Sri Lanka Luxury Escape

You will be met by ‘SLIS’ Representative at the Colombo airport & will be escorted to your vehicle for the transfer to Colombo for your overnight hotel (Approx. 1-hour drive).

Although it’s unlikely it will reclaim its 19th-century moniker ‘the garden city of the East’, Colombo has nevertheless emerged as a must-see stop in Sri Lanka. No longer just the sprawling city you must endure on your way to the beaches, it has become a worthy destination and makes an excellent start – or finish – to your Sri Lankan adventures. The legacies of colonial Colombo’s garden roots are still very much intact along its often-shady boulevards. Fort is a compelling place thanks to the ongoing restoration of its landmark colonial architecture, while Pettah brims with markets and rampant commerce. Colombo’s cosmopolitan side supports ever-more stylish eateries, galleries and shops.

Enjoy a scrumptious breakfast at the hotel.

You can choose to visit the much-loved Saskia Fernando Art Gallery in town. It is a contemporary Sri Lankan art gallery representing the foremost established and emerging artists living in and/or originating from the country.

Also, walk through Colombo’s Stunning Art Street. Located directly behind the National Museum of Colombo, Nelum Pokuna Art Street is in the heart of the city. Easily accessible to travellers, this roadside market is a kaleidoscope of colour, bringing the city streets to life.

Across the road from the scenic Viharamahadevi Park, Nelum Pokuna Art Street is a picturesque roadside attraction that characterises the beauty and local talent of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Aspiring young artists showcase their work at this market-style road, offering a unique insight into the thriving art scene.

The art market allows visitors to immerse themselves in Sri Lanka‘s art scene directly through the paintings of locals. From canvases of traditional stilt fishermen and tea plantations, to Buddhist monks and elephants, the works offer an insight into key Sri Lankan symbols and their long- standing cultural connotations. This unique format allows a further understanding of the artworks, as you can interact with the artists and discuss their experiences and the inspiration behind each painting.

Enjoy your time in the vibrant capital of the island. On day 3, you will be joining the expert guide, Mark Forbes, for a Colombo city walk where you will learn many hidden facts about this bustling city.

Meet at the Dutch Hospital Shopping precinct and enjoy three exciting hours as Mark takes you through the streets, alleyways, passageways, shops, hotels, churches and buildings of Fort and Pettah. While on your walk, you will find the oldest clock-tower in Asia, see the original colonial era emblem of HSBC and learn about the budget allocated and spent by the British government to build the Grand Oriental Hotel.

You will end your walking tour back at the Dutch Hospital, where you may enjoy a beer (or two), reminiscing on the day’s events. Colombo City Walks is a leisurely 2-3 hour walk that takes you through the city’s commercial heritage in terms of reflecting on the times and the ways of the Portuguese, Dutch and English, which in turn, gives these citizens a unique accent, a way of conducting their day-to-day business and a unique palette. The main focus, however, of all of this is that this walk takes you through a myriad of buildings that date back from the 17th century to the 90’s that were erected mainly during the Dutch & British rule (but we are tremendously lucky to still have a few of the Dutch Architecture to gaze upon). Nothing of the Portuguese rule remains, sadly. With the dawn of the post-conflict times, we see the tremendous effort being put into this area to refurbish and bring these buildings to their wondrous state.

Spend a leisurely morning at the hotel, as you will be having a long & exiting night. You can witness the annual Nawam Perahera in Colombo, where you will witness the traditional Sri Lankan arts, crafts, dance & music at its best. (Seasonal activity)

Nawam Perahera: Every year since 1979, the Nawam Perahera has enchanted countless locals and vacationers from the world over with its refreshing mixture of culture and festivity. Taking place in Colombo, the island’s commercial capital, this traditional procession thrives in the limelight. A variety of performers parade the city streets displaying their talents, accompanying brightly decorated elephants, moving slowly along. Organised by the Gangaramaya Temple, the Navam Perahera supports the longevity of culture, arts and age-old traditions. Masked dancers also perform a regionally distinct style of dance, showing off true acrobatics in sessions of ves, naiyyandi, hanumantha, devol and raban dances. These routines follow flag and torch bearers and 500 parading monks, thus completing a true spectacle. A large tusker carrying the relic on its back symbolises the integrity of such a procession and completes a magnificent festival celebration.

After enjoying a late breakfast, drive towards the central hills, Kandy (Approx.04hrs 45 mins drive).

