Sri Lanka

Pick-up from Colombo airport and proceed to Anuradhapura, the largest and oldest of all Sri Lanka’s ancient cities. Check-in at the hotel. At Anuradhapura,you can see a rich collection of archaeological and architectural wonders: enormous dagobas (brick stupas), ancient pools and crumbling temples. You will see the remains of the Brazen Palace (which was once nine-storeys high) and the Sri Maha Bodhi a Bo Tree, which is over 2000 years old and grew from the branch of the very tree beneath which the Buddha attained enlightenment. Then visit Mihintale Temple, Jaya Shi Maha Bodhi, Abayagiri Viharya, Lankarama, Lovamapaya, Thuparamaya, Jethawanaramaya. Overnight stay in Anuradhapura.

After breakfast, proceed to Sigiriya & discover the 8th wonder of the world – the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Dating back to the 5th Century A.D, this astounding ‘city’ perched on the summit of a high outcrop was the royal citadel of King Kassapa for over 18 years. It is a miraculous feat of artistry and engineering with its unique features and exquisite frescoes. In Sigiriya Rock Fort, you can visit the Lion Paw. Check-in at the hotel. Overnight stay in Sigiriya.

After breakfast proceed to Polonnaruwa (Excursion duration: approx. 2.5 hour). Polonnaruwa became established as the capital in the 11th century when Anuradhapura was abandoned due to foreign invasion. A dominant feature of the city is a vast irrigation lake of 5940 acres named Parakrama Samudra. The palace complex of King Parakrama Bahu is a medieval stronghold of moats, walls, guard houses, bathing ponds thick-walled multi-storeyed castle. Proceed next to Sigiriya. Once in Sigiriya take part in Sigiriya village tour – the village tour highlights : ride a Land Master (tractor), pass by paddy fields, cross a lake by boat, explore the village and discover the simplicity of village life. End your village tour with a Sri Lankan cooking experience with locals. Overnight stay in Sigiriya.

After breakfast, visit to the Dambulla cave temple also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla ; it is a World Heritage site in Sri Lanka, situated in the central part of the country. On the way stop at a spice garden at Matale. Check-in at the hotel. Visit to the Gem Museum in Kandy if you wish. In the evening: round off your day with a Cultural Dance show, where the vibrant costumes and pulsating rhythms of traditional dance forms from centuries old rituals will enthrall you. Overnight stay in Kandy.

After breakfast, enjoy a city tour of Kandy – the last kingdom of the Sinhalese, taking in the sights of Upper Lake Drive and the Market Square on the way to pay homage to one of the most sacred religious sites in Sri Lanka. The Temple of the Tooth or Dalada Maligawa is believed to house the ‘tooth relic’ of the Lord Buddha. Proceed to Nuwara Eliya, visiting the Ramboda waterfalls, Sri Bhakta Hanuman Temple and Tea Plantation & Tea Factory along the way. The old colonial outpost still referred to as ‘Little England’,Nuwara Eliya, certainly lives up to its name.Perched at 6200 feet above sea level, the climate too, adds to the illusion of one stepping into an old English town, where neat hedges, quaint cottages and beautiful old buildings stand as serene as they did well over a century ago – the magnificent Grand Hotel presiding over them all. Sita Amman Temple: The prominent temple architecture will not fail to attract your attention. Ancient statues of Rama and Sita can be seen on one side of the temple. The temple today is a modern building with its paintings, statues and pillars decorated with sculptures; all depicting the tale of Rama and Sita. Hakgala Botanical Gardens (Ashok Vatika): This is the exotic pleasure garden where King Ravana kept the depressed Sita, insisting that she marries him. Check-in at the hotel. Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.

After breakfast, proceed to Yala via Ella and visit Ravana Falls, Ravana Cave, 9 arch Bridge, and Divurumpola Ella is a quiet hill country town that draws visitors to its cool climate and its picturesque setting deep in the heart of the ‘up country’. Thereafter, proceed to Yala and, on the way visit Katharagama Temple. It is a temple complex dedicated to Buddhist guardian deity Kataragama deviyo and Hindu War God Murugan. It is one of the few religious sites in Sri Lanka that is venerated by the Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and the Vedda people. The train ride from Nanu Oya to Ella is optional, if you want to do it, we can arrange the train ticket as well. Check-in at the hotel. Overnight stay in Yala.

Early morning, set off at dawn on an exciting wildlife safari at Yala National Park (05.30 – 09.30 AM). The second largest national park in Sri Lanka, Yala is known to hold the highest concentration of leopard in the world. Elephant, leopard, sloth bear, wild buffalo and sambur thrive there, as well as herds of spotted deer, wild boar, langur and macaque monkeys and many small mammals. Over 130 species of birds can be seen with peacocks being a common sight. The bordering coastline also forms a major nesting ground for marine turtles. Thereafter, proceed to Mirissa and on the way visit to Coconut Tree Hill and Rhumassala. Visit the Heritage city of Galle. For centuries Galle has stood strong against invasions – from colonial powers and nature’s volatile outbursts. The famous Dutch Fort was first built by the Portuguese, fortified by the Dutch and preserved by the British. Battered daily for over 400 years by the ocean it even survived the onslaught of a tsunami and is enjoyed today by residents and visitors alike. The colonial architecture of the walled city too has resisted the advance of modernity and holds tightly to its past glory. Check-in at the hotel. Overnight stay in Bentota.

After Breakfast, relax in Bentota beach. Many interesting sightseeing tours are possible from here, such as the Turtle Hatchery at Kosgoda, a successful conservation effort established to protect Sri Lanka’s turtles from extinction; Madu river Boat trips on Bentota River to see the bio-diversity,etc… Overnight stay in Bentota.

After Breakfast, leave for Colombo. Colombo also has a massive park named after both Queen Victoria and Sri Lankan princes Vihara Maha Devi. City tour of Colombo and visit Gangarmaya Temple. Enjoy Colombo shopping. There you can visit Pettah Market and Mall. Thereafter, proceed to the Colombo Airport to catch your flight back.