Jan
min : 23°C
max : 30°C
We Love —
- Head to beautiful, sun-soaked Sri Lanka for a spectacular 5-night mini-tour of the country's incredible highlights.
- Stay in a variety of charming hotels, and dine each day on a tasty half board package.
- End your stay with an upgrade to a Superior Ocean View Room break at the Avani Bentota Resort 4*, where you'll have the chance to choose between daily half board dining, full board or all inclusive dining!
Your Holiday —
Your Destination —
Take a safari tour in one of Sri Lanka’s national parks to encounter elephants, leopards, water buffaloes, and exotic birds, or spend the day relaxing on the dazzlingly white, often untrod, beaches. Try your hand at a little surfing or retreat up into the Sri Lankan hills to experience a more temperate climate and the lavish greenery of the tea plantations.
In addition, you can even trek through the rainforests with an experienced guide or just take in the breathtaking vistas on a spectacular train ride. With fabulously flavoursome food and a vast array of culturally rich experiences to delve into, Sri Lanka promises to be one of your best-loved travel destinations, where the charm of the people will simply enchant you.
Our Offers —
8 Nights
5-Night Private Mini Sri Lanka Tour
3-Night stay at the Avani Bentota Resort 4*
10 Nights
5-Night Private Mini Sri Lanka Tour
5-Night stay at the Avani Bentota Resort 4*
12 Nights
5-Night Private Mini Sri Lanka Tour
7-Night stay at the Avani Bentota Resort 4*
Your Tour Itinerary In Brief —
5-Night Tour
Day 1: Arrival in Colombo - Habarana
Day 2: Habarana - Minneriya - Habarana
Day 3: Habarana - Dambulla - Matale - Kandy
Day 4: Kandy
Day 5: Kandy - Bentota
Beach Stay
Day 6-7: Bentota
Day 8: Bentota - Colombo
Day 9: Colombo - Katunayake
Options for 10 or 12 nights will spend the extra days in Bentota at the Avani Bentota or Similar.
Your Itinerary —
During their selected tour, our members will follow the itinerary listed below.
5-Night Tour
Arrival at Colombo International Airport. Here, you will be warmly welcomed by a representative of Hayleys Tours. After the formalities at the airport you will be escorted to your air conditioned vehicle and will proceed to Habarana. Next, transfer to Dambulla. (Airport to Dambulla: Approx 4 to 5 Hours)
Dinner and overnight stay at Habarana Village by Cinnamon or similar.
Day 2: Habarana - Minneriya - Habarana (Breakfast and Dinner Included)
After breakfast you will visit Hiriwadunna village trek (Habarana to Hiriwadunna: approx 15 to 20 minutes). From here you will experience a tour of Hiriwadunna, a beautiful village shaded on either side by a dry zone shrub forest, with unpaved gravel paths and humble village folk. This will give you a chance to witness the environment of a typical Sri Lankan village life.
A ride on a bullock cart along a dirt track and through rice paddies down to the picturesque Hiriwaduna Lake will leave you with a sense of peacefulness. A catamaran ride on the lake with its large variety of dry zone bird life and views of the surrounding forest, marshland and vegetable plots of local farmers, will be an unforgettable experience for visitors and will most definitely be one of the places you feel most at peace, during your time spent in Sri Lanka.
In the afternoon you will make a visit to Minneriya National Park (Hiriwadunne to Minneriya: approx 30 to 40 minutes). Minneriya is yet another haven for the elephants that migrate from surrounding jungles to enjoy the lush grass fields on the banks of the Minneriya reservoir, during the dry season. Reports of elephant sightings range from a mere 100 to an astounding 700.
The central feature of the park is the ancient Minneriya Tank (built in the 3rd century AD by King Mahasena). This tank is generally known as a place to observe the elephants that come to bathe and graze on the grasses as well as the huge flocks of birds that come to fish in the shallow waters. Depending on the movement of the elephant herds of the particular day the chauffeur will decide the best park to visit among Minneriya, Kaudulla and Eco Park.
Dinner and overnight stay at Habarana Village by Cinnamon or similar.
After breakfast you will head out to visit the Dambulla Rock Cave Temple (Habarana to Dambulla: approx 15 to 20 minutes). The beautiful Royal Rock Temple complex sits about 160m above the road in the southern part of Dambulla. Five separate caves contain about 150 absolutely stunning Buddha statues and paintings, some of Sri Lanka's most important and evocative religious art. Buddha images were first created here over 2000 years ago, and over the centuries subsequent kings added to and embellished the cave art.
From the caves there are superb views over the surrounding countryside; Sigiriya is clearly visible some 20km distant Dambulla is a massive rock from the surrounding plains of Dambulla of 600 feet high which includes climbing of steps as well as walking on the plain boulder. *Not recommended for clients with walking difficulties.
From this you will proceed to Matale in the afternoon and visit Spice Garden (Dambulla to Matale: approx 1 to 1½ hours). Sri Lanka has always been renowned for its spices. Over 15 different spices call Sri Lanka home and many of them are traded in the international spice market. Cinnamon especially is endemic to Sri Lanka, and highest quality ‘true cinnamon’ can be obtained here. The A9 Hwy between Matale and Dambulla is famous for its spice gardens, with over 30 dotted along the road.
