Indian Ocean - Sri Lanka & Maldives

SRI LANKA. Previously called Ceylon, sun-drenched Sri Lanka has hill slopes clothed in tropical rain forests or tea plantations and 900 miles of beaches, whilst the remains of great civilisations are found in its ancient cities. Ideal for a holiday with plenty of variety.

Apart from the renowned beaches, some of the key visitor highlights of Sri Lanka are:
Colombo: The island capital with busy traffic, interesting shopping, varied choice of restaurants and the famous seafront, Galle Face.
Kandy: Sri Lanka's second city with the famous Temple of the Tooth, a beautiful Royal Botanical Gardens and a picturesque lakeside location.
Galle: Ancient fortress town about 70 miles south of Colombo.
Anuradhapura: Founded in the 4th century BC and famous for its immense Buddhist shrines.
Polonnaruuwa: 12th Century Sinhalese capital with spectacular shrines and statues from the great Buddhist civilization

Sigiriya: This amazing rock fortress offers great views from the top. The gallery of frescoes is another highlight.
Kandalama: In the centre of the cultural triangle and offering easy access to Dambulla caves, Sigiriya and Kandalama lake.
Nuwara Eliya: Famous ill station 6000 feet above sea level offering stunning views all round.
Yala National Park: Wild elephant reserve in the south also a home for crocodiles, deer and boar.

Before committing to a holiday in Sri Lanka in would be prudent to check the latest Foreign Office advice on travelo to the area - click FCO...

Getting to Sri Lanka

Regular departures from London Heathrow with Sri Lankan Airlines. Flights with Emirates from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester & Birmingham, via Dubai, are also available. Flying time from UK is about 11 hours.

SRI LANKA BEACH HOLIDAYS - 5 nights/7 days away. Ref.DW50

BLUE WATER HOTEL (First Class/Superior): Transfer is just over 2 hours from Colombo airport. Ref. DW52
100 rooms. On Wadduwa Beach in 14 acres of coconut groves. Rooms have private bathroom, air-conditioning, TV & sea-facing terrace or balcony. Has shops, Health Club, tennis, squash, gym, 2 bars, coffee shop, restaurant, large pool.

GUIDE PRICE: from £710 per person based on 2 persons sharing a room for 5 nights on half board basis (Breakfast, Dinner) and including return flights from Heathrow with Sri Lankan Airlines.
Email us if you have a specific departure date in mind and we will come back with a quotation.
Business class flight supplements, single supplements and 3rd adult sharing reductions are available on request.
Prices are seasonal and are also affected by demand for the flights (booking late may mean a more expensive air fare)

TAJ EXOTICA HOTEL (Superior/Deluxe): Transfer is just under 3 hours from Colombo airport. Ref. DW50A
In a lovely location on Bentota Beach. All 160 rooms have ceiling fan, air-conditioning, tea/coffee making, TV, safe, private bathroom - most have sea-view terrace or balcony. Has 2 bars, 2 restaurants, tennis, pool, sauna, jacuzzi, fitness centre, tennis, entertainment.

GUIDE PRICE: from £720 per person based on 2 persons sharing a room for 5 nights on bed and Breakfast basis and including return flights from Heathrow with Sri Lankan Airlines.
Email us if you have a specific departure date in mind and we will come back with a quotation.
Business class flight supplements, single supplements and 3rd adult sharing reductions are available on request.
Prices are seasonal and are also affected by demand for the flights (booking late may mean a more expensive air fare)

SAMAN VILLAS (Superior/Deluxe): Transfer is around 3 hours from Colombo Airport. Ref. DW50B
Magnificently set on a rocky headland which divides two beautiful beaches. Has just 27 luxurious junior suites, all with great ocean views, air-conditioning, TV, home theatre system, balcony or terrace. Has 2 restaurants, bar, fitness centre, stunning pool and lovely gardens. An idyllic hideaway.

GUIDE PRICE: from £970 per person based on 2 persons sharing a room for 5 nights on bed and Breakfast basis and including return flights from Heathrow with Sri Lankan Airlines.
Email us if you have a specific departure date in mind and we will come back with a quotation.
Business class flight supplements, single supplements and 3rd adult sharing reductions are available on request.
Prices are seasonal and are also affected by demand for the flights (booking late may mean a more expensive air fare)

DISCOVER SRI LANKA TOUR - 6 night/8 days away. Ref.DW61
Other tours of Sri Lanka are also available...

