We started planning our Sri Lanka trip almost 10 months ago; our original plan was staying in Galle to attend a wedding and one more coastal city, such as Tangalle, Bentota, Negombo, to enjoy the sun and beach.
Except Ceylon tea, we knew nothing about Sri Lanka; we thought probable we would not go to Sri Lanka again, to make our “one in a life time” trip more fruitful, we decided to forget the sun and beach and discover the different aspects of Sri Lanka.
Our final plan was to stay at 3 hotels in 3 different regions:
Galle – wedding, the ancient town
Hatton – tea country
Dambulla – Sigiriya district
Recall our India trip, we also stayed at 3 hotels in 3 different cities (India’s Golden Triangle), the plan was relatively easy because we just followed Aman India Journey.
This time, we need to plan everything by ourselves.
Our itinerary:
Day 1
We took CX flight to Colombo, with a 1 hour stop at Singapore.
Arrived Colombo almost 11:00pm, took a 2.5 – 3 hour drive to Galle (crazy to travel at night, I would recommend to stay one night in Colombo).
Stayed 4 nights at Amangalla, Galle.
Day 2
We stayed in the suite located at 3/F (top), with a beautiful veranda, where we enjoyed breakfast almost every morning during our stay.
After breakfast, we walked around the old town of Galle Fort, the beautiful lighthouse and sea side and the wall.
Lunch at local restaurant.
Rehearsal dinner at Why House
Day 3
WEDDING DATE
Day 4
The last event of the wedding, BBQ at WB Villa, Why Beach.
Dinner at Amangalla
Day 5
Took a 5.5 hour drive from Galle to Hatton.
Ceylon Tea Trails, member of Relais & Chateaux, has four bungalows vary in size from 4 to 6 rooms & suites; 20 in all.
Each bungalow is unique – lakeside Castlereagh & Summerville, Norwood with panoramic views and Tientsin, the most traditional colonial.
Stayed 1 night in Palmer garden suite of Castlereagh Bungalow with full board
Day 6
Transferred to Summerville by boat ride on Castlereagh Lake
Stayed 2 night in Garnet garden suite of Summerville Bungalow with full board
Day 7
Walked around Hatton
Day 8
Took 4 hour drive from Hatton to Dambulla with stop in Kandy
Lunch at local restaurant
Arrived Heritance Kandalama Hotel, we stayed in deluxe room which located in the Sigiriya Wing.
Spa treatment at Six Senses Spa
Day 9
A tour to Sigiriya Rock Fortress
visited a wood factory
Spa treatment
Day 10
A tour to Dambulla Golden Temple & Rock Temple
Day 11
We requested late check-out at 2pm, after lunch, took a 2 hours Spa treatment to kill the waiting time.
3 hour drive from Dambulla to Colombo
Day 12
Flight time was 0040 / 1155
but our flight was cancelled!
We were asked to take the next flight which was scheduled on the same time of next day! After almost 2 hours waiting (and negotiation) at CX check-in counter, finally we got on SQ flight on 1:30am.
Please visit individual post for more pictures
P.S.
Sri Lanka is a beautiful country, we will definitely come back.
hk L'ourson 