Day 1

AIRPORT (KATUNAYAKE) / COLOMBO
Approx. 35 km & travel time 45 minutes

Met on arrival at the airport arrival hall and transfer to Colombo

If time permits do a city tour of Colombo includes the Galle Face Green, Independence Square, Bandaranayake memorial International conference hall, Gangaramaya temple, New Parliament and Old Parliament.

Relax/own activities in Colombo
Over night in Colombo

(Please advice the complete arrival flight details with flight number & time)

Colombo - the capital of Sri Lanka - is the largest city and main port of Sri Lanka. It is also the commercial and financial center of Sri Lanka. A bustling metropolis, the city is an attractive blend of old and new. It has the lazy charm of the bygone era combined with the verve and vivaciousness of a modern city.

Day 2

COLOMBO/ ANURADAHAPURA / DAMBULLA
Approx. 275 km & travel time 06 hrs excluding sightseeing

After early breakfast proceed to Anuradhapura
Your sightseeing includes the 1st Ancient capital and Archaeological monuments in Anuradhapura.

Thereafter return to the hotel and rest of the day at leisure

Over night in Dambulla

Anuradhapura- was the first capital and undoubtedly the grandest city of ancient Sri Lanka. It is the home of two world heritage sites. Many places of historical and archaeological interest could be visited.“Sri Maha Bodhi” (Sacred Bo-Tree) was brought as a sapling of the tree under which Prince Siddhartha attained to enlightenment and is over 2,200 years old and is the oldest historically documented tree in the world. At “Brazen Palace”(2nd Century B.C), the 1600 stone columns you see are all that is left of a magnificent multi-storied residence for monks.“Ruwanweliseya” (2nd century B.C) is the most famous of all “Dagobas”. It originally depicted the perfect “bubble Shape”that modern restoration has not been able to accurately reproduce.“Samadhi Buddha statue” (4th century AD) is one of the most famous statues, depicting the Buddha in a state of “Samadhi” or deep meditation.

Day 3 

DAMBULLA /POLONNARUWA / DAMBULLA/SIGIRIYA/DAMBULLA 
Approx. 160 km & travel time 04 hrs excluding sightseeing

After breakfast proceed to Polonnaruwa

Your sightseeing includes the 2nd Ancient capital and Archaeological monuments in Polonnaruwa.

Optional - Elephant rides in Habarana

After the visit to the Polonnaruwa , we return to Dambulla and rest at the hotel.

In the evening travel to Sigiriya to climb the rock fortress.

Thereafter return to the hotel.
Overnight in Dambulla

Polonnaruwa-was the 2nd capital of Sri Lanka; another World Heritage Site built from11th to 13th Centuries, contains some splendid and spectacular ancient monuments. 'Lankathilake, 'Tivanka' and Thuparama” are the most beautiful and largest image Houses. “Tivanka” has the best examples of frescoes of the Polonnaruwa period. 'Rankoth Vehera” and “Kiri Vehera” are well preserved large stupas. “Gal Vihare” a rock shrine, has four Buddha statues, two seated, one standing and one reclining and Parakrama Bahu statue are examples of Sinhalese stone carvings. The “Vata-da-ge” is an unique creation of the Sri Lankan artists. The medieval capital, Polonnaruwa was fortified with inner & outer moats and walls. The “Parakrama Samudra” lake built by King Parakramabahu the great is on the western side of the city. The “Royal Palace”, Audience hall and other buildings in the inner city were enclosed by another tall wall.

Sigiriya-The 5th century Sigiriya rock fortress, is a World Heritage Site built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD). The “Lion Rock” is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 meters from the scrub Jungle. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70 Hectare fortified town. A moat, rampart and extensive Gardens including the renowned water gardens ring the base of the rock. Visit the world-renowned frescoes of the “Heavenly Maidens” of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock. These Frescoes are painted in earth pigments on plaster.

