Experience Sri Lanka’s Tea Country and Rain Forest | Yampu Tours

Custom Travel Experiences Since 1998

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Experience Sri Lanka’s Tea Country and Rain Forest

PRIVATE TOUR - 8 DAY SAMPLE ITINERARY

FROM £$ 3370

Private Tour Highlights

  • Visit the Royal Botanical Center, showcasing some of the finest gardens of its kind in Asia
  • See the upper left canine tooth of the Lord Buddha himself at the Temple of the Tooth
  • Purchase some traditional handicrafts at the Arts & Craft Center
  • See where the British succeeded in creating an English countryside in Nuwara Eliya
  • Experience some spectacular birdwatching while trekking through the Singharaja Rainforest
  • Enjoy some adventurous mountain biking or kayaking around there area
  • Visit the elegant Parliament House, housing the Presidential Secretariat of Sri Lanka
  • See the Colombo Town Hall, said to be modeled after the United States’ White House
  • Visit the Independence Commemoration Hall, honoring Sri Lanka’s independence from British rule
  • Do some shopping or walk along the coastline of the beautiful Colombo
Interested in this tour?   Let us build you a customized quote based on your budget.

Tour Overview

Experience Sri Lanka’s cultural capital by touring Kandy and visiting its famed Temple of the Tooth before spending a few days in the heart of the island’s Tea Country. After touring the central highlands of Nuwara Eliya, journey to the Sinharaja Rain Forest and spot some of Sri Lanka’s rarest birds. Finally, return to Colombo and tour the exciting streets of Sri Lanka’s capital city.

After arriving in Colombo, start your journey in Kandy, a UNESCO World Heritage City and the cultural capital of Sri Lanka. It was the last part of Sri Lanka to fall to the British (1815) and to this day there are specific Kandyan customs of dress, dance and drumming. The centerpiece of the town is the highly sacred Temple of the Tooth, which sits upon a man-made lake and is surrounded by mountains, creating a relaxed air that is rarely found elsewhere on the island.

Then enjoy a few days in the cooler climate of Nuwara Eliya, the heart of tea country. As you make your way through the sites, including some tea plantations, the town center and its market place, take advantage of the perfect photo ops of crystal blue Lake Gregory, the surrounding rugged terrain and Sri Lanka’s Highest Mountain – Pidurutalagala (3097 ft).

The Sinharaja Rain Forest is one Sri Lanka’s UNESCO World Heritage sites and the least disturbed and biologically unique lowland rain forests remaining in Sri Lanka. It is a treasure trove of endemic species including trees, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Because of the dense vegetation wildlife is not as easily seen as in the dry zone national parks, such as Yala. Bird watching is particularly interesting as it is home to 95% of the endemic birds of Sri Lanka.

Inclusions
Price Includes:

All accommodations with continental breakfast

Service of deluxe air-conditioned vehicle

One time entrance fees at all monuments

All city and area tours

Services of English speaking local guide for excursions

All currently applicable taxes including service tax



Notes:



* Citizens of most countries including the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and members of the EU may visit Sri Lanka for up to 30 days and obtain a visa upon arrival. However we suggest you contact the consulate and obtain the visa prior to arrival to avoid and issues and delays at the airport.

* Although yellow fever is not a disease risk in Sri Lanka, the government requires travelers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever virus transmission to present proof of yellow fever vaccination. Besides this, there are no other vaccine requirements, although it is wise to be up to date on your routine inoculations. All travelers should consult their physician or a travel health clinic with plenty of time before their departure date.

* Malaria is present in most areas throughout the country, excluding the districts of Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Kalutara, Matara and Nuwara Eliya. If you will be visiting an area of Sri Lanka with malaria, you will need to discuss the best ways for you to avoid getting sick with your physician.

Best Time to Travel
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN
JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Best Good Consult

Package Price: From £$ 3370

Prices shown above are per person. Hotel categories do not adhere strictly to international ratings; Yampu has evaluated the hotels according to destination and availability. Prices include local airfare (where applicable), hotel accommodation including daily breakfast; all transfers with baggage handling, all guided tours in English and all entrance fees.

Please note that prices are subject to change based on availability and seasonality, especially during the holiday season from December 20th through January 5th each year. Please contact a Yampu Travel Specialist for more information on best times to travel.

Trip Type:

All our trips are operated on a private basis unless specified otherwise. This is only a sample itinerary; your Yampu Tour Consultant will personalize this trip for you according to your available dates, interests and type of hotels. This is your trip and we will work on making it perfect!

Tour Itinerary

Day
1

International flight to Colombo

Overnight international flight to Colombo.

Overnight international flight to Colombo.

Day
2

Welcome to Sri Lanka

Upon arrival and following the airport reception visit the contemporary capital city - Colombo - the trade capital of Sri Lanka. As a city that has undergone rapid changes Colombo still preserves the locality in its utmost respect. While most old buildings have been replaced by new apartments and office buildings, some parts of the city yet retains its old charm. The 100 year old clock tower built by the British and some colonial buildings remain examples.
Reception at airport and transfer to the hotel. Note: Check in to the hotel is at 3 pm. Early check in may be available directly at the hotel subject to availability. One may store their luggage at the hotel until they are able to check in.
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Day
3

Colombo – Kandy

Transfer read more...

