Day 1
AIRPORT | COLOMBO
Arrival at Colombo Intentional Airport and transfer
to Colombo.
Approximately 45 minutes drive
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Colombo
Day 2
COLOMBO | SIGIRIYA ROCK FORTRESS | DAMBULLA
After breakfast, leave for Sigiriya
Approximately 3 ½ hours’ drive
On arrival enjoy a hike to Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Sigiriya
Home to the 5th-century ‘Fortress in the Sky’ built by King Kassapa which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of the Island. It is also known as Lion Rock because of the huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the fortress. Within its triple-moateddefense, the huge rock rises to a sheer height of almost 500 feet. On its summit are the foundations of what was once a great and sumptuous palace and
gardens complete with a swimming pool. On one of the stairways, the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting survives in the form of frescoes of life-sized damsels in all the freshness and delicacy of their original colors.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Dambulla
Day 3
DAMBULLA
After breakfast, a Full day at leisure.
OPTIONAL – Day Excursion to the Ancient City of
Polonnaruwa @ USD 35 Per person (Minimum of 2 Pax).
Approximately 1 ½ hours’ drive
Polonnaruwa
Once the site of Sri Lanka’s second medieval capital; Polonnaruwa enthralls its visitors with a timeless reflection of the country’s glorious history. The quaint landscapes studded with sites of archaeological importance are all well-preserved and lie on the east shore of the ancient man-made lake - Parakrama Samudraya (literal translation – sea of Parakrama). Peddling one’s way around the sites is the best way to observe and appreciate their antiquated glory as the sites are a little too overwhelming to explore just by foot. Those who aren’t particularly history fanatics can choose the option of visiting one of the several national wildlife parks located in close proximity to Polonnaruwa and enjoy observing the local wildlife in
their natural habitats, undisturbed.
OPTIONAL – Jeep Safari to Minneriya National Park
@ USD 80 Per person (Minimum of 2 Pax)
Approximately 30 minutes drive
Minneriya National Park
This National Park, 8,889 hectares in extent, is famous for its large population of elephants in herds of 100 to 150 roaming in the jungle and seen in the
catchment area of the Minneriya Lake. About 300 wild elephants, wild buffaloes, wild boar,spotted deer, sloth bear, sambar, leopards,
crocodiles, jackals, 9 kinds of amphibians, 25 kinds of reptiles, 160 species of birds, 26 varieties of fish, 78 varieties of butterflies are recorded from the Minneriya National Park
Overnight in Dambulla
Day 4
DAMBULLA | DAMBULLA TEMPLE | SPICE GARDEN | BATIK FACTORY | KANDY
After breakfast, visit Dambulla Cave Temples.
Approximately 15 Minutes’ drive
Dambulla Cave Temples
Dambulla is famous for the five cave temples on a rock. The first three caves are better, older, and larger than the other two. Some caves date back to the 1st century BC. All five cave walls and ceilings are covered with Buddhist murals and there are more than 130 Buddha statues. Statues of gods and kings are also found here Thereafter leave for Kandy, visiting a spice garden and a Batik factory en route.
Approximately 2 ½ hours’ drive
Spice Gardens
see the luscious cinnamons, cardamoms, pepper plants etc. You can also purchase your requirements for spices.Afterward, visit a Batik factory where you can see the manufacture of beautiful Batik prints and also purchase a wide variety of Batik items. Thereafter, Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth
Relic in the afternoon.KandyThe hill capital; the venue of the annual Esala Perahera (Local festival in Kandy); and the last stronghold of the Sinhala kings, wasfinally ceded to the British in 1815. Surrounded by hills, the Mahaweli River, and the virgin forest, it is the center of Buddhism,
arts, crafts, and culture in Sri Lanka. Kandy is an example of Buddhism’s influence in Sri Lanka today. Temples, shrines, and monasteries keep Buddhist traditions alive.To Buddhists of Sri Lanka and the world, Kandy is one of the most sacred sites as it is the home of the ‘Dalada Maligawa’ - Temple of the
Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. One would always return a second time to this beautiful city.Witness a cultural show in the evening
Overnight in Kandy
Day 5
KANDY | TEA PLANTATION & FACTORY | NUWARA ELIYA | KANDY
After breakfast, leave for the Nuwara Eliya day excursion.