Day 4

DAMBULLA / KANDY
Approx. 100 km & travel time 03 hrs excluding sightseeing

After breakfast check out from the hotel and proceed to Kandy.
En route visit,

1. Golden Rock Temple in Dambulla
2. Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket StadiumIron Wood Forest (Namal Uyana) which is the largest Rose Quartz mountain range in South Asia.
3. A Spice Garden in Matale.

Afternoon do a city tour of Kandy which includes the gem museum, batik factory, Kandyan art and craft center, silk show room and upper lake view of the Kandy Temple.   
In the evening watch a cultural show in Kandy.  
Overnight in Kandy

Dambulla rock temple- has been built by King Walagambahu in the 1st century B.C; it is a World Heritage Site. Also, it is the most impressive of Sri Lanka's cave temples. The complex of five caves with Over 2000 sq. meters of painted walls and ceilings is the largest area of paintings found in the world. It contains Over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is the colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of rock and spanning 14 meters.

Spice & Herbal garden –Matale...Sri Lanka is world renowned for its valued spices and healing herbs. The lush spice & herbal gardens feature many important trees such as sandalwood, Margosa, Cocoa, Citronella, Almond, Jasmine and Coconut. When visiting the spice garden make most of the chance to experience firsthand how cloves, pepper, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon and saffron are grown in their natural surroundings. At thespice & herbal garden you can learn of their medical healing properties and how to use them in your day to day needs. Used worldwide in many medicines the healing power of spices have been respected from the time of the pharaohs and Chinese dynasties, while our herbs are used in Ayurvedic concoctions.

Kandy- The last capital of the Sri Lankan kings against a series of colonial invaders was at Kandy. located 500 meters in the hill country. Kandy still remains a sanctuary for traditional Sinhalese cultures.

Dalada Maligawa-known as the Temple of the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha, the founder of Buddhism brought to Sri Lanka in the 4th century A.D. The sacred relic has ever since been the symbol of sovereignty for its rulers and always enshrined in great splendour. Kandy Dalada Maligawa is a magnificent shrine, with decorative walls and its 16th – 19th century ambiance vividly alive. Three religious services (Pooja) with traditional music, held daily at dawn, midday and in the evening, can be viewed by visitors.

Kandyan Cultural Show-visitors can see these cultural performances held at several places in the city in the evenings.

Day 5

KANDY/ PINNAWELA / PERADENIYA / KANDY
Approx. 85 km & travel time 03 hrs excluding sightseeing

After breakfast proceed to Pinnawala

1. Visit Pinnawala elephant orphanage
2. Visit Pinnawala open air zoo

Thereafter return to Kandy and visit Royal botanical gardens in Peradeniya

Overnight in Kandy

Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage- This orphanage was started in 1975 to house the abandoned and the wounded elephants. The number of elephants has increased to more than 65; including Baby Elephants brought from various parts of the world. More than 25 baby elephants are born, as a result of the captive breeding program.
*feeding times are 0915hrs,1315 hrs and 1700hrs
*Bathing times are from 1000-12000 hrs & 14.00hrs – 16.00hrs. This is when all the elephants are taken to the river close by.

Peradeniya Botanical Gardens- was first built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhalese King and was expanded by the British. It is 147 acres in Extent and provides an amazing variety of trees, plants and Flowers.

Day 6

KANDY/NUWARA ELIYA

Approx. 95 km & travel time 02 hrs excluding sightseeing
After breakfast proceed to Nuwara Eliya via Ramboda waterfalls .

En route visit Tea plantations around in Nuwara Eliya area.

In the evening walk around Nuwara Eliya town and also visit Bale Bazaar.

Relax/own activities in Nuwara Eliya

Overnight in Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya.. due to refreshing climate, mountain and scenery it is Sri Lanka s most popular hill resort. Nuwara Eliya is also the Heart of Sri Lanka s tea country producing a significant Share of the world best tea. Sri Lanka s highest mountain Pidurutalagala (8282 feet) is Located here. Nuwara-Eliya also has one of the finest 18 hole golf courses in South Asia.

