Sri Lanka - a journey through Paradise
Day 1 - Arrival & Welcome at The Wallawwa, Kotugoda We landed in Colombo and were whisked away to The Wallawwa Hotel in Kotugoda. What a gem of a property! Tucked away in lush gardens and just a short drive from the airport, it’s the perfect spot to relax after a long flight. We were treated to a lovely welcome dinner hosted by the wonderful Bobby, Kurt, and Esther from Columbus Tours. Great food, great company, and a warm Sri Lankan welcome, what a perfect start!
Day 2 - Temples, Safari & Water Gardens Our fantastic driver Ananda picked us up the next morning, and we hit the road towards Sigiriya. First stop: the Dambulla Cave Temple, a beautiful, peaceful place filled with ancient Buddha statues and colourful murals. Later that afternoon, we headed out for a jeep safari in Minneriya National Park, but since the elephants had moved, we ended up at Hurulu Eco Park. We saw so many elephants up close - it was magical! We checked in that evening to the stunning Water Gardens Sigiriya, a luxury boutique resort inspired by the ancient water gardens of nearby Sigiriya Rock. Set in tranquil surroundings, it features elegant villas (some with private plunge pools) , lush landscapes and stunning views. It's the perfect retreat in Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle. After a delicious dinner, we turned in early for a big morning - to climb Sigiriya Rock at sunrise!
Day 3 - Sunrise at Sigiriya Rock & Onward to Kandy The early wake-up call was so worth it. Climbing Sigiriya Rock at sunrise was truly unforgettable. It was honestly one of the most incredible moments of the whole trip. We set off early while it was still dark, we could have set the alarm a little earlier so we put the feet to the floor to make it up before the sun started to rise! As we climbed the steps, the sky slowly started to lighten with pinks and oranges breaking through the mist. By the time we reached the top, the sun was just rising over the horizon, it was pure magic. On top of Sigiriya Rock, there are the fascinating ruins of an ancient royal palace, it's like stepping back in time. Our guide gave us an insight of it's history and showed us what was left of the king's throne , gardens and a giant reservoir that still holds water today! The views are absolutely unreal, 360 degrees of lush jungle, misty mountains and little villages in the distance. Totally worth the early start and a bit of sweat! An unforgettable experience.
After our climb, we headed to Kandy and checked into the charming Kandy House Boutique Hotel. It’s a beautifully restored manor house with lush gardens and incredible food. That evening, we visited the famous Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, a powerful spiritual experience and a must-do in Kandy.
Day 4 & 5 - Tea Country by Train We boarded the iconic Kandy to Hatton train and journeyed into Sri Lanka’s lush tea country. The views were breathtaking. Our home for the next 2 nights was the exquisite Tientsin Bungalow, part of the Ceylon Tea Trails collection. Set in manicured English gardens, this colonial bungalow offered 6 luxurious suites , we had exclusive use of the bungalow, complete with our own butler, it was absolutely amazing! We visited the Dunkeld Tea Factory to learn all about the history and craft of tea-making, then walked a stretch of the Pekoe Trail, taking in the incredible scenery and watching the hardworking local ladies pick tea. We also visited another bungalow in the Ceylon Tea Trails collection, the Castlereagh Bungalow which had amazing views over the Castlereagh Lake. With personalised butler service, gourmet dining and a serene ambiance, these bungalows provide an authentic and indulgent retreat in the heart of Sri Lanka's highlands.
Day 6 - Scenic Train & Into the Wild at Uga Chena Huts Next, we made our way to Yala National Park, but not before a special experience aboard the Calypso Train, complete with live music and a stop at the iconic Nine Arches Bridge. We sang, waved at locals, and soaked up the jungle scenery, it was great fun! We stopped at the Nine Arches Bridge - a stunning colonial era railway set in the lush jungle and tea plantations, famous for it's stone arches and scenic train crossings. Lots of photo opportunities here!
In Yala, we stayed at the ultra-luxurious Uga Chena Huts - a luxurious, all inclusive retreat nestled between the lush jungles of Yala National Park and the serene Indian Ocean coastline in Southern Sri Lanka. The resort offers 18 spacious huts, each having it's own private plunge pool and outdoor decks. It was wild luxury at its finest. We went on safari and explored Yala National Park, famous for its leopard sightings, elephants, crocodiles, and abundant birdlife. It was thrilling to be so immersed in nature with expert guides leading the way.
Day 8+9 - Coastline, Galle & Farewell On the way to our final stop, we dropped into the beautiful Anantara Peace Haven in Tangalle for a site inspection and a delicious lunch with ocean views. We arrived at the Fortress Resort & Spa in Koggala, our final hotel - a beachfront hotel that blends Dutch colonial inspired architecture with modern elegance. just in time to unwind before exploring Galle Fort the next day.
Galle is full of colonial charm, boutique shops, and great food, it was the perfect way to wrap up our adventure. After a final lunch together in the delicious Fort Bazaar restaurant, we headed back to Colombo for our flights home, hearts full and cameras full of memories.
Final Thoughts Sri Lanka has honestly stolen a piece of my heart. The people are some of the friendliest I’ve ever met, the food is delicious, and the scenery ranges from misty hills to golden beaches. Huge thanks to Columbus Tours for hosting such a seamless and inspiring trip.
If you haven’t been, put Sri Lanka on your list. You won’t regret it!