The Great Escape in Sri Lanka

Explore Sri Lanka

The Great Escape in Sri Lanka

£2350 per person

For the perfect tropical getaway combining beaches, culture and stunning scenery, Barefoot Traveller’s 15 day the Great Escape in Sir Lanka holiday has been designed by our specialist team to give you an extensive insight to the highlights of Explore Sri Lanka.

And like all of our tours, explore Sri Lanka can be customised to create an individual holiday, unique to you.

Contact our expert travel team to discuss the details.

The Highlights Explore Sri Lanka

  • Discover 6 UNESCO World Heritage sites including Dambulla caves & temple, stunning Sigiriya rock & the Royal Palace in Polonnaruwa
  • Relax in the lush, scenic highlands, staying at a former tea plantation
  • Wildlife Safari in Yala National Park home to elephants, wild buffalo & crocodiles
  • Discover the cultural capitals of Kandy and Colombo
  • 3 night beach break overlooking the ocean at Ahungalla
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Day 1 Departure from England:
Depart from London Heathrow
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Day 2 Colombo:
Arrival at Colombo Airport and private transfer to Colombo’s Cinnamon Grand Colombo (5*) hotel (transfer time: approx.1h), staying in a double premium room on half board basis. Later in the afternoon we take a city tour to include the Pettah Bazaar, the Fort area and the city park.
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Day 3 Colombo - Kandalama:
After breakfast, we leave for Kandalama in Sigiriya, visiting the Elephant Orphanage in Pinnawela en route (transfer time: approx. 4h30m). Staying in luxury at Heritance Kandalama (5*) in a double standard room on half board basis, spend the rest of the day relaxing with the option of an elephant back safari in the plains surrounding the hotel.
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Day 4 Sigiriya & Polonnaruwa:
After an early breakfast, we explore the rock fortress of Kasyapa, which dates back to the 5th Century A.D. and the ruins of Kasyapa’s palace on the summit of Sigiriya rock, an UNESCO world heritage site. We go on to tour the ancient capital of Polonnaruwa, visiting key sites including Shiva Devale, Watadage, the rock inscriptions of Nissankamalla and the Gal Vihare.
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Day 5 Kandalama - Kandy:
After breakfast, we head to Kandy visiting the amazing Dambulla caves (1st Century B.C.) en route, also stopping by a traditional spice garden and the batik art studio of some local artisans (transfer time: approx.2h30m). At Kandy, you will stay at Cinnamon Citadel (5*) with beautiful views overlooking the river, in a double Superior room on half board basis.
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Day 6 Kandy:
After breakfast, we tour the city of Kandy, once the seat of the Kandyan kings from the 14th Century. In the afternoon, we visit Kandy, seat of the Kandyan kings from the 14th Century and sample Sinhala culture by including visits to the bazaar, the art & crafts centre, the lake and the Temple of the Tooth Relic.   Optional: If you are travelling during the month of August, it is well worth spending two nights in Kandy for an unforgettable spectacle of culture as the city of Kandy comes alive during the Esala Perahera which is the world’s oldest, religious and cultural pageant.  Be sure to book your front row seat during one of the ten street processions that takes place in the Kandy city starting from the Temple of the Tooth.  Festivities come complete with fire dancers, over 100 mighty elephants and of course the famed replica of the tooth relic of Lord Buddha around which this procession is based. (Prices for this experience start from £50 per person)
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Day 7 Kandy - Nuwara Eliya:
After breakfast, we leave for Nuwara Eliya (transfer time: approx.2h30m) taking a scenic mountain route through the tea plantations of the beautiful hill country, famous for its production of high quality tea. Staying in Grand Hotel in a double standard room on half board basis, you can relax amidst the stunning scenery. In the afternoon, relaxing and leisurely explore the town of Nuwara Eliya, including the Golf course, the former racecourse and the Nuwara Eliya lake.
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Day 8 Nuwara Eliya - Horton Plains:
After breakfast, we head out to the Horton Plains (transfer time: approx.1h) which is located about 2000m above sea level. Thick forest, rocky outcrops, waterfalls & misty lakes all come to an end at “World’s End” considered the finest view in all of Sri Lanka. The breath taking escarpment drops vertically for about 880m. An optional half day excursion walking through the National Park to beautiful Bakers Falls is available before returning to relax at the hotel.
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Day 9 Nuwara Eliya - Yala National Park:
Today we travel to the edge of Yala National Park and the Cinnamon Wild (4*) staying in a double Jungle Chalet on half board basis (transfer time: approx.5h). Rest of the day at leisure. Dinner and Overnight stay at the hotel.
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Day 10 Yala:
In the morning we take a jeep safari in Yala National Wild Life Sanctuary. The park is famous for its large herds of wild elephants and deer, crocodiles, wild buffaloes and peacocks, and a great variety of bird life. Upon completion return to the hotel and spend your afternoon leisurely and in the evening take another safari. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay
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Day 11 Yala - Ahungalla:
After breakfast we leave for Ahungalla via the scenic coastal route visiting Galle en route (transfer time: approx.4h30m). Stay overlooking the ocean at the beach side Heritance Ahungalla (5*) in a double standard room on half board basis.
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Day 12 - 14 Ahungalla:
Relax and enjoy your 3 day beach stay at Heritance Ahungalla on Half board basis
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Day 15: Departure
After breakfast, private transfer to the airport (transfer time: approx.2h 30m) for your departure flight to London.
  • International flights including all taxes with Sri Lankan Airlines
  • Private transfers by air-conditioned vehicle with your personal chauffeur/guide
  • Accommodation as specified above or equivalent standard for 14 nights
  • Vehicle for the safari at Yala National Park
  • All entrance fees
  • All applicable taxes
  • Lunch throughout
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Camera/video permits at the Elephant Orphanage and Kandy Temple
  • Gratuities to guides, drivers, wait-staff, maid service, porters, telephone calls and items of a personal nature.
  • Vehicle whilst at leisure unless specified otherwise
  • Any other expenses not mentioned above