Tea Plantation.. visit a tea plantation and a tea factory, where the best tea in the world is produced. Here you could observe all about the process of manufacturing tea. You can also see how tea is graded. Taste a cup of pure Ceylon tea  in the Factory.

Day 7

NUWARA ELIYA/YALA

Approx. 170 km & travel time 05 hrs excluding sightseeing 

After breakfast proceed to Yala

En route visit,

* Ella Gap

* Rawana waterfalls

* Kataragama Temple

Afternoon 1/2 day Jeep safari in Yala nationla park.

Overnight in Yala

Kataragama… Kataragama is a very important pilgrim centre to all four religions in Sri Lanka. All worshipping places are gathering around one kilometre. Mainly Buddhist & Hindu temples and shrines exist close to gather.

Yala..... the largest National Park in Sri Lanka; covers 126,786 hectares including the Strict Natural  Reserve (Block II). The most familiar is Block I (14,101 hectares) and this were established in 1938. Yala is famous for its herds and number of Elephants, Leopards, Spotted Deer, Sam bur, Crocodiles, Mongoose, Wild Boar, Wild Buffalo, and many other animals. More than 130 bird species are recorded  which includes the resident and winter visitors.

Day 8

YALA / BENTOTA
Approx. 220 km & travel time 05 hrs excluding sightseeing 

After breakfast proceed to Bentota

En route,

1. See stilt fishermen in Mirissa/Weligama area
2. Do a city tour of Galle which includes Dutch Fort,Museum,Martin Wickremasinghe Folk Museum & Koggala Lake
3. Visit Turtle Hatchery in Hikkaduwa

Relax/own activities in Bentota

Overnight in Bentota 

Galle-was once the chief port of Sri Lanka. It is still well known for hand-made lace.You can also visit the Galle Fort (spanning 90 acres), which was originally built by the Portuguese and later Extended by the Dutch in 1663. This is also a World Heritage Site.

Koggala Lake-The largest lake in the island, Koggala lake is an un-spoilt ecological haven. The small islands scattered in the lake ideal for bird watching at sunset. This beautiful turquoise lagoon is just a couple of kilometers away from the town; dotted with rocky islands & fringed with mangroves. The lagoon is teemed with bird life & supply  prawns in abundance. Motor boat trips & catamaran rides take you to the smaller islands around the lagoon, each showcasing a unique experience in itself.

Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Museum -A stunning location and one of Koggala’s must-visits, this Folk Museum is inspired by and built upon the ideologies of Martin Wickramasinghe, one of Sri Lanka’s most renowned Sinhalese writers of the twentieth century. The museum showcases the country’s traditional cultures and was restored together with the ecosystem that surrounds it with the aim of transforming Koggala, the place that is described in most of  Wickramasinghe's work, to a more tangible reality for those who have read his writings and those who are looking for a firsthand experience in the heart of the writer's stories. The legend of the house is a rather interesting one given the fact that this piece of architecture was able to survive two world wars. The establishment sits magnificently in a lush seven acre garden surrounded by several species of trees. Along with exhibits of the highly respected writer's personal collection, photographs & memorabilia & some history about the area, the museum also houses fascinating exhibits from traditional Sri Lankan life: everything from catching a fish to chasing off malevolent spirits. The exhibits are interesting & well displayed, with information in English & Sinhalese.

Turtle Hatchery -is a conservation project to survive the Turtles because it’s an endangered species. Sri Lanka is a safe haven for Turtles. Out of eight remaining Turtle species five of them lay their eggs on Sri Lankan coast during the breeding season (December to February).

Day 9

BENTOTA / AIRPORT (KATUNAYAKE)
Approx. 110 km & travel time 03 hrs excluding sightseeing

Proceed to Airport for the departure flight .

(Please advice the complete departure flight details with flight number & time)