12 Days
ITINERARY
DAY 01 – KALPITIYA
On arrival in Sri Lanka you will meet our Airport Representative, then will transfer you to Kalpitiya, Once you check in at your hotel relax and recover from any jet lag. If you have spare time your chauffeur will introduce you to the sights and sounds of Kalpitiya.
DAY 02 – KALPITIYA
Spend the day in Kalpitiya. Whale watching (Seasonal)
DAY 03 – ANURADHAPURA
After breakfast leave for Anuradhapura and visit the sacred ancient city founded in the 04th century B.C, which is 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 dagobas of Sri Lanka, Ruwanweliseya Dagoba, 2nd century BC with its famous elephant walls and the 3rdcentury BC Thuparama Dagoba. Ruins of ancient royal palaces specially the pillars of the Brazen Palace, which once had nine storeys, temples, the image of the Samadhi Buddha one of the finest pieces of Buddhist sculpture, monasteries, the twin ponds, guard stones and the moonstone. The ‘Sri Maha Bodhi’ or the sacred Bo tree is over 2200 years old grown from a branch of the very tree under which “The Buddha” attained enlightenment it is the oldest historically documented tree in the world.After sightseeing leave for Habarana, a small village, a central location for all the ancient city sites. It’s a popular tourist destination for those who love to go on a safari. The Minneriya Sanctuary is also a must see. The greenery,wildlife and hotelshave attracted a vast number of tourists to this small city. Check in at your hotel on arrival and spend the rest of the evening at leisure.
DAY 04 – HABARANA
After breakfast leave for 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 Lions 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. The massive paintings are believed to be the largest in the world.
In the evening, enjoy a thrilling 4×4 wheel Safari Tour at Minneriya National Park. Dominated by the ancient Minneriya Tank, Minneriya National Park has plenty of scrub and light forest in its 8890 hectares to provide shelter for its toque macaques, sambar deer, leopards and elephants, just to name a few.
DAY 05 – KANDY via DAMBULLA
After breakfast headingto 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 well as the 157 statues including a 47 foot long statue of the recumbent Buddha.
The Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium is unique as it was built in 167 days. Itis also proud to have the largest Rose Quartz Mountain in South East Asia.
Afterward head on to the hill capital of 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. Kandy, the 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 and the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens.
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 mpressive fire walking display.
DAY 06 – KANDY
After breakfast 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 marvellous 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.
By mid-day visit the Royal Peradeniya Botanical Gardens The Royal Botanical Gardens 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 & flowers. Most amazing the oldest Tea Tree.
Thereafter, Visit the Gem museum, Arts & Crafts Centre, and Silk Factory. Enjoy the evening at leisure.
DAY 07 – NUWARAELIYA
After Breakfast, travel to Nuwara Eliya, en route visit the factory
and tea plantation for tasting some of the finest blends of tea in the
world.Enjoy a Nuwara Eliya city tour. Because of its refreshing mountain climate and scenery, Nuwara Eliya is Sri Lanka’s most popular hill resort. Nuwara Eliya is also the heart of Sri Lankas tea country producing a significant share of the world best tea. Sri Lankas highest mountain Pidurutalagala (8282 feet) is located here. Nuwara-Eliya also has one of the finest 18 hole golf courses in South Asia.
After check in and relax a bit then travel to discover the legendary
Horton Plains. Horton Plains is one of the most popular and is a unique natural attraction in Sri Lanka. It is located 2000m high plateau 28km south of Nuwara Eliya and its known for its beautiful landscapes, rare plants, animal life and World’s End where the plains comes suddenly to an end and Baker’ s falls.
DAY 08 – ELLA
After breakfast we leaving for the Nanu Oya rail station, we will take the train to Ella where you can enjoy a scenic Sri Lanka Train Ride Tour. Ella is a beautiful small sleepy town on the southern edge of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country. It’s situated in the middle of beautiful countryside, with small vegetable plots in the valleys, teaplantations on the hill slopes and forests on the tops. You can enjoy the picturesque scenery of the hill country. Then go to 9 arch bridge
DAY 09 – DENIYAYA
After breakfast we drive to the Ella waterfalls, a popular sightseeing attraction in Sri Lanka. It currently ranks as one of the widest falls in the country. This waterfall measures approximately 25 m (82 ft) in high and cascade from an ovalshaped concave rock outcrop. After we visit the waterfalls we precede to Deniyaya via Buduruwagala where you stay in hide out near Sinharaja forest.
DAY 10 – WELIGAMA
Relax at Weligama Beach
DAY 11 – WELIGAMA
Relax at Weligama Beach.
Optional: Visit Galle fort (Day trip)
After breakfast, travel down to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Galle. En route we will visit a Moonstone mine (the only one of its kind in the world) and a Woodcarving Mask factory at Ambalangoda. Enjoy a half day Galle city tour. You will visit the famous Dutch Fort, Galle Lighthouse and other historical significant monuments and sites.
DAY 12- COLOMBO AIR FORT
Stay at Colombo / Negombo or Head back to Air port.
