CLASSIC CEYLON (9 NIGHTS / 10 DAYS)

DAY 1: AIRPORT – COLOMBO

  • On arrival in Sri Lanka, please clear immigration, collect your luggage then proceed through the customs green channel to the arrival lobby. We will be waiting in the designated area with a paging board.  You will then be escorted to the vehicle park for your transfer.
  • Transfer from Airport to Colombo (Approx: 1Hrs)
  • Overnight Stay at Hotel in Colombo

DAY 2: COLOMBO – DAMBULLA – SIGIRIYA

  • After breakfast proceed to Sigiriya (Approx: 4Hrs)
  • Optional En route Visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage: The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage is unique in that it breeds wild elephants in captivity and also takes care of orphaned wild elephants found in the jungles. The feeding process of these elephants is extremely interesting. Baby elephants drink at least 7 bottles of milk all in large slurps, holding the bottles precariously in their trunks.
  • Thereafter proceed to Dambulla
  • Visit Cave Temple in Dambulla: Point of Sri Lanka, Dambulla is a town built around a vast isolated rock mass 500 ft and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was here that King Valagambahu took refuge in the 1st century B.C. The view from the top of this rock is breathtaking 350 ft. above are a series of five caves which was later turned into a magnificent rock temple by King Valagambahu. In the first cave is a recumbent image of the Buddha 47 ft, long, cut out from the rock. There are images of deities associated with Buddhism. The frescoes on the walls and ceiling could be dated to the 15th – 18th centuries. In the second cave, the finest and the largest, are not less than 150 life size statues of gods. There are numerous images of the Buddha as well. The ceiling too is covered with frescoes which depict great events in the life of the Buddha, and landmarks in the history of the Sinhala People
  • Thereafter proceed to Sigiriya (Approx 20Mins)
  • Overnight Stay at Hotel in Sigiriya

DAY 3: SIGIRIYA – POLONNARUWA – MINNERIYA

  • After breakfast proceed to Polonnaruwa (Approx: 1.5Hrs)
  • Visit Polonnaruwa Cultural Sites: Polonnaruwa the ruined city which displays the influences of both Indian and Sinhalese cultures.  See the world famous Polonnaruwa Gal Viharaya consisting of three huge stone monoliths of the Lord Buddha, in a sitting, standing and reclining positions.  See the Vatadageya, Sathmahal Prasadaya, Rajasaba Mandapaya, Nisshanka Latha Mandapaya, Parakrama Samudra the most famous places of Buddhist interest in Polonnaruwa ancient city
  • Thereafter proceed to Minneriya (Approx: 35Mins)
  • Enjoy a Jeep Safari at Minneriy National Park: Minneriya wild life sanctuary where you can see herds and herds of Sri Lankan wild elephants in their natural habitat. The elephants gather at the waterholes for drinking and you may watch them bathing their young and immersing themselves in the river. They can also be sighted at close range sometimes. You will find this a delightful place to survey our wild elephants.
  • Thereafter proceed to Sigiriya (Approx: 1Hr)
  • Overnight Stay at Hotel in Sigiriya

DAY 4: SIGIRIYA – KANDY

  • After breakfast proceed to Kandy (Approx: 2.5Hrs)
  • Visit Temple of the Tooth Relic: Girdled by hills, Kandy is a peaceful haven to retire to and enjoy the cool of the climate. Once the stronghold of the Sinhala Kings, the focal point of the town is the golden-roofed Dalada Maligawa where the sacred tooth of the Lord Buddha is enshrined. Kandy, at an altitude of 500m is the cultural center of Sri Lanka and was the capital of the last Singhalese kingdom. It is a particularly relaxed hill station, once captured by the British. It is dominated by its lake and the nearby Temple of the Tooth which houses Sri Lanka’s most sacred relic.
  • Enjoy the Cultural Show: Beat of traditional music & drumming amplified by a cultural show enhancing the rich and vibrant culture of the Wonder of Asia, Sri Lanka. (Starting time 5.30pm | Duration 45Minutes)
  • Overnight Stay at Hotel in Kandy

