Sri Lanka Private Tour

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Why You Should Go

Few places on the planet hold as many UNESCO World Heritage Sites (8 total) as Sri Lanka, including the compelling +2000-year-old “Cultural Triangle” of Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, and Anuradhapura. A cutting from the Bodhi tree of Buddha, planted in 268 B.C., still remains here, a symbol of this country’s strong Buddhist ties, also visible in Sri Lanka’s culture which fully embraces the concept of altruism, kindness, empathy, and hospitality. It is no coincidence that the Buddhist-based Southeast Asia culture of Sri Lanka represents the highest level of service and hospitality that you will find anywhere else in the world!

Best Travel Time: Spring Summer Fall Winter

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Buddha Statues inside the Dambulla Cave Temple

Sample Itinerary

9 Days + Ceylon Tea Trails Extension

Each private luxury tour is custom to the wishes of each client. This itinerary is a sample. Partnering with our long-established relationship with United Airlines, our sister company, TRAVNET, may provide competitive Polaris/Business Class international airfare, along with mileage points conversion.

1

Day 1

Fly to Colombo
Through our sister company, premium air provider TRAVNET, we may assist with your international airfare, as well as with mileage points conversion.

Ruins of ancient city Polonarruwa, Sri Lanka
The Ancient City of Polonnurawa
2

Day 2

Arrive Colombo + Fly to Anuradhapura
Upon arrival in Colombo, you will be assisted in connecting to your flight to Anuradhapura. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, we consider Anuradhapura among the most interesting collections of archaeological and architectural wonders in all of South Asia. This sacred city was established around the cutting from the “tree of enlightenment”, the Buddha’s fig tree brought there in the 3rd Century B.C. by Sangha Mitta, the founder of an order of Buddhist nuns.  You will subsequently be transferred to the Vil Uyana.

Meals:
Accommodations: Vil Uyana

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Anuradhapura
3

Day 3

Sigiriya + Polonnaruwa Private Touring
You will pay a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sigiriya, the impressive archaeological ruins of the capital built by the parricidal King Kassapa (477-495 A.D.), and that lie on the steep slopes and at the summit of a granite peak (“Lion’s Rock”) standing 600 ft. You will continue on to the second capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993 A.D., Polonnaruwa, somewhat comparable to Angkor Wat in scope and scale. The ruins are divided into five groups, with the Quadrangle, home of the sacred tooth relic, being perhaps the most compelling.

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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Vil Uyana (Optional: Water Garden Sigiriya)

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Sigiriya, "Lion's Rock"
4

Day 4

Dambulla Cave Temple + Minneriya National Park
First visit the Dambulla Cave Temple, a sacred pilgrimage site for over 22-Centuries, this temple includes five sanctuaries covering over 23,000 square feet. Within each sanctuary are Buddhist murals and statues, including three statues of Sri Lankan kings and four statues of gods and goddesses. Continue to the flora and fauna rich Minneriya National Park, a critical part of the elephant corridor and home to almost 300 elephants.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Vil Uyana

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Elephants grazing at Minneriya National Park
5

Day 5

Drive Sigiriya/Kandy
You will drive to Kandy, Sri Lanka’s lush, green cultural capital and gateway to the country’s “Hill Country”, first stopping at Peradeniya Botanic and Spice Garden. Our favorite garden in all of Sri Lanka, this meticulously maintained 150-acre landscape includes an outstanding collection of orchids, a majestic avenue of royal palms, and a most impressive spice garden. Next, visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth, housing Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist relic, amazingly, the left upper canine of the Lord Buddha himself, though unfortunately not on display. In the late afternoon, you will be transferred to the King’s Pavilion.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: King’s Pavilion

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Temple of the Sacred Tooth
6

Day 6

Fly Kandy/Weerewila + Yala National Park
You will be transferred to Weerewila via Cinnamon Air, first stopping at the Chena Huts for lunch and freshening up, before embarking on an afternoon game drive at Yala National Park. With a total protected area of approximately 490 square miles, Yala National Park is considered Sri Lanka’s most prominent area for wildlife and safari. Amidst the area’s flora and fauna are plentiful monkeys, peacocks, 200 species of birds, an elephant population of over 300, and the number one attraction – leopards! Though, with an estimated population of just over 100, getting a rare leopard sighting is quite the treat!

