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This Itinerary Begins
With You
At Conte, no two itineraries are the same. Share what matters to you when you travel - your preferences and pace - and we’ll craft a journey that reflects you completely. Thoughtfully designed, expertly delivered, and entirely yours.
SRI LANKA
Itinerary Overview
Days 1 - 3
Colombo & Beyond
Days 4 - 7
BEST TIME
BEST TIME
TAILORED TRIPS
BEST TIME
Days 8 - 12
A Slower Pace
Wonderful Ceylon Tea
Highlights of Your Journey
Explore Colombo’s spice markets and temples, then visit Kandy’s sacred Temple of the Tooth, uncovering Sri Lanka’s spiritual and colonial past.
Stroll Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and ride the mountain train to Nuwara Eliya, tracing the legacy of British-era plantations and tropical botany.
Tour tea estates and hike Ella’s scenic trails, with stops at Nine Arches Bridge and Ravana Falls for a glimpse into hill country life and legend.
Go on leopard-spotting safaris in Yala National Park, experiencing Sri Lanka’s rich biodiversity through its most iconic wildlife sanctuary.
Relax in Mirissa and wander Galle’s Dutch Fort, where stilt fishing, whale watching, and colonial architecture meet on the southern coast.Ask ChatGPT
Days 1 - 3
Across markets, temples, and colonial architecture, your opening days in Colombo and Kandy introduce Sri Lanka's complex cultural heritage shaped by years of Buddhism European influence.
Start in Colombo with comprehensive city exploration, from the aromatic spice markets of Pettah - where Arab, Indian, and local traders have conducted business for over 500 years - to the serene Gangaramaya Temple, built in 1885 during the Buddhist revival period when Sri Lankans reclaimed their religious identity after colonial suppression. Travel to Kandy, the final capital of the Sinhalese kings who resisted European colonization, where the Temple of the Tooth Relic remains the most sacred Buddhist site on the island, drawing pilgrims who continue rituals established over thousands of years ago. Wander through Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, where British colonial scientists cultivated plants from across their empire, creating a living laboratory that contributed to Sri Lanka's later success with tea, rubber, and spice cultivation.
Days 4 - 7
From highland tea plantations to colonial hill stations, days four through seven take you into Sri Lanka's mountain heart, where British planters transformed the landscape and economy in the 19th century.
Board the mountain train to Nuwara Eliya, traveling through landscapes completely transformed after the British introduced tea cultivation in 1867 following the coffee blight that destroyed the previous plantation economy. Explore working tea estates where Tamil laborers brought from South India established communities that maintain their distinct culture today, learning about the hand-picking methods and processing techniques that make Ceylon tea prized worldwide. Continue to Ella, a small mountain town that became a favorite retreat for British colonials and now attracts travelers for its dramatic valley views and easy hiking trails like Little Adam's Peak, named after the sacred Adam's Peak pilgrimage site. Marvel at the Nine Arches Bridge, built entirely from stone, brick, and cement without steel due to World War I material shortages, and visit Ravana Falls, named after the legendary demon king from the Ramayana epic.
Days 8 - 12
Through ancient kingdoms, wildlife safaris, and Dutch colonial ports, your final days span Sri Lanka's southern regions, from leopard-rich national parks to 400-year-old fortified cities by the sea.
Journey to Yala National Park, established in 1938 as Sri Lanka's second national park and home to one of the world's highest densities of leopards, along with elephants, sloth bears, and over 200 bird species in diverse ecosystems ranging from monsoon forests to coastal lagoons. Experience morning and evening safaris that reveal the island's incredible biodiversity, protected within a system of national parks.
Relax in Mirissa, a former fishing village transformed into a surf destination, where traditional stilt fishermen still practice methods passed down through generations, and seasonal whale watching offers glimpses of blue whales and sperm whales in the deep waters off the continental shelf. Conclude in Galle, where the massive Dutch Fort - built between 1663-1729 - stands as one of the best-preserved European fortifications in Asia, its cobblestone streets lined with colonial mansions, museums, and boutiques that reflect the port city's evolution from Portuguese trading post to modern tourist destination, before returning to Colombo for final shopping and farewell meals that celebrate the island's fusion of Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim, and Burgher culinary traditions.
Day 1
Across markets, temples, and colonial architecture, your opening days in Colombo and Kandy introduce Sri Lanka's complex cultural heritage shaped by years of Buddhism European influence.
