Air port to Colombo (Overnight stay at Colombo)
At the airport you will be greeted by your chauffeur guide who will take you into the capital city of Colombo. Once at the comforts of your hotel, relax and recover from any jet lag.
Day 2
Colombo to Anuradhapura (Overnight stay at Anuradhapura)
After breakfast proceed to Ancient City of Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura
was the first capital of Sri Lanka from the 4th century BC until the
11th century AD and is situated about 205km north from the current
capital city of Colombo. Today the city is famous for its well preserved
ruins of ancient Sri Lankan civilization, which include dagobas,
monastic buildings and pokunas and is one of the eight World Heritage
Sights of Sri Lanka. Just 13km away from this ancient city lay Mihintale
one of Sri Lanka’s most prominent Buddhist sites, where Buddhism
originated in the island in 247BC.Day 3
Anuradhapura to Sigiriya (Overnight stay at Sigiriya)
After breakfast, we will head to Sigiriya. Once there, you can spend sometime relaxing at the hotel. In the evening, we will climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress.
Sigiriya Rock Fortress:Sigiriya, which has been declared by UNESCO as the 8th Wonder of the World is a large ancient rock fortress and palace ruin. It is surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs, and other structures. A popular tourist destination, Sigiriya is also renowned for its ancient paintings, which are reminiscent of the Ajanta Caves of India. According to the chronicles as Mahavamsa the entire complex was built by King Kashyapa, and after the king's death, it was used as a Buddhist monastery until 14th century.
Day 4
Sigiriya to Polonnaruwa (Overnight stay at Sigiriya)
After breakfast proceed to Historic City of Polonnaruwa. In the evening we will come back to the hotel in Sigiriya
The Historic City of Polonnaruwa:
After the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993 by Rajaraja, Polonnaruwa became the temporary royal residency during the 8th century and was declared the second capital of Sri Lanka by King Vijayabahu. It was King Vijayabahu’s grandson, King Parakramabahu I who raised Polonnaruwa to its heights. One of his greatest achievements was the creation of the Parakrama Samudra (Sea of Parakrama), which is a 2400-hectare tank. The city bears witness to many ancient civilizations such as the Cholas and the Singhalese sovereigns of the 12th century and is home to many historically significant dagobas, parks, imposing buildings and beautiful statues.
Day 5
Sigiriya to Minneriya (Overnight stay at Sigiriya)
After breakfast proceed to Minneriya National Park. In the evening we will come back to the hotel in Sigiriya
Located between Habarana and POLONNARUWA, the 8890 hectares of MINNERIYA
NATIONAL PARK is an ideal eco tourism location in Sri Lanka . The park
consists of mixed evergreen forest and scrub areas and is home to Sri
Lanka 's favourites such as sambar deer, leopards and elephants. However the central feature of the park is the ancient Minneriya Tank
(built in 3rdcentury AD by King Mahasena). During the dry season (June
to September), this tank is an incredible place to observe the elephants
who come to bathe and graze on the grasses as well as the huge flocks
of birds (cormorants and painted storks to name but a few) that come to
fish in the shallow waters.Day 6
Sigiriya to Kandy (Overnight stay at Kandy)
After breakfast proceed to Kandy. On the way visit the Dambulla rock temple and Matale. In the evening, you can spend sometime relaxing at the hotel
Dambulla rock temple:
Dambulla Viharaya contains an abundance of valuable material from the very earliest times till the late eighteenth century, and shows the evolution of the Singhalese Buddhist art. Such vast material in one place, combined with a long history, is a rare find anywhere.
The temples contain 153 Buddha images, 3 images of kings and 4 images of gods and goddesses. There are also 4 main monasteries and it was within this complex that the monks began the militant nationalist movement against the British in 1848.
Day 7
Kandy (Overnight stay at Kandy)
After breakfast we will proceed to the visit the Pinnawala elephant orphanage, which is the only place of captive elephants in the world and The Royal Botanical Gardens Peradeniya. In the evening we will visit Temple of the Tooth Relic and we will experience shopping tour of Kandy
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage:The orphanage, which is situated in the northwestern town of Kegalle was originally founded to provide care and support for the many orphaned elephants in the jungle. Since then the orphanage has also become a breeding ground for elephants. The orphanage is thought to have the largest heard of captive elephants in the world. Most elephants found in the orphanage are healthy. However, there are a few exceptions, such as the elephant named Sama, who lost her front right leg to a land mine. Tourists visiting the orphanage will be given the wonderful opportunity to touch and take pictures with the elephants as well as to feed them milk.