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Chena Huts

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Leopards at Yala National Park
7

Day 7

Drive Yala/Tangalle
After a morning game drive, you will be transferred to Amanwella in Tangalle.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Amanwella

Sri Lanka Private Tour
The pool at Amanwella
8

Day 8

Tangalle Free Days
After a relaxing breakfast at the Amanwella, you will have the day at your disposal to enjoy the beach and the beautiful surroundings.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Amanwella

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The Beach Club at Amanwella
9

Day 9

Fly Tangalle/Galle + Fly  Kogalla/Colombo/Home
One of Sri Lanka’s eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Galle was colonized by the Portuguese, Dutch and British, beginning in the early 1500’s (hence the amazing array of colonial architecture). In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the Kogalla airport for your return flight home, with a connection in Colombo.

Meals: Breakfast

Anthonisz Memorial Clock Tower in Galle, Sri Lanka
Fort Galle
Ceylon Tea Trails Extension

Ceylon Tea Trails Extension

Fly Galle/Siringiya + Drive to Ceylon Tea Trails
Over the next two days, enjoy several different picturesque tea plantation trails as well as a visit to the  Mackwoods Labookellie Tea Center/Plantation. Established in 1841 by British Ship’s Captain William Mackwood, the plantation covers 27,000 acres and employs over 12,000. A tea sommelier will provide you with a detailed overview of tea making, followed by a special tasting.

View our Sri Lankan Tea Country overview for more information.

Option: Pekoe Trail Hike
The Pekoe Trail starts in the city of Kandy, the last capital of the Sinhala kings rule. The trail lasts for nearly 200 miles and wraps around acres of perfectly maintained tea plantations and native vegetation. The trail can be broken into four parts, each one even more impressive than the last with waterfalls, forests, and dozens of fields.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Ceylon Tea Trails, Tientsin Bungalow

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Ceylon Tea Plantation

Hotels

Sri Lanka’s first stilted resort, this remote high-touch 5-Star property has a Balinese look/feel, conceived within a private wetland nature preserve. Considered by many to be the country’s finest eco-luxury hotel, Vil Uyana was inspired by the habitat creation of the highly regarded Wildfowl and Wetland Trust/London Wetland Center. An assortment of wildlife can be observed on the grounds, including crocodiles in the pond, monitor lizards and even elephants visiting for a refreshing dip. The Vil Uyana is truly a verdant, lush environment with its 25 thatched “dwellings” occupying a 23-acre abandoned paddy field/wetland. The hotel includes all the usual high-touch amenities: a spa, pool, varied, delicious food options, Wi-Fi, and entertainment systems in all rooms. Being a short distance from the iconic rock pillar Sigiriya, you can actually see the site from many of Vil Uyana’s villas.

Vil Uyana

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Sri Lanka’s first stilted resort, this remote high-touch 5-Star property has a Balinese look/feel, conceived within a private wetland nature preserve. Considered by many to be the country’s finest eco-luxury hotel, Vil Uyana was inspired by the habitat creation of the highly regarded Wildfowl and Wetland Trust/London Wetland Center. An assortment of wildlife can be observed on the grounds, including crocodiles in the pond, monitor lizards and even elephants visiting for a refreshing dip. The Vil Uyana is truly a verdant, lush environment with its 25 thatched “dwellings” occupying a 23-acre abandoned paddy field/wetland. The hotel includes all the usual high-touch amenities: a spa, pool, varied, delicious food options, Wi-Fi, and entertainment systems in all rooms. Being a short distance from the iconic rock pillar Sigiriya, you can actually see the site from many of Vil Uyana’s villas.

