Sublime Ceylon

The best of Sri Lanka in style

Discover Sri Lanka on an exceptional itinerary designed to combine discovery, authenticity and elegance.

From ancient royal cities to mountains blanketed with tea plantations, and from the island’s lush central landscapes to the shores of the Indian Ocean, this journey reveals the many sides of ancient Ceylon.

Your journey will take you to the spectacular rock fortress of Sigiriya before heading to the highlands and their tea plantations. You’ll also travel along one of the country’s most scenic railway routes, through mountains and valleys to Ella. Further south, the landscape changes to the vast wilderness of Yala National Park, where a safari offers the chance to spot elephants, birds and, with a little luck, the famous Sri Lankan leopard.

Each stop has been carefully selected to enhance your experience, with a choice of some of the island’s finest 5★ hotels, including Water Garden Sigiriya, Uga Halloowella, Chena Huts and Cape Weligama. These exceptional properties make comfort, setting and quality of service a priority.

A complete and refined journey to discover Sri Lanka differently, combining culture, scenery, wilderness and the art of living, with high-end service throughout your stay.

Day 1: BANDARANAIKE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

On arrival in Sri Lanka, you’ll be met and transferred to your charming hotel, nestled in a beautiful coconut grove around 30 minutes from the airport.



After checking in, enjoy your first day at leisure. Relax by the pool, explore the hotel gardens and soak up the peaceful atmosphere, surrounded by tropical greenery.

Optional: meet the village artisans on a tuk-tuk ride (except Sundays), discover local flavours with a Sri Lankan cooking class, enjoy an Ayurvedic massage or have dinner à la carte at Pepper Grill.

Day 2: HUNUMULLA - DAMBULLA - SIGIRIYA

Meet your English-speaking driver-guide and depart for Dambulla. Famous for its Golden Temple, an extraordinary cave monastery, it is an important cultural stop. The site comprises five temples set high on a hill and carved into a colossal rock. The largest cave is the most impressive, featuring rows of Buddhas and kings carved in stone, surrounded by magnificent paintings depicting episodes from the life of the Buddha.

As you leave the temples, enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area, all the way to the nearby Sigiriya Fortress.

Day 3: HUNUMULLA - DAMBULLA - SIGIRIYA

Today, climb Sigiriya Rock, where you can admire ancient frescoes, two enormous stone lion’s paws and, at the summit, magnificent views of the surrounding area. In the afternoon, choose from:

1. Jeep safari in Minneriya National Park,
known for its large herds of elephants.

2. Visit Polonnaruwa, the second Sinhalese capital after Anuradhapura was abandoned. It is home to Brahmanic monuments, monumental ruins of the garden city, ancient dagobas, beautiful parks and superb, well-preserved statues.

Day 4: KANDY

Depart by road for Kandy (approx. 2.5 hours).

Explore this university town, surrounded by mountains and green hills, and visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of Buddhism’s holiest sites. Legend has it that the Buddha’s sacred tooth was rescued from the flames of his funeral pyre in 543 BC and secretly brought to Ceylon in the 4th century AD, hidden in Princess Hemamali’s hair. The tooth is displayed three times a day to the sound of drums, in a solemn ceremony that draws many visitors.

Days 5 & 6: PERADENIYA

Depart for Hatton. En route, visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, renowned for their impressive orchid collection, spice and medicinal plant gardens, magnificent palm avenue and enormous Java fig tree.

HATTON

Enjoy a full-board day at Uga Halloowella. Escape to a lush tropical setting where colonial charm meets attentive service. Immerse yourself in nature, enjoy moments of absolute tranquillity and discover authentic experiences. Stroll through the plantations, visit lush gardens and, if you wish, discover local traditions. Activities are arranged on site to suit your preferences.

Day 7: KANDY - NANU OYA - ELLA

Drive to Nanu Oya
(approx. 2 hours), then take the train (approx. 3 hours) to Ella, travelling through beautiful mountain and tea plantation scenery. In the mid-19th century, disease wiped out the coffee plantations, which were replaced by tea brought from China by James Taylor. An immense effort transformed the steep mountainsides into ideal terrain for growing tea.

This charming little town sits at an altitude of around 1,000 metres and offers a relaxed atmosphere in the heart of nature.

Day 8: ELLA - LITTLE ADAM'S PEAK - 9 ARCH BRIDGE - DOWA TEMPLE

Set off on a walking tour of the region, taking in Little Adam’s Peak and its beautiful views, a tea plantation and factory, the Nine Arches Bridge, a viaduct supported by nine massive arches, and Dowa Temple, a beautiful natural site home to a colossal unfinished Buddha and a cave temple.

Day 9: RAWANA FALLS - YALA

Depart for Yala, stopping at the impressive Rawana Falls near the town of Ella. These majestic, nearly 25-metre-high waterfalls are surrounded by lush vegetation, making for a refreshing stop before continuing to Yala National Park.

The park is home to exceptional wildlife, including elephants, crocodiles, buffalo, jackals and a wide variety of bird species. It is also one of the best places to spot the rare and elusive Ceylon leopard.

Enjoy an approximately two-hour jeep safari along the park’s tracks for an immersive experience in the heart of this unspoilt wilderness.

Days 10 to 12: WELLIGAMA

Early in the morning, set off on your second safari in Yala National Park, one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic wildlife sanctuaries, renowned for its leopard population, majestic elephants and diverse wildlife.

Accompanied by your naturalist guide, you’ll explore the tracks at dawn, the perfect time to observe wildlife in its natural habitat, bathed in the morning’s golden light.

After this immersion in nature, you’ll head south to the coast for your beach stay.

Arrive in the early afternoon and check in at Cape Weligama, an exceptional member of Relais & Châteaux. Perched on a cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean, this charming hotel offers an idyllic setting for relaxation and contemplation.

Enjoy some free time at the end of the day to relax, make the most of your villa, watch the sunset from the infinity pool or simply soak up the peaceful atmosphere of this timeless retreat.

Day 13: BANDARANAIKE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Transfer to the airport or extend your stay as you wish.

From CHF 8'995 per person

PRICE INCLUDES:Price per person in a double room.

• Accommodation for a total of 12 nights in a 5-star double/twin room.
• Meals as specifically mentioned.
• Transfers
• The visits and activities listed, including entrance fees
• Services of an English- or French-speaking guide

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• flights (please contact us if you wish to book in advance).
• Meals not mentioned.
• Drinks.
• Tips and personal expenses.
• Activities and excursions not mentioned.
• Any visa fees (see “Practical Information”).
• Travel insurance covering cancellation and repatriation.

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