Kandy, the hill capital, is another “World Heritage Site”. It was the last stronghold of the Sinhalese Kings during Portuguese, Dutch, and British rule, and was finally ceded to the British in 1815 under an agreement. Today it is the centre of Buddhism, Arts, Crafts, Dancing, Music and Culture.

Visit the Kandy temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in the afternoon. When King Wimaladharmasuriya I (1592-1604 A.D.) became King in Kandy, he searched for the Tooth Relic and the bowl Relic of the Buddha and found that it was kept at the Delgomuwa. The King had gone there personally and brought the Sacred Tooth Relic to Kandy in a procession accompanied by the King. Join the evening Thevava ceremony at the Kandy Temple.

The Kandy House: An opportunity to stay at a unique ancestral manor house providing seclusion and serenity for its guests in a lush, tropical garden setting close to Kandy. In 1804, the last Chief Minister of the Kandyan kingdom built a palatial villa touching local, moorish and Dutch styles in the beautiful countryside near the former capital. 200 years later, it was converted into a designer boutique hotel in Kandy, retaining the charisma of this captivating historical house while taking it to the luxury standard for 21st century guests. We aim to give guests an experience of staying more in a private house than in a conventional hotel.

Enjoy an early breakfast & spend your morning hours with the ‘Three Temple Tour’ in Kandy.

One of the most legendary attractions in Gampola, the Embekke, Lankatilaka, and Galadeniya are a short distance from each other and sometimes referred to as the three-temple loop. The temples serve as a living testimony to Sri Lanka’s Buddhist heritage, history, and exceptional craftsmanship. Each temple holds a considerable amount of historical information about the ancient kingdom’s era, carved mostly in stone. Even if the temples themselves weren’t fascinating, and they are, the seven-kilometre path that connects Embekke, Lankathilake, and Gadaladeniya leads past rice fields and through small towns and would be worth walking in its own.

Gadaladeniya Temple: Famous for its beautiful stone carvings, this Temple was built on a flat rock at Diggala in the 14th century. Faded paintings from around that time provide many clues as to the way the Temple was built. The architecture is South Indian, so the general belief is that the workers were from abroad.

Lankathilaka: The majestic Lankathilake Vihare, one of the most magnificent architectural edifices in the Gampola Kingdom, was built on the crest of a large rock named Panhalgala overlooking the Hantane Mountain range in the Hiripitiya hamlet in Udunuwara.

Embekke Devalaya: Embekke Devalaya is situated in the Ambakka Village and was built in the 14th century by King Wickremabahu III. The wooden Temple features a courtyard where the hewisi drums and trumpet were played during ceremonies.

Witness a cultural show in Kandy town, and you have the opportunity to meet a traditional Kandyan Dance artist after the show. He will explain to you about the ancient traditions behind these dance moves and their costumes.

Diyabubula: means “bubbling fountain” – there is a bubbling spring on the property. Diyabubula also symbolises the power of the earth and the creativity bubbling up in this magical location. Diyabubula, the Barberyn Art & Jungle Hideaway, is a small luxury lodge, a boutique hotel consisting of five villas, located near the town of Dambulla, in central Sri Lanka. Renowned Sri Lankan artist Laki Senanayake designed the place as a hideaway to complement his water garden. He chose 100-year-old railway sleepers as basic building material. This wood, seasoned by sun and rain over a century, has been combined with sleek and beautiful timber sourced from all over Sri Lanka, and hand-crafted right at Diyabubula.

You can also enjoy lunch from Diyabubula before heading to Kandalama for your stay.

Heritance Kandalama: Heritance Kandalama is shaped like the outspread wings of a bird, following the line of the cliff from which it seems to emerge. The hotel is a staggering 1km from end to end, and rises up seven floors, yet appears to be a perfectly natural extension of the mountainside. The flat roof and timber pillars support a screen of vegetation that attracts local wildlife. The abundance of real-life animals around the hotel is complemented by wonderful large- scale sculptures within it. A metal owl is suspended outside the main restaurant; wooden elephants inhabit the lounge; a stone cobra uncoils along the terrace overlooking the infinity pool.

The days are free for you to relax & immerse yourself in the serene nature in Kandalama.

You could visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress, also known as Lion Rock, pronounced see-gi-ri-yə. The ancient rock fortress is located in the Central Province of Sri Lanka, in the town of Dambulla. A site of historical and archaeological significance that is dominated by a massive column of rock approximately 180 m or 590 ft high. According to the ancient Sri Lankan chronicle, the Chulavamsa, the area was a large forest. Remnants of a forest in the surrounding areas can be viewed today. The rock location was selected by King Kashyapa (AD 477–495) as his capital. King Kashyapa built the palace on top of this rock and decorated the sides with colourful frescoes. Halfway up the fortress is a small plateau on the side. The king built a gateway in the form of an enormous lion. The name of this place is derived from this structure: Sīnhāgiri, the Lion Rock.

