Sri Lanka with Uga Resorts

Day 1  Fly to Colombo

Day 2  Negombo                  
Welcome to Sri Lanka, upon arrival you will be transferred to the boutique 4★ Uga Riva in Negombo. This lovingly restored 180-year-old manor house is surrounded by a lush coconut palm estate offering tranquillity from the hustle and bustle of Colombo. After a long journey, refresh in the pool and decompress in your room, only 1 of 7.

Day 3  Negombo to the Cultural Triangle          
Depart Negombo and head to 5★ Uga Ulagalla in the Cultural Triangle, your home for the next 3 nights. A boutique property set within 58 acres of paddy fields and woodlands, Uga Ulagalla is an elegant yet tranquil retreat that boasts a multitude of optional activities designed to help you explore and understand more about the local area. Kayak on the pristine Wannamaduwa Reservoir, cycle the rural routes to nearby villages or swap 2 legs for 4 and go horse riding. If you want to just simply relax back at the property, then cooking classes can be arranged, spa treatments booked, or alternatively you can just unwind by the private pool at your villa.

Day 4  Anuradhapura            
This morning, explore the 1st capital of Sri Lanka which stood for over 1,000 years from 380BC and is recognised today as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These sprawling ruins are dissected by a network of ancient reservoirs and canals that encompass numerous dagobas (dome-shaped shrines), including the Jetavanarama Dagoba, a huge shrine said to be the largest brick-built structure in the world. Wander the complex with a guide, visiting the Isurumuniya Vihara, a temple built into the rock, dating back to 247BC, that features exquisite carvings, before paying homage to the oldest documented tree, the incredible Sri Maha Bodhi, said to be the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. Return to Uga Ulagalla in time for an afternoon game drive through Wilpattu National Park, renowned for its high density of Asian elephant and the elusive leopard.

Day 5  Sigiriya                
Start today at another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the rock fortress of Sigiriya, also known as ‘Lion Rock’. This elaborate city was developed on the summit of a magma plug, the core of an extinct volcano. Visible for miles around, the spectacular rock pillar features defensive structures, palaces, gardens, and the massive stone paws of what was once a crouching lion statue that guarded the staircase leading to the peak.

Day 6  The Cultural Triangle to Passekudah    
Set off this morning towards the east coast and check into 4★ Uga Bay - An Uga Experience. This contemporary resort fuses Sri Lankan architecture with Mediterranean charm and occupies a prime position on the golden sands of Passekudah Bay.

Days 7-8  Passekudah  
Spend the next couple of days here admiring the panoramic view of the turquoise ocean and expansive palm-dotted gardens from the impressive infinity pool. Alternatively, you can arrange a snorkelling excursion to the nearby coral reef or book a catamaran cruise and watch the sun set as you sail along the coastline.

Day 9  Passekudah to Ella      
Head for tea country as you pass emerald-hued valleys peppered by tea plantations on your way to the town of Ella. Enjoy the rest of your day taking in the wild surroundings.

Day 10  Ella                  
After an early breakfast, hike the nearby Little Adam’s Peak. This relatively easy walk rewards you with 360-degree vistas of the surrounding mist-draped forests, creating quite the spectacle if you manage to arrive in time for sunrise. Afterwards, venture to all the scenic stops in and around Ella, starting with Demodara Station for a short walk along the track to see the spiral railway and engineering marvel of the Demodara Loop. Continue to another viewpoint to see the picturesque Nine Arch Bridge and then drive to Ravana Ella waterfall for another photo opportunity.

Day 11  Ella to Yala NP      
Today, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the train station in Ella. Board the train for a short but scenic journey (approx 45 mins) over the famous Nine Arch Bridge, then through the hills and forests to Badulla. After disembarking the train in Badulla you will be met at the station for the drive to 5★ Uga Chena Huts near Yala National Park. Nestled amid sand dunes and tropical jungle at the ocean’s edge, this distinctive property boasts 18 luxurious cabins designed to harmonise with the natural environment. Absorb the incredible sunsets over the ocean at the bar or take a plunge in the pool, flanked by a tangle of verdant jungle, where you might catch a glimpse of a brightly coloured hornbill perched in the trees and cheeky macaques playing in the canopy.

Day 12  Yala NP                  
Enjoy both morning and afternoon game drives within Yala National Park, an area synonymous with having the highest densities of leopards in the world. The local guide will help point out the diverse array of wildlife that also includes the Asian elephant, sloth bear and water buffalo, as you wind through the thickets of forest and open grassland.

Days 13  Yala NP to Galle  
Leave Yala behind and continue along the southern coastal route to the magnificent city of Galle, known for the 16th Century Galle Fort, a UNESCO listed fortified walled neighbourhood. On arrival, meander through the cobbled alleyways on a shared walking tour with a local as they take you to the prominent landmarks of the old Portuguese harbour and the oldest lighthouse in Sri Lanka.

Day 14  Galle              
Your last day is yours to do with as you please. Perhaps go for a private arrack tasting along with carefully curated food pairings, visit the surrounding cinnamon plantations, learn to cook like a local, or gain a deeper understanding of how endangered wildlife is being protected, at the Habaraduwa turtle hatchery.

Days 15-16  Transfer to Colombo and fly home