Highlights Of Sri Lanka

• Day 1: Arrive Colombo

  Meet the tour representative on arrival at Colombo airport and transfer to the hotel (standard check in time at the hotel is 1400 hrs). Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka is a city that is fast modernizing, but there are still some parts that retain the old world charm of the Sri Lankan capital. Overnight stay in Colombo.

• Day 2: Drive Colombo – Dambulla (160 kms/approx. 4 hrs)

  Morning sightseeing tour of Colombo that includes a drive through the city’s busy commercial areas as well as the tree lined residential, Cinnamon Gardens, Fort - the former British administrative centre and military garrison, Sea Street - the Goldsmiths 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 & the Independence Square. Colombo Later drive to Dambulla. Dambulla is famous for it’s World Heritage Site, the Dambulla Cave Temples, which is a complex of 5 Caves with over 2000 square meters of painted walls and ceilings, containing over 150 images of Lord Buddha, including a massive rock carved figure of Buddha spanning 14 meters. Upon arrival check-in at the Hotel. Overnight stay in Dambulla.

• Day 3: In Dambulla – Sigiriya – Minneriya National Park - Dambulla

  Morning excursion to Sigiriya Rock Fortress. A World Heritage Site , the Sigriya Rock Fortress dates back to the 5th century, and is perhaps Sri Lanka’s picture post card monument. It is a massive rock structure jutting out of the forested plains like a giant tooth , and still has the remains of the Fortress and the Royal Palace. The climb up to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress is 1200 steps through the Mirror Wall and the giant stone paws of a lion, Sigiriya means Lion’s Fortress in the local Sri Lankan language, Sinhalese. Later proceed to Minneriya National Park --- Spread across almost 9000 hectares, the Minneriya National Park is famous for its large population of Elephants, which can be seen in herds of even 100 Elephants roaming together in the jungle and around the lake. Other mammals, reptiles and birds that can be sported in Minneriya National Park include wild buffalos, wild boar, spotted deer, leopards, crocodiles, and almost 200 species of birds. Overnight stay in Dambulla.

• Day 4: In Dambulla

  Morning excursion to Dambulla Cave temples --- Dating back to the 1st century BC the Rock Temple and the Caves of Dambulla are a World Heritage Site . Afternoon excursion to Anuradhapura --- Anuradhapura was the first ancient kingdom and Capital of Sri Lanka. It has many temples, dagobas and monasteries, many of which are now in ruins. Overnight stay in Dambulla.

• Day 5: Drive Dambulla to Kandy (95 kms/approx. 2½ hrs)

  After breakfast, drive to Kandy en-route visiting the Organic Herb and Spice Plantation. At the Organic Herb and Spice Plantation, you can see Cinnamon, Cardamom, Pepper and many other Spice trees, and even have an outdoor lunch at the plantation overlooking the gardens. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel in Kandy. Kandy is a beautiful and romantic city, surrounded by lush green hills and with a large Lake in the city centre. Once the stronghold of the Sinhalese Kings, and the capital of Sri Lanka’s hill regions, Kandy now has the sophistication of a modern city. Later sightseeing in Kandy visiting the sacred Temple of the Tooth, one of the major attractions of Kandy. This gold roofed temple has many Buddha statues and it comes alive at night with monks and pilgrims doing a lively ceremony with drummers Overnight stay in Kandy

• Day 6: Drive Kandy to Nuwara Eliya (80 kms/approx. 2½ hrs).

  Transfer to Peradeniya railway station in time to board train for Nanu Oya (Scenic Train ride - Peradeniya-Nanu Oya ). Met on arrival at Nanu Oya railway station and transfer to Nuwara Eliya, en-route visiting Nuwara Eliya Tea Plantations & Factory. At an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level, the colonial hill station of Nuwara Eliya was, because of it’s pleasant climate, the favourite retreat of the British. Nuwara Eliya still retains it’s colonial splendour and many call it the “Little England” of Sri Lanka. Evidence of it’s colonial past still exists, with country cottages , some Tudor Cottages, Queen Anne style mansions, sprawling golf course and meadows. Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.

• Day 7: Drive Nuwara Eliya to Yala (180 kms/approx. 4½ hrs).

  Drive to Yala. Sri Lanka’s biggest National Park , Yala is spread over almost 400 square miles of grassy plains and tangled forests. Offering a diverse range of animal and bird life , Yala boasts of the highest density of Leopards in Asia, and also has Sloth Bears, Crocodiles, several species of Deer and Asian Elephants. Upon arrival check in to the Lodge. Afternoon jeep safari into the Yala National Park. Overnight stay in Yala.

• Day 8: Drive Yala to Galle (175 kms/approx. 4 hrs).

  Morning drive to Galle. Located on the South West Coast of Sri Lanka, Galle was Sri Lanka’s most important port, falling on the trade route between the East and the West. Attraction in Galle includes the Galle Fort, now a World Heritage Site, which was constructed by the Portuguese, then taken over by the Dutch, and finally occupied by the British. Galle is a lovely city to wander around and has many waterfront shops and restaurants. Later sightseeing tour of Galle visiting the Galle Fort and the city centre with its rich colonial history. Overnight stay in Galle.

• Day 9: Depart Colombo

  Day at leisure until your transfer to Colombo airport (125 kms/approx. 2½ hrs) in time to board flight for onward destination. (standard check out time at the hotel is 1200 hrs)

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