Old Ceylon Tour
11 Days / 10 Nights

This tour begins with a stopover in Colombo, allowing you to wind down after the long flight and ends with two nights at the beach. You will stay in 5 colonial era hotels, a tea estate bungalow and visit 4 World Heritage Sites.

At the end of the tour why not extend your stay at the beach resort of your choice. Please see our Beach Holidays page or contact us for details.

Sri Lanka Exotic Holidays can tailor any itinerary to your specific needs.
DAY 1 COLOMBO
Meet on arrival at Colombo Airport with private transfer to your hotel.
Galle Face Hotel
DAY 2 PINNAWELA - DAMBULLA
After breakfast, go on a sightseeing tour of Colombo before leaving for Dambulla. En route visit Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, home to about 60 elephants. Amaya Lake Hotel
DAY 3 SIGIRIYA - DAMBULLA
After breakfast visit Sigiriya rock fortress. Built during the reign of King Kasyapa in the 5th century A.D., this World Heritage Site, consists of the remains of a palace on the summit of the rock, a mid level terrace that includes the Lion Gate and the frescoes of the 'Heavenly Maidens' and the lower palace on the slopes below the rock. In the afternoon visit Dambulla Golden Temple; dating from the 1st century B.C., it is the largest and best preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. Amaya Lake Hotel
DAY 4 KANDY
After breakfast leave for Kandy. Visit a spice garden in Matale to see the different spices which Sri Lanka is famous for. Capital of the Sinhalese Kandyan Kingdom till 1815, Kandy is the religious capital of Sri Lanka. The greatest attraction of the city is the Temple of the Tooth Relic which houses the tooth of Buddha. Visit Kandy town; the market, the arts & crafts centre and a gem museum & lapidary. Also visit the ¾ acre British Garrison Cemetery, opened in 1822. In the evening visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic and see a cultural show featuring traditional Sri Lankan dancing. Hotel Suisse.
DAY 5 PERADENIYA - NUWARA ELIYA
After breakfast visit Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. Established in 1821, the gardens cover an area of 147 acres and contain an astonishing variety of trees, plants and flowers. Lord Mountbatten's Headquarters were situated here during the Second World War. Leave for Nuwara Eliya. En route visit a tea plantation and tea factory. You can see how tea is graded and taste a cup of pure Ceylon tea in the factory. Founded by Sir Samuel Baker in 1847, Nuwara Eliya soon became the favourite hill station of the British. It was known as "Little England" for it's temperate climate and English-style houses, lawns and gardens. Nuwara Eliya is the heart of Sri Lanka's tea country. Check in to your hotel and go on a sightseeing tour of the town. The Grand Hotel.  
   
 
   
DAY 6 HORTON PLAINS & WORLD'S END - BANDARAWELA
After an early breakfast leave for Horton Plains National Park, a misty plateau some 6500ft above sea level and home to a variety of wild animals and hill birds. Explore the plains by jeep and trek to World’s End, a sheer precipice of 3700ft with stunning views. Return to Nuwara Eliya and in the afternoon go on an exhilarating 2 hour train journey to the old British hill station of Bandarawela, travelling in the First Class Observation Car at the rear of the train. From Bandarawela drive the short distance, through manicured tea plantations, to Aislaby Estate. Kirchhayn Bungalow.
DAY 7 AISLABY ESTATE
This unique planter's colonial house set in 8 acres of gardens and surrounded by 42 acres of premium quality tea is owned by the only remaining British planting family in Sri Lanka. After breakfast leave to see Sir Thomas Villiers country house Adisham, now a Benedictine Monastery. Stop off for lunch at the colonial era Bandarawela Hotel, originally built in 1893. Return to the bungalow and in the afternoon go on a gentle walk along tea estate roads to 'Bostocks Seat' or go on a tour of the Aislaby tea factory to see the complete tea manufacturing process. Kirchhayn Bungalow.
DAY 8 GALLE
After breakfast leave for Galle via Haputale, a very scenic route with spectacular views all the way to the Indian Ocean. With its narrow bustling streets and its eclectic mix of Dutch and British colonial buildings, Galle is a fascinating town full of atmosphere. The old town of Galle and its fortifications are a World Heritage Site. Galle Fort Hotel.
DAY 9 MOUNT LAVINIA
After breakfast take the coastal road to Mount Lavinia where Sir Thomas Maitland, the British Governor of Ceylon, built his residence in 1805. Check in to the hotel and spend the afternoon relaxing at the hotel's private beach. Mount Lavinia Hotel.
DAY 10 MOUNT LAVINIA
Whole day at leisure - Mount Lavinia Hotel
DAY 11 DEPARTURE TRANSFER OR BEACH RESORT
After breakfast proceed to the airport to connect with your departure flight or to the beach resort of your choice.



From £1,147 per person sharing a double room on half board basis.
(flights not included)

All transfers are in private air-conditioned vehicles with an English speaking driver/guide. All entrance fees to the places of interest listed are included.

Supplements: Kandy Perehara; during the Kandy Festival Season a supplement will be applied. Christmas/New Year; a mandatory gala dinner supplement will be applied.

 
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