BEST OF SRI LANKA - TOUR + BEACH STAY
5 Nights Tour + 3 nights Beach stay (Beach Stay can be extended)
DAY 01
Arrival at the Bandaranayaka International Airport and proceed to Kandalama (approx 4 hrs).
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight stay at Heritance Kandalama
DAY 02
After breakfast at Heritance Kandalama, proceed to Sigiriya.(approx 30 minutes)
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.
In the afternoon transfer to Polonnaruwa (approx 1.5 hrs)
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.
Overnight stay at Heritance Kandalama.
DAY 03
Breakfast at Heritance Kandalama.
Transfer to Dambulla and visit rock temple (approx 10 minutes)
Dambulla rock temple was built by king Walagambahu in the 1st century B.C. and it is a World Heritage Site. 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.
Transfer from Dambulla to Matale.( approx 1 hr)
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.
Transfer from Matale to Kandy. (approx 1 hr)
Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and 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. Also visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy. Thereafter witness a cultural show.
Overnight stay at Earl’s Regency Hotel.
DAY 04
Breakfast at Earl’s Regency Hotel.
Transfer to Pinnawala & visit Elephant Orphanage (approx 1.5 hrs)
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 Peradeniya.( 30 minutes)
Peradeniya 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.
Overnight stay at Earl's Regency Hotel.
DAY 05
After Breakfast at Earl’s Regency Hotel, Transfer to Nuwara Eliya
En route 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.
Overnight stay at Tea Factory Hotel.
DAY 06
Breakfast at Tea Factory Hotel.
Transfer from Nuwara Eliya to Ahungalla via Ktulgala ( approx 4.5 hrs )
The Kelani River (the broadest river in Sri Lanka) flowing through Kitulgala was the main location where the Oscar winning movie Bridge on the River Kwai was filmed. On the hill above this town, a prehistoric cave was recently discovered containing large middens of shells from some unknown civilization.
Overnight stay at Heritance Ahungalla.
DAY 07
Breakfast at Heritance Ahungalla.
Full day at leisure
Overnight stay at Heritance Ahungalla.
DAY 08
Breakfast at Heritance Ahungalla.
Full day at leisure
Overnight stay at Heritance Ahungalla.
DAY 09
Breakfast at Heritance Ahungalla.
Transfer to Airport for departure
Included in the price
Accommodation in standard room on Bed & Breakfast basis for 8 nights from breakfast on day 2 to breakfast on day 9 at hotels specified or at hotels specified or of similar standard.
Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle.
Entrance fees to Sigiriya Entrance, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla , Cultural Show , Kandy Temple , Elephant Orphanage , Botanical Gardens.
Services of our Representatives in Sri Lanka
Cost of an English speaking Chauffeur Guide.
Sri Lanka Tea Trials