Resplendent Sri Lanka

This morning after a good breakfast, start the drive to the hill country of the island. During the drive you will be able to see the rolling tea hills and the ladies plucking the tea. Enjoy a fresh cup of Ceylon Tea. Ceylon Tea Trails comprises of five restored historic tea planter residences, called bungalows, perched at an altitude of 1250 metres in Sri Lanka’s panoramic Ceylon tea region. Complete with period furnishings, gracious butler service, and gourmet cuisine, the non-hotel ambiance has made Tea Trails the gold standard for luxury in Sri Lanka.

This morning visit a Tea Factory, which was built during the British rule in Sri Lanka. Learn about the whole processing procedure and how different types of teas are created. The afternoon is at leisure to choose from a variety of options. A leisurely walk or an adventure trek is a delightful way to experience the varied landscapes, exotic flora, abundant bird-life and the sweet rhythm of life in a tea garden. Take in vistas of mountain lakes, manicured tea gardens, forests and doll house villages. A guide can be provided or self-walk on marked trails.

Today following an early breakfast take a scenic long drive to the wilderness of Yala. During the drive you will witness the scenery morph from lush green tea fields, to drier valleys and thick jungles. Check in at Wild Coasted Tented Lodge in time for lunch. Adjacent to the Yala National Park, a spectacular beachfront safari lodge awaits. The unique design – which mirrors the boulders scattered across the golden beach beyond - sees it blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape, whilst a clever layout in the shape of a leopard’s paw alludes to the area's most famous resident. Embark on an experiential journey of rediscovery, where adventure and relaxation welcome you. Arrive at your home amidst the wilderness.

Yala National Park consists of dry-mixed evergreen forests and scrublands along with open grasslands, water holes, brackish water lagoons and riverine forests. This park's diverse habitat supports large numbers of mammals, such as spotted, barking and mouse deer, sambhur, wild boar, water buffalo and the endangered sloth bear. This is also one of the best places in the country to see wild elephant, and the rare Sri Lankan Leopard, having one of the highest Leopard densities in the world. Large water holes and lagoons support the high density of endangered crocodiles. You can also see large flocks of migratory and resident birds—142 species of birds have been recorded in the park. Of particular note is the rare black-necked stork, the largest bird in the country.

This morning after a good breakfast, we will start our drive to our beach stay in the Southern Coast of the island. Where trade winds carried legendary explorers like Marco Polo, Ibn Battuta and Fa-Hsien past Sri Lanka's soaring southern cliffs on some of history's most celebrated nautical journeys, Cape Weligama has become the most celebrated resort along this fabled island's palm-fringed shores. The golden sun rising from the east. The morning calling of our peacocks. The rolling ocean below. The coconut trees swaying to the salty breeze. Pause and reset. From the palm-fringed shores, tropical gardens, and pampering villas and suites that blend into our headland, Cape Weligama is your own slice of paradise. The gateway to southern Sri Lanka envelops you in a world of culture, community and cuisine.

Today will be at leisure to relax and unwind. If you would like to explore the area, additional activities include; Galle fort walk with a local host, cinnamon plantation visit, bicycle rides in the outskirts of Galle, culinary experience in Galle. On your final day, enjoy the morning at your leisure before your return flight to the UK.