Tropical Beach stay in Unawatuna
Calamander
Just 15 minutes from Sri Lanka’s southernmost point and the historic, bustling city of Galle, Unawatuna Beach has been voted “The world’s Best Tropical Beach” by the Discovery Channel and “Best Beach in The World” by Mark Ellingham, the founder of Rough Guides. Here you will find a glorious stretch of palm-lined, golden sand in a bay protected by coral reef and rock outcrop which makes swimming safe all-year round as well as provides an idyllic location for some stunning sunsets.
Calamander Unawatuna Beach is the only 4* resort hotel located directly onto this stunning beach and with a beach frontage of 135 metres, this friendly resort offers affordable luxury and a wide range of outdoor activities for free including kayaking, stand-up paddle boards, a gym, yoga, badminton, table tennis and beach volleyball. Marine sports are also available for a charge include snorkelling, whale/dolphin watching and diving the 3 wreck sites and reef dive sites. The resort has 3 swimming pools, including the world’s first vermillion coloured swimming pool as well as Sri Lanka’s first glass fronted pool. You will have a wide choice of al-fresco dining too in the hotels 4 beachside restaurants and bars which include live cooking stations as well as a nightly ‘Seafood Market’ displaying the freshest local catch of the day and can be cooked to order – alternatively, you might choose a romantic candlelit dinner on the beach with a wood fire, perhaps with the ‘A La Carte’ menu.
This all-year round holiday to Sri Lanka is the perfect location for either a couples’ holiday or for solo travellers as well as being suitable for a group of friends too – whether you want complete beach relaxation, adventure or to explore the nearby sites and culture of this paradise island, this location is idyllic!
Itinerary Highlights:
- Stay on the ‘World’s Best Tropical Beach’
- Beach & Water Sports Fun
- Galle City Tour
- Visit to the Turtle Hatchery
- Additional optional tours by request
Day 1: International Flight
Day 2: Arrive and Refresh
Day 3: City Tour & Turtle Hatchery
Day 4 - 9: A Paradise of Sun, Sea and Sand
- A chauffeured drive inland to visit the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage (approx. 3.5-hour drive time, but with plenty of interesting and forever changing scenery on-route). Home to over 90 wild Asian elephants, this orphanage, nursery and captive breeding ground has the largest herd of captive elephants in the world. In addition to the visiting the orphanage, in Pinnawela you can enjoy a delicious lunch overlooking the river whilst watching the elephants bathe, take ‘selfies’ close to these magnificent mammals and purchase traditional Sri Lankan souvenirs from the local market.
- Experience a local train journey (approx. 1.5 hour) to visit Colombo, Sri Lanka’s commercial capital and largest city. Places to visit could include Independence Square – to see the national monument Independence Memorial Hall, Seema Malaka – the floating temple in the middle of Beira Lake, Gangaramaya Temple – one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Colombo, Galle Face Green –an oceanfront urban park and great for people watching, The Red Mosque – one of the most unique looking mosques in Asia as well as enjoy the local markets, shops and restaurants.
- Humpback & Blue Whales and Dolphin watching boat tours (seasonal) – for a possibility of seeing the magnificent creatures out in the ocean.
- Mask Making Workshop is popular with youngsters, teens and adults alike. Masks are an important part of Sri Lankan culture and this 3-hour hands-on session teaches you the history and their various uses, before the host then assists you to design and carve your own Kolam Mask.
Day 10: Fly back home
- You will be travelling in a private airconditioned vehicle with your own chauffeur. This means that morning departure times are flexible each day, as is the amount of time you wish to spend at each site/activity. Your guide will advise on suitable travel times to avoid peak congestion and recommended the best time of day to ensure maximum enjoyment of the activity.
- All travel time to/from locations are quoted in the itinerary, but please understand that these are only approximate to give a general guide. You will discover that Sri Lankan roads (and their users) are quite unique and appear somewhat chaotic – and it’s not just pedestrians, cyclists, bikers, tuk-tuks, dogs, slow moving heavy goods and agricultural vehicles that cause congestion. Don’t be surprised if you see the occasional elephant, monkey, land-lizard or cattle strolling across the road too! Consequently, ‘we expect the unexpected’ and work on anticipate travel times based on 30-40 kms per hour.
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- Scheduled international flights (economy travel) from most of the major airports in the United Kingdom
- 8 nights accommodation at Calamander Unawatuna (sharing a double room)
- Daily breakfast
- Travel in a private vehicle with your own chauffer guide
- Entrance fees to all sites and experiences as specified on the itinerary
- Sri Lanka ETA visa
- All applicable taxes with no hidden charges
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- Travel Insurance
- Lunch, Dinner and beverages throughout
- Optional tours / experiences
- Any personal expenses