Prestigious Sri Lanka: the East Coast

Day 1: Europe – Colombo – Negombo

Check-in at your hotel and free day to recover from fatigue and enjoy the hotel. Relax at the Wallawwa, a prestigious 18-room hotel beautifully renovated. An 18th century manor house, country home of the Chief of Galle, and later one of the Royal Air Force’s headquarters during World War II, the Wallawwa is now a hotel for travelers.

Day 2: Negombo – Hatton

Continuation by the panoramic road towards the country of the tea. After approximately 4 hours and half of road, arrived at Camellia Hills. Camellia Hills is a newly built 5 bedroom luxury bungalow with open decks overlooking the Castlereagh Reservoir. The fabulous pool and ambalama are in the front garden, surrounded by tea fields. The rest of the day is spent at leisure and in the luxury of Camellia Hills.

Day 3: Hatton

Free morning in the hill country with a green panorama. In the afternoon, visit a tea factory, built during the British rule in Sri Lanka, to observe the whole process of transformation and how the different types of tea are created. Visit a plantation to see how the plant is grown and harvested.

Day 4: Hatton – Kandy

Continue to Hatton station to board a local train for an approximately 2.5 hour ride to Peradeniya. A marvel of engineering, this route is billed as one of the most scenic train journeys. Our train descends along winding tracks into the home of Ceylon’s famous tea, with its rolling hills that become a carpet of velvety green plantations, interspersed with gushing steam and tumbling waterfalls.

Arrive at the train station, then visit the Peradeniya Botanical Garden.

Explore the wonders of the Royal Botanical Garden with the resident botanist, Mr. Bandara Palipana. You will be able to admire a profusion of tropical plants, trees from all over the world, including a varied palm grove, impressive bamboos, blue and pink orchid sand lotuses and “sensitives flowers“.

Check-in at the Kings Pavilion Hotel in Kandy and evening at leisure.

Kings Pavilion Kandy is an exclusive getaway that will offer you an extraordinary perspective on the majesty of Sri Lanka’s hill capital. Surrounded by misty mountains and lush greenery, our boutique Kandy hotel offers a royal experience. Savor the luxury of the old-fashioned rustic-style rooms, enjoy the 360-degree views, and take a dip in the infinity pool that will give you an incredible glimpse into the lifestyle of the kings of Kandyan.

Day 5: Kandy

Transfer by tuk tuk to the Temple of the Tooth, an 18th century shrine that contains one of the most precious relics for Buddhists: the Tooth of the “Enlightened One.”

Walking tour of the local market in Kandy and free time for shopping in the alleys.

Meet Chandani, a painter in his bucolic house with involvement in painting elephants. Demonstration of a traditional Sri Lankan game called “Carom” and tasting of “Beli-Mal” (Sri Lankan drink) with jaggery(typical Sri Lankan sweet). Meeting with a “Guru”, teacher of traditional Kandyan dances for an initiation to these dances and costumes followed by a small private show.

Day 6: Kandy – Anuradhapura

Drive (4 hours) to Anuradhapura, the ancient capital of Sri Lanka and home to two World Heritage sites. En route, stop at the Spice Garden in Matale for a true private Sri Lankan spice experience; visit the spice gardens (peppers, cardamoms, nutmeg, cloves, chilies … ) Free time in the store to shop.

Optional visit to the rock temple of Dambulla. Continuation by road to Anuradhapura and arrival at the village of Thirappane. Check-in at the Ulagalla hotel.

Ulagalla is a vast ancestral estate of the Anuradhapura nobility with a 150 year old house at its center and only 25 private ecological cottages on 58 acres of lakes, farms and meadows, with a LEED (green sustainable housing) certificate and a solar farm. Free time for independent activities: horse back riding, hiking in the surrounding villages with bike paths, but also spa treatments.

In the evening, visit the Ruvanveliseya Temple and the Sri Maha Bodhiya to attend the Pooja ceremony with pilgrims.

Day 7: Anuradhapura

Visit the archaeological site of Anuradhapura, for more than a millennium the main city of Sri Lanka; its rulers built many monuments, palaces and temples. After its abandonment, then its invasion by the jungle, it became a vast and attractive archaeological park with a religious life.

Return to the hotel and rest of the day free.

Optional:

Visit Mihintale, the cradle of Sri Lanka’s Buddhism with a private meditation session with a monk in ancient caves at dusk.

Meeting with a local Horiwila (Ayurveda) doctor with observation of treatments using “mantras”, traditional techniques and the making of medicines using natural elements by grinding.

Day 8: Anuradhapura – Sigiriya – Pasikudah

Early departure towards the Citadel of Sigiriya. Sigiriya or “Lion Rock”, a romantic and grandiose ancient site with the world famous frescoes of “The Maidens of Sigiriya” is one of the most amazing sites in Ceylon. After descending from the rock, meet a Buddhist monk to learn more about meditation and how Buddhism helps our daily life.

At Kep Ela village, experience with a tamed elephant: accompanied by your guide who will explain how the surrounding nature is exploited and what species have developed. The land route will then lead to the lake with a boat ride “oruwa“: a tamed elephant is waiting for you to be washed by you! A unique experience! Then, a tractor ride with explanations on the culture and daily life of the villagers. Continuation on the road to the east coast of Sri Lanka.

Optional: visit of the archeological site of Polonnaruwa en route to Passikudah.

Arrival in Pasikudah and check-in at your hotel Uga Bay.

Uga Bay by Uga Escapes is a luxury resort located on one of Sri Lanka’s most famous beaches: Pasikudah. With a coastal charm, the property stands out among Pasikudah hotels for its stunning architectural design, Mediterranean elegance and tropical simplicity.

Day 09: Pasikudah

Free day at the hotel with room and breakfast to enjoy the pool and beach.

Day 10: Pasikudah

Free day at the hotel with room and breakfast to enjoy the pool and the beach.

Day 11: Pasikudah – Europe

Departure by road to the airport in Colombo for your departure flight.

VILLE	HOTELS	CATEGORIE DE LA CHAMBRE	NUITS
Negombo	The Walawwa	Wallawwa Bedroom	1
Hatton	Camellia Hills	Camellia Bedroom	2
Kandy	Kings Pavilion	Deluxe	2
Thirappane	Ulagalla by Uga Escapes	Ulagalla Pool Villa	2
Pasikudah	Uga Bay	Beach Studio	3

Included : Full or half board (see details) in superior hotels, tour guide, transportation by air-conditioned bus, train and entrance fees to sites*.

Not included : international airfare, visa to enter Sri Lanka, photo permits on some sites, insurance, drinks, meals not mentioned and tips for driver and guide.and tips for driver and guide