We Love —
- Discover the highlights of Sri Lanka on this short but rewarding tour - a wonderful mixture of culture and adventure.
- Highlights include visits to ancient cave temples, spice plantations and the famed Minneriya National Park.
- Then whizz off to the Maldives for an All Inclusive beach stay at the Adaaran Select Meedhupparu 4*.
Book Now, Pay Later —
Booking 35 days in advance and spending over £500 per person? No need to pay in full today! Just select the 30% deposit option on our payment page (terms & conditions apply)
Your Destinations —
Sri Lanka
Maldives
The Maldives is renowned for its incredible diving opportunities. The crystal clear water and shallow lagoons are perfect for snorkelling, while the reef walls offer a kaleidoscope of sea life for more experienced divers.
The local culture features a lively mix of South Indian, Sinhalese and Arab influences that is reflected in the traditional music, cuisine and art of the island.
Your Itinerary —
DAY 01 AIRPORT / COLOMBO
Arrival at Colombo International Airport. Here, you will be met by a professional Chauffeur Guide. After the formalities at the airport, you will be escorted to your air-conditioned vehicle. Next, transfer to your hotel in Colombo and check-in to hotel to stay at leisure the rest of the day.
(Approx Travel Time from Airport to Colombo - 45 Mins. to 01 Hour Drive)
(STANDARD CHECK-IN AT 1400HRS. EARLY CHECK-IN IS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY ON DAY OF ARRIVAL)
OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATION AT FAIRWAY COLOMBO OR SIMILAR
After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, be at Pinnawala Elephant orphanage on time to see milk feeding @1315 hrs.
(Approx Travel Time from Colombo to Pinnawala - 02 to 02 ½ Hours drive)
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is the home for young Elephants who have been displaced or lost from their natural habitat, located at Pinnawala village in Sabaragamuwa province of Sri Lanka. Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage is the best place for an up close and personal experience with the world’s largest land mammals! Today with 70 elephants herein, Pinnawela has become the home to the largest captive group of elephants in the world.
Thereafter continue your journey to Habarana.
(Approx Travel Time from Pinnawala to Dambulla - 02 to 02 ½ Hours drive)
On arrival check-in to the hotel
OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATION AT AMAYA LAKE DAMBULLA OR SIMILAR
After breakfast at the hotel leave for Polonnaruwa city tour. (Approx Travel Time from Dambulla to Polonnaruwa - 01 to 01 ½ Hours drive)
Polonnaruwa was established as the capital by King Vijayabahu I after Anuradhapura had been invaded in the late 10th century. However it was under King Parakramabu I, who ruled in the late 11th century, thatPolonnaruwa became a magnificent walled city. He built the vast reservoir, Parakrama Samudra (the Sea ofParakrama) still in use today, and ordered the construction of monasteries, temples, palaces, bathing pools and Buddhist statues, all set in a forested park surrounded by moats. During his period of rule, it is said that Sri Lanka was known as the Granary of the East.
On completion proceed to Minneriya National park for the most awaited animal safari.( Approx Travel Time from Polonnaruwa to Minneriya - 45 Mins to 01 Hour drive)
Minneriya National Park - Minneriya national park is one of the best places in the country to see wild elephants, which are often present in huge numbers, and wading birds. Dominated by the ancient MinneriyaTank, the park has plenty of scrubs, forest and wetlands in its 88.9 sq km to also provide shelter for toque macaques, sambar deer, buffalo, crocodiles and leopards (the latter are very rarely seen, however).
Elephants, which can number 200 or more, come to feed and bathe during what is known as ‘the Gathering’; and flocks of birds, such as little cormorants, painted storks, herons and large pelicans all fish in the shallow waters.
On completion return to the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure, enjoying the hotel amenities.
OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATION AT AMAYA LAKE DAMBULLA OR SIMILAR
After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to visit Dambulla Cave Temple.
A vast isolated rock mass- it was here that king Valagambahu took refuge in the 01st century B.C. He later turned the caves into a rock temple. Dambulla is a world heritage site and is the most impressive of Sri Lanka’s cave temples. The complex of five caves with over 2000 sq. meters of painted walls and ceiling found here are over 2000 years old and is the largest area of painting found in the world. The caves contain over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is the colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of rock and spanning 14 meters.
(Approx Travel Time from Habarana to Dambulla cave temple - 15 to 20 Mins to 01 Hour drive)
On completion proceed to Kandy. En route make a visit to a Spice Garden in Matale.
