Elephants & Spices
8 night Sri Lankan tour including meals and drinks
from £995
Day 1:
London to Colombo
Depart London on an overnight flight to Colombo.
Day 2:
Tamarind Tree
On arrival be met and take a short transfer to the charming Tamarind Tree Hotel, set within a coconut estate.
Day 3:
To Habarana
After breakfast, leave for Habarana, visiting the delightful Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage en route (approx 5 hour drive). Stay 5 nights at Chaaya Village in Habarana.
Day 4:
Habarana
Enjoy a day at leisure enjoying the surroundings of Chaaya Village or perhaps take an optional excursion (at extra cost) to the ancient 11th century city of Polonarruwa.
Day 5:
Habarana
A morning nature/bird walk through the local area and on to a village home to see rural life. Later, you may wish to try (optional/extra cost), a ride high on the back of an elephant.
Day 6:
Habarana
Morning at leisure or (optional/extra cost) visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress*, some 600 feet high, atop which are the remains of a 5th century palace: well worth the effort and is thoroughly recommended. After lunch drive to the National Park of Minneriya or Kaudualla for a jeep safari to spot elephants in the wild. Our choice of Park will depend on where the herds are known to be and, of course, the weather.
* You will need a reasonable level of fitness to climb Sigirya. There are in excess of 800 steps and a fear of heights is not ideal!
Day 7:
Kandy
After breakfast transfer to the pretty lakeside town of Kandy. En route visit a spice garden, to see how the many fragrant spices are grown including: coriander, cardamom and vanilla. Once in Kandy visit the Botanical Gardens at Perideniya and the Temple of the Tooth. Overnight at the Chaaya Citadel in Kandy.
Day 8 to Day 9:
Coast
Morning at leisure to explore this hillside town. Lunch at Ambepussa Rest House before heading back to the coast and the Mermaid hotel, set on the beach in a quiet location. Stay for two nights or you may prefer to extend for longer.
Day 10:
Colombo toLondon
Depart Colombo for London or extend at the beach.
» Accommodation
IN BRIEF...
Day 1: London/Colombo
Day 2: Tamarind Tree
Day 3: To Habarana
Day 4: Habarana
Day 5: Habarana
Day 6: Habarana
Day 7: Kandy
Day 8: Kandy/Mermaid
Day 9: Mermaid hotel
Day 10: Colombo/London
