Sri Lanka: Secrets of the Spice Island - A Limited Edition Small Group Journey (2022/23)

Welcome to Sri Lanka, arriving in the charismatic capital of Colombo to a warm A&K welcome and transfer to your hotel.

Cosmopolitan Colombo, gateway to the wonders of Sri Lanka, boasts a rich colonial heritage, featuring a melting pot of religions and cultures. A city of contrasts, it's an eclectic mix of shiny hotels and modern office blocks, neighbouring beautiful red-tiled colonial-era buildings. Bustling street markets brim with fragrant spices, colourful silks, and fresh fruit and vegetables. Discover Colombo's varied history with churches, mosques and temples abound, and delve into iconic sites including Fort Station, the Red Mosque, and the Khan clock tower.

Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure to explore this mesmerising city.
Galle Face Hotel

This morning, meet with your Resident Tour Director and fellow travellers for a briefing before exploring the island's capital like a local - by tuk tuk. Weave your way through the city's bustling bazaars and markets, past landmark monuments and newly restored buildings to Galle Face Green for breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean.

Take some time to relax back at the hotel before meeting Mark Forbes, Colombo local, passionate photographer, and your guide on a captivating walk through the old town, bringing the city's multifaceted history to life. See the 17th century Dutch Hospital, Colombo Fort and charming colonial mansions, before finishing your tour at a speakeasy for arrack-themed (a traditional Sri-Lankan spirit) cocktails.

Tonight, gather for a welcome dinner where a culinary curator introduces you to Sri Lankan home cooking.
Galle Face Hotel | Meals: BD

Before leaving the capital, journey to admire the No.11 Bawa Residence, designed and built by the famed architect Geoffrey Bawa during the 1960s, from four smaller bungalows that Bawa bought and combined over a period of years.

Continue your journey to the Cultural Triangle in the centre of the country, where ancient World Heritage sites abound and your resort-style boutique hotel awaits.

Settle into your resort before enjoying dinner at the restaurant with special guest Dr. Shanti Jayewardene, Oxford educated Sri Lankan architect and historian. She will provide an incredible understanding of Sri Lanka’s anthropology, aesthetics, architecture, history and politics in an accessible and insightful way.
Ulagalla Resort | Meals: BD

Enjoy a healthy start to the day as you visit the organic garden to pick fresh produce for use in a cooking demonstration at the resort's traditional hearth kitchen. Watch as your fresh herbs and vegetables are transformed into Sri Lankan delicacies which you'll savour over lunch.

This afternoon, you may choose to partake in one of these Design Your Day activities:

• Travel Like a Local on a Village Tuk Tuk Experience.
  Explore this colonial hub in the quintessentially Sri Lankan tuk tuk. Enjoy an afternoon discovering the best the city has to offer, immersing yourself in the sights, sounds and day-to-day goings on of this incredible place.
• Take to the Waters of the Wannemaduwa Tank in a Kayak.
  Experience the wildlife of the forest up close as you paddle quietly with your expert guide through Wannemaduwa Tank. As the sun goes down, gaze in awe as the soft light of the setting sun turns the air to honey and touches the dragonflies' wings with gold.
• Learn How to Craft and Fly a Classic Sri Lankan Kite.
  Under the guidance of a local, learn how to craft, launch and fly a bamboo and paper kite of classic Sri Lankan design, taking to the skies to test your finished product.

Tonight, enjoy a delicious dinner at your leisure.
Ulagalla Resort | Meals: BLD

Discover a world of ancient ruins today in the Cultural Triangle. Start at Anuradhapura, the country's first ancient capital which dates from the 5th century BC. Marvel at giant stupas (Sanskrit for 'heap', containing relics and typically places for meditation), a vast statue of Buddha and receive a blessing near the sacred Bodhi tree, the oldest recorded, planted in 236BC.

After lunch, climb up to the spot where Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka - the summit of Mihintale - and admire the religious monuments and spectacular views.

Return to the hotel and spend the rest of the time at leisure, before enjoying a special barbecue dinner by the pool at the hotel.
Ulagalla Resort | Meals: BLD

Delve further into the Cultural Triangle at World Heritage listed Polonnaruwa, an interesting blend of Buddhist and Hindu archaeological monuments. Discover the famous Gal Viharaya or 'Rock Temple', which comprises four colossal statues of Buddha cut into the stone.

This afternoon, visit Minneriya National Park, for a chance to see elephants and, if you're lucky, the purple-faced langur and toque macaque endemic to Sri Lanka.

Following your wildlife explorations, travel to your hotel and settle in with a group dinner at the in-house restaurant.
Water Garden Sigiriya | Meals: BLD

Rise early for an exhilarating hot air balloon ride over the surrounding landscape, glimpsing Sigiriya from above (additional cost, paid locally). Then challenge yourself with a steep climb 200 metres up through the Lion Gate to the top of the imposing rock fortress, admiring the water gardens, moats and ancient frescoes on the way. Soak up the unparalleled panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes before returning to the hotel for some time at leisure.

This afternoon, pay a visit to a farmer's house in Sigiriya and immerse yourself in the day to day lifestyle and farming traditions, including an exploration of his organic garden. Enjoy a home cooked Sri Lankan lunch from your host, indulging in delicious traditional fare and savouring the locally grown ingredients.
Water Garden Sigiriya | Meals: BLD

Begin early to visit the extraordinary World Heritage listed Buddhist cave temples at Dambulla.

Dating back to the first century, Dambulla is a vast cave complex, converted into a rock temple regarded as one of the most important Buddhist monasteries. Decorating the rock ceiling is the largest collection of paintings in Sri Lanka within a cave temple, and you will see the highest concentration of Buddha statues found in one place.

