Sri Lanka
An adventure around Sri Lanka with a bit of an architectural buzz, as we get to stay in and experience some of Geoffrey Bawa's great creations.
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Sri Lanka discovered.
This trip includes some lovely destination hotels with the X factor, as on all our trips we mix it up a little, with some simpler accomodation as well but be assured accomodation on this trip will delight you. History, beaches, timeless ruins, welcoming people, delicious food and famous tea. There is so much to love about Sri Lanka. We follow a classic route, exploring the cultural highlights of this amazing island nation, but with lots of extras. We spend 2 consecutive nights in hotels wherever possible, giving us extra time to explore some of the hidden gems often missed on the usual whistle-stop tours. There is the option to either climb Sigiriya rock, or Pidurangla rock (my fav). We also get to spend 2 nights in the fort city of Galle a night in a "members only" club house, and so, so much more. Here is an overview of our trip. Negombo (1 nights) Welcome to Sri Lanka! You can arrive anytime today and I will be at the hotel to greet you. Our arrival hotel is in the beachside town of Negombo, which is closer to the airport than Colombo and is funky and right on the beach in the heart of the walking area, a perfect place to chill and get over jetlag. For those that arrive in time to fit in a massage this is my favourite way of getting over a long flight. Tonight we have a welcome dinner overlooking the beach. Anuradhapura (1 night) After breakfast, we journey north to Anuradhapura. The scenery is interesting, with glimpses of rural life, also stopping at points of interest along the way. Our hotel at Anuradhapura has a pool and after lunch we will check in, have a swim and a rest, before heading out in the cool of the early evening to explore the sights and watch the ancient pagodas light up as dark descends. Anuradhapura is the first ancient capital of Sri Lanka and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dambulla (3 nights) Dambulla is in the heart of the cultural triangle and it's here we make our base to explore the surrounding area whilst staying at the ''Heritance Kandalama'' hotel and our first exposure to the wonderful architect Geoffrey Bawa. We will do a morning drive to visit Sigiriya (Lion's Rock), with the option of climbing either Sigiriya or Pidurangla to the top before the heat of the day sets in. We visit Dambulla Cave Temple the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. In Dambulla we have a ''free'' day here, where you can either ''chill out'' at the amazing hotel, enjoying some down time and the 3 wonderful pools overlooking the lake, or take a day trip to Polonnaruwa. (the second capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura) (You can choose on the day) or take an afternoon "Safari" into the national park to see elephants and other wildlife. Kandy (2 night) From Dambulla we head south up into the highlands and the cultural heart of the country, Kandy, a vibrant city surrounding a lake and enclosed by hills on all sides. There is the option to visit the Tooth Temple and the delightful botanical gardens. There is also time to go walking around the town and lake in the evening, which is quite magical, as we be staying just a short walk from the heart of the city. Nuwara Eliya (1 nights) Today, we leave Kandy and head into the highlands and tea plantations, with lots of "view point" stops as we head towards the hill station town of Nuwara Eliya. We will stop in a tea plantation for a walk and lunch on the way. The scenery on this drive is quite wonderful. This is also a section of the trip we may choose to do by train, depending on it running and the timetable on the day. Where we stay and dine tonight, will take you back in time to the days of the British in Ceylon, (Pack a collar shirt for tonight). Galle (2 nights) There is just so much to love about Galle, and that is why we will stay right in the heart of the old city in simple, charming accommodation, enabling you to explore on foot the restaurants, cafe's, galleries, and take in the sunset from high on the city wall ramparts. In the morning for the early risers, we get to visit the local fish market and we make a visit to "The lighthouse" for an evening cocktail / coffee at another G Bawa hotel. Full of charm is how I would describe Galle and we have the time to enjoy it. Villa Bentota (2 nights) Leaving Galle we drive north to another Bawa designed property, and our base to explore "Lunuganga", Geoffrey Bawa's country residence, and the beautiful "Brief" gardens of his brother Bevin. Included a lunch treat somewhere special. Colombo (1 night) Our last full day we head for a tour around the capital city Colombo with a stop for lunch at Geoffrey Bawa's converted city office on Paradise road, and a chance for last min shopping before our flights tomorrow. Our hotel tonight is in the "Old Hospital" area, an ideal place to explore the historic part of town.. In the evening we will take a stroll along the waterfront and "Galle face "which is always full of local life and colour in the evenings. We finish our tour with a goodbye cocktail as the colonial Galle Face hotel for sunset. Departure day. Those leaving today can share taxies to the Airport. Most flights leave very late at night so most of you will have the full day to explore more of Colombo. Accommodation on this trip is our signature mix of amazing, and simple yet charming. Hotels in Sri Lanka are expensive by Asian standards. By mixing the standard up a little we can have an amazing trip with a few nights at exceptional properties, whilst keeping the overall cost of the trip modest. As with all OTS gay friendly trips you have to let go of the concept you're signing up for a tour, you're not, you're coming on an adventure , yes its a semi-structured adventure with all the hard work done but it is nevertheless a adventure, things will go wrong some days, and changes need to be adapted too, you will need your wits about you, and to expect to do some exploring on your own. 
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13th - 26th September 2026.
Starts and finishes Colombo (CMB) airport. (Singapore Airlines has best flight times from NZ and OZ and Cathay Pacific from US) You can arrive anytime on the 15th and leave anytime on the 28th, or extend for a few days chilling by the beach. A 14-day Adventure. This years Sri Lanka trip will be hosted by Richard Small group Min 8 Max 14 Includes :-
Not Included
Cost Twin share USD $3995 pp (Land only) Single room + USD $790. Deposit to confirm a place on the adventure U$500 pp Option to add nights either before or after our trip, to fit in with your air tickets. On this trip we are staying in some very atmospheric hotels. OTS has negotiated some special Single room rates for this trip and at U$790 supplement this is about 50% off the standard cost for this level of accomodation. If you would like to twin share I will do my best to find single travellers someone of their own sex to share with. However if this is not possible a single supplement will need to be paid. The green "Book Now" button will appear above when live bookings and deposits open for this trip.
Register your interest below, to ask any questions, and to to be the first to be notified when deposits open and you can secure a place on the adventure. Payment options Due to the nature of Adventure travel and the prices of the resources on which it depends, the published price of any trip is subject to change at any time, before or after booking confirmation, up to 60 days before the departure. 
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