15 Day Private Ultimate Sri Lanka

Welcome to Colombo!

On arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), you will be met in the arrivals hall by a local representative and escorted to your private transfer, who will transfer you to your Colombo Hotel.

Your private driver guide is at your disposal from day 2 of your trip. During any free time, your private chauffeur guide is available to take you on any extra sightseeing, shopping, or to a recommended lunch or dinner. You will be given your private chauffeur guide’s mobile number at the beginning of your trip and he or she can be reached at any time during your stay.

Arrival airport transfers are included as part of your package. You will be met upon arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.

Please note: if you are arriving early and have made your own arrangements prior to your tour commencing, airport transfers will not be included. However, if you are purchasing pre-nights accommodation as part of your Inspiring Vacations package, airport transfers will still be provided to the starting hotel.

In the morning, your drive guide will meet you and give you an orientation and introduction to Sri Lanka and your up-coming journey.

Afterwards, we'll head south towards Galle, with a brief Colombo sightseeing tour on the way. Colombo offers a blend of modern western and Sri Lankan elements, we'll drive past some of the commercial capital's sites including Old Parliament, President’s House, Gangaramaya Temple, Galle Face Green, Pettah, ViharamahaDevi Park, and Independence Square.

There will be time for you to disembark the coach and be escorted through the famous Pettah Market, not before viewing the uniquely stunning Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque (entry not included).

We will also visit the Colombo National Museum. This charming museum takes visitors on a fascinating journey through Sri Lankan history. Housed in a stunning neo-Baroque building, which was specifically constructed by William Henry Gregory, Governor of Ceylon, in 1877, the museum boasts a gleaming white façade. As you make your way through the various rooms, you'll encounter exhibits dedicated to each of Sri Lanka's historical kingdoms. Informational display boards provide intriguing insights, such as the meaning behind the mudras (gestures and poses) depicted in Sri Lanka's Buddha statues.

Then, in Balapitiya, we take a boat trip on the Madu River to visit 64 scattered islands, including Cinnamon Island, where we learn about cinnamon production. Sri Lanka is the world's largest producer of pure cinnamon.

Enjoy dinner at your hotel tonight.

Inspiring Highlights

• Pettah Market
• Colombo National Museum
• Madu River
• Cinamon Island

Special Information

Your travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours.

Today, after breakfast, set out on a tour of the Galle Fort and its Fortifications. This is a city that exudes an essence with a perfect blend of past and present. Declared a UNESCO heritage site in 1988, the presence of Portuguese, Dutch, and English is very evident in the fascinating architectural styles of the Galle Fort.

Inspiring Highlights

• Galle Fort

In the morning, after breakfast, we leave for Yala National Park.

On arrival, spend your afternoon on a guided game drive exploring the dynamic wildlife and the most luxuriant plant life in Yala National Park. Being one of the largest parks in Sri Lanka, it is the ideal place to sight the rare leopard!

Enjoy dinner at the hotel in the evening.

Special Information

Yala National Park closes for a period between the months of September and October. The exact closure dates are made clear closer to the time. The closure is due to the prevailing dry weather prior to this time, and taking into consideration the well-being of the wildlife in the reserve. For departure dates that fall over this period, as defined in the departure dates listed below, Yala National Park will be replaced with a visit to Udawalawe National Park, while still being able to visit Block 4 or 5 of Yala National Park.

Your travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours.

This morning will be an early start, enjoy another safari in the Yala National Park by jeep to spot the diverse wildlife which calls the park home.

After, we leave Yala behind us and continue the journey to Nuwara Eliya. Often referred to as ‘Little England’, this genteel highland community does have a rose-tinted, vaguely British-country-village feel to it, with its colonial-era bungalows.

On arrival, check in to your Inspiring Stay for the next two nights, the incredible Grand Hotel. It may be the 21st century, but colonial splendour still reigns in all its past glory at the Grand Hotel. Built in 1891, this was the palatial residence of the former Governor of Sri Lanka, Sir Edward Barnes; today we offer the ultimate in comfort to all who seek the charms of this famed hill country landmark. The incredible Grand Hotel in Nuwara Eliya, an enduring icon in this tranquil town perched on a mountain ridge overlooking lush green countryside in tea country. Oozing colonial charm, the hotel began life in the early 19th century as the stately holiday home of the fifth Governor of Ceylon. It’s since evolved over the centuries to retain a romantic, old-world ambience alongside modern comforts. In an enviable location, there are elegant, well-appointed rooms, magnificent gardens and an array of hotel amenities and activities including music therapy, yoga and more. The Grand Hotel is also renowned for its traditional afternoon tea, a quintessential British tradition which you’ll experience on this tour.

In the evening, enjoy dinner at your hotel.