All offer free tours of their gardens with an English-speaking guide who can explain the merits and health properties of herbs, spices and plants including cocoa, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, coffee, nutmeg, pepper, cardamom, aloe vera, iriweriya and the henna plant. Then proceed to Kandy and check in to your hotel (Matale to Kandy: approx 1 to 1 ½ hours).
Dinner and overnight stay at Cinnamon Citadel or similar.
After breakfast visit the Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya (Kandy to Peradeniya: approx 15 to 20 minutes). Located in Peradeniya near Kandy, the gardens are noted for its rich and varied collections of tropical woody plants. Occupying 59 hectares (146 acres), it has about 4,000 species of plants. The most important specimens of the garden include palms, some of which are planted in impressive avenues. Significant, too, are the collections of orchids, gymnosperms, and flowering trees.
Following this you will visit the Embekke Temple (Devalaya) (Peradeniya to Embekke: approx 15 to 20 minutes). Around 13 km from the Kandy city, a Buddhist temple dates from the 14th 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 Sri lanka. There are 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 are inside the surrounding wall are known as the 'inner temple'. The structures that are outside the wall are known as the'outer temple'.
On completion venture out to visit Lankatilake Temple (Embekke to Lankatilake: approx 10 to 15 minutes). This temple dates back to 14th century. It is built on the summit of a rock called Panhalgala in the Udunuwaradi vision 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.
Then, in the late afternoon you will visit the World Heritage Site, the Temple of the Tooth Relic (Lankatilake to Kandy Temple: approx 20 to 30 minutes). In the crown jewel of the city, Kandy is the famed Sri Dalada Maligawa, also known as the Temple of the Tooth. The golden-roofed Temple of the Sacred Tooth houses Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist relic – a tooth of the Buddha.
The entire complex is over three centuries old at least, and has seen many a king’s rise and fall. It has seen bloody wars and peaceful reigns and is one of the most historical places still standing in the island. The entire temple complex, from peaked tiled roofs to white walls with large airy windows, is built using classical Kandyan architecture. From this you will return to your hotel and relax after a busy day.
Dinner and overnight stay at Cinnamon Citadel or similar.
After a leisurely breakfast checkout from the hotel and proceed to Bentota (Kandy to Bentota: 4 to 5 hours).
Dinner and overnight stay at Avani Bentota or Similar.
Day 6-7: Bentota (Breakfast and Dinner Included)
Enjoy the facilities at the hotel, spend the full day at leisure by the beach or pool and enjoy the other facilities of the hotel. Please note: you will not have a vehicle at your disposal for these days.
Dinner and overnight stay at Avani Bentota or Similar.
After breakfast check out and leave for a sightseeing tour of Colombo (Bentota to Colombo: 2 to 2½ hours). Colombo is the largest city and former capital of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital. Colombo is a busy and vibrant city with a mixture of modern life and colonial buildings. The main city is home to a majority of Sri Lanka's corporate offices, restaurants and entertainment venues. Colombo is a shopper’s paradise!
Dinner and overnight stay at Cinnamon Lakeside or Similar.
Day 9: Colombo - Katunayake
As per the flight details you will be picked up and transferred to the Colombo international Airport to catch your flight back home.
Guests choosing the longer durations (10 or 12 nights) will spend the extra days in Bentota at the Avani Bentota or Similar.
Your Tour Hotels —
Our members will stay at the following hotels in Superior Rooms with meals included as per itinerary.
Your Tour Hotels
Kandy: 1-night stay at the Cinnamon Citadel or Similar
Bentota: 3, 5 or 7-night stay at the Avani Bentota Resort and Spa or Similar
Colombo: 1-night stay at the Cinnamon Lakeside or Similar
3 Adults
or
2 Adults
+ 1 Child
Please note: the bed for the 3rd guest sharing is likely to be a sofa bed or camp style bed. If any of these hotels are not available, hotels of a similar standard will be found.
Avani Bentota Resort 4* —
You will enjoy a 3, 5 or 7-night stay in a Upgraded Superior Ocean View Room, on a Half Board Basis (breakfast and evening meal served in the main restaurant - excludes drinks).
Our members have the opportunity to upgrade to a Full Board Stay (breakfast, lunch and evening meal served in the main restaurant - excludes drinks) or an All Inclusive stay (Breakfast, lunch and evening meal with a selection of snacks and drinks) at the next stage of the booking process for an additional fee.
Just for you:
- 25% Discount on spa treatments
- 15% Discount on all alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
Please note: Some facilities may incur an additional fee, payable locally.
Your Room —
3 Adults
or
2 Adults
+ 1 Child
Please note: the bed for the 3rd guest sharing is likely to be a sofa bed or camp style bed.
Your Board Basis —
At Breeze, all-day dining gives guests endless access to delicious dishes. For added comfort, choose between a table in the air conditioned area, or opt for alfresco dining in the non-air conditioned dining spot.
Frangipani
Dine in style at the hotel's specialty fusion restaurant. Take a tour of exotic cuisines teamed with a great selection of quality wines. Choose indoor or outdoor seating and settle back for a lovely evening.
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 Time —
Your Journey —
Flights: You may choose from Economy, Premium or Business class flights on sectors that they operate, at the next stage of the booking process.
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: This offer includes an English-speaking guide/driver throughout the tour with transfers included as per itinerary.
For inbound transfer arrangements please confirm with your transfer provider when you arrive. Alternatively, please check with the reception of your accommodation. If you still require assistance, please call the transfer provider directly.
