari-inspired luxe huts, which come complete with a blissful private pool.

Yala 3-hour Jeep Safari

Yala & Udawalawe

If you’re short on time or simply want to add in a safari trip while staying in a resort along the serene southern coast, this three-hour excursion is just the ticket. With your own private guide, it won’t be long before you’re spotting herds of elephants walking across the grassy plains and buffaloes and deer cooling off by a watering hole. Spot monkeys playing in the treetops, crocodiles popping up for air and eagles soaring in the sky above – the park is teeming with life. With one of the highest densities of leopards in the world, Yala is a prime location to encounter these elusive creatures in their natural habitat and bird enthusiasts won’t be disappointed either with a huge collection of migratory and endemic species to spot.

• Duration: half day
• Time: 6am to 9am or 3pm to 6pm
• Daily departures
• Operates year round except September to mid-October
• Private experience
• Available for guests on a car and driver itinerary staying in Hambantota, Tangalle, Udawalawe and Yala
• Available for guests staying at hotels in Yala, Udawalawe, Tangalle and Hambantota

Good to know
If not staying in close vicinity to the national park, we’d recommend the afternoon excursion due to the early start of the morning option.

Days 11 to 13

Tangalle

It’s finally time to peace out; your final stop is Anantara Peace Haven in Tangalle. This stunning resort is set out over 21 acres, so you’ll easily find your own little corner. We can highly recommend the spa where lily pools and the sound of running water instil an overwhelming feeling of calm – as do the Ayurvedic therapies and the complimentary yoga and meditation sessions.

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