DAYS
15
TOUR CODE
SRLA-27
COST
£5995
DAYS
15
TOUR CODE
SRLA-27
COST
£5995
Bathed in the tropical blue of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is an island of enthralling mountains and coastal scenery, Buddhist traditions and ancient monuments. Our tour will go in search of its richly textured history, art and natural wonders.
Overview
The ancient city of Polonnaruwa, once the capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993, boasts a grandeur that is hard to surpass. The vast site extends beyond the Brahmanic relics built by the Cholas to include the awe-inspiring ruins of the fabulous garden-city created by Parakramabahu I in the 12th century. Equally majestic and monumental is Sigiriya, a ‘palace in the sky’ built over 1,500 years ago on the lofty summit of Lion’s Rock.
The dagoba (Buddhist dome also known as stupa and vihara) that crowns the hill of Mihintale is believed to enshrine the relics of Arahat Mahinda, who first brought Buddhism to Sri Lanka 2,200 years ago. The nearby city of Anuradhapura, venerated as the capital of Buddhism, was founded around a cutting from the Buddha’s ‘tree of enlightenment’. The sacred city’s palaces, monasteries and monuments, hidden away in dense jungle for generations, still evoke the greatness of a capital that flourished for 1,300 years.
Sri Lanka’s textured history saw the arrival of western explorers from the 12th century onwards. The World Heritage town of Galle, founded in the 16th century by the Portuguese, offers a vivid mélange of European architectural styles and Asian traditions. It was under the British, who sprinkled the hill country with coffee and tea plantations, that colonialism reached its zenith in old Ceylon. Gabled bungalows, neat hedgerows and well-tended rose gardens are still part of the landscape in Nuwara Eliya, a 19th century summer retreat lined with Victorian-style mansions.
Alongside Sri Lanka’s architecture, history and religious culture, we will also go in search of its celebrated natural wonders. The mountainous grasslands of the Horton Plains, once the prized hunting grounds of the European settlers, are home to an extraordinary range of flora and fauna. Wirawila Wewa Bird Sanctuary harbours a wide variety of resident and migratory species, while Yala National Park will afford possible sightings of Sri Lankan leopards, elephants and 200 species of birds.
Tour Director
Alex Koller
Alex Koller is an art and architectural historian, and an accomplished linguist, with a keen interest in and knowledge of Buddhist art and architecture. He has many years of experience leading tours to Asia.
This tour will be led by Alex Koller, PhD, an expert in art history and architecture. Born in Vienna, Alex has lived and studied in Vienna, Salzburg and Cambridge, gaining his PhD in the history of art from Magdalene College, Cambridge. Alex is an accomplished linguist and has travelled extensively throughout Europe and the Far East. Alex has been leading tours with ACE for many years, including to Sri Lanka, Japan, Korea and other parts of Asia as well as in the UK and Europe.
– ACE customer on a recent tour led by Alex Koller
Our Accommodation
We have chosen a series of beautiful hotels, the majority of a four or five-star standard, selected for their locations, high levels of comfort, warmth of service and, wherever possible, their character and connections with Sri Lanka’s stunning natural environment. The sensitively-built and eco-friendly Lake Forest Hotel in Anuradhapura looks out over forests and a lake; while the Cinnamon Citadel in Kandy commands majestic riverside views, embraced by lush green hills. The Grand Hotel in Nuwara Eliya (built in 1828) reflects the region’s history with its colonial architecture and transportive gardens, before we enjoy captivating vistas over the Indian Ocean at the luxurious Le Grand Hotel in Galle. Heritage and character come to the fore once again in Colombo, making the Galle Face Hotel – founded in the 1860s – a fitting final stop on our tour before we return home.
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart London Heathrow 2040 on Sri Lankan Airlines.
Day 2
Arrive Colombo 1230. Transfer to Jetwing Blue Hotel, Negombo, for overnight stay. Welcome and introduction.
