Sri Lanka: The Enchanted Island
Sri Lanka: The Enchanted Island
Sri Lanka: The Enchanted Island
14 Days Starting and ending in Colombo, Sri Lanka
Visiting: Colombo, Dambulla, Mihintale, Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Horton Plains (lasang), Yala, Ella, Ahungalla, Galle
Tour operator:
Tour code:
CET
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
12 - 18
Age range:
15-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Expeditions, Luxury, Small Group, Walking Hiking and Trekking
Interests:
Activities:
Private Available:
Request A Private Tour
Tour Overview
The teardrop-shaped island of Sri Lanka contains a wealth of cultural, archaeological and natural treasures. This comprehensive tour visits both popular and lesser-known sites in the north, centre and south of the country. Highlights include the jungle-bound fortress of Sigiriya, wildlife-rich Yala National Park, and the cave temples of Dambulla.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Fly To Colombo
Location: Colombo
Accommodation Name: na
Overnight flight from London (regional connections available) to Colombo with Sri Lankan Airlines.
Day 2 : Colombo
Location: Colombo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Cinnamon Lakeside
Afternoon arrival and transfer to the Cinnamon Lakeside for 1 night. Enjoy afternoon tea at the iconic Galle Face Hotel.
Day 3 : Dambulla
Location: Dambulla
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Heritance Kandalama
Meals Included: Breakfast
In the morning transfer to Dambulla. Stay 3 nights at the Heritance Kandalama.
Day 4 : Anuradhapura - Mihintale
Location: Mihintale, Anuradhapura
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Heritance Kandalama
Meals Included: Breakfast
Drive to the ancient city of Anuradhapura. For 1,400 years this city was Sri Lanka’s capital and contains fabulous Buddhist shrines and relics. Afternoon visit to Mihintale, the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
Day 5 : Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa
Location: Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Heritance Kandalama
Meals Included: Breakfast
Morning visit to the rock fortress town of Sigiriya. Continue to the 11th-century capital of Polonnaruwa.
Day 6 : Dambulla - Kandy
Location: Dambulla, Kandy
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Earls Regency
Meals Included: Breakfast
Morning visit to Dambulla, home to Asia’s most impressive cave temples. Continue to the beautiful hill station of Kandy and stay 2 nights at the Earls Regency. Afternoon city tour. This evening, take time to watch a traditional Kandyan dance performance and visit the Temple of the Tooth for the evening puja.
Day 7 : Kandy
Location: Kandy
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Earls Regency
Meals Included: Breakfast
Kandy is set on the shores of a beautiful man-made lake and the area abounds with rich and varied plant life. Morning visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 8 : Nuwara Eliya
Location: Nuwara Eliya
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Heritance Tea Factory
Meals Included: Breakfast
Early morning drive to Nuwara Eliya hill station via a tea plantation. Situated at 2,000 metres above sea level, Nuwara Eliya attracted the British in the 18th century and their legacy is still visible. Stay at the Heritance Tea Factory for 2 nights.
Day 9 : Horton Plains
Location: Horton Plains (lasang)
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Heritance Tea Factory
Meals Included: Breakfast
Early morning visit to Horton Plains, situated on Sri Lanka’s highest plateau (this excursion involves a 2.5-hour walk*). Horton Plains is inhabited by large populations of monkeys and sambar deer. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Day 10 : Ella - Yala
Location: Yala, Ella
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Cinnamon Wild (Jungle Chalet)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Transfer to Ella; the view through the Ella Gap – a break in the hills – is one of the finest in Sri Lanka. Visit the Rawana Ella Falls and impressive Buduruwagala statues before continuing to Yala. Stay 2 nights at Cinnamon Wild (Jungle Chalet).
Day 11 : Yala
Location: Yala
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Cinnamon Wild (Jungle Chalet)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Morning wildlife safari in Yala National Park. Covering 1,300 sq km, the park encompasses a diversity of jungle habitats, including scrub, brackish lagoons and riverside locations. Creatures that may be seen include elephants, leopards, sloth bears, spotted deer, sambar deer, wild pigs, jackals, marsh crocodiles and a great variety of birdlife.
Day 12 : Galle - Ahungalla
Location: Ahungalla, Galle
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: eritance Ahungallaor upgrade to the Taj Bentota Resort & Spa(Superior Charm Seaview room) from £85
Meals Included: Breakfast
Drive to Ahungalla, stopping for a visit to the Elephant Transit home and tour of Galle Fort. Stay 2 nights at Heritance Ahungallaor upgrade to the Taj Bentota Resort & Spa(Superior Charm Seaview room) from £85. Following day at leisure.
Day 13 : Galle - Ahungalla
Location: Ahungalla, Galle
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Heritance Ahungallaor upgrade to the Taj Bentota Resort & Spa(Superior Charm Seaview room) from £85
Meals Included: Breakfast
Drive to Ahungalla, stopping for a visit to the Elephant Transit home and tour of Galle Fort. Stay 2 nights at Heritance Ahungallaor upgrade to the Taj Bentota Resort & Spa(Superior Charm Seaview room) from £85. Following day at leisure.
