Resplendent Journeys

The world’s first tea bungalow resort is perched at an altitude of 1250 metres in Sri Lanka’s panoramic Ceylon tea region, bordering the World Heritage Central Highlands. Five historic tea planters’ bungalows, with 27 rooms in all, are connected by walking trails through stunningly beautiful Ceylon tea gardens. This is the ideal setting for trekking and biking against the breathtaking backdrop of mountains, lakes, winding roads and waterfalls. If you prefer to unwind, observe life on a working tea estate while being pampered by your butler, enjoy a spa treatment, croquet on the lawn or sunbathe alongside the pool. Or explore the lush tea fields & visit a century old factory for a gentle education in the art of Ceylon Tea. Fully Inclusive rates at Tea Trails include breakfast, lunch, afternoon cream tea, dinner, beverages including spirits & wines, laundry, Wi-Fi, taxes & service charge

Arrival by road or spectacular float plane flight, landing on the Castlereagh lake in the heart of Tea Trails. If driving, perhaps a stop midway at Kitulgala for white water rafting.

Start with a gourmet lunch or our signature High Tea in these tranquil surroundings. After a day of emotions and impressions, replenish yourself in a relaxing bath infused with Ceylon sea salts, Vetiver, Lemongrass and Ginger. Sip a cocktail on the terrace ahead of an exquisite 4 course tea paired dinner.

Today you will be introduced to the essential Ceylon Tea Trails experience in your bungalow , a journey through rich Ceylon tea heritage. Our Resident Tea Planter will demonstrate the age-old art of tea making from picking in the fields to the conversion to black tea in Dilmah Tea Company’s Dunkeld Tea Factory, followed by a tasting. At the end of a rejuvenating day, enjoy a tea infused gourmet dinner in your bungalow, followed by a cognac in the library.

After a leisurely breakfast, enjoy a relaxing kayak paddle on Castlereagh lake while admiring the magnificent panorama of the tea carpeted mountain slopes. If you relish a spectacular challenge climb up the nearby holy Adams Peak mountain. A must for bird lovers is to join our in-house naturalist on a bird watching trail to explore the wide variety of birds living in these mountains. Trek or mountain bike to another Tea Trails bungalow for lunch or afternoon cream tea. After sundowners your farewell dinner will be served, marking the end of the first part of your Resplendent Journey. You will leave Tea Trails with a newly found appreciation of this wonder herb “Camellia Sinensis” & the terroir of Ceylon Tea.

This luxurious tented camp is stunningly located where the jungle meets a rugged, empty beach, next to the Yala National Park; renowned for its dense leopard population. Our uniquely shaped tents, called Cocoons & Urchins, truly represent a luxury five star resort room under canvas, offering all comforts including air-conditioning. The open-air bamboo-clad bar and dining pavilion mirror the boulders scattered across the golden beach beyond and wrap around the large free-form swimming pool. Guests enjoy daily-changing menus of authentic Sri Lankan cuisine and post safari sundowners watching the Indian Ocean sunset. Fully Inclusive rates at Wild Coast include breakfast, lunch, afternoon cream tea, dinner, beverages including spirits & wines, in room mini bar, one daily game drive, laundry, Wi-Fi, taxes & service charge.

Arrival by float plane or SUV. If driving, stop midway at the Dilmah supported Elephant Transit Home at Uda Walawe national park which cares for orphaned elephants. Feeding times to target are 12 noon, 3pm, 6pm. Visit the nearby Mankada pottery, a community project funded by Dilmah, to shop for hand crafted souvenirs and enjoy a typical village curry lunch.

On arrival at Wild Coast, relax in the pool or spa, or explore your exquisite Cocoon or Urchin ahead of sundowners on our beach. Dinner follows with the pick of local produce and if in the mood, watch a classic or documentary on our large outdoor screen.

Depart on a game drive to Yala or the adjacent parks with one of our expert rangers who will highlight the diversity of flora and fauna, including elephants, sloth bears and leopard. Compare notes over breakfast with other guests back at the lodge. Take in some beach yoga perhaps and enjoy the facilities of Wild Coast Lodge. Grab some canapes and a glass of wine at the Bamboo Bar ahead of a gourmet dinner in our adobe seat dining pavilion open to the ocean breezes. A blissful sleep awaits in your spacious 55m2 Cocoon.

Wake up to a bubble bath in your copper tub. After breakfast, take in a cultural excursion to the 2nd century BC Sithulpawwa Buddhist Monastery located atop a rocky mountain with views over the Yala national park. Or visit Katharagama, a temple complex dedicated to Buddhist guardian deity Kataragama deviyo and Hindu War God Kathirkamam. It is one of the few religious sites in Sri Lanka that is , by the Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and the Vedda people. A nature walk in the evening with our ranger will offer a close-up insight to our wild surroundings. Cocktails and a BBQ dinner on our beach, under the flicker of myriad lanterns, will herald the end of the second part of your Resplendent Journey.

This gorgeous cliff top resort inhabits twelve manicured acres above the Indian Ocean on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, just thirty minutes east of Galle. A collection of 39 Villas & Suites, offering the most sumptuous rooms in Sri Lanka, create the welcoming illusion of a traditional Sri Lankan village. Yet beneath local terracotta-tiled rooftops, stylish interiors unfold as generously sized contemporary living quarters, each one surrounded by tropical gardens. The iconic 60m crescent shaped cliff-top infinity pool takes in sweeping, 270-degree blue views. While a diverse range of activities are on offer, from scuba diving to surfing lessons to rice paddy bicycling, you may find the greatest pleasure in simply unwinding on your private shaded terrace.

Settle in to your luxurious Villa or Suite and explore the resort’s tropical pathways. Enjoy lunch with a view at the Surf Bar. Wade into the spectacular Moon Pool, voted one of the top 10 in the world. Or work off gourmet excess at our stone walled Gym. Afternoon tea is served at the Cape Club. Dinner options are the Ocean Terrace with the best ocean views on the island, Tableau our intimate chef’s table or Sri Lankan classics at Pola.

Visit the historic city of Galle, known for the fortified old city founded by Portuguese colonists in the 16th century. Stone sea walls, expanded by the Dutch, encircle narrow streets with architecture reflecting Portuguese, Dutch and British rule. Notable buildings include the 18th century Dutch Reformed Church. Galle Lighthouse stands on the fort’s southeast tip. On the historic streets, you will discover an eclectic variety of restaurants, gem and souvenir shops. Back at the resort, you could start with drinks at Cape Club followed by a modern Sri Lankan dinner at Tableau.

Cape Weligama is one of the most spectacular settings in Sri Lanka, surrounded by pristine ocean. Visit our Adventure Center for an introductory diving lesson, snorkeling, body boarding, surfing or stand-up paddle boarding. Or enjoy cinnamon and tea infused treatments at our Sanctuary Spa or in the privacy of your room. The Cape Cinnamon Experience is highly recommended. Sri Lanka is the home of the world’s best cinnamon and this bespoke tour of a nearby working estate in the cinnamon heartland of Sri Lanka is fascinating.

The Indian Ocean off Cape Weligama is one of the best places on earth to witness Blue Whales, Sperm Whales, and Dolphins. Embark on the Cape Whale Safari (between December and April) on our 50-foot, twin-engined Catamaran, which offers dining facilities, a spacious deck for lounging and a chance to get active - canoe, stand-up paddleboard and a dip in the ocean. As you get ready to bid goodbye to Sri Lanka, perhaps a candle lit dinner on one of our cliff lookouts?

Spend the day shopping or touring Colombo. Your Resplendent Journey has come to an end, but memories of your magical trip will remain for a lifetime.