Sensational Ceylon

Day	Place	Highlights	Hotel Options
1-3	Cultural Triangle 1	Ancient city of Anuradhapura; Sigiriya Rock Fortress; Spectacular bird life	Ulagalla
3-5	Kandy 2	Temple of the Tooth; Botanical Gardens; Tour of Kandy	Kandy House
5-8	Tea Country 3	Tea factory experience; Tea tasting with experts; Walk on the plantation trails; Travel by train	Ceylon Tea Trails
8-10	Yala National Park 4	Private safari; Wildlife galore; Expert naturalists	Chena Huts
10-13	Tangalle 5	Beach bliss; Complete R&R	Amanwella
13-14	Galle 6	Private walking tour of Galle Fort	Amangalla

Sample itinerary in full

Remember: Every Yonder itinerary is uniquely created to suit our individual clients. Destinations, hotels, lengths of stay and even modes of transport are all decided by you, with the help of our local knowledge and expert guidance.

DAYS 1-3 | Cultural Triangle

Highlights: Visit the ancient city of Anuradhapura; Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress; Spectacular bird life

Arriving in Colombo, you’ll walk through the sliding glass doors of the arrivals hall to be met by your Yonder chauffeur-guide. After brief introductions, you’ll hit the road for the journey north-east towards the Cultural Triangle. On arrival at Ulagalla, a magnificent old manor house with its plunge pool pavilions scattered across the paddyfields, you’ll encounter their traditional warm welcome. This will be your home for the next couple of nights. Here, you can recuperate from your flight as well as go out with your guide and explore the ancient ruins of Anuradhapura.

Highlights

Guided tour of Anuradhapura

(Included full-day tour)

Embark on a guided tour of historical Anuradhapura, an ancient city that holds tales of a bygone era. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of Sri Lanka’s ancient capitals, is a sprawling complex of architectural and archaeological splendour. Your guide will tell you stories of a sophisticated civilization marked by towering dagobas, intricate stone carvings, and ancient temples. Visit the sacred Bodhi Tree, believed to be the world’s oldest historically authenticated tree.

Climb Sigiriya Lion Rock

(Included half-day tour)

Join us for a guided ascent of Sigiriya, the awe-inspiring Lion Rock, soaring 200 metres above Sri Lanka’s jungle. This UNESCO World Heritage Site reveals King Kashyapa’s fortress, a marvel of ancient resilience and architecture. Our journey to the summit unveils 1,202 steps, each a historic stride. En route, admire the famed frescoes depicting celestial nymphs, a testament to ancient artistry. Atop, the panoramic views are spectacular, encompassing lush forests, serene water gardens, and the remnants of a majestic past. This climb isn’t just a physical feat; it’s a voyage through history, culminating in a rewarding and unforgettable experience.

Your included hotel

Ulagalla

Your alternative hotel choices

Vil Uyana

Cinnamon Lodge

The Mud House

DAYS 3-5 | Kandy

Visit the Temple of the Tooth; Stroll around the Botanical Gardens; Walking tour of Kandy

En route to Kandy, you will stop at Sigiriya, the rock fortress, that dramatically rises 200m above the surrounding complex system of ancient water gardens. The far-reaching views are spectacular. After your descent, via a cavern containing beautiful wall frescos, you’ll journey on to Dambulla caves. A sacred buddhist pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, the five cave temples offer a fascinating insight to the evolution of Buddhism. Once in Kandy, your guide will show you the fabulous botanical gardens and will give you a tour of the revered Temple of the Tooth. Your new digs will be Kandy House, a charming ancestral property replete with uniquely designed bedrooms and offering a superlative gourmet experience.

Highlights

Temple of the Tooth tour

(Included half-day tour)

Experience the spiritual essence of Sri Lanka with a visit to Kandy’s sacred Temple of the Tooth. Housing Buddha’s tooth relic, this site is a pinnacle of Buddhist worship. Our guided tour envelops you in an atmosphere of reverence, surrounded by intricate carvings and gold-laden roofs. Witness daily rituals in this architectural marvel, and see the golden casket holding the revered relic.

Tour of Kandy and the Botanical Gardens

(Included half-day tour)

Embark on a cultural journey in Kandy, a city echoing a regal past. Our guided tour takes you through bustling streets and local markets, brimming with vibrant colours and exotic aromas. The highlight is the Royal Botanical Gardens, a 147-acre horticultural wonder. Here, amidst exotic plants and palm trees, history and nature intertwine. This stroll through ancient trees and pavilions is a tranquil immersion into a celebrated Kandy landmark.