The Royal Botanical Gardens Peradeniya:The garden spreads across 147 acres and is 460 meters above sea falls. The garden experiences roughly 200 days of annual rain fall. It is home to over 300 varieties of orchids, spices, medical plants and palm trees. There is also a large concentration of fruit bats often seen flying around or resting in trees. The park is a perfect place for a sense of tranquility in a bustling city.
Temple of the Tooth Relic:
The sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha is the most venerated object for Buddhists around the world and its present house, the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy is considered to be the foremost sacred place of worship for all Buddhists. The tooth relic has played an important role in the politics and governance of ancient Sri Lanka, as it was then believed that whoever possesses the sacred relic has the divine right to rule the country. As a result many battles were fought to earn the right to possess the sacred tooth relic. Today, the relic is placed within this temple and is enshrined in seven golden caskets, which takes the shape of a stupa and is engraved with precious gemstone.
Day 8
Kandy to Nuwara eliya (Overnight stay at Nuwara eliya)
After breakfast proceed to the the Nuwara eliya. On the way there visit the Tea Factories. In the evening, you can spend sometime relaxing at the hotel and you can experience city tour of Nuwara eliya
Nuwara Eliya, meaning the city of light is a town in the central highlands of Sri Lanka and is popular for its tea production. It is located at an altitude of 1860 meters. The city provides breathtaking views of valleys, meadows, mountains and greenery. Due to the high altitude, the city sported the perfect climate for British civil servants and planters when the British colonized Sri Lanka. Even today, the city once called little England is true to the British culture through events such as horse races. The hotels and buildings within the city maintain the colonial architecture with fireplaces, British style open gardens and lawns.
Day 9
Nuware eliya to Yala (Overnight stay at Yala)
After breakfast proceed to Yala via Bandarawella. In the evening or the following morning, explore the Yala National Park.
Yala National Park:Yala National park is one of the oldest and well known national parks is Sri Lanka and spreads throughout roughly 130 000 hectre acres. It is renowened for the large population of elephant heards that you can see at very close vicinity. There is also roughly 30 Sri Lankan leopards that roam the parks, which is one of the highest leopard densities in the world and if lucky you may experience the extraordinary sight of leopard cubs playing or simply enjoying their prey. The park also hosts over 200 vareities of birds and types such as the Wood pigeon and Black capped bulbul are endemic to Sri Lanka. You will explore the park in an open roofed landrover, giving it a truly adventourous touch and experince Sri Lankan wildlife in its natural habitat.
Day 10
Yala to Mirissa (Overnight stay at Mirissa)
After breakfast proceed to Mirissa.
Mirissa is an ideal destination for those who wish to catch a rare
glimpse of those beautiful and gentle giants of the Cetacean Order.
Situated at the southern coast of Sri Lanka from beyond Mirissa coast
lies the Indian Ocean its vast majesty right upto the Antartic land
mass. It comes as no surprise that these amazing marine mammals migrate
through the vast and fertile stretch from December to April during the
annual breeding season. Mirissa itself is a quiet and peaceful coastal
town boasting unspoiled beaches.
Setting off from Mirissa there is upto 90% opportunity to come across
Sperm whales and good pretty chance of sighting the Blue whale as well.
There are believed to be around 26 different species of whales
traversing this region and this includes the well loved dolphin.
Day 11
Mirissa to Colombo (Overnight stay at Colombo)
After breakfast we will make our way to Colombo. In the evening you can relaxing in the hotel and taking advantage of its inhouse facilities and ayurvadic spa treatments as well as Colombo city and shopping tour.
Day12
Colombo to Air Port
As all good things must come to an end, your chauffeur guide with comfortable take you back to the Colombo International airport for a safe return journey with happy Sri Lankan memories
COST OF THIS TOUR INCLUDES:
- Accommodation in standard rooms at superior level accommodation
- Transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle throughout the tour from airport
- Services of an English speaking chauffeur guide throughout the tour.
- Breakfast through the tour
COST OF THIS TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDES:
- Video and Camera permits.
- Charges for activities such as water sports.
- Cost for hiring diving equipment.
- Beverages throughout the tour.
- Tips and porterage.
- Expenses of a personal nature.
- Any other cost which is not mentioned in the ‘Cost of this tour includes’ field above.