DAY 5: KANDY – NUWARA ELIYA

  • After breakfast proceed to Nuwara Eliya (Approx: 2.5Hrs)
  • Enjoy a City Tour of Nuwara Eliya: The scenery is breathtaking as you drive on mountainous roads amidst tea gardens and cascading waterfalls. Visit a working tea factory en route and watch the process of complete tea making. Situated in the heart of the tea growing region of Sri Lanka. A beautiful “little England” if we might say so.  This beautiful little town has a very strong British influence. Little cottage type houses with neat rose gardens in front of them. A very pretty sight indeed. After a while of sightseeing of the Nuwara Eliya Town
  • Overnight Stay at Hotel in Nuwara Eliya

DAY 6: NUWARA ELIYA – YALA

  • After breakfast proceed to Yala (Approx: 5Hrs)
  • Enjoy a Jeep Safari at Yala National Park: Yala National park where you can see Sri Lankan wild animals in their natural state… Inside the park you will come across wild boar, deer, leopards, elephants, bears, peacocks, and many more animals roaming freely as nature intended them to live.  The elephants gather at the waterholes for drinking and you may watch them bathing their young and immersing themselves in the river. They can also be sighted at close range sometimes. You may also see leopards sunning themselves on rocks in the park. Herds of deer roam at will keeping a wary eye on the predators. Peacocks flaunting their colorful feathers strut around and flamingoes are a breathtaking sight. You will find Yala a delightful place to survey our wild animals.
  • Overnight Stay at Hotel in Yala/Tissamaharama

DAY 7: YALA – BENTOTA

  • After breakfast proceed to Bentota (5Hrs)
  • En route Visit Galle Fort: Galle is a major city in Sri Lanka, situated on the southwestern tip, 119 km from Colombo. Galle is the administrative capital of Southern Province, Sri Lanka and is the district capital of Galle District. Galle was known as Gimhathiththa (although Ibn Batuta in the 14th century refers to it as Qali) before the arrival of the Portuguese in the 16th century, when it was the main port on the island. Galle reached the height of its development in the 18th century, during the Dutch colonial period. Galle is the best example of a fortified city built by the Portuguese in South and Southeast Asia, showing the interaction between Portuguese architectural styles and native traditions. The city was extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century from 1649 onwards. The Galle fort is a world heritage site and is the largest remaining fortress in Asia built by European occupiers. Afterwards proceed to visit the famous Dutch ramparts in the Galle Fort with a Portuguese emblem on the southern wall. This fort now houses most of the offices of the government like the old post office, the beautiful Dutch church over 350 years old and other colonial style buildings now monumental of the architectural patterns that prevailed in that era. Walk along the ramparts which rolling plains of green inside the fort with a view of the harbour and the famous old light house… Galle is well known for its cottage industries and lace making which is a traditional southern Sri Lankan craft. Visit a lace making craft center as well as a mask making center. These wooden masks are used in various ceremonies and festivals in Sri Lanka. Each one is hand carved and significant of a certain human feeling.
  • Overnight Stay at Hotel in Bentota

DAY 8-9: BENTOTA

  • Breakfast at Hotel
  • Full day leisure or Enjoy Following optional Tours
  • Optional – Visit Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery: Visit a turtle hatchery in the vicinity today. Here you will find lots of information about Sri Lanka’s pioneering sea turtle conservation project – why Sri Lanka (and the village of Kosgoda in particular) is a prime turtle nesting site, why the conservation project is needed and how the project is operated by local people with the help of international volunteers
  • Optional – Enjoy Balapitiya Boat Safari (Madhu River Ride): Sri Lanka is a real paradise for all nature lovers. Yet some places are especially beautiful and draw hundreds of tourists with enchanting sceneries and serene atmosphere. Madu River is located in the south of Sri Lanka near Galle. The water of the river is dotted with small islands and the banks are all covered with lush mangrove forests that are home to dozens of incredible animal species. Enjoy hundreds of vibrant tropical birds and a few crocodiles if you’re lucky enough. These creatures are pretty rare and don’t like crowds.
  • Overnight Stay at Hotel in Bentota

DAY 10: BENTOTA – AIRPORT

  • After breakfast proceed to Airport for departure (Approx: 2.5Hrs)

***END OF TOUR***

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