Your included hotel

Kandy House

Your alternative hotel choices

Ellerton Bungalow

DAYS 5-8 | Tea Country

Highlights: Tea factory experience; Tea tasting with experts; Walk on the plantation trails; Travel by train

You’ll leave Kandy on tracks. The scenery on the train journey is amongst the most spectacular you’ll see on your luxury holiday in Sri Lanka. On arrival at the remote hill station of Hatton, it’s just short ride to Ceylon Tea Trails. Your experiences here will long be etched into your minds. Whether it is your daily chat with your chef about your culinary whims or the mind-blowing walks on the trails through the plantations, you’ll be smitten. Your stay will include a visit to their working tea factory as well as a delicious and therefore obligatory daily high tea. And in between drinking the fragrant nectar and gorging on the superb food, you can find a spot in the summer house, by the pool or even by the roaring fire to curl up with a book and marvel at the views.

Highlights

Tea Factory tour

(Included half-day tour)

Join us on a guided tour to a traditional working tea factory, where you’ll delve into the journey of tea from leaf to cup. Witness the intricate processes of withering, rolling, fermenting, drying, and grading, each contributing to the unique flavour and aroma of world-renowned Ceylon Tea. The factory is alive with the scent of fresh tea leaves and the rhythmic sound of machinery and you’ll get to know some of the skilled workers whose expertise is integral to the tea-making process.

Guided tea plantation hike

(Included half-day tour)

Experience the tranquillity of Sri Lanka’s tea country on a guided walk along authentic pluckers trails. This serene journey takes you through lush tea plantations, where the landscape is a verdant tapestry of neatly trimmed tea bushes. As you walk, gain unique insights into the life of tea plantations, observing workers skillfully harvesting tea leaves. The changing scenery, from manicured gardens to natural forested areas, offers a peaceful backdrop for contemplation.

Your included hotel

Ceylon Tea Trails

Your alternative hotel choices

Nine Skies

Living Heritage Koslanda

Madulkelle Tea and Eco Lodge

Jetwing St Andews

DAYS 8-10 | Yala National Park

Highlights: Private safari; Wildlife galore; Expert naturalists

You’ll leave the high rolling hills and head south-east towards the coast. Your next port of call is Yala National Park and hopefully a meeting with its famous residents. You’ll have no trouble settling in at Chena Huts, your ‘rustic’ safari lodges with their own private plunge pools, air-conditioned bedrooms and free-standing baths. You’ll have three included private game drives into a park that is famed for having the world’s densest concentration of leopards. You’ll inevitably see plenty of crocs, deer and a vast array of fabulous birds – and fingers crossed for a rendezvous with a sloth bear, jackal or even the A-list big cats. There is also a good chance of seeing elephants and an array of other mammals throughout the vast savanna-like park.

Highlights

Yala National Park Game Drives

(Included full-day tour)

Embark on a thrilling wildlife safari in Yala National Park, renowned for its diverse array of animals, including one of the world’s highest densities of leopards. Our private guided safari takes you across varied landscapes – dense jungle, open grasslands, wetlands, and beaches. Keep an eye out for majestic elephants, elusive leopards, sloth bears, and a plethora of bird species. Each turn in the park promises a new and exciting encounter, making this game drive an essential experience for nature enthusiasts.

Your included hotel

Chena Huts

Your alternative hotel choices

Jetwing Yala

Cinnamon Wild

Kulu Safari Camp

DAYS 10-13 | Tangalle

Highlights: Beach bliss; Complete R&R

The drive from Yala to Tangalle hugs the southern coast line. You are heading for Amanwella, a sanctuary of perfection on an exquisite beach a few miles from Tangalle. Here, indulged and pampered, you will want for nothing. Trying decisions such as choosing between the huge infinity pool overlooking the crescent of sand or the sunbeds positioned under the palms on the beach are about as difficult as it gets. This is R&R at its very finest. Lazy lounging absolutely guaranteed!

Your included hotel

Amanwella

Your alternative hotel choices

Villa Maya

DAYS 13-14 | Galle

Highlights: Private walking tour of Galle Fort

On your penultimate day, you’ll prise yourself away from Amanwella safe in the knowledge that your next stop is no less salubrious. Amangalla, majestic in its splendour, in Galle Fort awaits for the last night of your luxury holiday in Sri Lanka. Galle Fort is an absolute delight and its reputation stretches far and wide. It is the largest thriving old colonial fort in Asia and counts artisans, gem traders and chic expats amongst its residents. Having passed through Portuguese, Dutch and British hands owing to its strategic location on the spice route, it is a melting pot of Western colonial architecture combined with Arab influences and native Sri Lankan culture. On your final day, your driver will whisk you up the new highway to the airport for your international flight.

Highlights

Galle Guided Walking Tour

(Included half-day tour)

Take a guided walking tour through historic Galle Fort with a local historian, delving into the city’s fascinating colonial legacy. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, a blend of European and South Asian architecture, tells stories of conquests and commerce. Wander through cobbled streets lined with Dutch-period buildings, quaint boutiques, and art galleries. Visit the iconic lighthouse and the fort’s churches, culminating in a magical sunset on the ramparts.

Your included hotel