yThe Captivating Isle of Sri Lanka Private 2016

You’ll be warmly greeted upon arrival, personally assisted through expedited immigration procedures, and escorted to a comfortable lounge where you can relax with a cup of fine Sri Lankan tea. After your luggage is retrieved and delivered to the lounge, our guide and porters will take you to the waiting private vehicle that will chauffeur you to the The Wallawwa. Our intimate property is set in a lovely Colonial-era manor house with a broad pillared verandah overlooking the lush tropical grounds. After time to refresh and relax, sit down to a wonderful welcome dinner.  Meals D

Check out this morning after breakfast for a scenic morning drive into the Cultural Triangle, home to some of Sri Lanka’s most important ancient cities and archaeological sites. This journey will take you through small towns and pastoral villages and past vast coconut and pineapple plantations. Enjoy lunch en route and then tour the Dambulla Cave Temples c . Established by hermit monks more than 2,000 years ago and embellished with sculptures and paintings of Buddha, Bodhisattvas and other Gods and Goddesses, this is one of the most impressive cave temples in all of Asia. Continue to your choice of hotel… The enchanting Signature by Amaya is nestled in greenery on the edge of Kandalama Lake. Or choose Vil Uyana;  surrounded by reed beds, waterways and emerald paddy fields in the shadow of Sigiriya, Harper’s Bazaar has called this the best eco luxury hotel on the island.   Meals B+L+D

Built atop a massive boulder surrounded by tropical scenery and also known as Lion Rock, no other archaeological site in Sri Lanka has sparked as much interest as the imposing Rock Fortress of Sigiriya. Layman and scholars alike ceaselessly discuss this UNESCO World Heritage Site: Surrounded by an extensive network of pleasure gardens, reservoirs and waterways, Sigiriya is at once an ancient palace complex, fortress and monastery. Ascending early in the morning for the most impressive vistas, you’ll enjoy expertly guided exploration through the extensive ruins of this 5^th-century site including its celebrated frescoes – often compared to those of the Ajanta Caves in India.
 
Later this afternoon, your private touring continues with the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, the second capital of the island and the seat of government from the 11^th to the 13^th centuries. Discovered by English explorers in the 19^th century more than 600 years after it was abandoned due to repeated invasions by southern Indian warrior tribes, the ruins of this once fabulous garden-city also stand as a veritable shrine to Buddhist and Sinhalese history. You’ll be back to your resort with time to refresh before dinner.  Meals B+L+D