Inspiring Highlights

• Yala National Park
•  Nuwara Eliya & The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya

Special Information

Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

A smart casual dress code applies for dinner at all restaurants and bars. Guests in short trousers and sleeveless shirts and rubber slippers will not be permitted to enter the restaurants.

Today you will have a leisurely morning.

In the afternoon, you will visit a tea plantation and factory. Here you will enjoy an absolute tea experience, taking you from the moment young tea leaves are plucked to being processed in the factory to make a steaming cup of tea. If you are interested, the tea factory is the best place to purchase high-quality tea.

This afternoon, enjoy an Inspiring Taste at probably the most talked-about outlet in Nuwara Eliya, the Grand Tea Lounge. Here we enjoy an iconic High Tea at the Grand Hotel.

Dinner this evening will be enjoyed at your hotel.

Inspiring Highlights

• Grand Tea Lounge
• Tea Plantation

This morning, after an early breakfast, depart for Kandy on a famous train journey, said to be one of the most scenic and beautiful in the world. Apart from the breathtaking sceneries of the tea country and picturesque waterfalls, it is a chance for you to mingle with local people.

Discover the rich history of Kandy, once known as Senkadagala, during its time as the Hill Capital from 1514-1815 AD. Named a UNESCO heritage site in 1988, Kandy boasts a beautiful lake, historic temples like the Temple of the Tooth Relic, and well-preserved ruins of the royal palaces.

Enjoy some free time upon arrival in Kandy during the afternoon.

Inspiring Highlights

• Kandy Train Journey

Special Information

Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours. 

After breakfast, explore the beautiful city of Kandy with an included Tuk Tuk and Bazaar tour, followed by a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. Relax in the afternoon with a stroll around the picturesque Kandy Lake.

In the evening, enjoy a spectacular Sri Lankan Cultural Performance, followed by a visit to the revered Temple of Tooth, home to a sacred relic of the Buddha and its guardian elephants.

This evening, enjoy dinner and some relaxation time.

Inspiring Highlights

• Kandy Lake
• Temple of the Tooth

Today, after an early breakfast, depart for Sigiriya.

En route, enjoy a private jeep safari at Minneriya National Park. Located in the districts of Matale and Polonnaruwa and bordered by the 'Mahaweli' and 'Amban' rivers, this park stretches an impressive 36,948 hectares. It was declared a National park in 1984, making it the only one in the Central Province. It's a paradise for nature lovers and one of the best places to observe elephants.

Continue to Sigiriya for check-in around lunch time.

This evening, enjoy an Inspiring Taste with some sundowner pre-dinner Arrack (a local cocktail) or something else to suit your tastes with some canapes, followed by dinner at your hotel.

Inspiring Highlights

• Minneriya National Park

Special Information

Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

Since elephants are migratory animals, we may visit Wasgamuwa National Park on this day instead, based on the elephant locations.

This morning will be an early start, where we'll climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress (also known as Lion's Rock) - an extraordinary artistic complex dating back to 477-498 AD. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has become a global attraction due to its unique architecture.

For lunch, participate in an Inspiring Taste cooking demonstration where you'll learn to prepare Sri Lankan rice and curry (5-6 curries). Savour your meal while overlooking the beautiful gardens.

In the afternoon, we'll take a sightseeing tour of Polonnaruwa, the medieval capital city of Sri Lanka (1017-1235 AD). Polonnaruwa was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 after the fall of Anuradhapura.

In the evening, enjoy a cocktail and dinner at your hotel.

Inspiring Highlights

• Sigiriya Rock Fortress
• Polonnaruwa 

Spend the morning at your leisure, then in the afternoon, explore the impressive Dambulla Rock Cave Temple, also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla. This UNESCO heritage site dates back to the 3rd Century BC and boasts 157 statues and extraordinary paintings covering a vast 2100m2 area, making it the most impressive cave complex in Sri Lanka. It's truly a masterpiece worth experiencing.

Enjoy dinner at your hotel tonight.

Inspiring Highlights

• Golden Temple of Dambulla

Today we make for the coastal town of Chilaw to finish off our time in Sri Lanka relaxing near the crystal waters of the Indian Ocean. Chilaw is well known for the three 'C's' - Crabs, Coconuts and Coreas.

Tonight, enjoy dinner at your hotel.

Special Information

Today’s travel time is approximately 3.5 hours.

Spend the day relaxing at the beach or by the pool. Your driver guide will be at your disposal today, should you wish to venture into town.

Unfortunately, today marks the end of your incredible tour through Sri Lanka.

Late check-out is included as you have access to your room until 8pm.

At the appropriate time, you will be privately transferred to the Bandaranike International Airport (CMB) to board your flight home.

Departure transfers are included as part of your package. You will be collected from your hotel at the appropriate time and transferred to the airport to meet your flight.

Arrive home today, with memories to last a lifetime.