Your tailor-made holiday will be as unique as you are. These itineraries are just a starting point, a bit of inspiration to show what’s possible. Your own trip all starts with a conversation with one of our Sri Lanka and Maldives experts, who’ll take the time to understand what matters most to you and design the perfect holiday to match.
Our ‘Sri Lanka and Maldives’ trip is the ideal break; it couples ancient history, local culture and beautiful scenery with relaxation and luxury to ensure you get both a real adventure and the chance to rest and rejuvenate!
In Sri Lanka the journey takes in two of the country’s great ancient cities, Sigiriya and Kandy, both of which are so rare and spectacular that they’ve been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. You'll climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, explore the Dambulla Cave Temples and see countless wild elephant in Minneriya National Park. In Kandy, you'll visit the Temple of the Tooth, where it's believed there is a relic of the Lord Buddha’s tooth kept in a casket, and for those who like to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens are a must-visit. The itinerary then traces alongside lush green tea plantations by train into the incredibly scenic Tea Country, where you’ll see the highlights of Nuwara Eliya (Sri Lanka’s highest hill town) with its British colonial influences, visit a traditional tea factory and enjoy afternoon ‘High Tea’ Sri Lankan style. Your final night is back near the airport in the capital city of Colombo, the perfect place to enjoy a delicious meal or street food.
It’s then just a short hop over to the Maldives for five nights of luxury. Here, the pristine private island resorts are ringed with shimmering white sand, vibrant coral reefs and exotic marine life. There’s little to do here other than dive, snorkel, dine and relax – just what's needed after a week of busy sightseeing!
Here's a summary of what you might get up to day-to-day on this Sri Lanka and the Maldives holiday. As always, this is just an idea. Every single day of your trip will be tailored to suit you.
Your Sri Lanka and Maldives adventure begins today with an overnight flight from the UK to Colombo.
This morning, you’ll land in Colombo, where your brilliant private guide will be waiting to welcome you with a massive smile. You’ll be whisked straight off for a 3.5-hour drive north to Sigiriya, the heart of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle. After check in, rest up after the long flight and prepare for the adventures to come.
You’ll have an early start this morning to climb the iconic UNESCO World Heritage site, Sigiriya Rock. It’s a bit of a climb up, but there’s plenty to see on the way. From the huge lion’s feet, to the mirror wall, water gardens and frescoes. When you reach the top, the views make it all worthwhile.
This afternoon, you’ll head off on a jeep safari through Minneriya National Park. If you’re visiting during the dry season, you’re likely to witness one of the most special natural phenomena – the Minneriya Elephant Gathering. Hundreds of wild elephant descend on the Minneriya watering hole in search of water, making it the largest gathering of Asian elephants anywhere on earth. It’s a pinch-yourself moment, we promise you that.
Your guide will drive you to Kandy today, via Sri Lanka’s most impressive cave temples, Dambulla. This is one of our favourite religious sites in all of Sri Lanka, boasting five caves filled with impressive Buddhas and colourful murals. After arriving in Kandy, head to the incredible Puja ceremony at Kandy’s Temple of the Tooth. Every evening, a glistening golden casket, said to contain the tooth of Buddha, is paraded in front of worshippers and visitors alike. Standing alongside worshippers and other visitors, all set to the backdrop of ceremonial drums, it’s a unique and special experience.
You’ll enjoy a Kandy city tour today. Taking in the beautiful Kandy Lake, the busy marketplace packed with colours and smells, the Arts and Crafts centre and finally, the Peradeniya Royal Botanic Gardens. This evening, you'll head off on a guided Kandy street food tour to sample the delicious street eats and flavours with your local guide.
Your guide will pick you up and drive you five hours back to Colombo today, ready for the second part of your holiday. Luxury incoming. You'll spend the night in Colombo near the airport tonight, ready for your flight to the Maldives in the morning. There are plenty of things to see and activities to enjoy in Sri Lanka's capital. Chat to us if you'd like some recommendations!
You'll hop on the plane for a quick one-hour flight to the Maldives today. After landing at Male airport, you'll transfer to your idyllic island resort by either speedboat or seaplane, depending on where you're staying. We've been lucky enough to try and test all of our favourite hotels in the Maldives, so we'll be sure to recommend the island that's best suited to you.
Whichever luxury resort you choose, the next few days are going to be all about soaking up the sunshine, lazing on the sand, braving some watersports, snorkelling, eating phenomenal food and sipping on countless cocktails – all in between pinching yourself frequently to believe it’s all actually real.
Today, it's time to start the journey home. You’ll be taken back to the airport by speedboat or seaplane, in time for your flight home. Never our favourite part of any holiday, but we hope you’ll be flying home with a full heart and plenty of happy memories.
We offer tailor-made holidays to suit a wide range of tastes. Our experts Dawn, Lisa and Rebecca are dedicated to all things Sri Lanka and are here to help you plan your perfect trip.
From its tea-covered hills to its colourful towns, endless beaches and magic people, our Dawn’s head over heels with Sri Lanka – and she knows exactly how to help you fall in love with it, too.
Sri Lanka sparked Lisa’s lifelong love for Asia – and it remains one of her favourite places to visit. She’s all about combining cultural highlights, beautiful landscapes and proper local flavour into every itinerary, and Sri Lanka is the place to do just that.
Few places have a hold on Rebecca’s heart like Sri Lanka. It’s the mix of culture, landscapes, unmatched food and magic people that gets her – alongside the closeness of the Maldives! And she’d love nothing more than helping you experience it all.
Speak to one of our travel specialists today.
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