Sri Lanka Wondrous Highlights with Seychelles Beach Stay

Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Colombo.

On arrival, you’ll be met by your local guide and transferred to Sigiriya where you’ll spend the rest of the day at leisure – relaxing and unwinding after your overnight flight. You’ll be staying in the heart of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle which is an area abound with wildlife, well-tended gardens and ancient stone sculptures.

After an awakening cup of coffee, you’ll be taken to see the sunrise meet the mighty Sigiriya rock fortress which was built by King Kashyapa in the 5th century AD. This vast, impressive site of historical and archaeological significance is dominated by a massive column of granite almost 200m high where the ancient ruins of a forgotten fortress sit atop this mighty stone monolith. As you approach through the irrigated gardens you’ll be met by a vast, sprawling banyan tree which is thought to be well over 1,000 years old – although nobody really knows its age as these trees, similar to the British Yew tree, are said to be immortal.

Once you reach Sigiriya rock you can climb the spiral staircase to the summit and enjoy unrivalled vistas of the surrounding region from this elevated perspective. You’ll also have the chance to see the exquisite frescoes of elegant women which adorn the walls of a sheltered section of rock. These magnificent paintings have been drawn in earth pigments upon plaster and have truly stood the test of time, giving you the opportunity to witness this magnificent artistic marvel. On completion of your sunrise Sigiriya tour you’ll be taken back to the hotel for a hearty breakfast. For the rest of the morning, you’ll be at leisure to relax by the pool side and enjoy the local wildlife.

In the afternoon you’ll be taken to visit Polonnaruwa – the second capital of Sri Lanka in the 11th and 12th centuries AD. Here, you’ll have the chance to visit the ruins of the Royal Palace and enjoy many architectural marvels such as the stone-carved ‘Lotus Bath’ which descends into the earth, and the magnificent rock-relief statues of various saints, sages and buddhas, that have stood in this region for the past millennium. After exploring the ancient city of Polonnaruwa you’ll be driven back to Sigiriya to enjoy classic Sri Lankan cuisine for dinner and your overnight stay.

After breakfast you’ll be taken with your local guide to spend the day exploring Anuradhapura - the 1st capital of Sri Lanka established in 380 BC.

During this tour you’ll visit a sacred Bodhi Tree which is known to be at least 2,000 years old. You’ll also be taken to see the remains of the Brazen palace constructed by King Dutugemunu in the 2nd century B.C; visit Ruwanweli Maha Seya – an immense Buddhist stupa of vast antiquity; see the Samadhi sculpture which is acknowledged worldwide as an artistic masterpiece and presents the Buddha in a meditative pose; and finally you’ll visit the Isurumuniya Vihare which is famous for its rock carvings of “the lovers.”

After your tour of Anuradhapura you’ll return to Sigiriya Village where you’ll spend the afternoon at leisure with the option to embark on a bird-watching trip, or a nature ramble.

Today you’ll have the chance to explore the magnificent Dambulla Rock Temple which was donated by King Walagambahu in the 1st century BC to the Buddhist monks of the region. Dambulla is a World Heritage site and is the most impressive of Sri Lanka’s canvases of cave temples. This complex contains over 2000 sq. meters of beautifully painted walls; its mesmerising mosaic ceiling is the largest area of cave painting to be found anywhere in the world. Within this temple you’ll see over 150 images of the Buddha, the largest of which is a colossal carving of rock which spans over 14 metres. Once you’ve finished exploring the caverns, you’ll proceed on to Matale and visit a Spice Garden where you’ll become familiar with the plethora of intoxicating herbs and spices that originate from the Sri Lankan Island, and visit a batik factory to see how these stunning hand-crafted creations are made.

You’ll be checking into your hotel in Kandy before heading out for an afternoon city tour. This culturally significant area is known as ‘the last capital of the Sri Lankan Kings’ and carries the designation of a World Heritage Site. Kandy is an extraordinary place that conjures visions of splendour and magnificence from the time since past. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore from here are still lovingly kept alive.

On your tour, you’ll be driven around the vast Kandy Lake which was built by the last Sinhalese King: Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe. You’ll also visit the old town bazaar, a local arts & crafts centre, and see locally mined gemstones being carved and polished at one of the city’s lapidaries. Once you’ve experienced all that Kandy has to offer you’ll be taken for dinner and an overnight stay at your hotel.

After breakfast you’ll be taken to visit the Botanical Garden in Peradeniya which was first built as a personal garden for a local Sinhala King, and was subsequently expanded by the British into a beauteous public park which is almost 150 acres in size. The garden provides an amazing variety of flora and fauna to enjoy. Once you’ve had a chance to take a stroll across this stunning sanctuary of nature, you’ll continue on to the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage where you’ll be able to get up close and personal with these magnificent animals.

You will head back to the hotel to refresh before heading out in the evening to the globally recognised spiritual site known as the ‘Temple of the Tooth Relic’ where the sanctum sanctorum houses a tooth of Guatama Buddha. Here you’ll witness a traditional ‘pooja’ ceremony performed by the resident monks – this is an offering of sound, chants and incense made to the Buddha and is a great way to become receptive to the energies of the space. Following this ceremony, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel for a sample of local delicacies and your overnight stay.

Upon leaving Kandy your guide will be taking you to Nuwara Eliya: Sri Lanka's premier hilltop resort and tea plantation, affectionately referred to as “Little England” on account of its architectural, climatic, and aesthetic similarity to the mountainous regions of England. On the way to Nuwara Eliya you’ll be visiting one of the plantations to learn about the tea manufacturing process and, once arrived, you’ll be taken on a short tour of this lush, green market town where – amidst towering cedar trees and cultured gardens – the Sri Lankan people conduct their daily business and worship in the Buddhist temples there. After spending some time relaxing in this quiet, picturesque hilltop town you’ll be taken to your hotel for dinner and a relaxing evening before beginning your transfer back to Colombo in the morning.

After a full breakfast, you’ll then be travelling on to Colombo.

On arrival at Colombo you’ll embark on a half-day city tour of the island’s present capital; a bustling, cosmopolitan city whose colonial history is still very much evident with its wide, shaded boulevards and grand, imposing Victorian churches. You’ll have a chance to visit the vibrant bazaars of Pettah which seem to sell everything imaginable – from traditional jewellery, to ancient artefacts, to Ayurvedic medicines. There’ll also be a chance to stop for refreshments and souvenirs at the old restored Dutch Fort complex, home to some of Colombo’s most chic and highly-rated restaurants, cafes and shops. Then, stepping back from modernity into a more ancient frame, you’ll be able to visit the Gangaramaya Buddhist temple as well as the Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam Kovil dedicated to Lord Shiva and Ganesha – a symbol of the diverse and vibrant culture of this lively place.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Mahe, Seychelles. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. The rest of your time here is at leisure, allowing you to relax and explore at your own pace.

Relax on the stunning sandy beaches, soaking up the sun and enjoying the crystal-clear waters. Embrace the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation, making the most of every moment in this idyllic setting. Whether you're exploring the vibrant marine life or simply lounging by the beach, Mahe offers a paradise experience that you'll cherish forever.

Why not take optional excursions to explore the local beauty, including guided nature walks, snorkelling adventures, or boat trips to nearby islands? Your hotel can help arrange this.