This relatively new, 9-room boutique luxury property has become the “in” luxury stay at Kandy. The manicured grounds and design of the main building are somewhat similar to the Ceylon Tea Trails properties in the Tea Country. This is an ideal location for Kandy touring as it is less than one mile from the city.

 

King’s Pavilion

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This relatively new, 9-room boutique luxury property has become the “in” luxury stay at Kandy. The manicured grounds and design of the main building are somewhat similar to the Ceylon Tea Trails properties in the Tea Country. This is an ideal location for Kandy touring as it is less than one mile from the city.

 

 

Open late December 2015, Chena Huts us by far the highest quality lodge near Yala Park – a good choice John! This 5-star luxury lodge certainly compares favorably with luxury lodges in Botswana. Made up of 14 thatched, dome-like “huts”, each unit includes its own plunge pool and large deck. The rooms are spacious, with the modern amenities you would expect from a luxury lodge. Though a 42” LED TV in each hut is quite a surprise, other extras include a small spa and beachfront dining. Similar to lodges you may have experienced in Africa, you will be escorted to your hut each night due to wildlife safety concerns. Enjoy!

Chena Huts

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Opened December 2015, Chena Huts is by far the highest quality lodge near Yala Park.  This 5-star luxury lodge certainly compares favorably with luxury lodges in Botswana. Made up of 14 thatched, dome-like “huts”, each unit includes its own plunge pool and large deck. The rooms are spacious, with the modern amenities you would expect from a luxury lodge. Though a 42” LED TV in each hut is quite a surprise, other extras include a small spa and beachfront dining. Similar to lodges you may have experienced in Africa, you will be escorted to your hut each night due to wildlife safety concerns. Enjoy!

Designed by Sri Lankan architect, Geoffrey Bawa, the 30-suite Amanwella has an aesthetic that is both minimalist and contemporary. The service here is personal, high-touch, and reflective of the local culture/customs.  With an expansive 2,600 ft. pristine sandy beach, among the finest beaches in all of Sri Lanka, we recommend suites 110, 111, and 112, the ones closest to the beach.

AMANWELLA

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Designed by Sri Lankan architect, Geoffrey Bawa, the 30-suite Amanwella has an aesthetic that is both minimalist and contemporary. The service here is personal, high-touch, and reflective of the local culture/customs.  With an expansive 2,600 ft. pristine sandy beach, among the finest beaches in all of Sri Lanka, we recommend suites 110, 111, and 112, the ones closest to the beach.

 

Made up four separate, small boutique bungalows (Castlereagh, Summerville, Norwood, and Tientsin, each with 4-6 bedrooms), the lodges were originally built for British tea estate managers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Built in 1888, the six-suite Tientsin Bungalow was named after the Chinese village from which the original tea seedlings came. The British gardens here (including the rose terraces) are little changed since their creation in the 19th century. Each suite at Tientsin is faithful to the property’s original design, with polished wooden floors, high ceilings, and four-poster beds.

Ceylon Tea Trails, Tientsin Bungalow

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Made up four separate, small boutique bungalows (Castlereagh, Summerville, Norwood, and Tientsin, each with 4-6 bedrooms), the lodges were originally built for British tea estate managers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Built in 1888, the six-suite Tientsin Bungalow was named after the Chinese village from which the original tea seedlings came. The British gardens here (including the rose terraces) are little changed since their creation in the 19th century. Each suite at Tientsin is faithful to the property’s original design, with polished wooden floors, high ceilings, and four-poster beds.

Request Custom Itinerary

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Thank you for your interest in Kipling & Clark. We look forward to serving you!
Please note we specialize in global private luxury travel, including private guides and drivers throughout,

high quality accommodations, inclusive of safari lodges and ryokans, in-country rail/air, and all taxes/service fees.

Dependent on destination and seasonality, our comprehensive private tour costs are upward of USD3K-5K per couple per day.



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Location

Overview

Temperature
Highs: Low 80s°F
Lows: Low 70s°F
Area
25.3 million sq km
65.6 million sq miles
Capital
Colombo
Population
21.2 million
Language
Sinhala, Tamil
Currency
Sri Lankan Rupee

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