Itinerary

Day 1: Airport / Colombo

Arrive at the airport and transfer to Colombo. Check in at the hotel, and then go for the city tour of Colombo. Almost overnight, skyscrapers arise from where old buildings once stood. As an example there is a 100 year old clock tower and several British built colonial buildings. Other places of interest are the Pettah bazaar where one can shop for bargains, the old Parliament in Fort, a Hindu and a Buddhist temple, residential areas where you find the stately homes of the affluent and the Bandaranaike Memorial .overnight stay in hotel in Colombo.

Day 2: Colombo / Anuradhapura

After breakfast proceed to Anuradhapura. Do a city tour of Anuradhapura, the first capital and undoubtedly the grandest city of the ancient Sri Lanka. It is the home of two World Heritage sites. Many places of historical and archaeological interest could be visited. Sri Maha Bodhi (Sacred Bo-Tree) was brought as a sampling of the tree under which prince Siddhartha attained to enlightenment and it is over 2,200 years old and is the oldest historically documented tree in the world. Ruwanweliseya (2nd century B.C), 'Samadhi' Buddha statue (4th century AD), Isurumuniya rock temple (3rd century B.C), Kuttam Pokuna - twin ponds (6th century AD), Thuparama Dagoba (3rd century B.C), are the places to visit. Thereafter proceed to Mihintale, where Buddhism was first introduced to Sri Lanka. A grand stairway of 1,840 steps made of 15 feet wide granite slabs leads to the summit from where one could get a splendid view of the surrounding countryside. Overnight stay in hotel in Anuradhapura.

Day 3: Anuradhapura / Polonnaruwa / Sigiriya

After breakfast proceed to Polonnaruwa. Do a city tour of 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, the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, king Parakramabahu's statue, and the Parakrama Samudraya lake built by King Parakramabahu the great. Thereafter return to Sigiriya and explore the 5th century Sigiriya Rock fortress which is a world heritage site, built by King Kashapa. The 'Lion Rock' is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 metres from the scrub jungle. 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. Overnight stay in hotel in Sigiriya.

Day 4: Sigiriya / Dambulla / Matale / Kandy

After breakfast leave for Kandy. Enroute visit the Dambulla Rock Temple. Climb up to the temple which was donated by king Walagambahu in the 1st century BC to Buddhist monks. Dambulla is a World Heritage site and is the most impressive of Sri Lanka's cave temples. These caves contain over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is the colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of rock spanning 14 metres. Also, visit a spice garden in Matale to see the different spices, which Sri Lanka is famous for. Thereafter continue to Kandy. Go for a city tour of Kandy which was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings, which 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, visit the Kandy town and Bazaar, the arts & crafts centre and a gem museum and a lapidary. In the evening visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic and thereafter witness a cultural show featuring traditional Sri Lankan dancing. Overnight stay in hotel in Kandy.

Day 5: Kandy / Nuwara Eliya

After breakfast leave for Nuwara Eliya. Enroute visit a tea plantation and a tea factory, where the best tea in the world is produced. You will be told 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. Visit Nuwara Eliya, because of its invigorating mountain climate and scenery, is Sri Lanka's most popular hill resort. Nuwara Eliya is also the heart of Sri Lanka's tea country producing a significant share of the world's best tea. Sri Lanka's highest mountain Pidurutalagala (8282 feet) is located here. It also has one of the finest 18 hole golf courses in South Asia. Overnight stay in hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

Day 6: Nuwara Elliya / Yala /Hambantota

After breakfast proceed to Hambantota via Ella and Wellawaya. In the afternoon do a safari of the Yala National Park by Jeep. Yala is the largest national Park in Sri Lanka and is the home of wild Elephants, wild Boar, wild Buffaloes, Leopard, Bear, Deer and Crocodiles. You can also see large flocks of migratory in indigenous birds. Overnight stay in a hotel in Yala / Hambantota or Tissamaharamaya.

Day 7: Hambantota / Galle / Airport

After breakfast proceed to Galle via Matara and Weligama enroute viewing the Fishermen on Stilts. In Galle, do a city tour, which was once the chief port of Ceylon, as Sri Lanka was named by the British. It is still well known for hand-made lace. You can also visit the Galle Fort (spanning 90 acres), which was originally built by the Portuguese and later extended by the Dutch in 1663 which is a world heritage site. Thereafter transfer to Colombo and overnight stay hotel in Colombo.

Day 8: Depart from Colombo

After Breakfast proceeds to Airport to connect with the departure flight.

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