COLONIAL HERITAGE ROUTE

Negombo Colombo

Tea plantations

Ambewala Horton Plains

8 NIGHTS / 9 DAYS

Experience the colonial heritage of seaside Negombo , the life of a tea planter in the tea-clad valleys of the highlands , the old Dutch fortress city of Galle and bustling Colombo , as well as picturesque mountain scenery , coastlines , tropical forests , plantations , a turtle hatchery and much more besides .

Galle

Day 1 Arrive Colombo to Negombo You will be met on arrival and driven by your Englishspeaking chauffeur guide who will accompany you throughout your tour of Sri Lanka . Drive to the chic and contemporary Jetwing Beach for one night in Negombo ( approximately 20 minutes drive ). Negombo is an important fishing town and shows its interesting colonial heritage through its many historic buildings , reminiscent mainly of the Dutch and British . Although it was the Portuguese who had brought the dominating influence of the Catholic Church , giving rise to the nickname ‘ Little Rome ’. The Dutch legacy is seen in the remains of the grand Dutch Fort and the Dutch canal , now called Hamilton Canal .

Day 2 From Negombo to Ambewela After breakfast , head off inland towards the hills and to Nuwara Eliya in the high tea country ( approximately 6 hours drive ). Pause a while in this curious hill town known as Little England with its racecourse , golf course , lake and British colonial buildings . Then continue to Jetwing Warwick Gardens , near Ambewela . Rejuvenate your spirit in the heart of the magical world of Ceylon tea , a place for solitude and picturesque surroundings wherever the eye can see .

Day 3 In Ambewela – Tea Experience in the Highlands Enjoy a leisurely breakfast as the sun burns through the morning mist . This 118-year-old English planter ’ s house is picturesquely tucked within the Ambewela mountain range overlooking a deep tea-clad valley , located on 30 acres of its own farm and tea plantation . Walk through the tea plantations and visit a tea factory to see how tea is manufactured . Attractions such as Nuwara Eliya , Hakgala Botanical Gardens and Horton Plains are nearby .

Day 4 In Ambewela – excursion to Horton Plains or scenic drive An early morning drive will take you to Horton Plains National Park , a world apart from the rest of Sri Lanka , a misty and a rain-swept landscape that has fostered the growth of a unique ecosystem . Follow a circular walking trail that leads you to World ’ s End , a sheer drop of 1,000 metres down to the valley below , and to Bakers Waterfalls , straight off of a postcard . Alternatively , go on a scenic drive , or maybe a train journey , around the highlands instead .

Day 5 From Ambewela to Galle Today , after an early breakfast , you will be driven through mountain scenery and down to the lush tropical forests and plantations of Sri Lanka ’ s south-west ( approximately 6 hours drive ). Visit a turtle hatchery en route . Stay just outside historic Galle , on the coast , for two nights at the Jetwing Lighthouse Hotel , an architectural masterpiece created by the late Geoffrey Bawa , Sri Lanka ’ s iconic architect .

Day 6 Galle After breakfast , head off to explore Galle at leisure , taking in the rich heritage , culture and architecture of this historic fortress town and port . Galle Fort , constructed by the Dutch East India Company as a fortified town , is a UNESCO World Heritage Site . It is still intact and has a thriving community living and working within its walls . Walk along the ramparts , with the sea on one side and the famous Galle cricket ground on the other . The myriad narrow streets within the Fort are fascinating for their architecture and are lined with official buildings , shops and town houses , some of which have been converted to stylish villas and boutique hotels .

Day 7 From Galle to Colombo , along the southwest coast Head towards Colombo , Sri Lanka`s commercial capital ( approximately 3 hours drive ), a hectic mix of old and new , colonial architecture sitting alongside modern glass . Enjoy a short city tour and indulge in some shopping . Check-in to the Regency at the Galle Face Hotel and , in the evening , sip sunset cocktails on the chequer board of the Galle Face Hotel before exploring Colombo by night .

Day 8 Colombo A day to explore Colombo ’ s sights and do some shopping or just relax at the hotel , by the swimming pool , on the terrace or in the Regency Spa .

Day 9 Departure from Colombo Transfer to the airport ( approximately 1 hour ’ s drive ) for your flight home .

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Inside the Galle Fort

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