Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive – Anuradhapura - Sigiriya
Arrive in Sri Lanka and clients will be met by our representatives and transferred to Anuradhapura. Lunch at local restaurant.
Anuradhapura is the most celebrated of Sri Lanka’s ancient ruined cities. The city’s greatest treasures are its dagabas constructed of small sun-dried bricks and hemispherical in shape. The most notable of these dagabas are the Ruvenweli which dates back to the 2nd Century BC and is 300ft in diameter, the Jetawanarama is 370ft and the Thuparama which enshrines the collarbone of the Buddha. The city’s most renewed relic is the sacred Bo Tree which is said to have grown from a branch of the tree under which the Buddha gained enlightenment. It was planted 2250 years ago and is the oldest historic tree in the world. Thereafter proceed to Sigiriya.
Dinner & Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 02: Sigiriya – Polonnaruwa – Sigiriya
After breakfast climb the famous Sigiriya Rock Fortress.
Sigiriya is home to the 5th Century “Fortress in the Sky” which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of the Island. It is also known as Lion Rock because of the huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the fortress. Within its triple-moated defence the huge rock rises almost to a sheer height of 500ft. On its summit are the foundations of what was once a great and sumptuous palace and gardens complete with swimming pool. On one of the stairways the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting survived in the form of Frescoes of life sized damsels in all the freshness and delicacy of their original colour.
Lunch at local restaurant. Thereafter excursion to Polonnaruwa for sightseeing.
Polonnaruwa was the medieval capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th - 13th C.A.D Great revival was achieved in the country, politically, economically and socially during the period of Kings Vijayabahu 1, Parakramabahu 1 and Nissankamalla of the Polonnaruwa period.
The monument are better preserved than at Anuradhapura. Parakrama Statue, Royal Palaces, Audience Halls, Vata-da-ge, Thuparama, RankothVehera, Kiri-Vehera, Gal-Vihara, Lankathilaka and Tivanka Image House are some of the interesting monuments here.
Dinner & Overnight stay at the Hotel.
Day 03: Sigiriya – Dambulla – Kandy
After breakfast leave for Kandy, en route visit Dambulla Caves Temple.
Dambulla - Dambulla is famous for the five cave Temples on a rock. The first 03 caves are better, older and larger than the other two. Some caves dates to 1st C.B.C. All the 5 cave walls and ceilings are covered with Buddhist murals and there are more than 130 Buddha statues, statues of Gods and Kings are also found here.Also visit a Spice Garden at Matale and see the luscious Cinnamons, Cardamons, Pepper plants etc. You can also purchase your requirements of spices.
Lunch at local restaurant.
Afternoon city tour of Kandy, including Upper Lake Drive, Market Square, Arts & Crafts Centre, Gem Museum and Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Kandy - the hill capital, venue of the annual Perahera. The last stronghold of the Sinhala Kings was finally ceded to the British in 1815. Kandy is an example of the Buddhism's influence in Sri Lanka today. Temple's shrines and monasteries keeping alive Buddhist traditions are everywhere.
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic - ever since 4th Century A.D, when the Buddha's Tooth was brought to Sri Lanka hidden from sacrilegious hands in an Orissan princess' hair, the Relic has grown in repute and holiness in Sri Lanka and throughout the Buddhist world. It is considered Sri Lanka's most prized possession.
Dinner & Overnight stay at the Hotel.
Day 04: Kandy – Peradeniya – Pinnawella – Kandy
After breakfast visit peradeniya Botanical Garden.
Royal Botanical Gardens - 147 acres in extent: started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the King’s of Kandy. There are more than 5000 species of tree and plants. Some and endemic as well as flora from the tropical world. Spice garden and Orchid House are popular with Tourists.
Evening visit to Pinnawala Elephant orphanage
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage -started in 1975 to house the abandoned and the wounded, the orphanage has grown to be a big family today. The number of elephants has increased to more than 40 now, including baby Elephants brought from various parts, as well as the babies born, as a result of the captive breeding programme. A unique experience never to be missed.
