HIGHLIGHTS OF SRI LANKA - 7 NTS
This is an extended tour to The Glimpses of Sri Lanka, giving you the opportunity to see more of Sri Lanka at your leisure, specially the Tea Country, thus giving you the opportunity to experience Culture, Scenic beauty of the Tea Country and also visit the famous Botanical Gardens in Kandy.
DAY 01
Meet on arrival & transfer to Kandalama
Overnight stay at Heritance Kandalama
DAY 02
Breakfast at Heritance Kandalama.
Transfer from Colombo to Dambulla
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.
Transfers Dambulla to Kandalama
Overnight stay at Heritance Kandalama.
DAY 03
Breakfast at Heritance Kandalama.
Transfer from Kandalama to Polonnaruwa.
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.
Transfer from Polonnaruwa to Sigiriya
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.
Transfer from Sigiriya to Kandalama
Overnight stay at Heritance Kandalama
DAY 04
Breakfast at Heritance Kandalama.
Transfer to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
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 Kandy
Overnight stay at Earl's Regency Hotel
DAY 05
Breakfast at Earl'S Regency Hotel.
Transfer from Kandy to Peradeniya
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.
Transfer from Peradeniya to Kandy
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 06
Breakfast at Earl'S Regency Hotel.
Transfer from Kandy to Tea Plantation
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.
Transfer from Tea Plantation to Nuwara Eliya
Visit Nuwara Eliya. Nuwara Eliya, because of its invigorating mountain climate and scenery, is Sri Lankas most popular hill resort. Nuwara Eliya is also the heart of Sri Lankas tea country producing a significant share of the world s best tea. Sri Lanka s highest mountain Pidurutalagala (8282 feet) is located here. Nuwara Eliya also has one of the finest 18 hole golf courses in South Asia.
Overnight stay at Tea Factory Hotel
DAY 07
Breakfast at Tea Factory Hotel.
Nuwara Eliya to Colombo
Overnight stay at Cinnamon Grand Colombo
DAY 08
Breakfast at Cinnamon Grand Colombo.
Transfers to Airport
Tour Will Include
Accommodation in standard room on bed & breakfast basis for 7 nights, at hotels specified or of similar standard.
Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
Entrance fees to Sigiriya Entrance, Elephant Orphanage, Polonnaruwa , Dambulla , Cultural Show , Botanical Gardens.
Cost of English Speaking Chauffeur Guide.
Sri Lanka Tea Trails