Boutique Sri Lanka

Check in for three nights at the stunning Water Garden Sigiriya, where architecture, culture and nature harmonise. Spend your time exploring all that is on offer, passing through rural villages and vast coconut estates with an expert guide as you head towards the Second Kingdom of the country, Polonnaruwa, where you can explore the monumental ruins of the ‘garden-city' created by Parakramabahu I in the 12th century. Spend time at Minneriya National Park where you’ll observe herds of wild Asian elephants in their natural habitat after embarking up Sigiriya Rock Fortress- a UNESCO World Heritage Site boasting cave shelters, mirror walls, and a stunning royal palace ruin at the summit of the climb.

The welcoming village of Werapitiya is your next stop, only an hour away from Kandy, Sri Lanka’s second city and the island’s undisputed historical and cultural capital. En-route you will visit the magical Dambulla Cave Temples, a sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries with over 80 caves and an abundance of ancient statues and paintings depicting the Buddha and his life. After this, you will head to a Private Spice Garden and learn about the different spices used in delicious Sri Lankan cuisine. After an overnight stay at Santini Wellness Resort and Spa, explore the vibrant Kandy town and meet with a resident, Mike Johnson, for a guided walking tour of the city. You will also have the chance to take advantage of the hotel’s relaxing spa, explore Lankatilaka Vihara - a beautiful 14th century Buddhist temple, learn some moves and enjoy a meal with a Dancing School Master in Kandy.

After a delicious breakfast in Kandy, you will have the opportunity to take in the beautiful landscapes and magical views of Sri Lanka on a train journey to Camellia Hills, a luxurious five-bedroom boutique bungalow hotel in Hatton. Experience another side to spellbinding Sri Lanka with an exclusive tour of a local tea factory where an expert will take you through the process of tea making before teaching you how to properly ‘taste’ tea and to identify the subtle differences in the varieties of one of the country’s largest exports and an integral part of Sri Lankan culture. The rest of your time in Hatton will be at your leisure and you can use this time to relax in the hotel or explore the local area.

Leave Hatton behind and head south towards the Southern Expressway past luscious paddy fields and tall rubber plantations to the city of Kogalla on the southwest coast. You will arrive at Kahanda Kanda, a boutique hotel set within a tea estate and will be able to spend time at the hotel at your leisure, choosing between the wealth of facilities offered by the hotel. You will also have the opportunity to enjoy a walk through Galle fort with a local host (a direct descendant of one of the first gem merchants of the fort) who will present to you his experience of growing up in the vibrant and characteristic fort and lead you around historic points of interests, like ancient churches, mosques and museums. Your final full day in Sri Lanka will be spent at the hotel and you’ll be able to take advantage of the wealth of facilities or embark on an enthralling hotel excursion. On your final day, enjoy the morning at your leisure before your return flight to the UK.