Start in Colombo with comprehensive city exploration, from the aromatic spice markets of Pettah - where Arab, Indian, and local traders have conducted business for over 500 years - to the serene Gangaramaya Temple, built in 1885 during the Buddhist revival period when Sri Lankans reclaimed their religious identity after colonial suppression. Travel to Kandy, the final capital of the Sinhalese kings who resisted European colonization, where the Temple of the Tooth Relic remains the most sacred Buddhist site on the island, drawing pilgrims who continue rituals established over thousands of years ago. Wander through Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, where British colonial scientists cultivated plants from across their empire, creating a living laboratory that contributed to Sri Lanka's later success with tea, rubber, and spice cultivation.
Days 2 - 4
From highland tea plantations to colonial hill stations, days four through seven take you into Sri Lanka's mountain heart, where British planters transformed the landscape and economy in the 19th century.
Board the mountain train to Nuwara Eliya, traveling through landscapes completely transformed after the British introduced tea cultivation in 1867 following the coffee blight that destroyed the previous plantation economy. Explore working tea estates where Tamil laborers brought from South India established communities that maintain their distinct culture today, learning about the hand-picking methods and processing techniques that make Ceylon tea prized worldwide. Continue to Ella, a small mountain town that became a favorite retreat for British colonials and now attracts travelers for its dramatic valley views and easy hiking trails like Little Adam's Peak, named after the sacred Adam's Peak pilgrimage site. Marvel at the Nine Arches Bridge, built entirely from stone, brick, and cement without steel due to World War I material shortages, and visit Ravana Falls, named after the legendary demon king from the Ramayana epic.
Days 5 - 6
Through ancient kingdoms, wildlife safaris, and Dutch colonial ports, your final days span Sri Lanka's southern regions, from leopard-rich national parks to 400-year-old fortified cities by the sea.
Journey to Yala National Park, established in 1938 as Sri Lanka's second national park and home to one of the world's highest densities of leopards, along with elephants, sloth bears, and over 200 bird species in diverse ecosystems ranging from monsoon forests to coastal lagoons. Experience morning and evening safaris that reveal the island's incredible biodiversity, protected within a system of national parks.
Relax in Mirissa, a former fishing village transformed into a surf destination, where traditional stilt fishermen still practice methods passed down through generations, and seasonal whale watching offers glimpses of blue whales and sperm whales in the deep waters off the continental shelf. Conclude in Galle, where the massive Dutch Fort - built between 1663-1729 - stands as one of the best-preserved European fortifications in Asia, its cobblestone streets lined with colonial mansions, museums, and boutiques that reflect the port city's evolution from Portuguese trading post to modern tourist destination, before returning to Colombo for final shopping and farewell meals that celebrate the island's fusion of Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim, and Burgher culinary traditions.
Days 4 - 7
From highland tea plantations to colonial hill stations, days four through seven take you into Sri Lanka's mountain heart, where British planters transformed the landscape and economy in the 19th century.
Board the mountain train to Nuwara Eliya, traveling through landscapes completely transformed after the British introduced tea cultivation in 1867 following the coffee blight that destroyed the previous plantation economy. Explore working tea estates where Tamil laborers brought from South India established communities that maintain their distinct culture today, learning about the hand-picking methods and processing techniques that make Ceylon tea prized worldwide. Continue to Ella, a small mountain town that became a favorite retreat for British colonials and now attracts travelers for its dramatic valley views and easy hiking trails like Little Adam's Peak, named after the sacred Adam's Peak pilgrimage site. Marvel at the Nine Arches Bridge, built entirely from stone, brick, and cement without steel due to World War I material shortages, and visit Ravana Falls, named after the legendary demon king from the Ramayana epic.
Days 8 - 12
Through ancient kingdoms, wildlife safaris, and Dutch colonial ports, your final days span Sri Lanka's southern regions, from leopard-rich national parks to 400-year-old fortified cities by the sea.
Journey to Yala National Park, established in 1938 as Sri Lanka's second national park and home to one of the world's highest densities of leopards, along with elephants, sloth bears, and over 200 bird species in diverse ecosystems ranging from monsoon forests to coastal lagoons. Experience morning and evening safaris that reveal the island's incredible biodiversity, protected within a system of national parks.
Relax in Mirissa, a former fishing village transformed into a surf destination, where traditional stilt fishermen still practice methods passed down through generations, and seasonal whale watching offers glimpses of blue whales and sperm whales in the deep waters off the continental shelf. Conclude in Galle, where the massive Dutch Fort - built between 1663-1729 - stands as one of the best-preserved European fortifications in Asia, its cobblestone streets lined with colonial mansions, museums, and boutiques that reflect the port city's evolution from Portuguese trading post to modern tourist destination, before returning to Colombo for final shopping and farewell meals that celebrate the island's fusion of Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim, and Burgher culinary traditions.
