England in Sri Lanka

Sun 30 Nov - Heathrow/ Colombo
Depart Heathrow Terminal 4 on your international flight to Sri Lanka.

Mon 1 Dec - Colombo / Ahungalla
Upon arrival at Bandaranayake International Airport you will be met and transferred by luxury air conditioned coach to your relaxing 5 star beachfront retreat, the Heritance Ahungalla.  Relax and acclimatise to your new surroundings around the majestic infinity pool.

Tonight's 'Welcome Drinks' are an opportunity for you to meet new and perhaps former friends from previous tours. Drinks will be hosted by your tour host, Bob Taylor and you will also meet your local tour escort. 

Tue 2 Dec - Galle sightseeing
Following breakfast, depart Ahungalla and head south along picturesque coastal roads to the city of Galle. Heavy with medieval European (Dutch) influence, Galle is dominated by the huge Fort built along the promontory in the middle of the 17th century that is both a UNESCO World Heritage site and a working community.

Wed 3 - Thu 4 Dec - Ahungalla
Two full days to relax and enjoy the excellent facilities at your beachside retreat. 

Fri 5 Dec - Ahungalla - Colombo
After breakfast depart Ahungalla and drive along the coast to Mount Lavinia Hotel. This famous colonial hotel is set in a prime location overlooking the Indian Ocean and has oodles of old-world charm. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Sat 6 Dec - 4th ODI, Sri Lanka v England  Venue: R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium Return cricket transfers will be provided between your hotel and the stadium.

Sun 7 Dec - Colombo - Kandalama
After breakfast depart Colombo en route to Kandalama, the cultural heart of Sri Lanka. A stop will be made for refreshments and then continue to the award winning, eco-designed 5 star hotel, the Heritance Kandalama, which is built into a tropical rainforest with views of ancient Sigiriya Rock Citadel. Time to relax and enjoy the hotel's fabulous facilities.

Mon 8 Dec - Kandalama - Polonnaruwa - Minneriya - Kandalama
Following breakfast we head to the World Heritage site of Polonnaruwa, about a 90 minute drive. Polonnaruwa is a sacred city with spectacular shrines and statues from the great Buddhism civilisation. Visit the ruins of the Royal Palace and Gal Viharaya (three splendid carved statues of the Buddha), the Lotus Bath and 12th century Polonnaruwa statue.

Leaving Polonnaruwa we continue to Minneriya National Park where we hope to see herds of wild elephants as well as native birds, amphibians and reptiles on our afternoon game drive. Return to your hotel following a great day's sightseeing.

Tue 9 Dec - Kandalama - Sigiriya - Matale - Kandy
After breakfast we visit and climb the 5th century rock citadel of Sigiriya, now a listed UNESCO World Heritage site. Sigiriya Rock Fortress, also known as 'Lion's Rock' stands at 180 metres tall and is a magnificent sight. Ascend the steep stairs - 1200 in total - to reach the dizzying summit of the fortress, admiring the colourful frescoes that adorn the side of the rocks along the way.

Our next stop is Matale where we visit a spice garden.  You will learn about the many processes that result in Sri Lanka producing some of the best spices in the world as well as see how they are used in tradtional local cooking. We arrive in the picturesque city of Kandy late afternoon and check-in to Earl's Regency Hotel.

Wed 10 Dec - 5th ODI, Sri Lanka v England Venue: Kandy, Pallekalle International Cricket Stadium Return cricket transfers will be provided between your hotel and the stadium.

Thu 11 Dec - Kandy sightseeing
Enjoy a leisurely morning at the hotel before spending the afternoon on a guided tour around the sacred Buddist city and its most famous attraction; the Temple of the Tooth. We will also visit the beautiful botanical gardens at Peradeniya.  

Fri 12 Dec - Kandy - Tea Plantation - Kandy
Following breakfast we delve into Sri Lanka's rich heritage with a visit to a tea factory set in a beautiful lush plantation veiled in mist. Learn about the cultivation of the tea leaves - one of Sri Lanka's most famous exports, walk through the manufacturing process and pluck your own leaves and enjoy tastings to appreciate the difference in strength and flavour of the leaves. 

Cricket Forum > Tonight join Bob Taylor for a pre-dinner drink and canapes as he looks forward to tomorrow's match. 

Sat 13 Dec - 6th ODI, Sri Lanka v England Venue: Kandy, Pallekalle International Cricket Stadium Return cricket transfers will be provided between your hotel and the stadium.

Sun 14 Dec - Kandy - Pinnawela - Colombo 
After breakfast transfer to Colombo. Enroute we will stop at the delightful Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, home to about 80 elephants found abandoned or orphaned in the wild. A walk with the elephants to the nearby river to see ‘bath time’ is something not to be missed. Arrive Colombo and check-in to the 5 star, Taj Samudra Hotel.

Mon 15 Dec - Colombo sightseeing
After a leisurely morning, enjoy an afternoon city tour. Colombo is a city that is fast changing its face as we will discover. The Fort and Pettah districts of town are two of the oldest and have been variously developed by The Moors, Portuguese, Dutch and British leaving behind a wealth of preserved colonial buildings, temples, bazaars and museums.

End of Tour Dinner > Tonight you are invited to attend a farewell dinner with your host, Bob Taylor.

Tue 16 Dec - 7th ODI, Sri Lanka v England Venue: Colombo, R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium Return cricket transfers will be provided between the hotel and stadium.

Wed 17 Dec - Colombo/Heathrow
After breakfast, finish your packing and then complete check out formalities, remembering to settle any personal expenses with the hotel. Meet in the hotel lobby for the transfer to  Bandaranayake International Airport for your flight home. Arrive Heathrow later the same day.  