Lunch at local restaurant. Evening Leisure at Kandy.
Dinner & Overnight stay at the Hotel.
Day 05: Kandy – Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast leave for Nuwara Eliya visiting a tea estate & factory en route.
Nuwara Eliya - The ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, is set against beautiful backdrops of Mountains, Valleys, Waterfalls and Tea Plantations. It is supposed to be one of the coldest places on the island, but is really just like an England spring day although the temperature does drop at night. All around Nuwara Eliya you will see evidence of the British influence. Houses are like country cottages or Queen Ann style mansions.
Lunch at local restaurant. Evening commence city tour in Nuwara Eliya.
Dinner Overnight Stay at the hotel.
Day 06: Nuwara Eliya – Yala
After breakfast leave for Yala via Ella.
Ella - 06 miles from Bandarawela on the Bandarawela - Wellawaya road is the Ella gap with a view of the Kataragama range of mountains at the distance. The Patna grasslands, Ravana Ella waterfalls (1080 ft. high) and Randeniwela monument could be seen on this route.
Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon Safari at Yala by Jeep.
Yala National Park - 185 miles from Colombo. Yala National Park is 378 sq. miles in extent. Yala was established in 1938 from, what originally was a Sportsman’s shooting reserve. This is the most famous and well developed National Park where wild animals and birds could be observed.
The Wild animals include Elephants in herds of varying sizes, Leopards, Wild Boar, Wild Buffalo, Crocodiles, Peacocks, Jackal, Sloth Bear and other animals.
The bird-life comprises of about 130 species including the resident and migrants. Painted storks, Paradise Flycatcher, Grey Herons, Serpent Eagle, Sea Eagle, Black-Necked Stork, Spoonbills and Pelicans add colour to the bird-life in the park.
Dinner Overnight Stay at the hotel.
Day 07: Yala – Galle – Hikkaduwa
After breakfast leave for Hikkaduwa en route visit Dutch Fort in Galle.
Galle - 72 miles from Colombo. This is the most ancient and important harbour of the country, until the Colombo Harbour was established. Galle is identified as the ‘ Tarshis ‘ of the Bible. This was captured by the Portuguese in 1587 A.D, Dutch in 1640 A.D, and British in 1796 A.D.
Most of the existing buildings dates to Dutch Period. The Bastians are still using Dutch names such as Zwart, Akesloot, Aeloes etc. Famous for lace making, Ebony carving, Gem cutting & polishing, out on shooting chanced on Nuwara Eliya plains, and Sir Edward Barnes investigated on it.
Check in to the beach hotel.
Dinner Overnight Stay at the hotel.
Day 08: Hikkadawa – Colombo Departure
Breakfast at the Hotel& Transfer to Colombo, after commence city tour & shopping in Colombo.
Colombo - a drive through the city taking you to the busy commercial areas as well as the tree-lined residential, Cinnamon Gardens. Visit Fort, the former British administrative center and military garrison, Sea Street - the Goldsmith’s quarters in the heart of Pettah, the Bazaar area, where is also a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carvings, and the Dutch Church of Wolfendhal dating back to 1749. Also visit the BMICH, see the replica of Avukana Buddha and Independence Square.
Shopping - visit Mlesna exquisite tea boutique, cashew nut shop, ready made garments and all sorts at Majestic City. Visit the Lanka Ceramics Centre, a place where you can buy “NORITAKE SET” or other ceramic items, visit the ‘ODEL SHOP’ & ’ARENA’ at Lipton Place. Visit ’BAREFOOT’, ’HOUSE OF FASHION’ and 'BEVERLY STREET' – 24 hours shopping arcade (garments only) at Kollupitya.
After sightseeing our representative will assist you to transfer to the airport for your flight to onward journey.
