BESPOKE LUXURY JOURNEY

Sri Lanka: Tea & Leopards

Colonial refinement meets wild beauty

Imagine a realm where temple bells echo through misty mountains, where elusive leopards rule pristine wilderness, and where colonial mansions have been transformed into havens of contemporary luxury. Sri Lanka captivates with its ability to weave contrasts into perfect harmony: centuries-old tea plantations flourish alongside design-forward boutique hotels, whilst progressive urban spaces dance with timeless traditions. From Colombo’s emerging creative scene, where restored warehouses house galleries and innovative restaurants, to the serene heights of tea country, where infinity pools seem to float among the clouds, this is an island that transforms every moment into an artform of elegance and authenticity.

Sri Lanka at a Glance

Step into a world where hospitality flows as naturally as the evening breeze, where discretion and warmth intertwine in a centuries-old embrace. Here, in this teardrop-shaped isle, tradition and innovation dance a delicate pavane across a landscape of changing perspectives. Colombo’s cosmopolitan spirit reveals itself in intimate speakeasy bars and private gallery openings, where the city’s creative souls gather regardless of convention. In the historic Fort district, boutique hotels have masterfully preserved colonial architecture while quietly crafting safe spaces for all who appreciate refinement.

The island’s sophisticated havens—from restored tea planters’ bungalows to contemporary coastal retreats—understand the art of personal space and private moments. Here, thoughtful hoteliers and their staff practice the subtle art of reading between lines, ensuring every guest feels genuinely welcomed. Though the country’s laws may echo its colonial past, you’ll find progressive sanctuaries in unexpected places: artist studios in Colombo’s Kollupitiya district, bohemian beach bars in Galle, and intimate wilderness lodges where judgment dissolves into the mist-wrapped hills.

The rhythm of Sri Lankan life flows with the dramatic shift of seasons, each offering its own celebration of natural splendour and cultural richness. The south-west monsoon transforms the hill country into a verdant paradise, where waterfalls cascade down emerald slopes and the air is perfumed with wild orchids. The dry season brings perfect conditions for wildlife encounters in Yala, where dawn breaks over dew-kissed grasslands and elephants gather at ancient water tanks. Each moment here is an invitation to experience luxury through a lens of authenticity, whether you’re sipping single-origin Ceylon tea from fine bone china or watching the sunset from a private plunge pool overlooking the Indian Ocean.

14-day Travel Itinerary

This meticulously crafted journey traverses Sri Lanka's most compelling landscapes, from Colombo's sophisticated urbanity to the mystical ruins of ancient kingdoms. Begin in the cultural capital, where colonial heritage meets contemporary design, before ascending into the mist-shrouded tea country where luxury finds expression in converted planters' bungalows. Journey through the cultural triangle, where thousand-year-old temples whisper tales of ancient wisdom, before discovering the wild heart of Yala, where safari experiences rival Africa's finest. Finally, unwind in the UNESCO-listed fortress city of Galle, where Dutch colonial architecture houses some of the island's most exclusive boutiques and restaurants.

DAY 1

Colombo | First Whispers of Tropical Sophistication

Your Sri Lankan sojourn begins in Colombo, where tropical modernism meets colonial grandeur. After your private transfer from the airport, settle into the serene luxury of your hotel—perhaps the Residence by Uga Escapes, where contemporary design meets colonial charm in a restored Victorian mansion. As evening approaches, join your private guide for a curated introduction to Colombo's emerging culinary scene, where innovative chefs reinterpret traditional Sri Lankan flavours through a contemporary lens.

DAY 2

Thirappane | Gateway to Ancient Wisdom

Journey into the heart of Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle, where ancient kingdoms once ruled from lotus-crowned peaks. Your home for the next three nights might be Ulagalla, where a 150-year-old mansion presides over 58 acres of organic gardens and private villas. As the day cools, sip sunset cocktails on your private terrace while peacocks strut through manicured gardens below, their calls echoing across lily-strewn pools.

DAY 3

Anuradhapura | Where Sacred History Breathes

Dawn breaks over ancient stupas as you begin your exploration of UNESCO-listed Anuradhapura. Your expert guide weaves tales of kings and kingdoms as you wander through monasteries where meditation has been practiced continuously for over two millennia. Ascend the sacred peak of Mihintale, where Buddhism first took root in Sri Lanka, arriving just as the setting sun gilds the surrounding forests in liquid gold. Return to your villa for a private dinner beneath the stars, featuring ingredients harvested from the resort's organic gardens.

DAY 4

Sigiriya | Ascending to Royal Heights

Rise before dawn for your ascent of Sigiriya, the legendary Lion Rock fortress. Watch the sunrise paint the ancient frescoes in ethereal light as you climb past mirror walls still glossy after fifteen centuries. Later, explore the medieval city of Polonnaruwa by bicycle, where your guide reveals hidden corners where tropical flowers burst through ancient stones and monitor lizards bask on fallen columns.