BEST TIME
TAILORED TRIPS
from £3000 pp, per night
Colombo - Kandy - Ella - Mirissa
Days 1 - 3
Colombo & Beyond
Days 4 - 7
Wonderful Ceylon Tea
Days 8 - 12
A Slower Pace
Trip Highlights
Explore Colombo’s spice markets and temples, then visit Kandy’s sacred Temple of the Tooth, uncovering Sri Lanka’s spiritual and colonial past.
Stroll Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and ride the mountain train to Nuwara Eliya, tracing the legacy of British-era plantations and tropical botany.
Tour tea estates and hike Ella’s scenic trails, with stops at Nine Arches Bridge and Ravana Falls for a glimpse into hill country life and legend.
Go on leopard-spotting safaris in Yala National Park, experiencing Sri Lanka’s rich biodiversity through its most iconic wildlife sanctuary.
Relax in Mirissa and wander Galle’s Dutch Fort, where stilt fishing, whale watching, and colonial architecture meet on the southern coast.Ask ChatGPT
Days 1 - 3
Across markets, temples, and colonial architecture, your opening days in Colombo and Kandy introduce Sri Lanka's complex cultural heritage shaped by years of Buddhism European influence.
Start in Colombo with comprehensive city exploration, from the aromatic spice markets of Pettah - where Arab, Indian, and local traders have conducted business for over 500 years - to the serene Gangaramaya Temple, built in 1885 during the Buddhist revival period when Sri Lankans reclaimed their religious identity after colonial suppression. Travel to Kandy, the final capital of the Sinhalese kings who resisted European colonization, where the Temple of the Tooth Relic remains the most sacred Buddhist site on the island, drawing pilgrims who continue rituals established over thousands of years ago. Wander through Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, where British colonial scientists cultivated plants from across their empire, creating a living laboratory that contributed to Sri Lanka's later success with tea, rubber, and spice cultivation.
Days 5 - 6
Your final days return to coastal relaxation and urban exploration, balancing Sri Lanka's beach culture with colonial architectural heritage before departure.
Day five returns to Colombo for relaxation at Mount Lavinia Beach, named after Lovina Aponsuwa, the local lover of British Governor Sir Thomas Maitland in the early 1800s, where golden sand and Indian Ocean waves provide respite from cultural site exploration. Your sixth day concludes with city walks through Colombo's Fort district, where Dutch colonial buildings and British administrative structures house modern shops and restaurants, while the Red Mosque and Hindu temples reflect the religious diversity that characterizes contemporary Sri Lankan society, providing final glimpses of an island where ancient Buddhism, colonial history, and tropical beauty converge.
Days 2 - 4
Days two through four journey into Sri Lanka's cultural heartland and ancient civilizations, from sacred Buddhist temples to fortress palaces that showcase the island's remarkable archaeological heritage.
Day two travels by train through tea plantations to Kandy, Sri Lanka's last independent kingdom until British conquest in 1815, where the Temple of the Tooth houses Buddhism's most sacred relic - a tooth of Buddha brought to Sri Lanka in 313 CE. The temple's daily rituals continue traditions that have made Kandy Buddhism's spiritual center for over 1,500 years.
Your third day explores Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, established in 1843 and covering 147 acres where British colonial botanists cultivated tropical plants from around the empire, including the famous giant Javan fig tree planted in 1901. Evening cultural shows feature traditional Kandyan dancing and drumming that preserve courtly arts from the ancient kingdom. Day four ventures to Sigiriya Rock, the 5th-century fortress palace of King Kashyapa built atop a 200-meter granite monolith, where ancient frescoes and mirror walls demonstrate sophisticated engineering and artistic achievements that earned UNESCO World Heritage designation in 1982.
Days 5 - 6
Your final days return to coastal relaxation and urban exploration, balancing Sri Lanka's beach culture with colonial architectural heritage before departure.
Day five returns to Colombo for relaxation at Mount Lavinia Beach, named after Lovina Aponsuwa, the local lover of British Governor Sir Thomas Maitland in the early 1800s, where golden sand and Indian Ocean waves provide respite from cultural site exploration. Your sixth day concludes with city walks through Colombo's Fort district, where Dutch colonial buildings and British administrative structures house modern shops and restaurants, while the Red Mosque and Hindu temples reflect the religious diversity that characterizes contemporary Sri Lankan society, providing final glimpses of an island where ancient Buddhism, colonial history, and tropical beauty converge.
