ESCORTED SRI LANKA TOUR 

16-18 April These days are spent in the south around Galle and the coast. This final stage allows time to slow down beside the Indian Ocean, explore the old fort streets of Galle, and end the trip in a more relaxed frame of mind.

International flights are not included in the price but can be organised by Natural High with either British Airways or Sri Lankan Airways. (ATOL 6768)

Uga Ulagalla

Tucked away in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle, Uga Ulagalla offers an unparalleled luxury experience that combines eco-friendly living with rich cultural heritage. Set in a sprawling 58-acre lush green garden with a 150- year-old mansion at its centre, rich with cultural heritage and historical significance. Interposed within this natural habitat, there are 25 villas. Each villa comes with its own plunge pool, set amidst lush paddy fields and serene reservoirs. The resort seamlessly blends nature and history, with ancient ruins just a short drive away.

While at Uga Ulagalla visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Anuradhapura and go on a jeep safari in search of elephant at Minneriya, ECO Park or Kaudulla Park.

The so-called Cultural Triangle Cultural Triangle showcases Sri Lanka’s fascinating history with its ancient ruins, ornate cave temples and logic-defying sacred sites. The sprawling ancient city of Anuradhapura is full of stepped pools and bell-shaped stupas, or dagobas (some as large as 60m high and 340m in circumference), many of them gleaming white, while others have faded to overgrown, sun-baked brick. One of Buddhism’s holiest places – partly because of the 2200-year-old Sri Maha Bodhi tree, grown from a cutting of the Indian tree beneath which Buddha found Enlightenment – it also features in the Hindu Ramayana.
Dambulla is Sri Lanka’s greatest Cave Temple complex. The walls are alive with frescoes of religious and secular scenes and beautiful geometric designs, and hundreds of statues of Buddha and bodhisattvas, many carved directly from the cave rock, the largest of which is a 15m carving of Buddha recumbent.
The impressive 370m high rock citadel of Sigiriya, or “Lion Rock”, dominates the surrounding plains. Built in the 5th century it was abandoned after 10 years of occupation when the King, defeated by his brother committed suicide. The top is reached by climbing 1200 steps, interspersed with platforms where you can take a rest if needed. The views over the surrounding area are magnificent and alone are well worth the climb but don’t miss the wonderful frescos too at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Half board, pool villa

Kandy Gallery

Nestled in the cultural highlands of Kandy, Kandy Gallery Hotel offers an intimate and characterful retreat on the edge of Sri Lanka’s spiritual heartland. Framed by mist-laced hills and tropical gardens, the hotel blends colonial grace with contemporary comfort — a serene counterpoint to the energy of the nearby Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
Each room is styled with curated art and heritage touches, creating a sense of place that feels both authentic and refined. Days here unfold gently: mornings with birdsong and fresh Ceylon tea, afternoons exploring the lake and historic streets, and evenings returning to candlelit dinners and warm Sri Lankan hospitality.

Kandy was the last royal capital, situated beside a lake, cradled by hills and surrounded by tea plantations. It is home to the gold-roofed Temple of the Tooth, with its guardian elephants, a deeply significant Buddhist site that contains a tooth of Buddha collected from his funeral pyre and draws thousands of pilgrims from across the world.

Nearby are the Perdeniya Botanical Gardens where the British pioneered the growing of exotic plants such as coffee, tea, nutmeg, rubber and cinchona (quinine). The gardens stretch over 60 hectares and feature an arboretum, orchid house and huge colonies of flying foxes.

BB basis, Luxury room

Uga Ghirri

Uga Ghiri is a restored early-1900s colonial manor perched high on a clifftop above Ella, offering panoramic views of tea-covered hills and the iconic Nine Arch Bridge. The property blends heritage charm with contemporary luxury, featuring 15 spacious private villas, each with its own deck and jacuzzi, set across 10 acres of tranquil grounds. Guests can enjoy refined dining in the manor house, indulgent Balinese-inspired spa treatments, and easy access to Ella’s highlights, from Little Adam’s Peak to Ravana Falls. It’s designed as a serene, elegant retreat where nature, history, and comfort come together.
Sri Lanka’s central highlands are a dramatic landscape of steep hillsides clothed in carpets of tea, cypress and eucalyptus trees all watered by gushing streams and waterfalls. With many places at nearly 2000m above sea level, the region is much cooler than elsewhere in Sri Lanka.
Nuwara Eliya, at the foot of a mountain, was made into a summer retreat by the British in the early 1800s and much of its colonial character still remains, with many visitors arriving from Kandy on the 4 hour morning train journey. Ella Gap offers wonderful views to the south coast on a clear day, while Haputale on the far south of the highlands offers some great walking with dramatic panoramic views. Hill country roads are dotted with wayside stalls selling fresh fruit and vegetables grown in village home gardens and different grades of tea can also be purchased.
For many the tea plantations and their characterful bungalows are enough of a reason to visit the area. However, for those who like to stay active, Horton Plains National Park can be explored by jeep or on foot and the most dramatic feature her is “World’s End”, where the plateau comes to an abrupt end and drops nearly 1000m. Mountain biking, canoeing, white water rafting and a challenging ascent of Adam’s Peak (2234m), sacred to Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and Christians, usually made at night so that sunrise can be viewed from the mountain top, are further possibilities.

All inclusive, Sutherland Villa.

Kahanda Kanda

Set amidst the palm-fringed jungle and tea plantations of southern Sri Lanka, Kahanda Kanda is a hidden gem where culture, wellness and luxury combine. This boutique hotel offers 12 individually designed villas (eight with private pools), just a short drive from south coast beaches and Galle Fort, a UNESCO world heritage site. The villas stand out for their elegant collections of art and antiques, and exotic private gardens, all sprinkled within 12 beautifully landscaped tea-fringed acres overlooking Koggala Lake.

While you are staying at Kahanda Kanda you can go on a boat trip at Mirissa to hopefully see the whales. The is approximately 50-60 USD per person. This is best booked a couple of days before depending on the weather and the sea conditions.

With ancient sea facing ramparts for sunset walks, jewellery shops spilling with gems, quiet lanes, grand colonial houses, churches and a lighthouse, dusty antique shops, hip restaurants, cricket matches and a thriving local community there’s much to love about Galle.
Formerly a strategic port on a route between the East and Europe Galle was once a bustling centre of maritime trade. The Portuguese, Dutch and British settled here over the centuries creating a diverse cultural heritage and today the UNESCO listed town bears testimony to their influences. Vibrant by day and sleepy at night, the cobbled streets, hidden courtyards and easy calm makes Galle Fort seem a world away from the busy neighbouring new town.
Popular with artists, photographers and designers many buildings have been beautifully restored and converted into hotels in recent years offering an excellent choice of stylish accommodation in the heart of the fort, as well as on the beaches nearby.

Bed and breakfast, Pool villa.

6-18 April 2027

Price: £5,680 per person based on two people sharing a twin / double room excluding international flights.

Single Supplement from: £2,760

Price Includes:

• Private meet and greet on arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport
• Transport in an air-conditioned comfortable coach throughout
• Escorted throughout by Catherine Ronan or Gillian Aram from Natural High Safaris and our professional local guide
• Entrance fees to sights and national parks
• Game drives whilst at Wilpattu
• Kamatha dinner at Ulagalla
• Local taxes
• Price Excludes:
• International flights
• Optional excursions
• Travel Insurance
• Expenses of any personal nature.
• Tips/gratuities

Subject to government guidelines and restrictions.