Hand Picked Hotels

All hotels have been carefully selected to enhance your holiday experience. We have chosen a mix of excellent four and five star hotels throughout to ensure your comfort and security. At the end of the day’s cricket or touring, you’ll want to freshen up and relax in a hotel that makes you feel at home. That’s why we never skimp on quality and carefully choose our hotels for their levels of comfort and service. Please read our hotel descriptions in conjunction with other tourist information for the areas you will be visiting.

Ahungalla

HERITANCE AHUNGALLA   
Room type: Deluxe Ocean Front

Located on a palm-fringed expanse of sandy beach in Ahungalla, a small fishing hamlet on Sri Lanka's West Coast, Heritance is protected on three sides by thick coconut groves and overlooks the turquoise blue waters of the Indian Ocean.
 
The open-sided lobby overlooks the main swimming pool that seems to merge with the sea, with a second serene pool in the gardens. Restaurants, a 24-hour coffee shop, bars including one at poolside, airconditioned library and recreational activities including tennis, badminton, billiards, fitness centre, spa, nightclub, shops and entertainment most nights from piano music to traditional Sri Lankan shows. The 152 elegantly furnished rooms feature airconditioning, ceiling fan, television, tea & coffee making  facilities, minibar, telephone, bath or shower, balcony or terrace with partial sea view.

Colombo

MOUNT LAVINIA
Room type: Ocean View

Set on a stunning promontory overlooking the Indian Ocean, 1½ hours from the airport and 30 minutes from Colombo, this famous hotel built in 1806 is the former home of British governors and many of its public areas still ooze colonial-style elegance.

Slip into the swimming pool for a relaxing dip and book a pampering treatment at the beauty salon or spa (at extra cost) before dining in a choice of restaurants including Governor’s and The Terrace. Other hotel facilities include a choice of bars, a coffee shop, free internet in the business centre, a shopping arcade, indoor games including tennis and pool, a fitness centre and a billiards room.

There are 226 rooms on 6 floors, each with air-conditioning, telephone, television, minibar, bath/shower, balcony and sea view.

Kandalama

HERITANCE KANDALAMA 
Room type: Panoramic

Camouflaged in tropical greenery, Heritance Kandalama wonderfully merges with its lush jungle setting. With fabulous facilities, this luxurious retreat sits in the heart of Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle, close to Dambulla and Sigiriya.

Float in the infinity swimming pool before booking a pampering treatment at Six Senses Spa. Later, dine on delicious cuisine with fantastic views of the lake before heading to the bar for a night cap.

Other facilities include a fitness centre, tennis, billiards and evening entertainment, and the hotel can also arrange horse riding. There are 152 rooms housed in tow wings, each with air-conditioning, ceiling fan, tea and coffee making facilities,  minibar,  television, telephone and bath or shower. 

Kandy

EARL'S REGENCY
Room type: Luxury

This wonderful five-star hotel is perched alongside the Mahaweli River and overlooks the Knuckles mountain range. When you're not busy exploring the magical royal city of Kandy, there's plenty to do at this charming resort.

There are a selection of restaurants and bars serving an array of Sri Lankan and international dishes. The Spa offers a range of rejuvenating massages, body scrubs, and beauty treatments. The swimming pool is located by the spa, while other facilities include a floodlit tennis court, squash courts, badminton, gym, cycling (mountain bikes available), table tennis, billiards/snooker, shopping arcade and evening entertainment. 

All (104) rooms are furnished with double beds, writing desk and couch and feature airconditioning, satellite TV, internet, minibar, tea/coffee facility, in-room safe, hair dryer, 24-hr room service and ensuite bathrooms.

Colombo

TAJ SAMUDRA
Room type: Superior City View

Taj Samudra is a sprawling 300-roomed five-star hotel in the heart of Colombo overlooking the Galle Face Green and Indian Ocean beyond. Situated on 11 acres of landscaped gardens in Colombo Fort the hotel was totally refurbished in 2013. Set within walking distance of the city’s main commercial areas, Taj Samudra is a central location from which to experience the sights and sounds of the capital city.

A wide choice of dining experiences are offered by the hotels' five restaurants which are popular dining venues in Colombo.

Other facilities include an Ayurvedic Spa, tea lounge and bar, swimming pool, several bars, night club, fitness centre, floodlit tennis courts, squash courts, beauty salon, and shopping arcade.

The 300 rooms and suites are luxurious and have city or ocean views.  In-room facilities include airconditioning, overhead fans, satellite TV, telephone, mini-bar, tea/coffee facility, electronic safe and ensuite bathrooms with shower.

Flights

Sri Lanka Airlines
Provisional flight times

Our preferred carrier for England’s tour to Sri Lanka is Sri Lankan Airlines who offer the only direct flights to Colombo.  We also offer connecting flights via Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Dubai with regional departures from around the UK. All flight timings are based upon current schedules and are subject to change by the airlines.

Passports & Visas

All British visitors require a standard 10 year passport, valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned date of return to the UK. British citizens require a tourist visa which can be obtained online at www.eta.gov.lk

Travel Facts

Capital City: Colombo

Direct Flying Time: 11 hrs

Time: GMT +6 hrs

Currency: Sri Lanka Rupee (SLR)

Visa: Required by all British passport holders

Tourist office: Tel 0845 8806333

Call our sales team on 01737 244398 to check the availability of the match/matches you wish to book. To confirm your booking we require a 30% deposit payment at the time of booking. A booking form will be forwarded with your confirmation invoice or alternatively can be downloaded below.

Booking Form Download