9 Nights
Long before creating the first three Relais & Châteaux in Sri Lanka, Malik J. Fernando’s family was cultivating its refinement with the production of Ceylon tea. Taking in their Dilmah tea plantations and discovering both the Indian Ocean and jungle safaris, this Route du Bonheur provides an extraordinary insight into the island’s riches.
The former trading post on the spice route has embraced merchants and mariners from all over the world since antiquity. The presence of Portuguese, Dutch, British and Indian people has helped shape the cosmopolitan character of the city. Churches, colonial mansions, Hindu temples, Buddhist stupas and skyscrapers exist side-by-side in joyful chaos. To really get into the spirit, take a ride on a tuk-tuk. Wind through the chaotic streets of the bazaar. Roam the historic Fort district, or the glamorous avenues of Cinnamon Gardens before returning to the ocean to watch the sunset. ... Learn moreless
Sri Lankans gather along the waterfront at dusk to fly their kites and watch the sunset. Take advantage of the charming Galle Face Hotel to witness the spectacle. To the east, you’ll see an area with the sadly evocative name of Slave Island. This is where you can find the Sri Subramia Kovil, a multicolored...
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The impressive white colonial building built in 1877 south of Viharamahadevi Park houses the treasures of the former royal family and some impressive masks from antiquity. The latter were worn for kolam, dances performed by indigenous peoples to exorcise demons and appease evil spirits. The museum also...
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They sell everything at this huge and chaotic market: clothes, electrical goods, crafts, jewelry and food. Every street specializes in something different! Those with an interest in rare teas and spices should head for the area around 4th Crosse Street. Some of the oldest buildings in the city can be...
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Hotel and restaurant on a lake. Tea Trails is perched at an altitude of 1,250 m in Sri Lanka’s Ceylon tea region, bordering Sri Lanka’s Central Highlands World Heritage site. Stay in one of five authentic tea planters’ bungalows, each one of which has its own charm. Lakeside Castlereagh, Summerville and Dunkeld, Norwood with panoramic views, and Tientsin, the most traditionally colonial of the five; they are all decorated with period furniture. Observe life on a working tea estate, savour the gourmet cuisine, and be pampered by a personal butler. This is the ideal setting for trekking and biking against the breath-taking backdrop of mountains, lakes and waterfalls. ... Learn moreless
Dispersed in the Bogowantalawa valley, the bungalows of the Ceylon Tea Trails have the quaintness of an English cottage or a 1950s village. Fans purr over the pool and lounge chairs await you on the terraces. The « early bed tea » ritual is unique, the scenery breathtaking, walks enchanting and tea gatherers...
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Although not the highest summit on the island, Adam’s Peak (2,243m) is one of the holy places on Sri Lanka that is venerated by Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims. To climb to the summit is a true pilgrimage. Thousands of men and women climb thousands of steps during the night to reach the peak in time for...
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Founded by Merrill Fernando, the Dilmah Dunkeld Tea Factory has been established for several decades as a benchmark of Sri Lanka’s Ceylon tea. Even today, tea is the lifeblood of the island and remains key to its development. On this visit, you can discover the entire production process from picking...
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Lodge and restaurant on the seafront. In the southeast of Sri Lanka lies the Wild Coast Tented Lodge — a haven of twenty eight cocoon-like tents placed at the edge of the jungle and beach. Together they form the shape of a leopard's paw, a symbol of the Yala National Park whose wonders you can discover alongside the camp’s naturalist guides on a safari adventure. At the outposts, the suites overlook the Indian Ocean. Each arched structure, stretched in canvas and bearing stylish colonial expedition decor, is dotted with a private watering hole. Entwined in bamboo, the main building resembles a rock along the shore. It houses the bar, library and restaurant where a modern take on traditional Sri Lankan cuisine is served. ... Learn moreless
One of a kind in Sri Lanka, the Kataragama temple welcomes Buddhists, Hindus & Muslims who come here to pray and make offerings. Dating from the 4th century, for 10 days and 10 nights every year between July and August, a festival is held that brings thousands of pilgrims to the figure of Skanda (god...
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In Sri Lanka, the leopard is king of the animals. The Yala jungle is home to the largest concentration of this equally elegant and agile beast. On the island, it has no predators, which explains why the chances of getting up close are better here than anywhere else. In the heart of the dense vegetation,...
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Hotel and restaurant on the seafront. The guest rooms open onto private gardens with vistas of palm trees swaying in the breeze against an ocean backdrop. Cape Weligama’s residences and villas sit atop a promontory overlooking the Indian Ocean and enjoy stunning views of idyllic landscapes on all sides. At the seafront, the crescent-shaped infinity pool seems to float above the waves; alongside stone pathways leading to secluded coves where turtles flap about in the crystal-clear shallows. The terracotta-tiled rooftops of the accommodations, designed by renowned architect Lek Bunnag, create the illusion of a traditional Sri Lankan village with generously sized, stylishly furnished interiors. ... Learn moreless
The seas off Weligama are well known as home to a large colony of blue whales. Enjoy particularly amazing whale watching in calm seas between November and April. The abundance of food in this part of the Indian Ocean also attracts sperm whales and dolphins. Extend your outing by taking an optional diving...
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Built by the Portuguese in 1589 to protect the city of Galle, the fort was expanded by the Dutch and in later centuries by the British. The perfectly restored old city and its fortifications have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988. The architecture and urbanisation here is a wonderful example...
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**Offer cannot be combined, valid for an itinerary in at least 2 different Relais & Châteaux establishments, reserved with Relais & Châteaux concierges, discount applicable on certain rates and certain establishments. List available from our concierges.
Total price communicated as an indication, based on a stay of the number of nights recommended on this webpage, taking place in the next 3 months, and based on double occupancy (excluding recommended activities, excluding properties not bookable online).
To give you inspiration, Relais & Châteaux presents the Routes du Bonheur:
Suggestions for travel itineraries that you can fully personalise according to your wishes and the experiences you would like to discover. Our consultants are available to help customise your route and assist you in making reservations at our properties. It is up to you to reserve any recommended activities on-site or nearby that might interest you.
** Offer cannot be combined, valid for an itinerary in at least 2 different Relais & Châteaux establishments, reserved with Relais & Châteaux concierges, discount applicable on certain rates and certain establishments. List available from our concierges.
Call our concierge to tailormade your booking and itinerary*. *Price of a local call
