DAY 1: ARRIVE COLOMBO AIRPORT-NEGOMBO
Welcome on arrival at the Colombo International airport and transfer to Negombo.

NEGAMBO A characteristic fishing town 6 km from the International Airport, Negambo has a fascinating and picturesque beachfront. Bustling Negambo town is a historically interesting place strongly influenced by the Catholic Church. The narrow strip of land between the lagoon & the sea and the many canals make for a good exploring. The lagoon is famous for its harvest of lobsters, crabs and prawns and fish auctions on the beach that are worth a look.

The town has several buildings dating back to the Dutch and Portuguese Colonial days. The Dutch captured the town from the Portuguese in 1640, lost it again in the same year, and then captured it again in 1644. The British then took it from them in 1796 without a struggle. Negambo was one of the most important sources of cinnamon during the Dutch era, and there are still reminders of the European days.

Free & Easy at Hotel
Overnight stay at Sunset Beach Hotel or Similar.

DAY 2: NEGAMBO – PINNAWELA - POLONNARUWA - HABARANA – SIGIRIYA
After breakfast proceed to Polonnaruwa en-route visit the Elephant Orphanage at Pinnawela.

PINNAWALA ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE See baby jumbos wondering around their cramped foster home or bottle fed and bathed by their human foster fathers at Pinnawala, about 90Km fro m Colombo towards Kandy is the home to some 60 or more elephant orphans. A place you will really enjoy and never forget. Most orphans are accustomed to their curious human visitors are harmless. Started in 1972 the Elephant Orphanage was relocated to at the present site in 1975 Bathing time at Ma Oya just in front of the orphanage is sharp at 10.00am and 2.00pm. Feeding time is about and hour earlier. Wild Elephant Viewing Locations in Sri Lanka Udawalawe National Park and Yala (Lahugala Elephant Sanctuary) and Gal Oya National Park are popular safari destination for viewing these big mammals. It is not uncommon to come across herds crossing public roads on the Habarana. One should keep its distance if the elephants are not in a herd because of their threatening behaviour. Getting there Pinnawala is about 3 km from Rambukkana junction on Colombo-Kandy (90km from Colombo) road. Travelers by bus from Colombo or Kandy could take the Rambukkana bus from Kegalle town.

Proceed to Polonnaruwa.

POLONNARUWA, the 2nd capital city of Sri Lanka, built in the 11th and 12th centuries AD, is now a world heritage site. This magnificent city, although originally built by King Vijayabahu 1, was later developed to the magnificent state it has been, by King Parakramabahu the Great who was the builder of the largest lake in the island – the Parakrama Samudraya (Sea of Parakrama).

Visit the Historical Sites in Polonnaruwa,

Among the important ruins we come across in Polonnaruwa are, the Royal Palace, the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, the Statue of king Parakramabahu and the famous Gal Viharaya - where 4 splendid statues of the Buddha in 'Upright', 'Sedentary' and 'Recumbent' postures are carved out of rock - , and the Parakrama Samudraya. The Gal Vihara marks a very important land mark and a high point in rock carving. These four separate large statues out of which, the upright statue is 7m tall and the recumbent statue is 14m long are all carved out of one large slab of rock. Some of the other important and famous ruins and places of worship are, the Shiva Temple, the Lankathilake, the Watadage, the Galpotha, the Kiri Vehera and the remains of a former Temple of the Tooth Relic. Out of these, the Gal-potha (the Stone-Book), is the largest stone inscription in Sri Lanka with its length being 9m and the width 1.5m. A footnote on this 25 tonne gigantic rock slab indicates that it was dragged here from Minintale – an astounding 100km away.

Elephant back safari at Habarana

Do an Elephant back safari in the surroundings of Habarana. This excursion will take you along one of the most picturesque sites through the jungle and could observe bird life as well as during the trek to the surrounding forest and foothills. Also, a variety of large and small animals lives in the surrounding forest could be seen.

Dinner & Overnight stay at Sigiriya Hotel or similar.

DAY 3: SIGIRIYA - MINNERIYA - SIGIRIYA
After breakfast Leave for a Jeep Safari in Minneriya National Park.

Located between Habarana and Polonnaruwa, the 8,890 hectares of MINNERIYA NATIONAL PARK consists of mixed evergreen forest and scrub areas and is home to favourites such as sambar deer, leopards and elephants. However the central feature of the park is the ancient Minneriya Tank (built in 3rd century AD by King Mahasena). During the dry season (June to September), this tank is an incredible place to observe the elephants who come to bathe and graze, as well as the huge flocks of birds (cormorants and painted storks to name but a few) that come to fish in the shallow waters.

THE MINNERIYA TANK is one built in 3rd century AD by King Mahasena, on the concept of a one time Great King of Sri Lanka: King Parakramabahu. His concept was that “not a single drop of water that falls from sky should be allowed to flow into the sea without making use for the betterment of mankind”. Situated 20Km northwest of Polonnaruwa, which is about 200km from Colombo, this ancient tank has an area of 2550ha. The National Park area, which is mainly the catchments area, was initially declared as a sanctuary in 1938. The vegetation of this area consists of mainly dry mixed evergreen forest and much of Sri Lanka’s wildlife, including elephant, is found here.

Late afternoon Climb the Gigantic Rock Fortress.