Day 3
Morning: orientation tour of Negombo, including St Mary’s (Catholic) Church and St Stephen’s (Anglican) Church, Dutch colonial houses and market square. Continue to the ancient city of Anuradhapura via the rock fortress of Yapahuwa. Two nights at the Lake Forest Hotel, Anuradhapura.
Day 4
Full day of visits in and around the ancient World Heritage Site of Anuradhapura, including Vessagiriya (peaceful forest monastery), Isurumuniya Temple (rock temple), Royal Pleasure Gardens and Maha Vihara Monastery (Brazen Palace, Dri Maha Bodhi tree, Ruwanwelisaya stupa), Abhayagiri Vihāra, Jethawanaramaya (stupa) and museum.
Day 5
Morning visit to Mihintale (pilgrimage hill crowned with stupas, ruined temples and hermitages) followed by a scenic drive to Avukana to view the great Buddha and a visit to Ritigala Forest Monastery (time permitting). Two nights at Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana.
Day 6
Sunrise visit to the UNESCO Site of Sigiriya, a spectacular 5th century CE palace fortress positioned on a 600ft high vertical rock (Lion’s Rock). Following breakfast, continue to the UNESCO Site of Polonnaruwa, the former medieval capital of Sri Lanka, for afternoon visits including Pothgul Viharaya (temple), museum, Royal Palace and Sacred Quadrangle, Rankoth Vihera (stupa) and Kiri Vihara (stupa), Gal Vihara (large rock-cut Buddhas and Thivanka Image House).
Day 7
Transfer to Kandy, with en route visits to Dambulla Cave Temple (also known as the Golden Temple), a 3rd century BCE cave monastery with extensive Buddhist paintings; Nalanda Gedige (image house), Aluvihare Rock Temple and Sri Muthumariamman Temple (dedicated to Mariamman, the goddess of rain and fertility) in Matale. Time permitting, we will also visit a local spice garden on our journey. Two nights at Cinnamon Citadel Hotel, Kandy.
Day 8
Visits in Kandy to the complex at Sri Dalada Maligawa (the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) including a chance to experience morning puja, followed by the three ‘western temples’ of the Gampola period with their distinctive architecture: Gadaladeniya, Lankatilaka and Embekke.
Day 9
Transfer to Nuwara Eliya (based in the picturesque and green southern hill country) with its colonial hill station, including en route visits to Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens and one of the region’s famous tea plantations. Afternoon exploration of Nuwara Eliya (19th century summer retreat lined with Victorian-style mansions). Overnight stay at the Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya. Evening meal at The Hill Club in Nuwara Eliya (subject to final confirmation).
Day 10
Early morning excursion to Horton Plains National Park. Continue to Kataragama, with an en route visit to the spectacular Ella Gap (views across Sri Lanka’s southern plains). Two nights at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Weerawila.
Day 11
Optional early morning excursion to Wirawila Wewa Bird Sanctuary (home to a wide variety of resident and migratory species), followed by Kataragama Temple (the most important Hindu site in Sri Lanka). Afternoon visit to Yala National Park for a jeep safari (possible sightings of Sri Lankan leopards, elephants and 200 species of birds).
Day 12
Transfer to Galle, with en route visits to Tissamaharama (the most important religious site in the south), Matara Fort (Dutch period Star Fort and church) and Dondra (the southernmost point of Sri Lanka and pilgrimage site). Overnight stay at Le Grand Hotel, Galle.
Day 13
Morning exploration of the colonial centre of Galle, including visits to the fort, All Saints’ (Anglican) Church and Groote (Dutch) Church, and the National Museum of Galle. Transfer to Colombo for two nights at the Galle Face Hotel. Time permitting, we may explore sites in Colombo this afternoon, including Independence Memorial Hall, the Anglican Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour (both important modern structures with traditional references), Sima Malaka or the Fort area.
Day 14
Visits to Colombo National Museum (ancient royal regalia and rock sculptures), Wolvendaal (Dutch) Church, Colombo Dutch Museum, Old Colombo Dutch Hospital and Gangaramaya Temple, followed by some free time to explore and relax.
Day 15
Depart Colombo 1250 on Sri Lankan Airlines, arriving Heathrow 1910.
