We have put together a fantastic bespoke itinerary that covers everything you need to do surrounding the cultural capital 3 Nights/4 Day Package - £555 all in That's £36pp only for 1 x night inc all activities - 6 pax £54pp - 4 pax £108pp- 2 pax This exp offers action-packed 3-day sightseeing to include essential sights of the cultural capital with unique exp( full itinerary below) All based in a stunning 3-bed villa away from the hustle and bustle. Hosted by island experts Brian and Shehan Meet The Experts Brian and Shehan are two passionate individuals who love to showcase this enchanting island, their good English and extensive knowledge of the country enable them to exceed your expectations. They also know the special out-of-the-way places to make your holiday extra special and can advise accurately on driving times to reduce the stress of travel to a minimum. Brian and Shehan follow a strict driver's code to ensure that your time traveling is as safe as possible! Space Set in a peaceful serenity blending harmoniously with nature in a small town called Digana, 25 minutes from Kandy Town. This spacious 3 bedroom bungalow with a beautiful garden and an outdoor patio to unwind after your full-on day's activities. The ambiance and setting make this property the perfect hub for our experience. The interior is simple yet compromises all the required amenities. Guests have access to the common pool and the property has 24/7 security. A walkaway to the clubhouse for the entire range of bungalows consists of a restaurant, common pool, gym, squash, and tennis courts. Full Itinerary Day 1 Sigiriya and Dambulla. 94 KM from the Bungalow and Kandy (2.5 hours) Meet and Greet from the railway station or any hotel in Kandy. If the pick-up is scheduled with us from the airport( extra charges apply), you will be driven directly to the house to rest understandably after a long flight, journey time approximately 3 hours. We will commence the 3-day excursion the following day. Depart between 530am-730am (subject to guest preference) to climb the Sigiriya Rock. Sigiriya today is a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site. It is one of the best-preserved examples of ancient urban planning. It is the most visited historic site in Sri Lanka. Climbing Sigiriya as early as possible is highly recommended due to heat taking its toll in the afternoon, in addition, you may have time to visit Pidurangala rock located adjacent to Sigiriya, which provides equally epic views of the surrounding area, a historic cave complex of its own, and the most incredible view overlooking the Sigiriya rock. Followed by Lunch at an authentic restaurant Afternoon Visit the Cave Temple in Dambulla Dambulla is famous for the five cave Temples on a rock. The first 3 caves are better, older, and larger than the other two. Some caves date to 1st C.B.C. All the 5 cave walls and ceilings are covered with Buddhist murals and three are more than 130 Buddha statues, statues of Gods and Kings are also found here. Return to Villa Day 2 Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage Royal Botanical Gardens and Temple of the Tooth Depart at 0700am (1.5 hrs) 57km from the Villa Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is an orphanage, nursery, and captive breeding ground for wild Asian elephants located at Pinnawala village, notable for having the largest herd of captive elephants in the world. In 2011, there were 88 elephants, including 37 males and 51 females from 3 generations, living in Pinnawala. The orphanage was originally founded in order to afford care and protection to many of the orphaned wild elephants found wandering in and near the forests of Sri Lanka. It was established in 1975 by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. Followed by Lunch at an authentic restaurant Afternoon visit to The Royal Botanical Garden Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens, the finest of its kind in Asia, the largest of the botanical gardens of Sri Lanka, couldn't be better located. In the Mediterranean climate of Kandy, the gateway to the Central Highlands, the Gardens, at an elevation of 500 meters above sea-level, were tightly bounded on three sides by a loop of River Mahaweli, the largest river of Sri Lanka. It hosts more than 5000 varieties of plants and flowers and is considered one of the finest in Asia. Evening Visit to The Temple of Tooth (ideally between 5 pm-7 pm, which is the best time to visit) Built-in the 16th century, the Temple of the Tooth (or Dalada Maligawa) contains the most sacred relic of Buddhism and the most precious symbol of Sinhalese pride. Guarded and venerated by the ancient kings, this sacred tooth