Days 4 - 7
From highland tea plantations to colonial hill stations, days four through seven take you into Sri Lanka's mountain heart, where British planters transformed the landscape and economy in the 19th century.
Board the mountain train to Nuwara Eliya, traveling through landscapes completely transformed after the British introduced tea cultivation in 1867 following the coffee blight that destroyed the previous plantation economy. Explore working tea estates where Tamil laborers brought from South India established communities that maintain their distinct culture today, learning about the hand-picking methods and processing techniques that make Ceylon tea prized worldwide. Continue to Ella, a small mountain town that became a favorite retreat for British colonials and now attracts travelers for its dramatic valley views and easy hiking trails like Little Adam's Peak, named after the sacred Adam's Peak pilgrimage site. Marvel at the Nine Arches Bridge, built entirely from stone, brick, and cement without steel due to World War I material shortages, and visit Ravana Falls, named after the legendary demon king from the Ramayana epic.
Days 8 - 12
Through ancient kingdoms, wildlife safaris, and Dutch colonial ports, your final days span Sri Lanka's southern regions, from leopard-rich national parks to 400-year-old fortified cities by the sea.
Journey to Yala National Park, established in 1938 as Sri Lanka's second national park and home to one of the world's highest densities of leopards, along with elephants, sloth bears, and over 200 bird species in diverse ecosystems ranging from monsoon forests to coastal lagoons. Experience morning and evening safaris that reveal the island's incredible biodiversity, protected within a system of national parks.
Relax in Mirissa, a former fishing village transformed into a surf destination, where traditional stilt fishermen still practice methods passed down through generations, and seasonal whale watching offers glimpses of blue whales and sperm whales in the deep waters off the continental shelf. Conclude in Galle, where the massive Dutch Fort - built between 1663-1729 - stands as one of the best-preserved European fortifications in Asia, its cobblestone streets lined with colonial mansions, museums, and boutiques that reflect the port city's evolution from Portuguese trading post to modern tourist destination, before returning to Colombo for final shopping and farewell meals that celebrate the island's fusion of Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim, and Burgher culinary traditions.
BEST TIME
TAILORED TRIPS
from £3000 pp, per night
Colombo - Kandy - Ella - Mirissa
Days 1 - 3
Colombo & Beyond
Days 4 - 7
Wonderful Ceylon Tea
Days 8 - 12
A Slower Pace
Trip Highlights
Explore Colombo’s spice markets and temples, then visit Kandy’s sacred Temple of the Tooth, uncovering Sri Lanka’s spiritual and colonial past.
Stroll Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and ride the mountain train to Nuwara Eliya, tracing the legacy of British-era plantations and tropical botany.
Tour tea estates and hike Ella’s scenic trails, with stops at Nine Arches Bridge and Ravana Falls for a glimpse into hill country life and legend.
Go on leopard-spotting safaris in Yala National Park, experiencing Sri Lanka’s rich biodiversity through its most iconic wildlife sanctuary.
Relax in Mirissa and wander Galle’s Dutch Fort, where stilt fishing, whale watching, and colonial architecture meet on the southern coast.Ask ChatGPT
Days 1 - 3
Across markets, temples, and colonial architecture, your opening days in Colombo and Kandy introduce Sri Lanka's complex cultural heritage shaped by years of Buddhism European influence.
Start in Colombo with comprehensive city exploration, from the aromatic spice markets of Pettah - where Arab, Indian, and local traders have conducted business for over 500 years - to the serene Gangaramaya Temple, built in 1885 during the Buddhist revival period when Sri Lankans reclaimed their religious identity after colonial suppression. Travel to Kandy, the final capital of the Sinhalese kings who resisted European colonization, where the Temple of the Tooth Relic remains the most sacred Buddhist site on the island, drawing pilgrims who continue rituals established over thousands of years ago. Wander through Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, where British colonial scientists cultivated plants from across their empire, creating a living laboratory that contributed to Sri Lanka's later success with tea, rubber, and spice cultivation.
Days 2 - 4
Days two through four journey into Sri Lanka's cultural heartland and ancient civilizations, from sacred Buddhist temples to fortress palaces that showcase the island's remarkable archaeological heritage.
Day two travels by train through tea plantations to Kandy, Sri Lanka's last independent kingdom until British conquest in 1815, where the Temple of the Tooth houses Buddhism's most sacred relic - a tooth of Buddha brought to Sri Lanka in 313 CE. The temple's daily rituals continue traditions that have made Kandy Buddhism's spiritual center for over 1,500 years.
