Sri Lanka’s most evocative landscapes unfold on this boutique journey, from Kandy’s temple-studded hills and Haputale’s mist-veiled tea country to Galle’s storied cobbled streets and Bentota’s languid shores.
Walk Stage 1 of the Pekoe Trail from Hanthana to Galaha, a rewarding route through working tea estates and quiet hill villages
Explore the UNESCO-listed Galle Fort with a local historian, uncovering stories behind its ramparts, warehouses, and 17th-century architecture
Visit the Dambatenne Tea Factory, founded by Sir Thomas Lipton in 1890, to see traditional tea production still in daily operation
Kandy, the island’s cultural capital, is ringed by forested hills and known for its sacred temples, historic charm and thriving arts traditions
Bentota’s coast is defined by wide beaches, gentle surf and riverside gardens, with easy access to Bawa’s architectural landmarks
You will be welcomed by your guide at Colombo Airport and transferred to Kandy, the spiritual and cultural heart of Sri Lanka. Stay for two nights at W15 Hanthana Estate, a restored period bungalow set amid tea plantations and misty hills. On Day 2, embark on Stage 1 of the Pekoe Trail from Hanthana to Galaha, a scenic hike through historic tea country. The afternoon is free for relaxation in the beautiful gardens, or for optional activities such as cycling, birdwatching, temple visits, cookery classes, or a vintage Land Rover tour.
Travel into Sri Lanka’s verdant hill country to Thotalagala, a beautifully restored planter’s residence overlooking 4,000 hectares of tea, where you will spend the next three nights. During your stay you will be taken by tuk tuk for a dawn hike to Lipton’s Seat, one of the island’s most breathtaking viewpoints, with views across emerald hills and tea estates. You will also visit the Dambatenne Tea Factory, founded by Sir Thomas Lipton in 1890, to see the full tea-making process and sample world-famous Ceylon tea. Afternoons are at leisure to relax amid the tranquil hills.
Continue your journey to the southern coast for a two-night stay at Galle Fort Hotel, a historic gem within the UNESCO-listed Galle Fort. Spend time exploring boutiques, cafés, and ramparts overlooking the Indian Ocean. In the afternoon, join a private walking tour of Galle Fort with a local historian to uncover centuries of heritage and stories.
Continue along the coast to Rock Villa, Bentota, a serene 14-room retreat set within two acres of tropical gardens, where you will stay for three nights. Visit Geoffrey Bawa’s Lunuganga Estate, a masterpiece of landscape architecture. For the remainder of your stay, choose to relax by the beach or explore the area further with optional excursions to Brief Gardens or a boat ride along the Madu River. On Day 11, your driver will transfer you back to Colombo Airport.