Sri Lanka is land of contrasts, rich in culture, with a colourfully expressive people and a vibrant history, it is also a land of verdant forests, lush plantations and offers an abundance of flora and fauna. This tour takes you into the heart of Sri Lankan culture and its natural wonder, offering you the chance to feed baby elephants, explore Royal Palaces and ancient temples, and maybe sample some of the spices which have made this Island state such a magnate for traders throughout history.
Day 1: On arrival, meet & greet at the airport and transfer to hotel in Dambulla.
Check in at hotel. Overnight stay at Dambulla/Sigiriya.
Day 2: Sigiriya/Dambulla
After breakfast leave for visit the Sigiriya.
Sigiriya Rock Fortress is UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most dramatic, inspiring and beautiful historical locations in the world. A mythical past of feuding dynasties suits Sigiriya’s striking setting- it was built in 5th century AD by king, Kasyapa, as a fortress-palace. The palace complex at the foot of the rock still has the remains of four indoor swimming pools where the king’s 500 concubines bathed. The palace structure was built with complex water arteries in the walls that provided natural air conditioning in the hot climate. On the summit, reached with the help of metal staircases and ladders, you can see the remains of the palace walls, gardens and ponds. The mirror walls of the Sigiriya rock still retain the world-famous frescoes of the king’s concubines, who originated from all parts of the world. Afternoon visit the Polonnaruwa. Make cycle tour to Discover the Polonnaruwa. the medieval capital and a World Heritage Site. This second capital city of Sri Lanka was built in the 11th and 12th centuries. See the ruins of the Royal Palace, Lotus Bath and Polonnaruwa Statue and visit the Gal Vihare which is splendid statues of the Buddha carved out of rock. Overnight stay at hotel in Dambulla.
Day 3: Kandy
Breakfast at hotel.
Visit Dambulla Rock Cave Temple. Dambulla Cave Temple, also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla. The largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka, the rock from which the caves were carved towers 160 meters (520 ft) over the surrounding plains. A total of 153 Buddha statues, three statues of Sri Lankan kings and four statues of gods and goddesses also stand in the site. Later transfer to Kandy. En route visit a spice garden in Matale to see many different types of spices Sri Lanka is famous for. You will be introduced to different spices and shown how some of these spices are grown and processed. Gardens are open to visitors, a delightful place to stroll in fragrant greenery and learn about nutmeg, pepper vines, clove trees and curry, cinnamon and the precious cardamom, a relative of ginger. It grows in the shade of high jungle trees and can only be harvested by hand. Make a sightseeing tour of Kandy. Visit the upper lake, an arts and crafts work shop, oriental market place, a bazaar and a gem lapidary where you can see how rough gems (particularly the famous Blue & Star sapphires) are mined cut and polished using traditional methods. In the evening enjoy a cultural dance show. Overnight stay at hotel in Kandy.
Day 4: Pinnawela
Breakfast at hotel.
Leave for visit the elephant orphanage in Pinnawela. Established in 1975, commenced with seven orphans. Today some of these orphans enjoy the fortune of seeing their grandchildren born in the same location. Leave for the Beach Hotel. Check in at the hotel & relax by the beach hotel. Overnight stay at beach hotel in South west beach area.
Day 5 -9: Breakfast at resort and the day at leisure by the beach.
Overnight stay at hotel in Beach Hotel.
Day 10: Breakfast and transfer to airport for onward flight
Dambulla -Danawwa Resort
Kandy - Swiss Residency
Beach Hotel -Coco Royal Beach Hotel
Accommodation on Bed and Breakfast basis
All transfers as mentioned in the itinerary by Air-conditioned coach with services of an English Speaking Chauffeur Guide
Entrance Fees to sites and monuments as mentioned in the program