Glorious Sri Lanka

Itinerary :

Day 1: Negombo: Welcome to Sri Lanka! Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by a representative who will transfer you to Negombo. Check-in into your hotel and rest. Overnight in Negombo. (D)

Day 2: Negombo – Pinnawala – Dambulla – Sigiriya: After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to Sigiriya via Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and Dambulla. Visit the orphanage that was started in 1975 to house the abandoned and the wounded elephants and now has grown into a big family. Further proceed to Dambulla, a vast isolated rock mass 500ft high and a mile around the base. You will get to explore the famous Rock Temple dating back to the First Century BC. The caves of Dambulla sheltered the King Walagamba during his 14 years of exile from Anuradhapura. When he regained the throne, he built the most magnificent Rock Temple. Next procced to Sigiriya, where you will come across to the 5th Century “Fortress in the Sky” which is one of the most beathtaking views in Sri Lanka. 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-moated defence the huge rock rises almost to a sheer height of 500ft. On its summit are the foundations of what was once a great and sumptuous palace and gardens complete with swimming pool. On one of the stairways you will find the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting survived in the form of Frescoes of life sized damsels in all the freshness and delicacy of their original colour. Overnight in Sirgiya. (B, D)

Day 3: Sigiriya – Polonnaruwa – Anuradhapura: After breakfast, check-out of your hotel and transfer to the ancient capital of Sri Lanka that is Polonnaruwara. Where you will come across some of the most splendid and spectacular statues. Lankatileke, Tivanka and Thuparama are the most beautiful and largest shrine ruins and Tivanka has the best example of frescoes of the Polonnaruwa period. Rankot Vihara and Kiriwehera are well preserved large stupas, and Gal Vihare a rock shrine, that has four Buddha statues, two seated, one standing and one reclining and Parakrama Bahu statue are examples of Sinhalese stone carver. The Vata-da-ge is a unique creation of the Sri Lankan artists. After your tour transfer to Anuradhapura and check in your hotel. Overnight in Anuradapura. (B, D)

Day 4: Anuradhapura – Kandy: After breakfast, embark on your tour of Anuradhapura, the most celebrated of ancient ruined cities in Sri Lanka. The city’s greatest treasures are its dagabas constructed of small sun-dried bricks and hemispherical in shape. The most notable of these dagabas are the Ruvanveli which dates back to the 2nd Century BC and is 300ft in diameter, the Jetawanarama is 370ft and the Thuparama which enshrines the collarbone of the Buddha. The city’s most renowned relic is the sacred Bo-Tree which is said to have grown from a branch of the tree under which the Buddha gained enlightenment. It was planted 2250 years ago and is the oldest historic tree in the world. After your tour head to Kandy En route visit a spice garden at Matale and see the luscious Cinnamons, Cardamons, Pepper plants etc. You can also purchase your requirements of spices, later visit batik factory where you can see the manufacture of beautiful Batik prints, you can also shop a wide variety of Batik items. Head to Kandy and upon arrival check in your hotel. Overnight in Kandy. (B,D)

Day 5: Kandy – Bentota: After breakfast, check out of your hotel and embark on your city tour of Kandy; The Hill Capital, start with visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, ever since 4th Century A.D, when the Buddha’s Tooth was brought to Sri Lanka hidden from sacrilegious hands in an Orissan princess’ hair, the Relic has grown in repute and holiness in Sri Lanka and throughout the Buddhist world. It is considered Sri Lanka’s most prized possession, where the venue of the annual Perahera is celebrated, the last stronghold of the Sinhala Kings was finally ceded to the British in 1815. Kandy is an example of the Buddhism’s influence in Sri Lanka today, later passing by the upper lake and market square. Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the Kings of Gampola and Kandy. There are more than 5,000 species of trees, plants and creepers. Do not miss the spice garden and orchid house. Overnight in Kandy. (B, D)

Day 6: Bentota – Galle – Colombo: After breakfast, transfer to Colombo via Galle. Sri Lankas most historically interesting town is Galle. Built on a premonitory rock in the south of the Island. It was a major port until about 100 years, but today still handles shipping and sailing boats in the natural harbour. Stroll around the Light House and harbour or visit the old town where you can see the traditional lace makers and carvers and purchase some the finest shell-craft souvenirs in the world. After your tour ends procced to Colombo. Head for your Colombo city tour. You will be driven across the busy commercial areas as well as the tree-lined residential, Cinnamon Gardens. Next visit the Fort, a former British administrative center and military garrison, next visit the Sea Street, the Goldsmiths quarters in the heart of Pettah, also don’t miss the Bazaar area, where is also a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carvings and the Dutch Church of Wolfendhal dating back to 1749. The historic Dawatagaha Mosque and the former Eye Hospital are two buildings in Cinnamon Gardens worth looking at. Also visit the BMICH, see the replica of Avukana Buddha and the Independence Square. Rest of the day is at leisure or you can go for shopping. Overnight in Colombo. (B, D)

Day 7: Colombo: After breakfast, check out and transfer to the airport for your departure flight. (B)