Arrive Colombo
Upon arrival into Colombo, you will be welcomed and assisted by a representative before you proceed to your hotel. Colombo is the commercial capital of Sri Lanka.
Colombo stretches along the western shore of Sri Lanka for nine miles. It is not just a simple city of one and a half million people, but a metropolis, where different ethnic groups, religions and cultures intermingle. Here the contrast between high raise hotels and colonial mansions, supermarkets and street bazaars, dazzling cars and motor-rickshaws is fascinating to behold. You check in to your hotel and rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight in Colombo.
Colombo – Pinnawela – Dambulla (5.5 hours)
Today after breakfast, you proceed to Dambulla. En route you visit Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage. The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage was established to shelter young elephants abandoned by their mothers or displaced from their natural environment by development projects. Most of the orphans cannot be introduced back into the wild, as other elephant family groups will not accept them but many find good foster homes in zoos around the world. It is wonderful to watch them during feeding or bathing time. In the evening, visit the Dambulla Rock Cave Temple. The “Dambulla Cave Temple” also known as the “Golden Temple”, is a world heritage site. This site is located 148 kms east of Colombo. King “Valgamba” converted the caves into a temple and still is the best preserved monastery in Sri Lanka.
Overnight stay in Dambulla.
Dambulla – Sigiriya – Kandy (2 hours)
After breakfast, you depart for Sigiriya. The mighty rock face named “Sigiriya” also known as the “Lion’s Rock”; 8th wonder of the world, the rock fortress built by King Kassapa in the 5th Century AD is declared as a World Heritage site; preserved frescos add glamour to the site. Later you proceed to Kandy. Visit the Spice Garden in Matale. For centuries, spices have been one of Sri Lanka's most celebrated exports. Spices are mostly grown in home gardens (as a home industry) and used not only to flavor food but also in medicine and cosmetics. While visiting a Spice Garden you could sample such scents and flavors as cinnamon, ginger, pepper, vanilla, cardamom and many more. You check into your hotel and rest of the afternoon. In the evening visit Dālada Maligai, the Sacred Tooth Relic (Dālada) of Lord Buddha that is the most venerated object of worship for Buddhists. Later witness spectacular dance performances (Cultural show).
Overnight in Kandy.
Kandy – Nuwara Eliya (2.5 hours)
After breakfast, you proceed towards Nuwara Eliya. You visit the Gem Museum in Kandy.
Throughout history, Sri Lanka has been known as a land of gems. King Solomon was said to have procured a great ruby for the Queen of Sheba from Ceylon. Marco Polo wrote of wonderful Ceylon gems. The Blue Sapphire is king of Sri Lankan gems. The 400 carat Blue Sapphire called “Blue Belle”, which adorns the British Crown, is from Sri Lanka. The beautiful star sapphire misnamed the “Star of India” is displayed at New York’s Museum of Natural History. Besides rubies and sapphire, the illama soil also bears cat’s eyes, alexandrite, aquamarines, tourmalines, spiels, topaz, garnets, amethyst, zircons and variety of other stones. En route you also visit The Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya.
The Royal Botanical Garden at Peradeniya was established in 1821 and now covers an area of 140 acres, snuggled in a loop in the Mahaweli River, the longest river in Sri Lanka. Its primary purpose was the testing and acclimatizing of plants for commercial use in Sri Lanka. Today the Gardens have one of the largest collections of flora from sub tropical climates around the world. Continue your journey towards Nuwaraeliya watching the scenic and panoramic view throughout the journey. En route visit Sri Baktha Hanuman Temple, Ramboda. An ancient story says, Ramboda is the area, where the forces of Rama gathered to fight against King Ravana. This temple was built by the Chinmaya Mission of Sri Lanka and is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. This temple houses the 16 feel height statue of Hanuman. Also visit Labukele Tea Factory - Ceylon tea is acclaimed as the best tea in the world. The influence of climatic conditions imparts to the product a variety of flavors and aromas, synonymous with quality. The cultivation and manufacture
highly skilled, scientific and technical process, with Sri Lanka producing some of the most fragrant teas in the world.
Nuwara Eliya is the main hill resort of Sri Lanka. Once a pleasure retreats of the European planters the town is still very much an English town with many English style bungalows and buildings. Enjoy a tour of Nuwara Eliya town. In the evening check in to your hotel.
Overnight in Nuwara Eliya.
Yala – Galle – Bentota (5 hours)
After breakfast, you leave for Bentota along the coastal route. Bentota offers water sports possibilities nowhere else to be found. Apart from swimming, body-surfing or diving in the sea, you can jet-ski, windsurf, parasail or enjoy a romantic river safari on the river and lagoon. Visit the famous Murugan Temple (shrines) Kataragama and continue your journey to Bentota. En route stilt fishing is a common sight at Mirissa. Galle fort was built first by the Portuguese and then modified by the Dutch during the 17th century. Even today, after 400 years of existence, it looks new and polished with reconstruction work done by Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka. Today Sri Lankan government and many Dutch people who still own some of the properties inside the fort are looking at making this one of the modern wonders of the world. You check into your hotel in Bentota.
Overnight in Bentota.
Nuwara Eliya – Yala (3 hours)
After breakfast, you leave for Yala via Ella Wellawaya - the most scenic route. Yala National Park or Ruhuna National Park is the second largest and most visited in Sri Lanka. Yala is situated in the southeast region of the country. The park covers 979 square kilometers. It had originally been designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900. Having been designated in 1938. The park is best known for its variety of its wild animals. It is important for the conservation of Sri Lankan elephants and aquatic birds. Visit the park in the evening in a 4 X 4 jeep safari.
Overnight in Yala.
Bentota – Colombo (2 hours)
After breakfast, start your journey to Balapitiya. Enjoy a scenic cruise along the Madhu River, a relaxing trip with plenty of interesting stops. You pass dozens of islets forested with mangroves and can appreciate the timeless natural rhythms of rural life. You cruise in a canopied, outboard motor powered boat; pausing to view a 200-year-old temple and to watch the locals cultivating cinnamon. You may also see traditional fishing techniques in action and can view demonstrations of coir manufacture and rope making. You may also spot huge water lilies and colorful butterflies. Later, visit the Turtle Hatchery at Kosgoda where you will find lots of information about Sri Lanka's pioneering sea turtle conservation project. Village Kosgoda is a prime turtle nesting site in Sri Lanka.
Later, you proceed to Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo stretches along the western shore of Sri Lanka for nine miles. It is not just a simple city of one and a half million people, but a metropolis, where different ethnic groups, religions and cultures intermingle. Here the contrast between high raise hotels and colonial mansions, supermarkets and street bazaars, dazzling cars and motor-rickshaws is fascinating to behold. Check into your hotel and in the evening enjoy a city tour of dazzling Colombo; visit significant places and sites in and around, Old Parliament, Independence square, famous St Anthony’s church and Sri Ponnambaleshwar Temple. You can shop at ODEL, House of fashion, Noritake ceramic and the souvenir shop “Lak Medura”.
Overnight in Colombo.
Depart Colombo
After breakfast, you have time free at leisure till it’s time to proceed to the airport for your flight back home.