DAY 1: BANGKOK/COLOMBO/NEGOMBO
Arrive in Sri Lanka on UL/CX and transferred to Negombo.

Overnight stay at A HOTEL

DAY 2: NEGOMBO-ANURADHAPURA-DAMBULLA
After breakfast proceed to Anuradhapura.

Lunch at Miridiya Hotel
Sightseeing of *Anuradhapura. It was 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 sapling 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. At Brazen Palace (2nd century B.C), the 1600 stone columns you see are all that is left of a magnificent multi-storied residence for monks. Ruwanweliseya (2nd century B.C) is the most famous of all the Dagobas. It originally depicted the perfect ‘bubble shape” that modern restoration has not been able to accurately reproduce. ‘Samadhi’ Buddha statue (4th century AD) is one of the most famous statues, depicting the Buddha in a state of ‘Samadhi’ or deep meditation. Thuparama Dagoba (3rd century B.C) is the oldest Dagoba in the island, which enshrines the right collarbone of the Buddha.

Transferred to Hotel in Dambulla
Dinner & Overnight stay at A HOTEL

DAY 3: DAMBULLA-POLONNARUWA-SIGIRIYA-DAMBULLA
After breakfast proceed to Polonnaruwa and commence sightseeing *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. There are also monuments of famous places of worship such as the Shiva Temple, the Lankathilake, the Watadage, the Galpotha, the Kiri Vehera and the remains of a former Temple of the Tooth Relic.

Lunch at Giritale Hotel
Proceed to climb *Sigiriya Rock Fortress - which is a world heritage site, built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD). The ‘Lion Rock’ is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 metres from the scrub jungle. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town. A moat, rampart, and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens ring the base of the rock. 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. These frescoes are painted in earth pigments on plaster.

Transferred to Hotel
Dinner & Overnight stay at A HOTEL

DAY 4: DAMBULLA-MATALE-KANDY
After breakfast visit *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. The complex of five caves with over 2000 sq. metres of painted walls and the ceiling is the largest area of paintings found in the world. 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.

Proceed to Kandy via Matale, lunch en route at a restaurant

Visit * Spice Garden at Matale and see the luscious, Cinnamon’s, Cardamoms, Pepper plants etc. You can also purchase your requirements of spices. Afterwards visit a * Batik Factory where you can see the manufacture of beautiful Batik prints. The shop contains a wide variety of Batik items.

WITNESS THE KANDY PERAHERA (7-17 AUGUST’2008)

Late evening transferred to hotel
Dinner & Overnight stay at A HOTEL

DAY 5: KANDY-COLOMBO
After breakfast commence sightseeing including the Upper Lake Drive, Market Square Arts & Crafts Centre and Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.

* Kandy - the hill capital. Venue of the annual Perahera. The last stronghold of the Sinhala Kings was finally ceded to the British in 1815. Kandy is an example of the Buddhism’s influence in Sri Lanka today. Temple’s shrines and monasteries keeping alive Buddhist traditions are everywhere.

*Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic - ever since 4th Century A.D, when the Buddha’s Tooth was brought to Sri Lanka hidden from sacrilegious hands in an Orissan princess’ hair, the Relic has grown in repute and holiness in Sri Lanka and throughout the Buddhist world. It is considered Sri Lanka’s most prized possession.

Lunch at a restaurant
After lunch proceed to *Nuwara Eliya - The ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, is set against beautiful backdrops of Mountains, Valleys, Waterfalls and Tea Plantations. It is supposed to be one of the coldest places on the island, but is really just like an England spring day although the temperature does drop at night. All around Nuwara Eliya you will see evidence of the British influence. Houses are like country cottages or Queen Ann style mansions.

Dinner & Overnight stay at A HOTEL

DAY 6: NUWARA ELIYA-COLOMBO
After breakfast proceed to Colombo. On arrival commence city tour & shopping

Lunch En route
*Colombo - a drive through the city taking you to the busy commercial areas as well as the tree-lined residential, Cinnamon Gardens. Visit Fort, the former British administrative center and military garrison, Sea Street - the Goldsmith’s quarters in the heart of Pettah, the Bazaar area, where is also a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carvings, and the Dutch Church of Wolfendhal dating back to 1749. Also visit the BMICH, see the replica of Avukana Buddha and Independence Square.

*Shopping in Colombo - A visit to ODEL Unlimited provides ample opportunity indulge, not only in shopping for designer wear apparel for the whole family, but also take taste buds on a voyage of discovery.

Dinner at a Cey Nor Thai Restaurant
Late evening transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport for departure flight to Bangkok.

DAY 7: COLOMBO AIRPORT-BANGKOK
Departure on flight UL/CX.

Price per person in U.S. Dollars

Price valid: 07 August 2008 - 17 August 2008

Click Here for the list of hotels used

Price includes:

• 5 Nights accommodation in DLX hotels specified or similar.
• Transportation in a luxury air-condition private vehicle, 7Pax and above in a Mini Coach.
• Separate English speaking guide from 7Pax and ABV.
• Entrance fees to all sites specified In the programme.
• Bottle water on tour.
• Kandy Perahera hotel supplement.
• Porterage.

Does not include:

• Camera fees in Kandy.
• Personal expenses / Guide Tips.
• Kandy Perahera Tickets (7-17 Aug 2008).