(Approximately 2 ½ hours’ drive)
You will be transferred to Kandy station, to board your train
The train journey is very picturesque, passing many tea plantations and several waterfalls. However please notethe departure time and journey duration can be subject to delays.
Train Ride - Sri Lanka is considered one of the most scenic train rides in the world. The original train system in Sri Lanka was introduced in 1864 by the British Colonial government to transport tea from the hills to Colombo but nowadays, the train is an extremely affordable way
to see the beautiful countryside of Sri Lanka.You will disembark the train on arrival at Nanu Oya (Nuwara Eliya) railway station where you will be picked up by your driver/guide and proceed to Nuwara Eliya for Sightseeing
Nuwara Eliya – the ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, is set against beautiful backdrops of mountains, valleys, waterfalls, and tea plantations and is 6,200
feet above sea level. In 1826 some British Officers out on shooting chanced on Nuwara Eliya plains, and Sir Edward Barnes investigated on it. In 1828 a road was constructed over the ridge at Ramboda Pass and a station for convalescent soldiers was established. It was Sir Samuel Baker who fell under
the spell of Nuwara Eliya, brought hounds, horses, cattle, sheep etc., and started a typical English farm here. Flowers and vegetables were brought from
England and planted. It is supposed to be one of the coldest places on the Island, but is just like an England Spring day although the temperature does drop at nightthereafter return to Kandy by road. En Route visit a tea plantation & factory
Tea Plantations tea was first planted in Sri Lanka in 1824 at theRoyal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya, when a few plants were brought from China. More
were introduced from Assam in 1839. In 1867, a Scottish planter named James Taylor planted tea seedlings in 8 hectares of forestland in the Loolecondera Estate. In 1873, the tea export industry of Sri Lanka began with a modest 23 lbs. being shipped to London. Today more than
200,000 hectares in highlands and other areas are under tea and around 300 million kilograms (nearly 25% of world tea exports) are exported by Sri Lanka as the world’s second largest tea exporter. Tea grows only on rolling terrain and is classified by elevation into Low Grown, Medium Grown & High Grown.
Overnight in Kandy
Day 6
KANDY | BERUWELA
After breakfast leave for Beruwela
(Approximately 4 ½ hours’ drive)
Arrive and check in at the hotel.
Beach Stay in Beruwala
Another scenic, beach town – Beruwala is quite a short drive away from Colombo, located just 53 km from thecapital. This small, beach town is ideal for a day trip where one can absorb the daily life of locals. The wide, alluring coastal line richly embedded with coconut groves is only part of its charm. The Beruwala fishing harbor is loaded with interesting sights in the wee hours ofthe morning as the fishing boats come ashore with the day’s catch. The stark white minarets of the Kachimalani Mosque located at the Northern edge of the town also make up for perfect snapshot views Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Beruwela
Day 7
BERUWELA
After breakfast, Full day at leisure.
OPTIONAL – Excursion to Galle Fort & Turtle Hatchery @
USD 55 per person (Minimum of 2 Pax)
Turtles Hatchery - the Ahungalla turtle hatchery in the Southern province was one of the earliest attempts to safeguard local turtles from extinction. Managed by the Sri Lanka Wildlife Protection Society, the Ahangama hatchery offers a wildlife experience of a different sort. Its visitors are offered the opportunity to watch new-born turtles as well as some rare species of adult turtles including the Olive Ridley, the Hawksbill, the Green Turtle, the Loggerhead, and the Leatherback, swimming about the massive tanks as they beat their
flippers against the water
Galle which is the south coast’s major city, whose oldest landmark is the massive 17th century Portuguese and Dutch Fort in which the central city is contained. Along the streets, you can see strong Dutch influences in the architecture, along with some old British residencesand various mosques with Arabic touches. Galle the port of Galle, thought by some to be the Biblical city of Tar shish, splendidly illustrates the solidity of the Dutch
presence in Sri Lanka. The 36-hectare (89-acre) Dutch Fort, built in 1663, has withstood the ravages of time
Overnight in Beruwela
Day 8
BERUWELA | AIRPORT
After breakfast, leave for Bandaranayake International
Airport for departure flight.
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