call: 01543 261550
email: vip@rbcollection.com
call: 01543 261550
email: vip@rbcollection.com
With this luxury tour you will have the opportunity to see the England cricket team play in one the top cricket locations, Sri Lanka – a beautiful country, full of cricket-obsessed, friendly and welcoming people.
Discover national treasures, famed temples and barefoot luxury on one of the island’s golden beaches. This itinerary include plenty of extraordinary experiences but also much-valued and carefully built in downtime for you to explore or relax at your leisure.
Below is suggested itinerary covering the whole Test Series. However, if you prefer, we can amend the itinerary to include just one of the Test matches, or it can be extended so that you can see other parts of this fascinating island. Please get in touch so we can help organise your ideal holiday!
Itinerary
Day 1: 14th March 2020
Depart London on your direct Sri Lankan Airlines flight to Colombo, Sri Lanka, in economy class. Upgrades and alternative airlines available on request.
Day 2: 15th March 2020
On arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport you will be met and transferred to Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sigiriya for 3 nights on a half board basis. The scenic journey to Sigiriya will take approximately 5 hours. We would be happy to arrange to arrange a charter flight or helicopter transfer, if this is of interest to you. The rest of the day is yours to relax and explore your surroundings.
Day 3: 16th March 2020
Visit the magnificent Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Sri Lanka’s most recognizable attraction. Sigiriya is the most exquisite example of ancient Sri Lankan art, architecture and landscaping.
This afternoon, visit the Minneriya National Park. The park is a mix of evergreen forest and scrub areas, home to grazing elephants and sambar deer and the location of the ancient Minneriya Tank reservoir; an incredible place for observing flocks of birds that come to fish in the waters. Other wildlife that can be spotted include wild buffaloes, boar, sloth bear, leopards, crocodiles, jackals and numerous species of reptiles and butterflies. Depending on the elephant movement, you may visit the nearby Kaudulla National Park or Eco Park instead.
Day 4: 17th March 2020
Today you will visit Hiriwaduna for an authentic Sri Lankan village experience: enjoy a catamaran ride on the lake, before being welcomed into a villager’s home to learn about preparing an authentic Sri Lankan lunch. After lunch, you will return to your hotel.
This evening you may choose one of the following optional excursions:
Day 5: 18th March 2020
After breakfast, you will transfer to Galle. This historic city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an absolute delight to explore on foot. Your scenic transfer will take approximately 6.5 hours. At Galle you will check in to Jetwing Lighthouse for 6 nights on a bed and breakfast basis. Enjoy an evening at leisure as you prepare for tomorrow’s Test.
Day 6: 19th March 2020
Sri Lanka v England – First Test, Day 1. Galle International Stadium – situated near the Galle fort and fringed on two sides by the Indian Ocean; it is considered to be one of the most picturesque cricket grounds in the world.
Day 7: 20th March 2020
Sri Lanka v England – First Test, Day 2- Galle International Stadium. Today’s cricket action will be followed by a drinks reception and the popular State of Play evening, for an entertaining and informal review of the day’s play with a panel of celebrity hosts and ex-players offering their insight on the games and answering any questions you may have.
Day 8: 21st March 2020
Sri Lanka v England – First Test, Day 3- Galle International Stadium
Day 9: 22nd March 2020
Sri Lanka v England – First Test, Day 4- Galle International Stadium
Day 10: 23rd March 2020
Sri Lanka v England – First Test, Day 5- Galle International Stadium
Day 11: 24th March 2020
After a leisurely breakfast, you will travel to Hatton (approximately 6 hours), the most prominent city in the hill country, where you will check in to Tea Trails for 2 nights on an all-inclusive basis. The rest of the day is yours to explore this beautiful region of Sri Lanka.
Day 12: 25th March 2020
Today you will visit a Tea Plantation and be taken on a tour through the factory where some of the best tea in the world is produced. You will gain first-hand experience on the manufacture of the world-famous pure Ceylon tea. Your afternoon is at leisure.
Day 13: 26th March 2020
This morning, you will be transferred to Colombo, the commercial capital and largest city of Sri Lanka. The scenic journey will take approximately 6.5 hours. We would be happy to arrange to arrange a charter flight or helicopter transfer, if this is of interest to you. In Colombo you will check into Shangri La, Colombo for 7 nights on a bed and breakfast basis.
Day 14: 27th March 2020
Sri Lanka v England – Second Test, Day 1. P Sara Oval Cricket Grounds, Colombo – PSS is a multi-purpose stadium in Colombo. The stadium holds 15,000 and hosted its first Test match in 1982.
Day 15: 28th March 2020
Sri Lanka v England – Second Test, Day 2. P Sara Oval Cricket Grounds, Colombo. Today’s cricket action will be followed by the State of Play evening, for a further entertaining review of the cricket action with a panel of celebrity hosts and ex-players offering their insight on the games.
Day 16: 29th March 2020
Sri Lanka v England – Second Test, Day 3- P Sara Oval Cricket Grounds, Colombo
Day 17: 30th March 2020
Sri Lanka v England – Second Test, Day 4. P Sara Oval Cricket Grounds, Colombo
Day 18: 31st March 2020
Sri Lanka v England – Second Test, Day 5. P Sara Oval Cricket Grounds, Colombo
Day 19: 1st April 2020
This morning you will depart for a 4×4 Classic Jeep Safari in Colombo. A Colombo city tour in an open jeep will give you unobstructed 360-degree visibility – perfect for sightseeing and taking photographs! Enjoy local delicacies by trying some of the fantastic street food vendors.
Tonight, you will enjoy a Farewell Dinner with your host and fellow guest at 8 Degrees North on the Lake, Colombo’s only floating venue. A local band filled with young entertainers will be a special treat.
Day 20: 2nd April 2020
It is time to bid a fond farewell to Sri Lanka. You will be transferred to Bandaranaike International Airport for your departure flight back to London.
Accommodation
Jetwing Vil Uyana
Each dwelling at Jetwing Vil Uyana is named after the natural habitat that surrounds it, inspiring distinct characteristics of eco-luxury for your absolute comfort. Dwellings vary in size and each enjoy a sense of originality; Marsh Dwellings proudly overlook the neighbouring scrublands, paying tribute to the beautiful surroundings.
Jetwing Lighthouse
This stately five-star boutique hotel is located on a rocky headland overlooking the Indian Ocean, barely a mile from Galle’s 17th century Dutch Fort. Smart terraces sweep down to a small sandy bay and large swimming pools and sun decks have beautiful ocean views.
Amangalla
Amangalla is an elegant 5-star hotel, built within Galle Fort, the 17th century Dutch fort, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The oldest part of the hotel dates to 1684, and the complex was completed in 1715. Aman means “peace” and galla is the Sinhalese name for Galle.
Ceylon Tea Trails
Ceylon Tea Trails is an icon for small luxury resorts; comprising of five restored colonial era tea planter residences, the period furnishings, gracious butler service and gourmet cuisine create an ambience that has made Tea Trails the award-winning gold standard for luxury bungalows in Sri Lanka.
Shangri La – Colombo
Shangri La – Enjoy world-class service amidst tranquil surroundings, coupled with inspirational design and transformative experiences in some of the world’s finest urban addresses and resort destinations.