Typical Itinerary
DAY 1 (Wed): Overnight flight Sri Lankan Airlines flight from London Heathrow
DAY 2: Arrive Colombo and transfer to Hilton Hotel in the heart of the city overlooking Beira Lake (381 rooms, excellent facilities)
DAY 3: Morning city tour before lunch at charming Galle Face Hotel, established in 1864 (B,L)
DAY 4: Depart Colombo for Pinnawela Elephant Ophanage where lunch is taken. Continue to the deluxe Elephant Corridor Hotel, your base for the next 3 nights. The hotel overlooks virgin jungle and a waterhole where a variety of wildlife often visit. The rest of the day is free to enjoy the superb hotel facilities (B,L,D)
DAY 5: Morning at leisure or take optional excursion (extra cost) to Polonnaruwa, the mediaeval capital between the 11th and 13th centuries with its well preserved palaces and monuments. Afternoon visit and make the steep climb to the top of the imposing rock fortress of Sigiriya with its stunning view and poignant rock paintings (B,D)
DAY 6: At leisure at Elephant Corridor or take optional full day excursion (extra cost) to the lakeside city of Kandy, home of the sacred 'Temple of the Tooth' (B,D)
DAY 7: En route back to Colombo visit Drambula Cave Temples with their striking murals, Buddhist statures and shrines. In the evening enjoy a farewell dinner at the Gallery Cafe, situated in the former home and office of the architect Geoffrey Bawa (B,D)
DAY 8. Sri Lankan Airlines flight back to Heathrow arriving the same day (B). Or you may choose to extend you stay at a Sri Lankan beach resort or maybe fly on to the Maldives - click Tailor-made Quotes

GUIDE PRICE: from £950 per person based on 2 persons sharing a room
Email us if you have a specific departure date in mind and we will come back with a quotation.
The tour is escorted by a local driver/guide from arrival in Colombo. Transport throughout is in an air-conditioned vehicle. Meals are included as shown in the itinerary - (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner). Business class flight supplements, single supplements and 3rd adult sharing reductions are available on request.
Prices are seasonal and are also affected by demand for the flights (booking late may mean a more expensive air fare)

LAGUNA (Standard/First Class): Transfer is 45 mins by boat from Male airport

A well established resort with excellent facilities whilst retaining the stunning beauty of a tropical island. Set at the northern tip of the South Male atoll. Hass 132 rooms - standard rooms are in two-storey buildings with ceiling fan, air-conditioning, phone, fridge, tea/coffee making,, balcony or terrace. Superior rooms and water suites are available at a supplement. Has pool with swim up bar, choice of restaurants, fitness centre, spa, tennis, snorkelling, windsurfing and a diving school. A stylish resort with wonderful beaches and good facilities.
Optional half board is £15 per person per day throughout the year. Full board and All-inclusive options are also available.

GUIDE PRICE: from £ 775 per person twin share on bed and breakfast basis for 7 nights
Email us if you have a specific departure date in mind and we will come back with a quotation.
Business class flight supplements, extra night rates, single supplements and 3rd adult sharing reductions are all available on request.
Prices are seasonal and are also affected by demand for the flights (booking late may mean a more expensive air fare)

VELAVARU (Standard/First Class): Transfer is 45 mins by sea plane from Male airport

84 air-conditioned rooms in circular thatched-roofed bungalows, each with sundeck, open-air bathroom, ceiling fan and phone.
The main restaurant offers buffet style meals whilst there is an a la carte alternative (supplements apply), 2 bars, a spa, dive centre and a range of available water sports. A lovely island with good value accommodation. A supplement applies for superior rooms.

GUIDE PRICE: from £1075 per person twin share on full board basis for 7 nights
Email us if you have a specific departure date in mind and we will come back with a quotation.
Business class flight supplements, extra night rates, single supplements and 3rd adult sharing reductions are all available on request.
Prices are seasonal and are also affected by demand for the flights (booking late may mean a more expensive air fare)

ATHURUGA and THUDFUSHI (First Class): Transfer is about 30 mins by seaplane

Neighboring resorts in the same Italian ownership and set in the Ari atoll. Both islands have tall coconut palm, a white sandy beach. Athuruga is tiny (250 x 240 yards) with 46 spacious cottage style rooms, all with ceiling fan, air-conditioning, phone, sitting area, open air bathroom. Has very attractive open air restaurant, bar, boutique, spa and regular entertainment. It is a very pretty resort. Thudufushi (400 x 420 yards) has 47 spacious cottage style rooms which are similar to those at Athuruga as are the resort facilities. Thudfushi is a stunningly located and relaxed all inclusive resort.

GUIDE PRICE: from £1225 per person twin share on all-inclusive basis for 7 nights
Email us if you have a specific departure date in mind and we will come back with a quotation.
Business class flight supplements, extra night rates, single supplements and 3rd adult sharing reductions are available on request.
Prices are seasonal and are also affected by demand for the flights (booking late may mean a more expensive air fare)

COCO PALM RESORT and SPA (Deluxe). Transfer is approx. 30 mins by seaplane.

Situated in the unspoilt Baa atoll on the island of Dunikolu. 98 thatched villas with ceiling fan, air-conditioning, phone, tea/coffee making, open air bathroom with shower. Has choice of restaurants and bars. The stunning blue lagoonis ideal for water sports. There is a fitness and dive centre plus facilities for tennis, badminton, table tennis, snooker and volleyball. A peaceful resort in a beautiful location.
Optional half board is £21 per person per day throughout the year. Full board and All-inclusive options are also available. Deluxe Beach Villas and Lagoon Villas (reached by over water jetty) are available at a supplement.

GUIDE PRICE: from £1225 per person twin share on bed and breakfast basis for 7 nights
Email us if you have a specific departure date in mind and we will come back with a quotation.
Business class flight supplements, extra night rates, single supplements and 3rd adult sharing reductions are all available on request.
Prices are seasonal and are also affected by demand for the flights (booking late may mean a more expensive air fare)