Sri Lanka Discovery by Rail

Our flight from Australia lands in Colombo late on 13 February. Upon arrival, transfer and check into our hotel, the colonial Galle Face Hotel. The hotel was originally built by four British entrepreneurs in 1864 and its name derives from the stretch of lawn which it faces, known as the Galle Face Green.

Overnight: Galle Face Hotel, Colombo

Rest this morning, and meet in the hotel foyer at 1pm to visit the historic Chatham Street where you’ll see many Dutch buildings including Chatham Street’s Clock Tower, the Old Colombo Lighthouse and the iconic Pagoda Tea Rooms. Try some Dilmah Ceylon Tea at the T-Lounge, and visit the Old Colombo Dutch Hospital and the fort area which dates back to 1681 and is a heritage-protected shopping and dining precinct. Enjoy some free time, before a welcome dinner at the award-winning Ministry of Crab restaurant.

Overnight: Galle Face Hotel, Colombo (B,D)

This morning, tour old Colombo to see the colourful Pettah fruit and vegetable market, the striking Jumi Ul Alfar Jumma Mosque, Wolvendaal Church, the Hulftsdorp Law Courts and the Old City Hall. Just before lunch, you will take a privately chartered railcar for the journey to Anuradhapura. This 1930s heritage carriage has been beautifully restored to its authentic appearance and is a throw-back to the bygone days of rail travel. Enjoy lunch on board, and, upon arrival, transfer to your hotel – a wonderful British colonial property for check in and dinner.

Overnight: The Sanctuary at Tissawewa, Anuradhapura (B,L,D)

This morning, you will tour the well-preserved ruins of Anuradhapura, one of South Asia’s most evocative sights. The sprawling complex contains a rich collection of archaeological and architectural wonders built during the towns 1,000 years as Sri Lanka’s capital. Enjoy a lunch of fragrant curry and travel on to Polonnaruwa, once a thriving commercial and religious centre from the 10th century. Discover well-preserved temples, tombs and stupas, with the highlight being the enormous stone Buddhas. Arrive in Sigiriya in the late afternoon, check into your hotel and enjoy dinner.

Overnight: Cinnamon Lodge, Sigiriya (B,L,D)

This morning, we’ll visit Sigiriya’s famous Lion Rock, a dramatic rocky outcrop, rising dramatically by almost 200 metres from the central plains and topped by a ruined palace. The site is of enormous historical and archaeological significance and is the country’s single most famous sight. View from close up, as only the very fit can climb to the top! Enjoy lunch and explore the best-preserved rock cave temple complex in the country at Dambulla, which is home to over 150 Buddha statues, plus statues of Sri Lankan kings, gods and goddesses. Return to the hotel where your evening is free.

Overnight: Cinnamon Lodge, Sigiriya (B,L)

This morning, you’ll visit the spice gardens of Matale to see different types of spices that Sri Lanka is known for – cinnamon, cardamon, nutmeg, coffee, curry, pepper and clove. Arrive in Kandy, and enjoy lunch next to its famous lake. After hotel check in, tour the Temple of the Tooth Relic, which is said to house a tooth of the Buddha and is a pilgrimage site for Buddhists from all around the world. Later, wander the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden which is home to over 4,000 species of plants and witness a Kandyan cultural dance performance, before enjoying dinner together.

Overnight: Mahaweli Reach, Kandy (B,L,D)

After breakfast today, you’ll board the Ella Odyssey train, travelling in first class and enjoying spectacular mountain scenery en route to Nuwara Eliya. This cool climate hill town at almost 1,900 metres, is known as ‘Little England’ due to the British colonialists who left their mark on the town’s architecture. It is also the most important location for tea production in Sri Lanka. Check into our hotel, the Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya – a luxury Elizabethan-era manor country estate from 1891. After a long lunch and an indulgent High Tea, the rest of the day is free.

