Elephants & Spices

Our Highlights:

• A jeep safari to spot wild elephants
• Stay in lakeside town of Kandy
• A relaxing stay on the beautiful beaches of the west coast

There is no animal so closely linked to a country like the elephant is to Sri Lanka. These beautiful creatures play a very important role within daily life, culture and heritage of this country. Set in the balmy waters of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka with its palm fringed golden sand beaches, captivating ancient history and culture, and outstanding natural beauty was once a magnet for Arab and European traders who came to seek the rare and unusual spices, now found in everyday western culinary creations.
Our Elephants & Spices tour will take you on a journey through the lush countryside of Sri Lanka to see elephants, explore ancient sites, enlighten your senses spices and then finally relax in one of our small hotels on the west coast.

During the main part of the holiday, you stay at the pretty, wonderfully located Chaaya Village, nestled away in 12 acres of wooded parkland and backing on to a lake teaming with birdlife. From Habarana we have included a guided birding/nature walk and a chance to visit a typical village with an opportunity to meet the local villagers. There are many excursions (at an extra cost) to ancient monuments in the culture triangle (northern plains said to be the cradle of Sri Lankan civilisation).
Wild herds of Sri Lankan elephants still freely roam the land in search of fresh vegetation and water, so during your stay there will have the opportunity to go ‘on safari’ for an afternoon into a national park with an excellent chance of seeing them wandering through the bush. Also included is a visit to the famous Pinnewela Elephant Orphanage.

Your stay in Sri Lanka could not be complete without visiting the central highland town of Kandy. This beautiful lakeside town is home to the important religious shrine of the Temple of the Tooth, botanical gardens filled with native and foreign species of plants and many spices gardens growing many recognisable and some unfamiliar spices.

You then continue for a relaxing stay at the Seashells hotel located on the golden sand beaches of Negombo, north of Colombo. We offer alternative extensions at the first class Bluewater hotel set on a palm fringed beach, or perhaps extend in the Maldives at the Laguna Beach Resort.

» Itinerary