Transfer to Kandy (110 kms, 3-4 hours). to the Peradeniya Botanical Garden. First developed as a pleasure garden under royalty and later harmonized by the British, the Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya - today bundled with the most welcoming facilities located just 4 miles off Kandy - is a flourishing national asset in the Wonder of Asia. Walk into this 147 acre bliss of an experience, passing well tended lawns, pavilions & an octagon conservatory to be greeted by the vast expanse of a magnificently landscaped lush green turf which will encourage an exhilarating break.

This beautiful lakeside city cradled among the misty hills was the last capital of the native kings before the British conquered the whole island. It is also where the sacred tooth relic of Buddha is stored in a magnificent temple complex. A stroll across this small town will feature the Kandy City Centre - complete with modern and world class brands - a bazaar, an arts and crafts center, and a gem museum and lapidary. Walk through color and glide through fresh fruits and vegetables in the Kandy market. Fine tune the evening by stepping to the beat of traditional music and drumming amplified by a cultural show enhancing the rich and vibrant culture of the Wonder of Asia, Sri Lanka.
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buddhist-temple-kandy-sri-lanka
Day
4

Kandy – Nuwara Eliya

After breakfast, drive to Nuwara Eliya (80 Kms, 2-3 hours). Misty steep roads, twisting through flourishing tea bushes in a cool climate, remind visitors that they are within the range of the renowned British colonial retreat, Nuwara Eliya. A pleasant evening to enjoy the amicable surrounding, may be a walk through the uncharted lanes filled with ancient architecture. Augmented by an English countryside atmosphere, the city of light - once governed by English & Scottish planters - is still studded with colonial bungalows, hedgerows & one of the finest 18-hole golf courses in the world. A hike through the green grass and red-brick walls should present breathtaking views of a buzzing countryside hamlet. Drive through green valleys of the hill country pierced by endless waterfalls & dotted by tea pluckers draped in bright-colored saris. Or rent a bike for a gentle ride along the banks splashed by the waters of Lake Gregory or enjoy a quiescent boat ride in this cool climate. Overnight stay at a selected Hotel in Nuwara Eliya ...read less

sri-lanka-tea-picking
Day
5

Nuwara Eliya – Sinharaja Rainforest

Full Day Tour Drive to Sinharaja Through the Gem City
City of gems - Ratnapura, either way you name it, the legacy will continue! Gem mines and swift hands mining & sorting the precious stones straight from the earth is nothing, but a common sight in Ratnapura. Visit a gem museum to watch how the stones are cut & polished into perfection through experienced hands which have sailed Sri Lanka in the best seas of treasure over centuries. With an average annual rainfall between 3000-6000 mm Sinharaja proves to be one of the finest examples of tropic rain forests in the world. Declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site & biosphere reserve Sinharaja, treasures an absolute variation of both flora & fauna with most of them being endemic. Walk in through either entrance - Kudawa Pitadeniya or Morning Side - for a refreshing treat covering fauna varieties extending from spotted deer, hog deer, golden palm cave, stripe necked mongoose as well as butterflies & reptiles sheltered by the striking evergreen vegetation. Even though there haven't been elephant sightings in the recent past, constant leopard trails prove that the 'King of Games' still haunts this tropical stage Overnight stay at a selected lodge in Sinharaja
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rain-forest-sri-lanka
Day
6

Jungle Safari in Singharaja Rainforest

Leave no stone unturned on this last major undisturbed area of rainforest. On most days the forest is shrouded by copious rainclouds that replenish its deep soils and balance water for much of southwestern Sri Lanka. The largest carnivore here is the leopard. Its presence can usually be gauged only by droppings and tracks, and its seldom seen. Medicinal plants are collected during specific seasons. Moist and muggy, murky and mysterious, an experience of Sinharaja is like nothing else in Sri Lanka. Trekking through this magnificent jungle a treat. Encounter with this bewildering land of exotic colors and melodious sounds is truly and enriching experience. ...read less

starling-bird-singharaja-sri-lanka
Day
7

Passage Through the Turquoise Shoreline to Colombo

The day following to the Sinharaja expedition, arrive to Colombo while experiencing the azure coastal boarder. Upon arriving to Colombo, promenade through the streets to experience the luxury architecture. Enjoy the sunset at Galle Face Green in the south of Fort. Spend the evening at leisure. Overnight stay at a selected Hotel in Colombo

The day following to the Sinharaja expedition, arrive to Colombo while experiencing the azure coastal boarder. Upon arriving to Colombo, promenade through the streets to experience the luxury architecture. Enjoy the sunset at Galle Face Green in the south of Fort. Spend the evening at leisure. Overnight stay at a selected Hotel in Colombo

colombo-harbor-sri-lanka
Day
8

International flight home

Transfer to the airport for a flight home or continue with an optional Yampu Tours add-on.

