13 Days/12 nights|From $3,955 per person twin share

Rural Idyll - Sri Lanka Resumes

Private Tour

Discover Sri Lanka on offbeat locations and less travelled paths. This Private tour takes you through a variety of location through Central Sri Lanka to remote west coast that are most ideal for Post Covid travel. Enjoy laidback serenity of rural Sri Lanka, bask in the sun on a quiet beach on the west coast and visit some of Sri Lanka’s iconic heritage sites including Sigiriya, Dambulla and Polonnaruwa Medieval Kingdom all carefully crafted to suit safe travel

HIGHLIGHTS :

  • Explore Sri Lanka’s largest National Park, Wilpattu on jeep safaris
  • Discover the beautiful coastal town of Kalpitiya on the west coast
  • Climb iconic Sigiriya rock Fortress
  • Marvel at the remarkable ruins and sculptures at Polonnaruwa
  • Be amazed by the murals at Dambulla Cave temple
  • Pedal through the back roads of Polonnaruwa
  • Stay in quaint/heritage boutique accommodation

IDEAL FOR :

First time visitors to Sri Lanka who like a mix of culture and a touch of adventure in mostly rural settings.

Rural Idyll

Day 01Arrive Colombo - Makandura

Welcome to Colombo. You will be met upon arrival and transferred to your accommodation in Makandura, a journey of an hour. Your accommodation is a small boutique hotel designed with a mix of traditional and contemporary architecture set amidst a large garden amidst rural Sri Lanka

Day 02Makandura - Doluwa

Depart to Doluwa in the hill country on a journey of around 3 hours. Upon arrival check in to your accommodation, Ellerton Bungalow, located in the hills 18kms to the south of Kandy – originally built for the manager of a large tea estate, now loving restored to a quaint boutique accommodation. Remainder of your day at leisure

Day 03Doluwa

Full day at leisure. Your vehicle and driver guide are available should you wish to explore the area. There are number of interesting activities offered by your accommodation including gentle hikes, visit to an organic tea estate and a factory. These can be organised directly with the hotel.

Day 04Doluwa – Kandy - Doluwa

Full day at leisure today to explore Kandy with your vehicle and driver guide. Kandy, the last stronghold of the Sinhalese Kings is also known as the hill capital. It belongs to the fabric of legends. While Sri Lanka was under Portuguese and Dutch rule, the Kings of Kandy remained defiant and independent. It was much later during the British rule that the city finally fell to the biggest Empire in the world. Today Kandy still retains touches of its colonial history in buildings along with its lovely centrepiece, the Kandy Lake. On arrival in the city you will visit the Temple of Tooth, a UNESCO World Heritage listed Buddhist temple located in the royal palace complex before departing to your accommodation in the outskirts of the city.

Day 05Doluwa – Dambulla - Sigiriya

Depart to your accommodation, in Sigiriya in the Cultural Triangle, a private hideaway set in a peaceful rural area surrounded by wilderness and paddy fields where wild elephants, elusive civet cats and peacocks roam free on a journey of around 3 hours. Enroute visit the Dambulla Cave Temple, also known as the ‘Golden Temple of Dambulla’, one of Sri Lanka’s eight UNESCO World Heritage sites. It is considered to be the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in the country, with an enviable collection of statues, stupas, carvings and paintings all packed together in a small space

Day 06Sigiriya

Rise early this morning to visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO Heritage site. This colossal Rock Fortress, also known as ‘Lion Rock’, is possibly Sri Lanka’s best-known attraction and one of its biggest drawcards. Remainder of your day is at leisure.

Day 07Sigiriya – Polonnaruwa – Sigiriya

Today discover Sri Lanka’s picturesque rural landscapes on bicycles in Polonnaruwa. The alluring rural backdrop is great for cycling to discover village life and meet friendly local people.

Day 08Sigiriya - Wilpattu

Depart to Wilpattu National Park on a journey of around two and a half hours to discover wildlife on an afternoon safari with a naturalist. This is the largest and the oldest national park in Sri Lanka, popular due to the high prevalence of Sri Lankan leopards. Its unique setting with sand-rimmed natural lakes and diverse wildlife makes it furthermore attractive. Your stay here will be at a modest accommodation located close to Wilpattu National Park.

Day 09Wilpattu

Today explore Wilpattu National Park on a full day safari with a naturalist. There is a lot to see on full day safari. Wilpattu National Park extends inland towards the ancient city of Anuradhapura in the heart of the Cultural Triangle. The park is a moderately thick dry zone forest interspersed with a number of flood plain lakes banked with delicate white sands. It has an impressive variety of flora in huge expanses of forest with varied wildlife – great for sightings as well as for photography.

Day 10Wilpattu – Kalpitiya

Early this morning is another game drive into Wilpattu National park. Thereafter depart to Kalpitiya on the west coast of Sri Lanka on a journey of around two hours to enjoy a few days of sun and sand. Kalpitiya is scenically located between the Indian Ocean and the vast Puttlam Lagoon. The biodiversity of mangroves, marshes, saltpans, golden beaches, sand dunes, wild dense jungles and scenic beauty combined with tropical weather makes Kalpitiya an ideal destination for relaxation, nature lovers and adventure sport enthusiasts. The eco-friendly Bar Reef Resort is set within private enclosures amidst beautiful natural surroundings and the sea. With an infinity pool, individually landscaped accommodation with open-air bathrooms ensuring you feel ‘at one with nature’.

Day 11Kalpitiya

Full day at leisure to enjoy the sun and sea. Your vehicle and driver guide are available should you wish to explore the area

Day 12Kalpitiya

Full day at leisure to enjoy the sun and sea. Your vehicle and driver guide are available should you wish to explore the area

Day 13Kalpitiya - Depart Colombo

Depart to Colombo’s International airport for your departure flight on a journey of around three and a half hours.

Testimonials

From the first enquiries about the trip, to the trip arrangements and the actual trip, we could not have been happier with the choice we made. Then on the ground, travel arrangements and representatives, drivers and guides were very helpful, friendly and knowledgeable.

Prices & Inclusions

Comfortable

  • 01 Dec 2024 – 30 Nov 2025 $6,720
  • 01 Dec 2025 – 30 Nov 2026 $7,060

Prices are indicative only & subject to change.

Superior

  • 01 Dec 2024 – 30 Nov 2025 $8,560
  • 01 Dec 2025 – 30 Nov 2026 $8,990

Prices are indicative only & subject to change.

Inclusions

Included:

  • Accommodation with breakfast at hotels listed
  • All meals at The Ibis, Wilpattu
  • All transfers, touring and sightseeing by private air-conditioned vehicle with an English speaking driver /guide
  • Private sightseeing with English speaking driver / guide
  • Entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary
  • Visit to Dambulla Cave Temple
  • Visit to Sigiriya Rock Fortress
  • 02 half day jeep safaris and 01 full day safari into Wilpattu National Park with a naturalist
  • Assistance on arrival and departure at the airport and at train stations
  • 24-hour support through our local representative office
  • Bottled water available in the vehicle
  • Sri Lankan government taxes

Not Included:

  • Personal expenditure, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, communications, gratuities, etc
  • Meals, excursions and activities other than those specified as included
  • Visa fees and Electronic Travel Authorisation

Additional inclusions may vary from private tour to private tour. A full list of inclusions and exclusions will be provided with each individual enquiry/quote.

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