You could experience cave dining at Kandalama, which is unique to the property. Flames flicker, flute notes float in, gourmet delights are served in a private cave laid out for you and yours – haute cuisine meets Stone Age. Enjoy the contrast.

Enjoy an early breakfast and drive towards the historic city of Anuradhapura (Approx. 2hrs drive).

Anuradhapura: The ruins of Anuradhapura are one of South Asia’s most evocative sights. The sprawling complex contains a rich collection of archaeological and architectural wonders: enormous dagobas (brick stupas), ancient pools and crumbling temples, built during Anuradhapura’s thousand years of rule over Sri Lanka. Today, several of the sites remain in use as holy places and temples; frequent ceremonies give Anuradhapura a vibrancy that’s a sharp contrast to the museum-like ambience at Polonnaruwa.

During your visit to Anuradhapura, you have the opportunity to do a city tour, visit Sri Maha Bodhi too.

Check in & relax at your hotel in Anuradhapura.

Uga Ulagalla: Nestled within 58 acres of lush greenery in the heart of Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle, Uga Ulagalla is a sanctuary of elegance and tranquillity. This luxurious retreat offers 20 private villas, each with its own plunge pool, blending contemporary comfort with rustic charm. Guests can explore the rich surroundings on horseback, savour gourmet meals crafted from local ingredients, and unwind with rejuvenating spa treatments. With impeccable service and a commitment to sustainability, Uga Ulagalla provides a serene escape for discerning travellers seeking an intimate connection with nature and history.

Early morning jeep safari at Wilpattu National Park (before breakfast). Treat yourself to a well- deserved breakfast upon returning to the campsite.

Wilpattu: Wilpattu is Sri Lanka’s largest national park with an area of 130,000 hectares. It is also the oldest national park, which has been reopened after several years of closure due to the armed conflict in the country. A few decades ago, it was Wilpattu that was known ahead of Yala for its Leopard population. A unique feature of Wilpattu National Park is that the entire park is dotted with large sand rimmed natural lakes known as “Villus”. The Villus collects rainwater and tends to attract wildlife, especially during times of drought. The main draw in Wilpattu is the leopard and the sloth bear. It is also one of the better parks to see barking deer. Wilpattu is bounded to the north and south by 2 main rivers, the Modara Gamaru towards the north of the park and the Kala Oya to the south of the park

Rest of the day is free for you to relax & unwind at the property.

Drive back to the vibrant town of Negombo, where you will have a laid-back day before saying goodbye to the island. En route: visit Umandawa Global Buddhist village, where you get the opportunity to enjoy a tour of the retreat and its organic garden. Enjoy a freshly prepared local vegetarian lunch at the retreat, followed by a discussion with a local monk, where you can get insights into Buddhism in Sri Lanka.

Negombo: Negombo is a modest beach town located just 10km from Bandaranaike International Airport. With a stash of decent hotels and restaurants to suit all pockets, a friendly local community, an interesting old quarter and a reasonable beach, Negombo is a much easier place to find your Sri Lankan feet than Colombo. The Dutch captured the town from the Portuguese in 1640, lost it, and then captured it again in 1644. The British then took it from them in 1796 without a struggle. Negombo was one of the most important sources of cinnamon during the Dutch era, and there are still reminders of the European days. The busy centre of Negombo town lies to the west of the bus and train stations. Most places to stay, however, line the main road that heads north from the town centre, with the beachside hotel strip starting about 2km north of town.

Uga Riva: Perched along the sun-kissed shores of Negombo, Uga Riva enchants with its blend of coastal charm and sophisticated luxury. This beachfront haven offers a collection of elegant rooms and suites, each designed to embrace the serene beauty of the sea. Guests can unwind in the infinity pool, savour exquisite culinary creations at the oceanfront restaurant, and rejuvenate with bespoke spa treatments. With its impeccable service and tranquil ambience, Uga Riva Negombo stands as a sanctuary of peace and elegance, offering a perfect escape for those seeking refined relaxation by the waves.

Enjoy your breakfast at the resort & say goodbye to this magical island. You chauffeur will safely drive you to the airport for your departure (Approx. 60mins drive)