Sri Lanka & Kerala

country:	India, Sri Lanka
departures:	This trip can be tailor made to suit your budget, interests and requirements
price:	From £685 (15 days) excluding flights
vouchers:	Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday

Sri Lanka holidays

Kerala holidays

Beach & culture holidays

the amazing things you'll be doing

This journey offers highlights of Sri Lanka and Kerala: two exotic and fascinating lands that are steeped in ancient heritage, exotic landscapes and untouched wilderness.

In Sri Lanka you will journey to the ancient ruins of the Cultural Triangle, the lush tea-growing mountains of the central hills and, finally, relax on the palm-fringed beaches of the west coast.

The exotic and colourful culture of Kerala awaits you soon after, with an adventurous journey in a Kettuvallum houseboat through the serene backwaters of Alappuzha.

Holiday highlights: Palm-fringed sandy beaches, spectacular hill country, Sigiriya rock fortress, Dambulla's Buddhist cave temple, ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa, exotic and historic Kochi, Kerala’s serene backwaters.

day-by-day itinerary

Day 1:	Upon arriving in Sri Lanka transfer to Ranweli Lodge in Negombo just 40 minutes from the Airport on a coastal wetland estuary. A short ferry ride across a scenic river glides you to the hotel situated in a peninsula surrounded by two rivers, a lagoon and the Indian Ocean.
Day 2-4:	Sri Lanka's famous Cultural Triangle offers plenty to fire both mind and body over the next three days. You will stay at Vil Uyana, a brand new lifestyle hotel just minutes away from the famous Sigiriya rock fortress.
Day 5-7:	The journey from the cultural triangle to Sri Lanka's hill capital - the small lakeside city of Kandy - will occupy most of the morning. Check into Ellerton, a planter’s bungalow situated 30 minutes drive to the south of Kandy.
Day 8-9:	After breakfast, journey south to the west coast and the fine wide Bentota beach, one of the best beaches in the island. Spend two days of sheer indulgent relaxation at Club Villa before your flight to Kerala.
Day 10:	Leave early and mid-morning to Cochin, an ancient trading port since at least Roman times. The journey from the airport will take approximately one hour before you check-in to the Brunton Boatyard, a unique boutique hotel.
Day 11-12:	After breakfast depart for Alappuzha (also known as Alleppey), a town surrounded by a large network of canals and is most famous for its annual ‘snake boat’ races in August.
Day 13:	After breakfast you will have another two hours to cruise as you head for Kumarakom, an island on the large Lake Vembanad that is blessed with an idyllic location. The area has attracted several exotic hotels offering backwater and Ayurveda holidays.
Day 13-14:	After breakfast you will have another two hours to cruise as you head for Kumarakom, an island on the large Lake Vembanad that is blessed with an idyllic location. The area has attracted several exotic hotels offering backwater and Ayurveda holidays. There is also a wonderful bird sanctuary.
Day 15:	Unfortunately, you have to leave. Your late morning flight connects with a lunchtime flight from Colombo and an arrival in the UK by the early evening.

tailor made holiday

This trip can be tailormade to create a unique holiday for your individual requirements by travel experts with intimate knowledge of the destination. It is a more luxurious trip that will suit those who enjoy immersing themselves in new cultures and environments before relaxing in comfort in some of the best and most characterful local accommodation! Quality and value are the hallmark of these trips.

how this holiday makes a difference

Environmental and socially committed hotels: The ‘Sri Lanka & Kerala Explorer’ has been designed with stays in high-quality hotels that have shown a clear commitment to ecological and social issues. In Sri Lanka, for example, Ranweli Lodge has won recognition from the World Tourist Organization for efforts towards protection of the surrounding natural habitat and its strong recycling philosophy. Ranweli also has a strong commitment to the local community, in terms of employment, use of local materials and produce and encouragement of ancient crafts. Vil Uyana has an in-house Naturalist as well as a Research Centre for educational institutions, organisations and individuals interested in conducting research on Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage, archeological sites in the area, as well as nature and wildlife. Other hotels in this itinerary have sound policies in place that have been verified, for example Coconut Lagoon, which has a fulltime director looking after its environmental policies and a breeding programme to protect the endangered Vechoor cows.

Local employment and Responsible tour operations: The tour operator uses only experienced local drivers and guides who are ever willing to share their knowledge with you. All drivers are employed on fair terms, ensuring they receive a proper wage for their services and have access to acceptable facilities, including good, clean, comfortable accommodation. In addition local staff is employed for Sales, IT and technical development, web production, writing, and handling holiday enquiries.

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