Travel south to Kandy, the country's cultural capital, with sundowners and a traditional Kandyan cultural performance awaiting you at your hotel. Embrace the opportunity to meet the dancers after the show, followed by dinner.
Jetwing Kandy Gallery | Meals: BD

Start your day with floral discovery, joining well-known botanist Bandara Palipana at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya for a guided walk through the extraordinary collection. Discover over 4,000 plant species, including a priceless collection of 300 varieties of orchids.

Relax for the remainder of the day with freedom to explore at your own pace, before a pooja ceremony (a traditional prayer ritual) this evening at the sacred Temple of the Tooth, the city's most famous landmark which houses the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha. Amid scents of lotus and jasmine, join monks and pilgrims who gather to make offerings to the Buddha. Enjoy VIP entry to the inner ‘Shrine Room’ where the sacred tooth relic of buddha is kept.
Jetwing Kandy Gallery | Meals: B

Today, travel through the misty highlands, on a scenic journey past lush green tea estates and breathtaking waterfalls.

Lunch in Nuwara Eliya before an afternoon 'Tea Experience'. Visit tea plantations and a factory to learn from an expert about the traditional 'two leaves and a bud', the journey from planting and plucking, to manufacturing, grading and processing, the auction system, and finally a tasting.

Continue your journey to Kandapola, and this evening indulge in a delicious tea-themed dinner at your luxurious hotel, a converted tea factory.
Heritance Tea Factory | Meals: BLD

Today, choose your own adventure with Design Your Day activities:

• Admire Endemic Wildlife and Breathtaking Mountain Views on a Trek in Horton Plains National Park.
  Horton Plains National Park is often shrouded in mist, ground frost and low-lying cloud. The only national park in the central highlands, the plains host many species of plant, endemic birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and butterflies. Keep an eye out for the endemic sambar deer and purple-faced langur. Trickling streams lead you to the picturesque Baker Falls and Slab Rock Falls, and you can drink in the breathtaking views from World's End.
• Take a Scenic Train Ride through the Heart of Tea Country.
  All aboard the breathtakingly scenic train ride to the hill station of Ella. This journey is considered one of the most beautiful railway journeys through the highlands of Sri Lanka. As you roll past the emerald tea estates that blanket the mountains, indulge in the unmistakable aroma of pure Ceylon tea. This hill country train ride usually takes around two and half hours.
• Ramble Through the Tea Fields on a Plantation Tour.
  Take a two hour tour led by a knowledgeable plantation guide to explore the rolling green wonders of the tea plantations surrounding your hotel. Gain an in-depth understanding of how tea is grown, plucked and the process from 'two leaves and a bud' to a cup of classic Ceylon tea.

Between activities, the day is yours to enjoy at your leisure, exploring the expansive wonders of your luxurious accommodation.
Heritance Tea Factory | Meals: BD

Journey south to the seaside city of Galle, enjoying a packed lunch on your journey. Arrive in time to savour a spectacular sunset at the ramparts of the heritage listed Galle Fort. The central gem of the old port city, Galle Fort was founded by Portuguese colonists in the 16th century. Stone sea walls encircle car-free streets, with imposing Dutch-colonial buildings, ancient mosques and churches, and many grand mansions and museums to discover.

This evening, be treated to a night of welcoming Sri Lankan hospitality, visiting a local family and savouring delicious homecooked Sri Lankan cuisine before retiring to your hotel for the night.
Le Grand | Meals: BLD

Today, join a local archaeologist and heritage expert Tharanga on an absorbing walking tour of the Galle Fort. Built by the Dutch in 1663, the fort is the largest remaining European fortress in Asia. Explore from the Old Dutch Church to the 'old gate' bearing the British coat of arms, the Zwart bastion and lighthouse.

Later, savour tea and traditional refreshments on a visit to a local family before exploring the cobbled streets, seeking out local arts and crafts, textiles, jewellery, homewares and Sri Lankan delicacies.

In the afternoon meet traditional mask makers and admire the skill of their carving before trying your hand at this age-old craft. Often resembling popular characters from Sri Lankan folklore, the usage of masks is fast diminishing and they are now typically a collector's item used mainly for decorative purposes.

This evening, join your fellow travellers at your hotel and savour a Sri Lankan fusion style farewell dinner.
Le Grand | Meals: BD

Transfer to Colombo for your departure flight.
Meals: B

Maximum Group Size: 18
Departures are guaranteed to operate with a minimum of 2 guests.

Tour Inclusions

• All accommodation as detailed with private facilities
• Meals as specified in itinerary, including welcome and farewell dinners
• Internal flights as mentioned in itinerary
• Services of English speaking A&K Resident Tour Director
• Airport welcome
• Porterage
• Group transportation by private air-conditioned vehicle
• Bottled water during transfers and touring
• Wine & beer during lunches and dinners (selected by Resident Tour Director)
• All entrance fees
• Planning, handling, operational and communication charges
• All tipping

Tour Exclusions

• International flights to the tour start point and from the tour end point
• Visas and other border fees
• Insurance coverage of personal loss, injury, illness or damages incurred during your trip
• Items of a purely personal nature such as drinks (unless specified), laundry, dry cleaning, internet, fax or phone charges
• Transfers, sightseeing or meals not specified in itinerary
• Excess baggage charges

Tailor-Made Travel with A&K

If scheduled departure dates don’t work for you, or you would prefer to travel privately, please talk to one of our expert Journey Designers or your travel agent about creating the perfect bespoke tailor-made journey for you, or your own small group with family or friends.

Note: Proof of COVID-19 full vaccination is required for this program.