Day 14 : Fly To London
Location: Colombo
Accommodation Name: na
Meals Included: Breakfast
Transfer to Colombo and fly to London with Sri Lankan Airlines.
What's Included
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Small group size - average 14 people (max 18)
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4- & 5-star accommodation
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Flexible - extensions, room & flight upgrades available
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Direct international flights with Sri Lankan Airlines
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Transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
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Experienced local tour manager
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12 breakfasts
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Upgrade to half-board in Dambulla, Kandy & Ahungalla (7 nights) for £95
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Welcome drink to meet the group & guide
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Wildlife safari & national park entrance fees
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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Country Entry Visas
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes. We only work with passionate local guides who have a firm grasp of English – so they can answer all your questions and offer invaluable insight into your destination.
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Can Cox & Kings arrange my visa?
We cannot arrange your visa but we can recommend a reputable visa assistance company who can help with your application. Please contact your tour consultant for details.
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Are flights included in this tour?
All prices for Cox & Kings holidays include international flights, except where indicated. For all destinations, you may be able to arrange your own flights. If you wish to do so, the cost will be deducted from the tour price.
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Why do I have to pay more for my holiday if I am a single traveller?
Most hotels around the world charge more per person for a single occupancy room than for a shared twin room, because the cost of maintaining a room for one person can be almost as high as it is for two. In addition, many single occupancy rooms are the same as twin / double rooms.
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
Superior: Most Cox & Kings tours fall under this category and are based in 4- or 5-star accommodation where available, or the best alternative elsewhere.
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What happens if a group doesn’t make its minimum required number of passengers?
If a group tour does not reach its minimum numbers, we will either offer for you to take your holiday on a private basis (which may involve a supplement), or you will be fully refunded.
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
Yes. Quoted prices include all entrance fees.
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What is the maximum group size?
All Cox & Kings group tours have a maximum group size of 18 and average just 14 guests. Travelling in such a small group allows you to make stronger and deeper connections with fellow travellers.
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What is the difference between a 'single' supplement and 'sole' supplement?
A 'single' traveller is someone occupying a single room while travelling with one or more other people, for example a single person travelling on a group tour. A 'sole' traveller is someone travelling on their own. As a single traveller on a group tour (except those in the SoloTravellers collection), please check the single supplement price. If you wish to add an extension to that tour, please th
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When will I get my tickets?
Travel documents will be sent approximately two weeks prior to departure (third party suppliers' policies may vary), unless your booking is made within six weeks of departure, in which case final documents will be sent as soon as possible.
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When do I need to pay my final balance?
Final payment must be made no less than 75 days before departure.
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What are the four tour categories?
***LUXURY These are our most comfortable tours and will usually feature 5-star deluxe accommodation throughout*** ***SUPERIOR Most Cox & Kings tours fall under this category and are based in 4- or 5-star accommodation where available, or the best alternative elsewhere*** ***STANDARD Simpler in emphasis, these itineraries typically feature 4-star or good 3-star accommodation throughout, or the best alternative elsewhere*** ***DISCOVERY Best suited to the hardier traveller, these tours typically include some quite basic accommodation, possibly longer and rougher road journeys and, in some cases, more strenuous activities, such as trekking***
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Why do I have to pay more for my holiday if I am a single traveller?
Most hotels around the world charge more per person for a single occupancy room than for a shared twin room, because the cost of maintaining a room for one person can be almost as high as it is for two. In addition, many single occupancy rooms are the same as twin / double rooms. The Solo Travellers collection of small group tours is specially created to include accommodation based on single occu
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Can Cox & Kings arrange my visa?
We cannot arrange your visa but we can recommend a reputable visa assistance company who can help with your application. Please contact your tour consultant for details.
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Do your prices include flights?
All prices for Cox & Kings holidays include international flights, except where indicated. Australasia and Canada holidays do not include international flights so that you may benefit from the best prices at the time you choose to book, taking advantage of major seasonal variations and short term special offers. For all destinations, you may be able to arrange your own flights. If you wish to do
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What is a non-exclusive escorted group tour?
The vast majority of our group tours are exclusive to Cox & Kings clients. However, there are a few exceptions where holidaymakers who booked their tour with another travel company travel in the group.
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When will I get a detailed itinerary?
If you are travelling on a group tour, you will receive a detailed itinerary with your travel pack. If travelling on a private basis, you will receive your detailed itinerary with your confirmation invoice.
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Do I need inoculations?
Many of our destinations have recommended health precautions, which you can read about in our regional documents and health pages. However, we recommend that you contact your doctor who will be able to give you professional advice, arrange any vaccinations and give advice on malaria protection. Alternatively, visit the NHS website for more information.
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What happens if a group tour does not reach its minimum numbers? Will it be cancelled?
If a group tour does not reach its minimum numbers, we will either offer for you to take your holiday on a private basis (which may involve a supplement), or you will be fully refunded.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
Want a private tour?
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Make changes to the itinerary, accommodation, or transport method
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Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Cox & Kings requires a minimum deposit of 15% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of cox & kings charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.