13 Nights in Sri Lanka & The Maldives: A Culture & Beach Escape

Day Trip to Anuradhapura

Visit the first Sri Lankan capital, Anuradhapura, one of the jewels of the island’s ancient past. Home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the sacred city itself as well as a complex of royal palaces and monasteries – it is a place of astonishing history. See Sri-Mahabodhi, a sacred bo tree over 2,000 years old that was brought to the island as a sapling of the tree under which Buddha achieved enlightenment.

At Brazen Palace , or Lovamahapaya (2nd century B.C.), you can admire some 1,600 stone columns that are the only remnants of a magnificent, multi-storied monks’ residence. Then visit Ruwanwelisaya, a gleaming white stupa and one of Sri Lanka’s most famous dagobas. You’ll also see the Samadhi Buddha, dating to the 3rd century B.C., which depicts the Buddha in the “samadhi” pose of deep meditation. Afterwards, visit the Isurumuniya rock temple, known for its intricate carvings depicting lovers and the ancient royal family. Then explore Kuttam Pokuna, twin ponds that were used by the monks of old as bathing pools. The tour concludes at the Thuparama Dagoba, the oldest dagoba throughout Sri Lanka.

Once the tour is over, you will return to Habarana and spend the rest of the day at leisure.


Accommodation: Habarana Village by Cinnamon.

INCLUDES : Breakfast, Dinner

Dambulla Cave Temples, Matale Spice Garden & Transfer to Kandy

After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel and begin the journey to Kandy, which lies approximately 3 hrs away by road. En route you will visit the Dambulla Cave Temples and a spice garden in Matale.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site dating to the 1st century B.C., the Dambulla Cave Temples are a fascinating complex of five caves brimming with Buddhist relics. Originally used as a refuge for an ancient king who, on regaining his throne, commissioned beautifully carved images within the rock, the site was improved by later kings who commissioned more than 150 images of Buddha, of which the largest, a glinting gold statue of the Buddha in a supine position, spans fifteen metres in length.

At the spice garden in Matale, you’ll be able to trace the evolution of Sri Lanka’s prolific spice production. Aside from cinnamon, which is native to the island, Sri Lanka’s various colonists (Portuguese, Dutch and British) brought other sought-after spices, herbs and other ingredients to the island, all of which flourished in Sri Lanka’s tropical climate. These include nutmeg and mace, pepper, chillies, turmeric, ginger and cumin.


Accommodation: Cinnamon Citadel Kandy.

INCLUDES : Breakfast, Lunch

Transfer to Nuwara Eliya & Tea Plantation and Factory Visit

After breakfast, you’ll reconvene with your driver and transfer to Nuwara Eliya, an English-style town in the heart of Sri Lanka’s breathtaking tea country. This ultra-scenic road transfer will take approximately 3 hrs.

In the evening, after you’ve checked into your accommodation, you will visit a tea plantation and factory to learn more about the intricacies of the tea-making process, how tea was introduced to the Sri Lanka by its British colonists, and the different variations of tea grown on the island, from classic Ceylon tea to the rare and sought-after white tea.

Please note that tea factories are closed on Sundays and on all Poya days including mercantile holidays.


Accommodation: Jetwing St. Andrews.

INCLUDES : Breakfast, Lunch

Transfer to Galle & Tour of Galle Fort

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before checking out and departing westwards along the coast to Galle, which lies approximately 2hrs 45mins away.

After checking into your next hotel, you will head out for an insightful tour of Galle Fort. Originally established by the island’s Portuguese colonists in 1588, the fort was heavily fortified by Dutch settlers during the 17th century. More than 400 years old, Galle Fort remains in remarkably preserved condition, and its sturdiness was proven when it withstood the catastrophic effects of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, which devastated much of Sri Lanka’s southern and eastern coastline.

Within the fort, you’ll find beautifully preserved Dutch architecture including churches, monuments, ramparts and warehouses used by the Dutch East India Company to store spices. Perhaps its most famous landmark though is the Galle Fort Lighthouse: the current lighthouse was constructed by the British in 1939 some hundred metres away from the site of the original lighthouse, destroyed by a fire in 1936, which had been erected by the British in 1848.

Galle Fort is also known for its charming antique stores, jewellery boutiques and art galleries, making it an excellent place to pick up a souvenir of your Sri Lankan adventure.


Accommodation: Jetwing Lighthouse.

INCLUDES : Breakfast

At Leisure

Spend your time on the island lounging beneath the sizzling Maldivian sun, snorkelling amongst colourful reef fish and graceful rays and turtles, savouring the resort’s delectable dining outlets, and enjoying the range of activities and experience available at the resort.


Accommodation: OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi.

INCLUDES : All-Inclusive