(Approx Travel Time from Dambulla cave temple to Matale spice garden- 01 to 01 1/2 Hours drive)
Matale is famous for its batik production and spice gardens. Batik has been an ancient art of painting cloth and today Sri Lanka is among the world leaders in the design of batik. Batik galleries and factories offer batik from simple single-coloured designs to intricate multi-coloured masterpieces. For centuries, spices have been one of Sri Lanka's celebrated exports. Spices are mostly grown in home gardens (as a home industry)and used not only to flavour food but also for medicine and cosmetics.
Thereafter continue to Kandy & Check into hotel.
(Approx Travel Time from Matale spice garden to Kandy - 45 Mins to 01 Hour drive)
Kandy is a lovely city, the Hill Capital and the last stronghold of the Sinhala Kings retains an aura of grandeur, which time has not affected. Encircled by hills, with a tranquil lake in its centre, it is the site of the renowned"Temple of the Tooth". Kandy and its satellite villages are the centre of the island’s handicraft industry and its traditional dances are the most spectacular in the country.
OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATION AT AMAYA HILLS OR SIMILAR
Proceed to visit Embekka Temple. Around 13 km from the Kandy city, a Buddhist temple dates from the14th century is situated in the village "Arathtana". It is decorated by wooden columns richly carved with animals, dancers, and wrestlers. Embekka is unique because it owns some of the greatest carvings in Srilanka. There are a total of eight buildings built for the temple of Embekka. Six buildings are in the inner temple and two of them outside. The structure that is inside the surrounding wall is known as the 'inner temple'. The structures that are outside the wall are known as the 'outer temple'.Therefore it is a famous travel destination in Sri Lanka for visitors in their Sri Lanka tour.
Thereafter continue to The Gadaladeniya temple is situated at Diggala in the district of Kandy at a distance of 15 km from the Kandy town. The temple is inspired by Dravidian architecture and gives a spectacular view of the surrounding countryside. The whole temple complex of Gadaladeniya is perched on a small rocky outcrop. According to writings, the temple was built by the King Buwanekabahu IV in the year 1344; Gampola era. The main shrine room has seated Buddha Statue under a Makara Thorana with four standingBuddha images. The makara thorana is decorated with gods such as Brahma, Suyama, Santhusuta, Nathaand Maithree, and two followers.
Thereafter continue to Lankatilaka temple. This temple dates back to 14th century. It is built on the summit of a rock called Panhalgala in the Udunuwara division of Kandy district and is approximately 12 km from the Peradeniya bridge. It has an unusual architectural design. The temple provides a magnificent panoramic view of the surrounding hills, paddy fields and the diverse vegetation around it. The temples' elegant roof construction can be seen from afar. The sacred places of the inner court are the image house, Stupa, the Bodhi-tree, the Devale with five local divinities, the preaching hall, and the kitchen to prepare food for the gods. The image house has a massive seated image of the Lord Buddha and wall is filled with wonderful paintings of 24 former Buddhas.
Evening city tour of Royal city of Kandy.
Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country. Kandy was the last capital of the Sinhalese kings and is a UNESCO world heritage site partly due to the temple.
Temple of the Tooth Relic is a Buddhist temple in the City of Kandy. It is considered the foremost sacred place of worship in the Buddhist World. According to legend, the tooth was taken from the Buddha as he lay on his funeral pyre. It immediately became an object of great reverence and was enshrined in a series of nested jewelled reliquaries. On the outside, the temple buildings are not magnificent or elaborately decorated. While with red roofs, they cluster around Kandy lake. In striking contrast to the plain exterior, the interiors of the temple buildings are richly carved and decorated with inlaid woods, ivory and lacquer. The relic of the tooth is kept in a two-story inner shrine fronted by two large elephant tusks.
After that witness a Cultural Dance performance in the evening. These classical dance forms are associated with the performance of various rituals and ceremonies which are centuries old and are based on the folk religion and folk beliefs going back to times before the advent and acceptance of Buddhism by the Sinhalese people in the third century B.C.
On completion, return to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATION AT AMAYA HILLS OR SIMILAR
After breakfast at hotel, Check out from the hotel and proceed to Negombo.
(Approx Travel Time from Nuwara Eliya to Wayikkal - 04 to 05 Hours drive)
Check in to the hotel at Wayikal and stay at Leisure until departure.
OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATION AT SURIYA RESORT, OR SIMILAR
DAY 08 WAYIKKAL / AIRPORT / MALDIVES
Today after breakfast you will be transferred to the Colombo Airport to catch your flight to transfer to Maldives, with all the happy memories of the tropical isle; Sri Lanka once known as TAPROBANE.
(STANDARD CHECK - OUT IS AT 1200HRS. LATE CHECK- OUT IS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY ONDAY OF DEPARTURE)
(Approx Travel Time from Wayikkal to Airport - 30 to 40 Mins drive)
After the arrival at Maldives airport, you will be met by one of our representatives and thereafter you will be escorted to the resort representative in the airport. Then you will be transferred to the resort through asea plane or with a Domestic flight and a speedboat.
(Seaplanes operate from 0600 hrs till 1530 hrs and for the arrivals after 1530 hrs, transfers will be provided through a Domestic flight and thereafter with a speedboat. Domestic flights are available from 1530 hrs till 1900 hrs. Guests who are arriving after 1900 hrs will have to catch the last domestic flight scheduled at 2330 hrs)
Transfer time through a seaplane - Approximately 30 Mins. To the resort
Transfer time through a domestic flight with a speedboat :
-Through the Domestic flight - From Male Airport to Dharavandhoo
- Approximately 20 Mins.-Through the Speedboat - From Dharavandhoo to resort
- Approximately 45 Mins.
(STANDARD CHECK-IN AT 1400HRS. EARLY CHECK-IN IS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY ON DAY OF ARRIVAL)
DAY 09 - 10 , 12 , or 14 : MALDIVES
Spend the day at leisure by the beautiful beach or pool and enjoying the other facilities of the hotel.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATION AT ADAARAN SELECT MEEDHUPPARU RESORT OR SIMILAR
DAY 11 , 13 or 15 : MALDIVES / AIRPORT
After enjoying All Inclusive facilities at the hotel, you will be transferred to the Maldives Airport to catch your flight back home with the happy memories.
(STANDARD CHECK - OUT IS AT 1200HRS. LATE CHECK- OUT IS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY ONDAY OF DEPARTURE)
Your Tour Hotels —
You will be staying at the following hotels (or those of a similar standard) on a Bed and Breakfast basis. You may upgrade to Half Board dining at the next stage of the booking process for an additional fee.
Just for you:
- Bottle of water (500ML) for every pax on the day of arrival
- Garlands on arrival
- SIM CARD per couple at arrival
- Complimentary cultural show during the Kandy temple tour
All Hotels Sleep Up To:
Colombo: Fairway Colombo - Sleep Room - 1 night
Dambulla: Amaya Lake - Superior Room - 2 nights
Kandy: Amaya Hills - Superior Room - 2 nights
Nuwara Eliya Araliya Green Hills - Deluxe Room - 1 night
Wayikkal: Suriya Resort - Deluxe Room - 1 night
Please note that if any of these hotels are not available, hotels of a similar standard will be found.
Adaaran Select Meedhupparu 4* —
You will stay for 3, 5, 7 or 9 nights in a Beach Villa on an All Inclusive basis
Just for you:
- Sunset Cruise (Minimum 03 nights stay)
- An Introductory Dive during the Maldives stay (Minimum 05 night’s stay)
- Honeymoon Amenities: Cake, Bottle of Wine and Bed Decoration during the Maldives stay
The all-villa resort offers stunning views of the infinite horizon, a gorgeous spa, fresh Eastern fusion and Western cuisine and an array of activities and excursions (at an extra cost) to make the most of this amazing location.
Sample an array of delectable tastes and flavours at unique restaurants serving everything from succulent seafood fresh out of the dhonis to signature European delicacies.
Surrounded by the resort’s lush landscaping, Chavana Spa at Adaaran Select Meedhupparu offers tranquillity, privacy and pampering treatments. The spa features three double rooms, four single rooms, steam and sauna facilities, relaxation and a manicure-pedicure area.
Please note: some dining outlets/menu items and premium, branded and international drinks may not be included and may incur a surcharge payable locally. Meals, snacks and drinks may be available at selected times only
Your Journey —
Flights: The flights included are with either a scheduled or no frills airline and are subject to live availability and prices can change. You can choose your preferred departure times during the booking process. Please select your flight options carefully as departure and arrival airports may differ.
Transfers: Return airport transfers included in Sri Lanka. Return airport transfers included in Maldives (Domestic flight + Speedboat).