Day 1
Arrival at Colombo Airport in the Morning. You will be met by our
representative and transferred to your hotel in Colombo,
the Commercial Capital of Sri Lanka. Your afternoon tour of this
colourful city will take you from its noisy bazaars to its fashionable
residential area passing places where Grand Colonial era buildings
stand alongside modern office structures. The diversity of religion,
ethnicity and customs of the people in this city becomes very evident.
Return to hotel for overnight accommodation.
Day 2
After breakfast, leave for the ancient mystic city of Anuradhapura.
Lunch at Miridiya Hotel. Afternoon visit this great ancient
Kingdom of the island Anuradapura, where Sinhala Kings ruled from
380 BC for over a 1000 years. Considered as one of the finest civilizations
in Asia, Buddhism flourished in this magnificent city in the north
central plains of the island. The great kings built huge religious
monuments and monasteries, amazing palaces, parks, beautiful reservoirs
and intricate irrigation systems. Continue to Sigiriya and check
into hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation.
Day 3
After breakfast climb Sigiriya, the "Lion
Mountain". In 470 AD, Kasyapa, the son of a non-royal consort
of the king, took over the kingdom after committing patricide, built
his magnificent palace on top of this 360 metre high rock fearing
the wrath of the crown prince Moggallana. This architectural wonder
is famous for its well-preserved rock painting of the beautiful
"Cloud Damsels" seen half way up the rock and the "Lion
Stairway" that provides access to the summit. The complex of
the fortress on the plains around the rock extends over 15 hectares.
Return to the hotel. Lunch at the hotel. You will then travel to
Polonnaruwa the Medieval Kingdom from the 11th
to the 13th century. Ethnic harmony prevailed between the Sinhalese
and the Tamils during this period. Buddhist and Hindu Temples located
in the same complex and many other ruins symbolises this fact. The
Palaces, Huge granite sculptures and the massive tanks and complex
irrigation systems built by the Great Kings conveys the extent of
development that existed in this middle history period. Return to
Sigiriya for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4
Leave for Kandy after breakfast, after visiting the1st century BC
Rock Cave Temple of Dambulla. Located at a height
of over 100 m on a huge rock the caves contain beautiful images
of the, Buddha totaling up to 150 as well as those of Hindu deities.
The walls are also adorned with colourful frescoes of various scenes
related to the arrival of Buddhism to Sri Lanka and great deeds
of the kings. Proceed from Dambulla, you will visit a Batik Factory
and a Spice Garden in Matale. Lunch in a restaurant in Matale. Arrive
at the beautiful Hill Capital of Kandy
in the afternoon. You will visit the most sacred place
of the Buddhist world, the Dalada Maligawa - the Temple of the Tooth
Relic of Lord Buddha. Thereafter proceed to an auditorium to witness
a typical Kandyan Cultural Troupe performing. Return to your hotel
for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5
After breakfast proceed to the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, where
over 70 Elephants ranging from little babies to adult are cared
for. Almost all of them have been found in the jungles wounded or
separated from their herd. The feeding and bath time in the river
is a treat to watch. Return to Kandy. En-route
visit the famous Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. Late lunch at the
hotel. Late afternoon a tour of the city. Surrounded by lush tropical
scenery, this was the last capital city and Kingdom of the Sri Lanka's
Royalty until the British took over the city in 1815. Return to
hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6
Departure after breakfast to Nuwara Eliya on the scenic mountain
route through Tea country with an en route visit to a Tea Factory.
Lunch at the hotel. With its cool mountain climate Nuwara
Eliya became the favourite hill station of the British
during their rule. The afternoon city tour will confirm this as
you pass houses, cottages, Golf Club and areas very much reminiscent
of the countryside of England. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight
in Nuwara Eliya.
Day 7
After breakfast leave Nuwara Eliya through Ella
which gives a magnificent view of the southern plains and makes
a good last stop in the Hill Country before heading down to the
Coast. Arrive at Hambantota . Lunch at the hotel.
After lunch your Exciting Jeep Safari of the Yala National Wildlife
Park will commence. The total area of this park covers 98,000 hectares
and has Elephant, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Wild Boar, Wild Buffalo,
sambar, deer and many other smaller animals, Reptiles and over 150
recorded species of Birds. Dinner and overnight stay at Hambantota.
Day 8
After breakfast proceed along the coast breaking journey at the
port city of Galle. This is famous
port of trade from ancient times and
is linked to the legend of King Solomon's Mines. Your place of sightseeing
will be the famous Dutch Fort built in 1663 by the Dutch, extending
over an area of 36 hectares. Lunch at Lady Hill. Proceed to Beruwela
/ Bentota area for your beach stay.
- Tour Ends - |
