Points South
Individual Tours to India and Sri Lanka
Discover Sri Lanka
Fourteen-day tour
The tour of Sri Lanka includes visiting the main cultural areas, the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, also the rock temple at Sigiriya, a world heritage site. Then proceed to Kandy, visiting the ancient cave temple at Dambulla on the way.
Kandy was the former capital of Sri Lanka, now Sri Lanka’s second largest city, with many Colonial buildings and a vast lake, here you will visit the famous Buddhist shrine, the temple of the tooth. In the month of July or August, the town is host to the famous Esala Perahera festival when the tooth is taken through the town in a spectacular procession with elephants, dancers and music. Just outside Kandy is the Peradeniya botanical gardens.
In the month of July or August, the town is host to the famous Esala Perahera festival when the tooth is taken through the town in a spectacular procession with elephants, dancers and music. Just outside Kandy is the Peradeniya botanical gardens.
From Kandy take a scenic train journey up into the hill country, here explore the tea estates, take an early morning trek to Horton plains to see the spectacular World’s End, where the land falls dramatically to the escarpment below, or just relax and enjoy the scenery. Nuwara Eliya the highest town in Sri Lanka was formerly a hill station, and still retains a golf course and race course, with many interesting period buildings.
From the hill country descend to the South coast to relax on an unspoilt beach for three nights at The Last House near Tangalle , the name derives from being the last property designed by the world renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa. The tour will end in Galle, a fascinating historical fort town with many interesting buildings located within the Fort area, this is easily explored on foot and has some excellent shops and restaurants.
The tour can be extended to finish in Colombo. The hotels in this tour are a mixture of small boutique and heritage properties, mid- range.
Day 1
Arrive Colombo from UK, proceed to the Wallawa about 20 minutes drive from the airport. The Wallawa is an old colonial manor house, beautifully restored to provide 14 rooms and suites. Set in 3 acres of gardens with a lovely pool and spa. Garden suite with breakfast
Day 2
Colombo/Kandalama – The Lake Lodge, a small boutique hotel, with 12 rooms and a pool, located in an elevated location with the Kandalama lake to the front and the forest behind.
Drive to Kandalama, the drive takes about 4 hours. Stay at The Lake Lodge. A central location for exploring the cultural triangle.
Day 3
Lake Lodge – Visit Polonnaruwa, about 40 minutes drive. Polonarruwa was the medieval capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th – 13th A.D. enjoying great political, economic, and social revival during the period of the Kings Vijayabahu 1, Parakramabahu the Great and Nissankamalla of the Polonnaruwa period.The monuments are better preserved than at Anuradhapura, the other famous ancient city in the North.
Day 4
Lake Lodge, Kandalama. Morning trip to Sigiriya to climb the Rock Fortress, afterwards visit Minnereya Park, famous for herds of migrating elephants who gather at the vast lake.
Day 5
Polonnaruwa/Kandy – Hotel Suisse, drive to Kandy about 4 hours. The Hotel Suisse is the grand old dame of Kandy, this hotel was the headquarters for Lord Mountbatten during the Second World war. Retaining an air of faded grandeur, with many interesting pieces of memorabilia, a vast ballroom and dining room, bar and billiard table. The rooms at the front look onto the lake, there is a pool in the gardens. A short walk into the town. Afternoon tour of Kandy with an evening visit to the temple of the tooth. Standard room B&B.
Day 6
Kandy/Nuwara Eliya – Hill Club, morning visit to the Botanical gardens. Take the early afternoon train to Nuwara Eliya, the train has an observation carriage, the train ascends through spectacular scenery. reaching Nan Oya, which is 6 Ks from Nuwara Eliya, late afternoon, your driver will meet you off the train.
Day 7
Nuwara Eliya. Early morning trip to Horton plains to see the World’s end, afterwards visit a tea factory. Early evening tour of the town of Nuwara Eliya to see the colonial buildings including the post office. The Hill Club founded in 1876, this baronial stone and timbered building retains one of the best preserved colonial interiors. With a formal dining room complete with white gloved waiters who serve a formal three-course dinner,to the billiard room and bar. The rooms are comfortable but faded. Lovely gardens with tennis court. Suite Room with breakfast.
Day 8
Nuwara Eliya/Tangalle – The Last House.
Drive to the coast about 4 hours. Outside of Tangalle, Located on a superb beach, in a very quiet location, this heritage building was the last property designed by Geoffrey Bawa. A very relaxed environment, more of a home than a hotel. The 5 rooms are all different, and furnished in a heritage style with vibrant colours.
Pool and direct beach access. Superior room with breakfast.
Day 9
Tangalle – The Last House, at leisure
Day 10
Tangalle- The Last House, at leisure.
Day 11
Galle – Galle Fort hotel, centrally located on Church street, this refurbished heritage building has good sized rooms that all open out onto a central courtyard garden. bar, small pool, Terrace restaurant.
Loft suite room with breakfast.at leisure Galle. Galle fort is Sri Lanka’s best-preserved colonial townscape, the streets are lined with Dutch period villas, trading houses, and old churches, it is a delightful place to wander and explore.
Day 12
Galle – Galle Fort Hotel, at leisure Galle, or transfer to Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka for the last night.
Day 13
Galle /Colombo, transfer to Colombo airport, the drive takes about 3 ½ hours.
Please contact Points South for cost of this tour. Air fares from UK not included.
Galle fort hotel.
Please contact Jane Points to discuss your specific holiday requirements.
Mob: +44 (0)780 106 3335 email info@points-south.co.uk