Escorted Tours 2023-2024

and enjoy Passikudah’s powder-white sands and emerald waters on Sri Lanka’s laid-back, less- visited east coast. Day 9: Passikudah to Kandy B/L/D After breakfast, travel toward Kandy, visiting a spice garden in Matale en route. After lunch, continue to the Central Hills Kandy and head to the famous Temple of the Tooth which houses Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist relic — a tooth of Buddha. You will arrive in time for ‘pooja’ when the heavily guarded room housing the relic opens to both pilgrims and travellers. Day 10: Kandy B/L/D Cradled amongst misty hills, the small city of Kandy exudes history, culture and beauty. Explore the famous botanical gardens of Peradeniya, full of exotic palms, colourful orchids and home to over 4,000 species of trees and plants. Then, enjoy a tour followed by an afternoon and evening at leisure. Day 11: Kandy to Nuwara Eliya B/L/D Sri Lanka is one of the world’s largest exporters of tea and today you will travel to Nuwara Eliya, which has been the capital of this industry since the 19th century. En route to your hotel, stop at a tea plantation and inhale the heavenly scent of the Ceylon tea brand. Day 12: Nuwara Eliya to Udawalawe B/L/D A morning tour of Nuwara Eliya begins today, driving through the lush, green tea plantations dotted with the colourful saris of the women working in them. Lunch will be served in a local village, Ella, with far- reaching views over the misty landscapes beyond. Day 13: Udawalawe to Tissamaharama B/L/D Rising early this morning, embark on a Jeep safari within Udawalawe National Park, home to elephants, deer, water buffalo, monkeys and a variety of bird species. Just outside the park is the Elephant Transit Home, an inspirational project started to rehabilitate injured elephants. The rest of the day is at leisure. Day 14: Tissamaharama and Yala National Park B/L/D After some free time this morning, enjoy a Jeep safari in the nearby Yala national park awaits. Seek elephants, sloths, deer and, with the highest density of leopards in the world, you may even be lucky enough to spot one of these elusive animals. Day 15: Tissamaharama to Mirissa B/L/D Departing Tissamaharama, you will travel to the Mirissa. The idyllic crescent of beach, fringed with coconut palms and soft golden sands, is the perfect place to crack open a coconut and relax. Day 16: Mirissa and Galle B/L/D This morning, you will travel to Galle, an ancient fort and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This national treasure has been inhabited by the Portuguese, Dutch and British, all of whom left their distinctive marks, visible through the sleepy streets strewn with colonial buildings, restaurants and small boutique shops. Day 17: Mirissa to the UK B After breakfast, transfer to Colombo for your return flight, or continue on to your chosen extension. Nuwara Eliya Leopard, Yala Anuradhapura Please note that Yala National Park may be closed for 30 days each year commencing around the month of September. The tour will visit Lunugamwehera National Park instead. Meal plan: All meals daily Accommodation: Colombo, 4 H Ramada Colombo Dambulla, 4 H Amaya Lake Passikudah, 4 H The Calm Resort Kandy, 4 H Amaya Hills Nuwara Eliya, 4 H Araliya Green Hills Udawalawe, 4 H The Grand Udawalawe Safari Hotel Tissamaharama, 4 H Mandara Rosen Mirissa, 4 H Mandara Resort Flights: London Heathrow to Sri Lanka with Sri Lankan Airlines. Regional departures available from Glasgow Tour pace: Challenging Extend your tour Highlights of Kerala, 5 nights from £399 Colombo city stay, 2 nights, 4 H from £219 Sri Lanka beach stay, 4 nights, All-Inclusive 4 H from £299 or 5 H from £399 Maldives beach stay, 4 nights, 4 H All-Inclusive from £799 No Single Supplement Rooms available with no single supplement. Once sold, single supplement starts from £669 Departures & from prices 8 Mar 23 £2,549 24 & 31 Jan 24 £3,099 15 Mar 23 £2,549 7 & 14 Feb 24 £3,099 19 Apr 23 £2,549 6 & 13 Mar 24 £2,749 26 Apr 23 £2,449 17 Apr 24 £2,749 24 May 23 £2,249 24 Apr 24 £2,699 7 Jun 23 £2,299 22 May 24 £2,299 21 Jun 23 £2,399 5 Jun 24 £2,399 26 Jul 23 £3,099 19 Jun 24 £2,499 9 Aug 23 £2,799 24 Jul 24 £3,399 6 & 13 Sep 23 £2,499 7 Aug 24 £2,949 20 Sep 23 £2,499 4 & 11 Sep 24 £2,699 4 & 18 Oct 23 £2,499 18 Sep 24 £2,699 1 & 8 Nov 23 £2,549 2 Oct 24 £2,699 22 Nov 23 £2,549 16 Oct 24 £2,729 3 & 10 Jan 24 £3,099 30 Oct 24 £2,749 17 Jan 24 £3,099 6 & 20 Nov 24 £2,749 • Upgrade to a Private Tour from £249 • Tipping paid locally £80 45 Hundreds more escorted tours are available on our website www.mercuryholidays.co.uk Southern Asia