was once feared to have been burnt by the Portuguese, only for these claims to be falsified soon afterward. The best time to visit the temple is for the evening pujawa (ceremony). The traditional drum beats create an ambiance of anticipation and mystery, which is rather fitting considering that the tooth itself, is never seen. Return to Villa Day 3 Depart 0730am to Gampola 42 KM from the Bungalow (70 minutes) Ambuluwawa Tower Ambuluwawa is a biodiversity complex and Sri Lanka’s first multi-religious sanctuary situated in the central highlands of the country. Reaching the top of Ambuluwawa one can experience the most amazing views which could sometimes be covered by the ongoing mist. However, once the mist clears off the view can be scary and freak out climbers, especially those who have a fear of heights. Do note that hiking Ambuluwawa is not at all dangerous or risky, but it would not be the ideal kind of adventure for those with a fear of heights. Ambuluwawa is a relatively easy hike to do which gives you 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains, forests, rivers, and towns. Followed by a Tea Factory Visit. Learn the insights not only of the manufacturing of all kinds of tea but also working conditions and things around the whole procedure, from collecting the tealeaves to selling the finished product. Private tour with a dedicated expert followed by a cuppa! Afternoon scenic 30 minutes’ drive to Nillambe village. Lunch at Mrs. Joyce – Home-made authentic lunch, followed by a cooking master class. The ladies will be demonstrating a few Sri Lankan classics Buffalo curd and coconut treacle for dessert. Return to Villa Day 4 Check-out by 12 noon. Drop off at the Railway station or any hotel in Kandy town. Pricing 3 Nights/4 Day Package - £555 in total inclusive of all taxes, excluding the Airbnb service fee. Minimum 2 guests and Maximum 6 guests. If you have more than 6 persons, please get in touch for rates. Please book for a minimum of 3 nights, if you wish to reserve extra nights, get in touch for special rates. Included Air-Conditioned Car or Van English speaking host and chauffeur 3 x nights private accommodation in a Bungalow Lunch Fuel Refreshments Sri Lankan Cooking Master class Tea Factory Tour Highway Tolls & Parking Host/Chauffeur meals and accommodation Taxes and Surcharges Not included Entry tickets to attractions Breakfast and Dinner Travel Insurance Outside vehicles Hire Charges Airport Pick Up and Drop Off Additional stays at the Bungalow Entrance Tickets to attractions/activities Cave Temple in Dambulla – 10 USD Temple of the Tooth – 10 USD Lion Rock in Sigiriya – 30 USD Pidurangala Rock- 3 USD Ambuluwawewa Temple and Hike- 2 USD Royal Botanical Garden in Kandy – 12 USD Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage- 16 USD Child rates may apply to some attractions Good to know Due to the full-day schedule, realistically you will be spending minimum time at the villa, mainly late evenings and nights. If you prefer to spend an extra day or two simply to relax at the villa, use the facilities and explore the local area, please let me know and I will arrange a special rate for your extra stay. Breakfast and Dinner are not included in the price, given the early departures, it is sensible to have breakfast on the way. Brian and Shehan will suggest the best options according to your requirements, personally, I prefer to buy fresh fruits at the local market in the morning and a cup of tea/coffee in a cafe. Dinner can be ordered from the clubhouse, the cost is reasonable and the chef can prepare anything from western to local, there is a menu that can be sent prior to your arrival. Alternatively, you can buy dinner on your way back, Brain and Shehan will recommend the best places and the varieties, however, you may wish to make your own arrangements to buy the groceries at local shops or supermarkets. Please let me know if you want Brian and Shehan to continue the road trip with you, whether it is to the airport to say good-bye or to the beach, safari, whale watching, the train journey to Elle seven arch bridge or to tailor-make your holiday from scratch, whatever you prefer let me know, we will create a simple yet exciting package at a very reasonable price. During these unprecedented times, the option of having the entire villa exclusive is reassuring, and we ensure safety comes first, therefore the home will undergo enhanced cleaning after every visit and will be vacant for 72 hours before we accept our next guest. Social distancing instructions remain in force everywhere. Wearing a face-covering/mask is mandatory in public places. I shall update you with the latest closer to your arrival.