Please note that the itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change or confirmation nearer the time. The order of visits could be adjusted, some sites may close at short notice, and we cannot guarantee the availability of all the wildlife mentioned.
Frequently Asked Questions
To read our full list of frequently asked questions please visit our general FAQs here.
What is the maximum group size of this tour?
What is the deposit cost for this tour?
What tour staff will be on this tour?
Am I fit enough to travel on this tour?
Fitness Requirements
The majority of ACE Cultural Tours are active in nature. To make the most of our time in a destination and provide excellent value for money, they are busy – there are often several visits included each day. As such, our tours require a certain minimum level of physical and mental fitness, mobility and stamina.
Many visits will involve navigating several steps, uneven ground, steep ascents and descents, and could involve embarking and disembarking aircraft, coaches, trains and cruise vessels. Plenty of walking, punctuated by lengthy periods of standing, is the norm. Some tours may involve long coach journeys.
It is essential that all customers are sufficiently fit and able enough to fully participate. Furthermore, every tour comprises a group of guests. We cannot allow the entire group to be negatively impacted by one participant, either holding up the pace we reasonably need to maintain or disproportionately requiring the attention and support of the tour staff.
We carefully consider the intensity, fitness and other requirements of each itinerary and describe them on the tour pages of our brochures and website. Please study these descriptions closely. When you call to book, we will reiterate those requirements and ask you to confirm that all group members are indeed fit enough and otherwise able to meet the criteria. It is your responsibility to answer fully and honestly. If it transpires that you are not able to keep pace with the tour and/or it reasonably appears you are negatively impacting (or are reasonably likely to negatively impact) the enjoyment of the rest of the group (including their ability to complete all scheduled visits), we may ask you to sit out certain days/visits, take a taxi at your own expense (if available in the location), or even, if we consider there is no other reasonable alternative, ask you to leave the tour and make your own way home.
This is a comprehensive tour and requires a good level of fitness and mobility. Participants should be prepared for a significant amount of walking and standing. Some visits involve walking over uneven ground, uphill and up steps, which can be uneven, sometimes without handrails, and in dimly lit areas. Participants must meet ACE’s usual fitness criteria, as outlined in our Booking Terms & Conditions.
As a minimum, participants should be able to successfully complete the following self- assessment tests:
- Walk for one hour at a reasonable pace and without needing to take a break to rest
- Climb at least two flights of stairs at a reasonable pace
- Stand unaided for at least 30 minutes
- Stand up and sit down ten times in one minute
- Carry or otherwise move your own luggage
Please ensure you have read and understand our full fitness requirements as described in our terms and conditions.
Practicalities
The tour features several hotel changes, several early mornings, and some long coach journeys of up to 4-5 hours. February is an ideal time to visit and conditions should be warm and dry, however please note that some areas may be hotter (around 30 degrees). We have also scheduled the occasional early morning start to take advantage of less crowded conditions and the best of the local wildlife.
UK Government Travel Advice
For additional travel information from the UK government please consult the following pages.
Flight Information
For customers who wish to make their own travel arrangements, ACE is pleased to be able to offer a flight reduction of £900.
Cost Details
Sri Lanka: History, Art & Landscape
February 22 - March 8, 2027
Included: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, thirteen breakfasts (one packed), six lunches, thirteen dinners with soft drink, water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.
Not Included: visa, travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £950.
More like this
The Story of the Raj: From Calcutta to Delhi
3rd November–18th November 2026
with Rima Hooja
Trace the story of the Raj through a series of historically significant visits with expert historian Rima Hooja
Tunisia: From the Ruins of Carthage to the Great Mosque of Kairouan
1st November–10th November 2026
with Nick Jackson
Explore Tunisia's heritage from the legendary city of Carthage to significant Roman sites of Dougga and El Djem
Get in Touch
Our sales team are available to help Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm. You can contact us by phone or email or by completing an enquiry form below.
To receive our latest tour details and news, request our most recent brochure or join our email newsletter, use the buttons below.
+44(0)1223 841055
sales@aceculturaltours.co.uk
