Destinations Covered : Colombo – Anuradhapura – Dambulla – Sigiriya – Polonnaruwa – Kandy – Pinnawala – NuwaraEliya – Horton Plains – Udawalawe- Bentota Duration : 8 Nights / 9 Days

Day 1 : Colombo

On arrival in Sri Lanka you will be met and assisted by our Airport Representative, who will direct you to your very own Chauffeur who will transfer you to Colombo, Drive through the commercial and city center known as the “Fort”, built by the Portuguese in the 16th century where grand colonial era buildings stand alongside modern office structures. See the vibrant markets and bazaars of Pettah, and the National Museum with its fine collection of lovely antiques and art of Sri Lanka. You could visit a Buddhist temple and a Hindu Kovil to experience the diversity of religion, ethnicity and customs of the people. Alternatively you may indulge in some shopping. Overnight Stay: Hotel in Colombo

Day 2 : Anuradhapura – Dambulla

After breakfast set off to Anuradhapura, Then visit the sacred ancient city of Anuradhapura founded in the 04th century B.C a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1982. It has the largest number of ancient monuments of the great Sinhala civilization which flourished in this region. You will see some of the most famous as well as the tallest Stupas of Sri Lanka and the Ruins of ancient royal palaces. Another amazing site would be the ‘Sri Maha Bodhi’ or the sacred Bo tree which is over 2200 years old grown from a branch of the very tree under which “The Buddha” attained enlightenment – the oldest historically documented tree in the world. After a short rest in the Hotel, head for Dambulla and explore the famous Golden Rock cave temple which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, this cave monastery, a vast isolated rock mass with its five caverns is the largest best preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. The Buddhist mural paintings (covering an area of 2,100 sq. meters) are of particular importance as are the 157 statues including a 47 foot long statue of the recumbent Buddha. Overnight Stay Hotel in Dambulla

Day 3 : Polonnaruwa – Sigiriya

After breakfast  leave for Polonnaruwa to see  the ruins of ancient Ceylon – the UNESCO World Heritage City of Polonnaruwa, which was the Capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th to 13thcentury. A well-planned medieval city defended by enclosing walls (around 5 km. which still remain), graced by palaces, shrines, monasteries, pavilions, parks, ponds and irrigation lakes. Polonnaruwa is strewn with ruins in a resplendent state of preservation. The ‘Gal Vihara’ which consists of statues of the recumbent, standing and seated Buddha have been cut from a single granite wall and rank among the true masterpieces of Sri Lankan Art.

En-route visit:SigiriyaDrive: Approximately ½ an Hour (25 km) Sigiriya,Begin the morning by climbing the rock fortress of Sigiriya – a 5th Century “Fortress in the Sky”. Built by King Kassapa the fortress was a Royal Citadel for more than 18 years. The lion rock (A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SIGHT) is a citadel of unusual beauty, rising 200 metres from the scrub jungle. The base of the rock is ringed by a moat and rampart and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens. The majestic Lion’s Paw picturesquely guards the stairway of the palace on the summit. See the famous frescoes of the “Heavenly maidens” of Sigiriya in a sheltered pocket of the rock and the 10 foot high Mirror Wall. Overnight Stay: Hotel in Dambulla

Day 4 : Kandy

After breakfast   proceed to Kandy. En route you will visit a spice garden in Matale. You will check in at your hotel on arrival and once you are rested, continue on to your tour of Kandy!

En route visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens where a rare collection of tropical exotic and indigenous flora including the famous Orchid House could be viewed. Kandy, the bustling hill country capital is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is famous for the pink painted Temple of the Tooth which houses the most sacred religious relic, the tooth of the Buddha, the Kandy Lake built in 1807 which is an attractive centerpiece to the town. In the Evening you will visit the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic. Thereafter enjoy the Kandyan Cultural show at the Kandyan Arts & Cultural Centre. The show features the graceful and rhythmic dancers and drummers culminating in an impressive fire walking display. Overnight Stay: Hotel in Kandy

Day 5 : Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage Drive – NuwaraEliya

After breakfast leave for Pinnawala to visit the Elephant orphanage. This orphanage was set up by the government to take care of baby elephants lost or abandoned in the wild. Witness the feeding of the elephants. Thereafter observe them as they take their daily bath in the river nearby, which affords marvelous photo opportunities. Bath time is enjoyed by all elephants, young and old alike and it is a good time to closely observe their tightly knit family structure. Daily feeding times – 9.15 am, 1.15 pm, and 5.00 pm. bathing times – 10.00 am, 2.00 pm, and 4.00 pm.

On completion leave for Nuwara The beautiful town of NuwaraEliya, set in the heart of Tea country and situated 1890 meters above sea level, is where the British succeeded in creating an English countryside with homes in styles from Georgian to Queen Anne. Overnight Stay : Hotel in NuwaraEliya

Day 6 : Udawalawe

After an early breakfast at the hotel, leave for Horton plains, the highest plateau in the country. It is one of the very important National parks in Sri Lanka especially for its topographical variations. It has unique vegetation and is famous for many rare and endemic highland birds. The most awesome physical feature of the Horton Plains is the escarpment that falls 880 meters to the lowlands of the southern region of the island. Aptly known as the ‘World’s End’ the view from the precipice of the countryside below towards the south coast is spectacular.

Return to NuwaraEliya upon completion. After lunch and at your convenience commence a sightseeing tour of the city. Visit the NuwaraEliya Town, Market place, Golf Course, (one of the finest 18 holes Golf courses in Asia) the Hill club, and drive around this hill station viewing Lake Gregory. Overnight Stay: Hotel in Udawalawe

Day 7 : Udawalawe National Park – Bentota

Afternoon proceed to Bentota, Evening leisure at the beach watching the waves as they bounce off the sun-kissed sands

Day 8 : Bentota

Afternoon do a city tour of  Bentota. Do a Boat Safari in Madhu River and visit the Turtle hatchery.

Turtle Hatchery Kosgoda.Here you will find lots of information about Sri Lanka’s pioneering sea turtle conservation project – why Sri Lanka (and the village of Kosgoda in particular) is a prime turtle nesting site, why the conservation project is needed and how the project is operated by local people with the help of international volunteers. Overnight Stay: Hotel in Bentota

Day 9 : Departure

After breakfast proceed to Airport for departure.