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Ceylon: The Enchanted Island Price from £1645 pp

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The island nation of Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon, is rich in cultural, archaeological and natural treasures. This comprehensive tour visits both the popular and some of the lesser-known sites of northern, central and southern Sri Lanka, gaining a full flavour of the rich diversity of this enchanting island.

Superior Accommodation • Archaeological Triangle • Yala National Park

Itinerary:

Day 1 To Colombo: Overnight flight from London to Colombo, with Sri Lankan Airlines. (N)

Day 2 Colombo: Afternoon arrival and transfer to Cinnamon Grand for 1 night. Evening welcome dinner. (D)

Day 3 To Kandalama: Morning transfer to Kandalama, stopping en route at the Pinnewala elephant orphanage. Stay 3 nights at the Heritance Kandalama. (B)

Day 4 To Anuradhapura & Mihintale: Drive to the ancient city of Anuradhapura, founded in the 4th century BC. For 1,400 years, this was the capital of Sri Lanka, and it contains fabulous Buddhist shrines and relics. Afternoon visit to Mihintale, where Buddhism originated in Sri Lanka. (B)

Day 5 To Sigiriya & Polonnaruwa: Morning visit to the rock fortress town of Sigiriya. Continue to the 11th century medieval capital of Polonnaruwa, site of several magnifi cent carved Buddhas. (B)

Day 6 To Dambulla & Kandy: Morning visit to Dambulla, famous for its rock caves. Continue to the beautiful hill station of Kandy and stay 2 nights at the Earl’s Regency / Mahaweli Reach Hotel. Evening cultural performance and visit to the Temple of the Tooth. (B)

Day 7 Kandy: Kandy is set on the shores of a beautifully-created artificial lake, and the area abounds with rich and varied plant life. Morning visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 8 To Nuwara Eliya: Early morning drive to the hill station of Nuwara Eliya, stopping en route at a tea plantation. Situated at 2,000 metres, Nuwara Eliya attracted the British in the 18th century, and their legacy can be seen in the Victorian houses, parks and trout-stocked streams. Stay at the Tea Factory / Grand Hotel for 2 nights. (B)

Day 9 Horton Plains: Early morning visit to Horton Plains, situated on Sri Lanka’s highest plateau (this excursion involves a 2 ½ hour walk). Now part of the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary, Horton Plains is home to large populations of monkey and sambar. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B)

Day 10 To Yala: Transfer to Ella, where the view through the ‘Ella Gap’ is one of the finest in Sri Lanka. Visit the Rawana Ella Falls before continuing to Yala. Stay 2 nights at the Yala Village Hotel. (B)

Day 11 Yala: Covering 1,300 sq km, Yala National Park encompasses a diversity of jungle habitats, ranging from scrub jungle, brackish lagoons and riverside locations. Animals that may be seen include elephant, leopard, sloth bear, spotted deer, sambar, wild pig, jackal, marsh crocodile, estuarine crocodile and a great variety of bird life. Today there will be morning and afternoon wildlife safaris in Yala National Park. (B)

Day 12 To Ahungalla: Morning visit to the Wewurukannala Temple and the 17th century Dutch Fort at Galle before continuing to Ahungalla. Ahungalla is a small fi shing hamlet on the south west coast, famous for its traditional crafts and masked dances. Stay 2 nights at the Heritance Ahungalla. (B)

Day 13 Ahungalla: Day at leisure. Evening farewell dinner. (D)

Day 14 To London: Transfer to Colombo and fly to London, with Sri Lankan Airlines. (N)

Meal Basis: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner, (N) = No Meals

Note: Extension to Maldives is available on this tour. Please contact Cox & Kings for more details

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