CLASSIC SRI LANKA

Depart London Heathrow in the evening on your direct SriLankan Airlines flight to Colombo.

Arrive in Colombo, where you will be met and transferred by private vehicle to Kotugoda, around 30 minutes from the airport.

Stay at The Wallawwa, a restored colonial manor house set in mature gardens. The rest of the day is at leisure after your flight.

Stay: 1 night at The Wallawwa, in a Garden Suite, including breakfast.

Travel by road to the Cultural Triangle and check in at Water Garden, a boutique hotel in Sigiriya set across 35 acres, with views towards Sigiriya Rock.

The following morning, visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress, the 5th-century citadel built by King Kashyapa. The climb to the summit involves around 1,200 steps, although it can be taken at your own pace and you may choose to climb only part of the way.

This afternoon, there is the option to visit Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka’s second capital and now a World Heritage site, with a possible stop for a local rice and curry lunch.

Stay: 2 nights at Water Garden, in a Superior Deluxe Villa with Plunge Pool, including breakfast.

Travel to Kandy, stopping en route at Dambulla Cave Temples. This World Heritage site contains five caves, extensive wall and ceiling paintings, and more than 150 Buddha images.

Continue to The Kandy House (now called Adigar’s Manor), the former ancestral home of the Ratwatte family, built in 1804 and now restored as a small country-house hotel. The following day, explore Kandy with your driver-guide, including the Temple of the Tooth and Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. There is also the option to attend a cultural show one evening and visit Kandy market.

Stay: 2 nights at Adigar’s Manor, in an Ultra Category Room, including breakfast.

Transfer to Peradeniya Railway Station for the train journey to Nanu Oya, subject to ticket availability. Preferred seats will be requested, although if suitable tickets cannot be secured, lower category tickets will be arranged or the journey will be completed by road.

On arrival, continue to Goatfell, a former tea planter’s bungalow in the central highlands. During your stay, Goatfell will arrange a visit to a local tea factory. Your driver-guide will also be available for a visit to Nuwara Eliya, known for its cooler climate, colonial buildings, gardens, tea estates and access to the surrounding hill country.

Stay: 2 nights at Goatfell, in the Concordia Room, on an all-inclusive basis.

Depart the tea country and travel to Yala National Park.

Stay at Leopard Trails Yala, a tented safari camp with specialist guides. The following day includes morning and afternoon game drives by shared jeep. Yala is one of Sri Lanka’s best-known wildlife areas, with leopard, elephant, sloth bear, sambar, jackal, spotted deer, peacock and crocodile among the species that may be seen.

Stay: 2 nights at Leopard Trails Yala, in a Deluxe Tent, including all meals and drinks.

Travel to Galle and explore Galle Fort, the historic walled town built by the Dutch from 1663. Visit its churches, Buddhist temple, mosque, museums and ramparts before continuing along the coast to Balapitiya.

Stay at Kumu Beach, a contemporary coastal hotel with 10 bedrooms, open-air living and dining areas, a lawn and infinity pool. The next two days are free at leisure beside the sea.

Stay: 3 nights at Kumu Beach, in an Ocean View Bedroom, including breakfast.

Transfer by private vehicle to Colombo Airport for your departure flight.