Your third day explores Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, established in 1843 and covering 147 acres where British colonial botanists cultivated tropical plants from around the empire, including the famous giant Javan fig tree planted in 1901. Evening cultural shows feature traditional Kandyan dancing and drumming that preserve courtly arts from the ancient kingdom. Day four ventures to Sigiriya Rock, the 5th-century fortress palace of King Kashyapa built atop a 200-meter granite monolith, where ancient frescoes and mirror walls demonstrate sophisticated engineering and artistic achievements that earned UNESCO World Heritage designation in 1982.
Best Luxury Hotels in Sri Lanka: Conte's Seasonal Picks for 2025
Cape Weligama
Weligama, Sri Lanka
Cape Weligama is a luxury Relais & Châteaux resort set atop a dramatic clifftop on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, offering panoramic views of the Indian Ocean. The property features 39 villas and suites, designed by architect Lek Bunnag to resemble an elegant Sri Lankan village with terracotta roofs and lush tropical landscaping. Spacious accommodations include private terraces, plunge pools in select units, and refined interiors that blend modern comfort with local craftsmanship.
The resort’s signature crescent-shaped Moon Pool curves along the cliff edge, providing breathtaking sunset views. Guests enjoy in-villa spa treatments, a fitness centre, water-based excursions, and curated cultural or nature experiences. Dining ranges from ocean-view fine dining to intimate chef’s-table experiences and relaxed lounges offering afternoon tea and cocktails.
Water Garden Sigiriya
Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
Designed by renowned architect Channa Daswatte, this luxury Sri Lankan resort evokes the ancient water gardens of Sigiriya with its thoughtful layout of streams, lakes and manicured landscaping. The villas range from standard rooms to deluxe and duplex designs; several include private plunge pools, terraces, and secret gardens.
Guests can enjoy a wellness spa built on stilts above water, an outdoor pool, fitness centre, and activities such as archery, croquet and cycling. Dining is refined, with organic, locally-sourced menus served in a double-height restaurant or al fresco, complemented by a two-level bar offering panoramic views.
Kurulu Bay
Koggala Lake, Sri Lanka
Tucked away on the tranquil shores of Koggala Lake in southern Sri Lanka, Kurulu Bay (Sinhalese for “bird island”) delivers a serene and thoughtfully designed escape amidst lush mangroves and calm waters. The boutique retreat comprises just 14 suites and cottages, designed by award-winning architects A00, each blending low-impact construction with the landscape.
Accommodation ranges from elevated Tree Houses, floating above the leafy terrain, to minimalist Garden Suites and stylish Cottages that open onto lake-facing verandahs. Wellness forms the core of the experience: morning yoga beneath swaying palms, holistic spa treatments set amid the jungle, and two freshwater pools tucked into nature. Dining at The Kitchen celebrates local produce and seafood in an open-air setting overlooking the lake, following a “sea-to-table” philosophy rooted in place and season.
Amangalla
Galle, Sri Lanka
Amangalla is a luxurious boutique hotel set in the heart of Galle, Sri Lanka, offering a perfect blend of colonial elegance and modern luxury. Situated within the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Galle Fort, the hotel features spacious rooms, suites, and private residences with period details and contemporary comforts.
Guests can enjoy exquisite dining, relax at the spa, or explore the nearby historic attractions. Amangalla offers a serene escape, where traditional Sri Lankan hospitality meets the sophistication of a world-class luxury retreat, making it the ideal destination for those seeking cultural immersion and tranquility.
Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort
Tangalle, Sri Lanka
Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort is a luxurious beachfront retreat located along the unspoiled southern coastline of Sri Lanka. Surrounded by lush tropical gardens and pristine beaches, the resort offers a range of spacious rooms, suites, and private villas with stunning ocean views.
Guests can indulge in world-class dining, rejuvenate at the spa, or explore nearby cultural and natural attractions. Anantara’s signature hospitality and serene ambiance make it a perfect destination for those seeking a blend of relaxation, adventure, and luxury in Sri Lanka’s beautiful southern region.
Wild Coast Tented Lodge
Yala National Park, Sri Lanka
Wild Coast Tented Lodge is a luxurious glamping experience set within the pristine wilderness of Sri Lanka’s Yala National Park. This exclusive resort offers spacious tented suites with elegant interiors, private decks, and stunning views of the surrounding jungle and coastline.
Guests can embark on safari adventures to witness Sri Lanka’s incredible wildlife or unwind by the beach. With its eco-conscious design, immersive experiences, and exceptional service, Wild Coast Tented Lodge provides a perfect blend of nature, adventure, and luxury in one of the most beautiful locations on the island.