Overnight: The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya (B,L)

After breakfast, have a rich coffee at the Grand Hotel and visit the Pedro Tea Estate to learn about tea industry in the country, from the ‘bush to cup’. Chat with tea pickers as you stroll through the lush green plantations and visit the prestigious Scottish built Nuwara Eliya Golf Club for a stylish lunch. Later, tour such colonial buildings as Jetwing St. Andrews Hotel, The Hill Club, Queen’s Cottage and the Post Office and wander the Victoria Gardens before returning to your hotel where the rest of the day is free.

Overnight: The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya (B,L)

This morning, there’s free time to relax, enjoying lunch at leisure, before travelling on the Ella Odyssey train in first-class carriages past endless tea fields, dozens of waterfalls, through many tunnels and via the Demodara Nine Arch Bridge, the best example of colonial-era railway construction in old British Ceylon. This classic journey is considered to be the most memorable train ride in Sri Lanka, so have your camera ready! Arrive in Badulla and drive the short distance to Ella, a beautiful small town in the highlands. Check into your hotel and enjoy dinner.

Overnight: EKHO Ella (B,D)

This morning, enjoy breakfast and spectacular views of the valley below. Ella is everyone’s favourite hill-country village and is a great place to unwind with a relaxing morning, or to explore the main town, which is full of western style lounges, cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy lunch at leisure. Travel via the Kataragama Temple, to see the shrine dedicated to the town’s resident god and arrive at your wilderness lodge at the Yala National Park in the late afternoon. Upon check in, enjoy dinner in the grounds of your property.

Overnight: EKHO Safari Tissa, Yala National Park (B,D)

This morning, with your local wildlife guides, you’ll board 4WDs and embark on a safari through open grasslands, lush forest and tranquil lagoons. The best time to visit Yala is from February to May during the dry season – with less water in the ponds, it’s easier to spot crocodiles, elephants and buffaloes coming out to drink. The park has one of the highest leopard densities in the world and peak season for spotting leopards is February and March. Return to the lodge for lunch and some free time. Later, enjoy a late afternoon game drive and return for dinner.

Overnight: EKHO Safari Tissa, Yala National Park (B,L,D)

This morning, you’ll travel by road to the stunning little fishing village of Mirissa. A tropical and jungle coastal paradise, the town is known for its picturesque beach, swaying coconut palms and whale and dolphin watching tours between November and April. Arriving before lunch, you’ll have most of the day free to relax, read, sleep or to wander along the beach, to the sandbar that connects to a tiny island. Stroll along the beach at sunset and enjoy a spectacular seafood group dinner, right on the sand itself!

Overnight: Mandara Resort, Mirissa (B,D)

There’s the option for a whale and dolphin watching tour early this morning, at your own cost. Continuing along the scenic coast, you’ll stop to see the famous Weligama stilt fisherman, one of the enduring images of the country, and tour a cinnamon plantation to learn about the process of farming this world-famous spice. Enjoy lunch together, and travel to a sea turtle hatchery in Habaraduwa, which is dedicated to the conservation and protection of these precious sea creatures. Arrive at the colonial sea fortress gem of Galle, check into your heritage hotel and enjoy a group dinner in the old town.

Overnight: The Heritage Galle Fort, Galle (B,L,D)

This morning, you will tour through the 16th century UNESCO World Heritage Galle Fort. Built by the Portuguese and later fortified by the Dutch and British colonialists, the old towns narrow streets of crumbling mansions and churches, stone walls, bastions and ramparts, are a delight to wander through. During your city tour, you’ll also visit a Buddhist temple, a colourful farmers market and spend time at your guides Dutch era home to take part in a cooking demonstration, followed by lunch. The rest of your day is free to explore the old town.

Overnight: The Heritage Galle Fort, Galle (B,L)

After breakfast, you’ll take the coastal Galu Kumari Express to Colombo, travelling in first class air-conditioned comfort. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch in the charming courtyard restaurant in a former office of Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa and tour his former residence. Visit Seema Malaka Temple on Beira Lake, which was redesigned by Geoffrey Bawa and enjoy a private tour of the National Railway Museum in Colombo. Travel to the coastal town of Negombo and check into your hotel. After a farewell dinner, transfer in the late evening to the Colombo airport for your flight.

Overnight: Regal Réseau Hotel & Spa, Negombo (B,L,D)