Sri Lanka: Golden Coast
to Tea Country

Beach first, then the hills

The trip begins on the south-west coast. Bentota is the golden beach, for swimming, sun and water sports, with a river ride, a turtle hatchery and a cinnamon factory on the sightseeing day. Galle follows, for the Dutch Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and sunset from its walls.

Then come two nights in Colombo, the commercial capital, with a full city tour and a day at leisure, and a last night up in Ella among cloud forest and tea plantations, reached by the scenic train from Nuwara Eliya. You stay in 4-star hotels with breakfast and dinner, and every transfer is private and air-conditioned.

What you will remember

• The Madu River ride and a turtle hatchery at Bentota
• Galle Dutch Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site, best at sunset
• A full Colombo city tour, from Galle Face Green to the Lotus Tower
• The Nuwara Eliya to Ella train ride through the tea country
• Nine Arch Bridge and Ravana Falls at Ella
• Ocean-view and sea-view rooms on the coast

1. Day 1 Arrive, and on to the beach Colombo Airport to Bentota

   We meet you at Bandaranaike International Airport for the private transfer to Bentota, about 1 hour 50 minutes. Bentota is the city of golden beaches: the rest of the day is for the sea and the soft sand, and for the water sports the beach is known for.

   • Temple Tree Resort & Spa, Bentota
   • Dinner
2. Day 2 Bentota sightseeing Bentota

   A full day of sightseeing around Bentota. Entrance fees are not included.

   • Madu River ride
   • Turtle hatchery
   • Cinnamon factory
   • Water sports

   • Temple Tree Resort & Spa, Bentota
   • Breakfast & dinner
3. Day 3 Down the coast to Galle Bentota to Galle

   A private transfer of a little over an hour brings you to Galle, a beautiful city for sun and sand. Its harbour was used by Chinese and Arab sailors long before the Portuguese arrived in the 16th century; the Dutch took the town in 1640 and the British in 1796.

   • The Long Beach Resort, Galle
   • Breakfast & dinner
4. Day 4 Galle Fort Galle

   A city tour of Galle, centred on the Dutch Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site built on a small peninsula beside the town. Inside the fort you visit the Dutch Museum. Evening is the best time to be on the walls, for the sunset. Afterwards you are dropped back at the hotel. Entrance fees are not included.

   • The Long Beach Resort, Galle
   • Breakfast & dinner
5. Day 5 Colombo and its city tour Galle to Colombo

   A private transfer of about two hours brings you to Colombo, the largest city and commercial capital of Sri Lanka, where colonial buildings stand beside Buddhist, Hindu and Islamic architecture and modern towers. The city tour follows; entrance fees are not included.

   • Galle Face Green and Viharamahadevi Park
   • The National Museum, Gangaramaya Temple and Seema Malaka
   • The Old Parliament, the Red Mosque and Independence Square
   • The Lotus Tower, Beira Lake and the floating market at Pettah
   • Time for shopping: Ceylon tea, handicrafts and the city's department stores

   • Hotel Pegasus Reef, Colombo
   • Breakfast & dinner
6. Day 6 A day at leisure Colombo

   A free day at the hotel, with nothing scheduled.

   • Hotel Pegasus Reef, Colombo
   • Breakfast & dinner
7. Day 7 Up to Ella by road and rail Colombo to Ella

   Travel into the hill country. Ella is a small town at just over 1,000 metres, surrounded by hills covered with cloud forest and tea plantations, and cooler than the coast. The day includes the scenic Nuwara Eliya to Ella train ride and a tour of Ella; entrance fees are not included.

   • Nine Arch Bridge
   • Ravana Falls
   • Ella Swing
   • Ravana Pool Club and the Flying Ravana zipline

   • Newburgh Ella
   • Breakfast & dinner
8. Day 8 Departure Ella to Colombo Airport

   After breakfast, a private transfer takes you from Ella to Bandaranaike International Airport. Allow about five and a half hours for the drive.

   • Breakfast
   • Private airport drop

What is included

The inclusions for your travel dates and hotel choice are confirmed in writing on your quotation.

The hotels

• BentotaTemple Tree Resort & Spa, Superior Ocean View2 nights
• GalleThe Long Beach Resort, Sea View Room2 nights
• ColomboHotel Pegasus Reef, Deluxe2 nights
• EllaNewburgh Ella, Deluxe1 night

All four are 4-star hotels on half board. Check-in is at 2 pm and check-out at 12 noon.

A look at the route

Before you book

• Entrance fees. The city tours cover the vehicle and the route. Entrance fees at each sight are paid directly.
• Rooms. A room takes up to three adults, or two adults and two children. Children below two years travel free, one infant per couple.
• Flight details. Send us your flight details at least 48 hours before arrival so the airport transfer can be guaranteed.
• Wheelchair and baby seat. Both can be arranged on request.