Transfer to the airport for a flight home or continue with an optional Yampu Tours add-on.

Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka

Kandy, Central Province, Sri Lanka

Nuwara Eliya, Central Province, Sri Lanka

Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Ratnapura, Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka

Places You'll See

  • Langur-srilanka

    Sinharaja

    Saved from commercial logging by its inaccessibility, the Sinharaja Forest Reserve is one of the last major undisturbed areas of rainforest in Sri Lanka. Low hanging rainclouds balance the water resources and replenish the reserve’s deep soil. Take a guided tour through trails and try to spot the wildlife hiding among the vegetation.

  • Nuwara-sri-lanka

    Nuwara Eliya

    Thanks to its colonial architecture, Nuwara Eliya has earned the nickname of “Little England”. Take a tour of the Pedro Tea Factory and wander through the plantation’s paths. Visit the Hindu Seetha Temple near the Haggala Botanical Gardens, or take a walk to the top of Single Tree Mountain for spectacular views of the city.

  • temple-kandy-sri-lanka

    Kandy

    Experience Sri Lanka’s culture and cuisine in the beautiful city of Kandy. Visit one of Sri Lanka’s most holy shrines, the Temple of the Tooth, home to a tooth relic of the Lord Buddha. Take a walk through downtown and purchase local treats from the numerous bakeries. See elephants roam freely at the Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage.

  • skyscrapers-colombo-sri-lanka

    Colombo

    The vibrant city of Colombo is a common gateway to Sri Lanka, but is also a wonderful place to stay. Visit one of the museums or galleries such as The Lionel Wendt Memorial Art Centre. For breathtaking sunset views, visit the Galle Face Green Promenade. Spend some time the Turtle Conservation Villa to learn the importance of protecting endangered turtles.

Hotel Options

3 Star Properties

Colombo : Grand Oriental

Kandy : Queen’s Hotel

Kandy : Suisse Hotel

Nuwara : Galway Forest

Nuwara : Royal Hills

Sinharaja : Rainforest Edge

4 Star Properties

Colombo : Ramada Colombo

Kandy : Hotel Thilanka

Kandy : Amaya Hills

Nuwara Eliya : Grand Hotel

Nuwara : St. Andrew’s

Sinharaja : The Rainforest Ecolodge

5 Star Properties

Colombo : Cinnamon Grand

Kandy : Earl’s Regency

Nuwara : Heritance Tea Factory Hotel

Sinharaja : Boulder Garden (Hornfels Room)

Luxury Properties

Colombo : Casa Colombo

Kandy : Kandy House

Kandy : King’s Pavillion

Nuwara : Ceylon Tea Trails

Sinharaja : Boulder Garden (Basalt Room)

Testimonials

Joan

Traveled August, 2012

Had a wonderful time in Sri Lanka

Had a wonderful time in Sri Lanka and no small amount was due to my driver/guide Lankesh Peiris. He was knowledgeable, fluent in English and attentive to my needs and safety. His stellar driving skills were a marvel and so necessary in the Asian traffic dance! The cultural and wildlife experiences exceeded my expectations and perhaps most important was the hospitable, kind and gentle nature of the Sri Lankan people. As always Yampu has provided a first rate travel experience. Thanks!

Traveled To

Lucy and John

Traveled April, 2012

India and Sri Lanka were an amazing combination

India and Sri Lanka were an amazing combination! The hustle of India is exciting, but also overwhelming so including Sri Lanka toward the end of our itinerary was an amazing way to relax and unwind! In India we were blown away by the service at the Deluxe hotels, and even the 4-star hotels. The hospitality in India is incredible with everyone working to make sure you are comfortable and happy. We loved the Oberoi hotels, the rooms were beautiful and the service was immaculate. The sites in India were truly amazing and we loved the elephant safaris and interactions were we were able to bathe and paint these gentle giants! During our long transfers in India our driver was pleasant, providing us with interesting facts but not overwhelming us with too many details or idle chatter.In Sri Lanka we absolutely loved the Temple of the Tooth, the atmosphere is so humbling and spiritual; absolutely a must-see! We loved the ancient site of Polonnaruwa and the lying down Buddha and the elephant orphanage at Pinnawela. We also really enjoyed climbing the Sigiriya rock fortress, although its not the best option for those who are scared of heights!

Traveled To


Ginger M.

Traveled January, 2013

Thanks for a wonderful trip.

Thanks for a wonderful trip. We will be actively looking at Yampu for our trip next year (probably South America) If you have ideas, send them along. We would love to attend a sporting event if possible. We got a flavor for Cricket while in Sri Lanka which was exciting.Food allergies were attended to everywhere. thanks for making that possible.Sights and diversions were fun and interesting. I counted over 25 different birds and 12 different mammals and reptiles in Yala, we even saw a leopard!! The elephant ride was fun and a story to bring home. The botanical gardens in Kandy were beautiful and a wonderful peaceful place to recharge our bodies.Kudos to Milroy our driver/guide for helping me with my gimpy leg. He was very patient and always cheerful thus making the trip that much more enjoyable.

Traveled To

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