Spices & Serendipity

Sri Lanka, 7 Nights

Day 1 - London/Colombo
Depart London Heathrow with Sri Lankan Airlines.

Day 2 - Colombo/Sigiriya
Arrive into Colombo and transfer to Vil Uyana for four nights (153km/4 hours). Located within 5km of the Sigiriya rock fortress, this unique property features individual villas dotted amongst the rice paddies.

Day 3 - Sigiriya
Drive the short distance to the fifth century rock fortress at Sigiriya, where you can see the ruins of King Kashyapa's Palace. After lunch, enjoy an elephant safari.

Day 4 - Anuradhapura
After breakfast, depart for Anuradhapura - the first capital. Here you will see the revered Bodhi tree, believed to have been grown from a cutting taken from the original Bodhi tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment. Afterwards visit Mihintale.

Day 5 - Polonnaruwa
Spend your last day in the 'cultural triangle' with a half-day tour to Polonnaruwa, a medieval capital dating back to the 12th century. One of the highlights is the reclining Buddha, carved directly into the rock face.

Day 6 - Sigiriya/Kandy
Travel on to Kandy (62kms/2 hours), stopping on the way to visit the Dambulla Rock Temples home to 157 Buddha statues. Stay for two nights at the Kandy House, a small boutique property in the hills.

Day 7 - Kandy
Explore Kandy with its lakeside setting and surrounding wooded hills. Enjoy an afternoon at the Botanical Gardens. This evening, visit the famous Temple of the Tooth before enjoying a traditional Kandyan dance show.

Day 8 - Kandy/London
Return to Colombo for your onward flight. Alternatively, extend your stay with a visit to the tea plantations at Nuwara Eliya; sightseeing in historic Galle or fly to the Maldives.