DAY 5

Kandy | Heart of Living Culture

Wind your way into the hills to Kandy, Sri Lanka's spiritual capital. Perhaps choose to stay at Kandy House, an ancestral manor turned intimate hotel where traditional architecture meets contemporary comfort. Visit the sacred Temple of the Tooth as evening prayers fill the air with incense and devotion, then enjoy a private performance of traditional Kandyan dance, arranged exclusively for you in the hotel's candlelit courtyard.

DAY 6

Kandy | Cultural Rhythms

Begin your day with a private meditation session in a centuries-old temple, followed by breakfast in a hidden garden where wild orchids bloom. Explore Kandy's bustling markets with an expert in Sri Lankan spices, then meet with local artists in their private studios. As evening falls, join a renowned local chef for an intimate cooking demonstration, learning the secrets of traditional Sri Lankan curry-making.

DAY 7

Tea Country | Journey into the Mists

Board the scenic train to Hatton, where observation cars offer panoramic views of the emerald-quilted hills. Your destination might be Ceylon Tea Trails, a collection of restored planters' bungalows where butler service and gourmet cuisine create an atmosphere of refined nostalgia. Settle into your suite, perhaps the Owner's Cottage at Dunkeld Bungalow, where French windows frame endless views of mist-wrapped mountains.

DAY 8

Tea Country | Highland Refinement

Begin your day with a butler-served 'bed tea,' a ritual unchanged since colonial times. Join the estate's master tea maker for an exclusive tasting of single-origin Ceylon teas, then cycle through the manicured tea gardens or indulge in a massage incorporating indigenous herbs. As sunset approaches, enjoy a champagne high tea on your private veranda, watching as the light plays across the mirror-like surface of Castlereagh Lake.

DAY 9

Yala | Where Wilderness Meets Luxury

Descend from the hills to the wild south coast and Yala National Park. Your accommodation might be Wild Coast Tented Lodge, where copper-domed cocoons blend seamlessly with the surrounding wilderness. Embark on an evening game drive in search of leopards, returning to sundowners at the poolside bar where the Indian Ocean provides a dramatic backdrop.

DAY 10

Yala | Safari in Style

Rise before dawn for a private game drive with one of Sri Lanka's top naturalist guides. Track leopards through dawn-lit forests, watch painted storks fish in ancient tanks, and perhaps glimpse a sloth bear ambling through the undergrowth. Return for a champagne breakfast by the pool, then spend the afternoon in your private plunge pool, watching wild elephants wander past.

DAY 11

Galle | Colonial Elegance

Journey to the UNESCO-listed fortress city of Galle, perhaps choosing to stay at Amangalla, where centuries of history are preserved within thick coral walls. Join an architect specializing in colonial restoration for a private tour of the fort's hidden corners, followed by sunset cocktails at the Chess Club, where Galle's creative community gathers.

DAY 12

Galle | Artisan Encounters

Begin your day with a sunrise yoga session on the ramparts, then meet with local artisans in their private workshops—from traditional lace makers to contemporary jewelers working with Sri Lankan sapphires. In the afternoon, visit a cinnamon estate where age-old harvesting techniques are still practiced, followed by a private cooking demonstration focusing on spice-based cuisine.

DAY 13

Colombo | Contemporary Edge

Return to Colombo for a final immersion in Sri Lanka's creative renaissance. Explore the galleries of Saskia Fernando and Paradise Road, where contemporary artists challenge traditions. End your journey with dinner at Ministry of Crab, housed in the historic Dutch Hospital, where celebrity chef Dharshan Munidasa reimagines Sri Lankan seafood traditions.

DAY 14

Farewell or Onward | New Horizons

Bid farewell to Sri Lanka or continue your journey to new horizons, carrying with you memories of an island where tradition and innovation dance in perfect harmony.

Additional Recommended Experiences

Let your Sri Lankan story unfold further with carefully curated extensions that capture the island's kaleidoscope of experiences. Perhaps venture north to Jaffna, where Tamil temples paint the air with cardamom and prayer, or float above the central highlands in a private seaplane, landing for a champagne picnic where the clouds meet the earth at Horton Plains. For those who hear the siren song of the Maldives, let a seaplane carry you across the watercolor horizon to Patina Maldives, where modernist dreams float above crystal waters in the Fari Islands. Here, design-conscious souls find sanctuary in clean lines and considered luxuries, while James Turrell-inspired sunset viewpoints transform twilight into art. Or surrender to the sophisticated embrace of JOALI, where art and nature dance a perpetual duet across a canvas of tropical perfection – even your morning coffee arrives as a masterpiece, served alongside views of rays dancing through gin-clear waters below your glass floor.

Transform Your Sri Lanka Dreams into Reality

Allow us to craft your bespoke Sri Lanka journey. Whether inspired by our curated itinerary or envisioning something entirely your own, we'll shape every moment to reflect your distinctive style and preferences.