Sri Lanka – A private tour tailored to our interests

Why book a private tour?

Bear in mind that distances can be great between many of the major sights in Sri Lanka. There are various holiday options, depending on what you would like to see. There are beach resorts where you can relax for a week or so and book optional day tours in the vicinity. There are also multi-day group tours where you can travel with others and see more of the country, according to a set itinerary.

The best option is to book a private tour with your own driver guiding you for the duration of your trip. This may seem over the top, however let me assure you that it is the norm in Sri Lanka. The massive benefit is that your itinerary is tailored to you, ensuring that you get the most from your visit. If you have a particular interest, the itinerary is built around this. Your preferred standard of accommodation is taken into consideration and any other requirements that you may have. For example, if an absolute must for your trip to Sri Lanka is to see wildlife, a 4WD safari to see elephants will be included or a trip to Yala National Park where you may also spot leopard, crocodiles, deer, macaques, and various birdlife. You could also consider including an epic train journey past rolling hills, paddy fields, lush tropical forest and palm trees, or a hike or even white water rafting.

Our itinerary:

We flew with Sri Lankan airlines & it was great to have an immediate introduction to the culture of Sri Lanka – we were welcomed onboard with the warmest of smiles, the cabin crew wore beautiful colourful traditional Saree & the food was delicious.

We were met at the airport by our personal driver/guide. Our first stop was Jetwing Vil Uyana in Sigiriya, in Sri Lankas cultural triangle. This transfer took approx. 3 hours. With just 36 spacious dwellings, this property fuses modern comforts with sustainable design using woven reeds & rattan, around five thriving eco-systems of garden, marsh, paddy, water, and forest. It is a unique sanctuary for wildlife in the shadow of Sigiriya rock. We stayed in a paddy dwelling with a plunge pool & private deck overlooking the lush paddy fields.

Over the next few days, we visited Sigiriya, Dambulla and Minneriya National Park.

Sigiriya, an ancient rock fortress rising dramatically from the surrounding jungle. Known as the "Lion Rock," Sigiriya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Sri Lanka's most iconic landmarks. Our guide brought us up 1,200 steps to the summit. We passed well-preserved frescoes adorning the rock face, depicting maidens in vibrant colours. Standing atop the ancient ruins of King Kasyapa's palace, we were treated to breathtaking views. Worth the climb! Back on ground, we met Buddhist monks and explored the lush gardens and water features that surround the base of Sigiriya.

A 30 minute drive from Sigiriya is Dambulla cave temple, which was built approx. 80 BC! It is the largest, best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka with Buddhist statues and paintings. Remember to cover your shoulders when visiting temples. Tip for the ladies: Bring a pashmina in your bag, as you can easily use this to cover up when required.

Minneriya National Park is a wildlife sanctuary, famous for its large population of Asian elephants. A half-day safari in this park offers visitors the opportunity to witness these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat, as well as a variety of other wildlife such as Leopard, deer, buffalo, monkeys, and various species of birds. Experienced guides take visitors on a 4WD safari through the park's rugged terrain. What a sight it was to see herds of elephants basking by the lake.

The drive from Jetwing Vil Uyana to Kandy takes 2 hours, however we stopped off enroute to visit a spice garden and learn about Ayurvedic practices. Ayurveda is a system of traditional medicine which uses a natural and holistic approach to keeping the mind, body, and spirit healthy. Treatments including yoga, massage, acupuncture, and natural medicines.

Kandy is a lovely city in the central highlands of Sri Lanka with a lake at its centre. We had lunch at a local restaurant, which included so many small dishes that our table was full. We enjoyed dhal, rice, different vegetable dishes, curries, and flatbreads. It was delicious! We were in Kandy during the Perahera festival. We had seats with a view of the parade and seen musicians, fire-breathers, dancers, jugglers, and decorated elephants.

After Kandy, the next stop on our itinerary was Nuwara Eliya, a 2 hour drive away. The countryside is very green and lush with tea estates and waterfalls. We visited a working tea plantation where we learned about tea cultivation and processing and tasted different flavours of Ceylon tea.

We concluded our trip to Sri Lanka with pure rest and relaxation at The Fortress Resort and Spa in Galle. With luxurious accommodations, a beautiful pool and panoramic views of the Indian Ocean and stilt fishermen, I am ashamed to say that we didn’t leave this hotel once during our stay! We felt so well taken care of. We were blown away by the level of service - the staff were so friendly and so professional. They anticipated our every need. The standard of food and beverage was excellent.

After checking-in we went straight to the bar for a drink, where we were greeted by name! From that moment on, they knew our preferred drinks and brought them to us always at the perfect time. We didn’t need to look for anyone to ask for anything! The spa here is fabulous and an absolute must. There are river safaris, a turtle hatchery, scuba diving excursions and boat trips plus cookery classes in the area, as well as a historic fort, local restaurants, and bustling markets. Yala National Park is just 2 hours away. (We'll have to come back!)

In conclusion: We spent 4 nights in the Maldives (separate blog) and from there, took a short 1 hour 40 minute flight to Colombo. This is a very popular holiday / honeymoon option. Our trip was perfect. It was great to start and finish with time at the beach to relax, but If I were to do it all again, I would consider starting with Sri Lanka and ending in the Maldives. The Maldives blew our minds, and we spent our time in Sri Lanka talking about how beautiful it was.

Call me to discuss your own bespoke tour of this amazing island.