| Colombo - Sigiriya - Kandy - Nuwara Eliya - Hambantota/ Kataragama - Kalutara-Bentota |
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| DAY 1 - Arrival & transfer from Airport to Colombo |
Overnight stay at Grand Oriental Hotel/ Galadari Hotel.
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| DAY 2 - Breakfast at Grand Oriental Hotel/ Galadari Hotel |
After Breakfast transfer from Colombo to Sigiriya via Pinnawala.
The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, established in 1975, commenced with seven orphans. Today some of these orphans enjoy the fortune of seeing their grandchildren born in the same location. The original objective of establishing the orphanage inclined more towards tourism, but is soon became a conservation and educational centre. With the help of local and foreign elephant experts, Pinnawela started a scientific captive-breeding programme for elephants. The free movement of the herd enhanced the chances for respective individuals of both sexes to get together and mate. The nearby river played a dominant role in this regard, and in 1984, the first baby of Pinnawela was born.
The success story of Pinnawela has drawn the attention of scientists from all over the world. A considerable number of books and research articles on Pinnawela have been published in several languages. The members of the Pinnawela herd have been filmed, videoed and photographed thousands of times by professionals.
Transfer from Pinnawala to Sigiriya.
In the evening climb the 5th century Sigiriya rock fortress which is a world heritage site, built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD). The 'Lion Rock' is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 metres 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 approached by a spiral stairway. These frescoes are painted in earth pigments on plaster.
Overnight stay at Sigiriya Village/ Culture Club Resort.
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| DAY 3 - Breakfast at Sigiriya Village/ Culture Club Resort |
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After Breakfast transfer from Sigiriya to Anuradhapura.
Visit Anuradhapura. It was the first capital and undoubtedly the grandest city of the 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 it 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 the 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. Isurumuniya rock temple (3rd century B.C) is well known for its rock carvings.
Transfer from Anuradhapura to Sigiriya.
Overnight stay at Sigiriya Village/ Culture Club Resort.
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DAY 4 - Breakfast at Sigiriya Village/ Culture Club Resort |
After Breakfast transfer from Sigiriya to Polonnaruwa.
Visit Polonnaruwa, which was the 2nd capital city of Sri Lanka built in the 11th and 12th centuries AD, and which is a world heritage site. Here you can see the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya where 4 splendid statues of the Buddha in 'Upright', 'Sedentary' and 'Recumbent' postures carved out of rock could be seen, the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, the statue of king Parakramabahu, and the Parakrama Samudraya - a lake built by King Parakramabahu the great. There are also monuments of famous places of worship such as the Shiva Temple, the Lankathilake, the Watadage, the Galpotha, the Kiri Vehera and the remains of a former Temple of the Tooth Relic.
Transfer from Polonnaruwa to Minneriya.
In the evening do a safari of the Minneriya National Park by jeep. The extent of the Minneriya National Park is about 8,889 hectares. There are wet-lands in this National Park, which have international importance, animal and plant species, which are plenty in dry zone are found in this park. Wild elephants, various amphibians, local and immigrant bird species are plenty in this park. About 160 species of birds, 09 amphibians, 25 reptile species, 26 fish species and more than 78 butterfly species have been found in this area. There are bamboo trees which are rare in other parks and wild elephants can be seen conveniently. The significant feature is that these elephants can be seen going closer to them.
Overnight stay at Sigiriya Village/ Culture Club Resort.
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| DAY 5 - Breakfast at Sigiriya Village/ Culture Club Resort |
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After Breakfast transfer from Dambulla to Kandy via Matale.
En rout visit Dambulla rock temple has been built by king Walagambahu in the 1st century B.C. and 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. metres 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 metres.
Visit a spice garden in Matale to see different spices for which Sri Lanka is famous for. Here, clients could see different spices and how some of these spices are grown and processed. Witness a Cookery demonstration.
In the evening visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy. Thereafter witness a Cultural show.
Overnight stay at Hilltop Hotel /Earl's Regency Hotel.
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| DAY 6 - Breakfast at Hilltop Hotel/ Earl's Regency Hotel |
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After Breakfast transfer from Kandy to Peradeniya Botanical Gardens.
This botanical garden was first built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala king and was expanded by the British. It is 147 acres in extent and provides an amazing variety of trees, plants and flowers.
Transfer from Peradeniya to Kandy.
Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings which is a World Heritage Site. The name "Kandy" conjures visions of splendour and magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. Drive around the Kandy Lake built by the last Sinhala king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798. Visit the Kandy town and Bazaar, the arts and crafts centre, a gem museum and a lapidary.
Overnight stay at Hilltop Hotel/ Earl's Regency Hotel.
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| DAY 7 - Breakfast at Hilltop Hotel/ Earl's Regency Hotel |
After Breakfast transfer from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya via Tea Plantation.
En rout 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.
Transfer from Tea Plantation to Nuwara Eliya.
In the evening do a city tour of Nuwara Eliya, because of its invigorating mountain climate and scenery, 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.
Overnight stay at Galway Forest Lodge/ Tea Factory Hotel.
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| DAY 8 -Breakfast at Galway Forest Lodge/ Tea Factory Hotel. |
After Breakfast transfer from Nuwara Eliya to Hambantota via Kataragama.
Visit Kataragama. Kataragama is perhaps the most visited holy places in the country. Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims flock to the shrines located there. The deity most often associated with Kataragama is Skanda. Buddhists travel to Kataragama ostensibly to visit the Kirivehera, a dagoba where the Buddha is said to have meditated in his 3rd and final visit to Sri Lanka.
Overnight stay at Oasis Hotel/ Rosen Renaissance Hotel.
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| DAY 9 - Breakfast at Oasis Hotel/ Rosen Renaissance Hotel |
After Breakfast transfer from Hambantota to Kalutara via Galle.
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.
Overnight stay at Golden Sun Resort/ Taj Exotica Hotel.
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| DAY 10 - Breakfast at Golden Sun Resort/ Taj Exotica Hotel |
Breakfast at Golden Sun Resort/ Taj Exotica Hotel . Full Day at Leisure. (No Transport)
Overnight stay at Golden Sun Resort/ Taj Exotica Hotel .
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| DAY 11 - Breakfast at Golden Sun Resort/ Taj Exotica Hotel |
After Breakfast transfer from Bentota to Colombo .
In the Evening do a city tour of Colombo , like many capital cities in developing countries is fast changing its face. Almost overnight, skyscrapers arise from where old buildings once stood. Yet in some parts, the old world charm is retained. For example, there is a 100-year-old clock tower and several British built colonial buildings. Other places of interest are the Pettah bazaar - where one can shop for bargain, a Hindu and a Buddhist temple, residential areas where you find the stately homes of the affluent, the Colombo museum, the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH)- an outright gift to Sri Lanka from the People's Republic of China , the new Parliament and the Dutch Museum .
Overnight stay at Grand Oriental Hotel/ Galadari Hotel
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| DAY 12 -
Breakfast at Grand Oriental Hotel/ Galadari Hotel
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After Breakfast transfer from Colombo to Airport for Departure |
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| End of our Service |