The ancient city of SIGIRIYA was designated a cultural World Heritage Site in 1982. It is also proposed that the site should be named the eighth wonder of the world, indicating it is in the same league as other international wonders such as the Grand Canyon and Ancient Pyramids. Translated as ‘Lion Rock’ into English, the name of the monument indicates the entrance through which visitors begin their final ascent to the top – through the open jaws and throat (‘giriya’) of a lion (‘sinha’). Unfortunately, the only remains of this lion figure are the gigantic paws, sculpted into the side of the rock. The topography of the area is flat except for the massive rock outcrop of the fortress itself. This amazing rock rises incredibly over 600ft up from the scrub jungle and what is more amazing is that its flat top has an area of over 3-1/2 acres. The amazement is not over; not wanting to be second to the Nature’s creation, the King has used this space in its entirety to create his palace and fortress complexes including a swimming pool on the summit of this rock.

Dinner & Overnight stay at Sigiriya Hotel or similar.

DAY 4: SIGIRIYA – DHAMBULLA – MATALE - KANDY
After breakfast proceed to Kandy via Dhambulla & Matale.

Visit the Rock Cave Temples at Dhambulla.

DAMBULLA CAVE TEMPLE was built by King Walagambahu in the 1st century B.C. and it is a World Heritage Site. It is the most impressive of Sri Lanka's cave temples. The complex of 5 caves with over 2000 square metres of painted walls and ceilings is the largest area of paintings found in the world. The history of the 5 caves, containing over 150 images of Buddha, goes back to 1st century BC when king Valagambahu took refuge here. The second cave, the most elaborate and most spectacular of the five, is the largest which is 170ft long, 75ft broad and 21ft high. There is a large reclining Buddha statue and statues of two kings namely, Valagambahu who took first took refuge there and did most of the constructions and Nissankamalla who later did more work. In the center of this cave is a large container to collect the water that drips from the rock ceiling even during the dry season. This place is worth visiting not only for the cave temple, but also for the beautiful view over the countryside we get from near the caves situated at around 150mt above the road.

Visit a Spice Garden in Matale.

SPICE GARDEN at Matale which grows spices and herbs used for Sri Lankan cuisine and medication. For centuries, spices have been one of Sri Lanka's celebrated exports. Spices mostly grown in home gardens (as a home industry) and used not only to flavor food but also in medicine and cosmetics. Visit a Spice Garden and sample such scents and flavors as cinnamon, ginger, pepper, vanilla, cardamom etc…Spices of Sri Lanka attracted the early sea faring merchants who made the long voyages to purchase this precious merchandise.

Arrive in Kandy
KANDY was the last stronghold of the Buddhist political power against colonial powers. It is also the home of the Temple of the Tooth relic. Its architectural monuments date mainly from the 19th century, when Vikrama Rajashinha went on a building spree, the cost of which hastened the downfall and eventual surrender to the British forces in 1815.

Kandy was originally known as Senkadagala pura after a hermit named Senkada who lived there. Many of Sinhalese people call it “Mahanuwara” meaning the "Great City”. But the name Kandy was derived from the Word Kanda, which means mountain. Due to its geographical location Kandy was not an easy target for the foreign invaders who could gain the control of coastal area of the island. It is still very much a focal point of Sri Lankan culture. It was the capitol of last generation of Sri Lanka`s kings until it fell in to the hands of British.

Visit Temple of Tooth and a Gem Museum and tour around the Kandy City.

DALADAMALIGAWA - The Temple of the Tooth or Dalada Maligawa dates from the 16th century, though most of the present buildings were built in the 19th century. Entering the shrine over a moonstone step, you pass a stone depicting the Indian goddess Lakshmi and a wall with frescoes illustrating the Buddhist conception of hell. The upper stories house the relic of the tooth, caged behind the gilded iron bars. Behind the tooth relic sanctuary is a hall with a number of golden Buddha statues and modern paintings, showing Buddha’s life and the arrival of Buddhism in the land. We end our tour just before the evening drumming begins, which precedes the ceremonious opening of the window for the public viewing of the casket with the tooth.

Experience a Cultural performance in the evening.

Kandy is Sri Lanka’s second largest city and home to a Sinhalese cultural tradition of which Sri Lankans are justifiably proud. You can see the compelling traditional Kandyan dancing at one of the city’s several cultural performances at the hotel specially organized for you. The team of drummers and dancers will show you the traditional Kandyan dancing where this will be one of your life time experiences.

Dinner & Overnight stay at Thilanka Hotel or similar.

DAY 5: KANDY – PERADENIYA - NUWARA ELIYA
After breakfast visit Royal Botanical Garden at Peradeniya.

PERADENIYA BOTANICAL GARDENS - This is 147 acres in extent started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the kings of Kandy. There are more than 500 species of trees and plants. Some are rare & endemic as well as flora from the tropical world. Spice Garden on Orchid House is more popular with tourist.

Proceed to Nuwara Eliya,

En-route, visit a tea plantation and a tea factory, where the best tea in the world is produced. Here you could observe 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.

NUWARA ELIYA lies in the central hills of Sri Lanka, 6200 feet above sea level. The 160 km drive from Colombo is one of the most scenic in the island with wonderful views and a visual introduction to the tea country of Sri Lanka. The jewel in the crown of NE is the 117-year-old course in the heart of the town. Nuwara-Eliya is surrounded by mountain chains covered by dense, moss-covered cloud forests and tea plantations; its perpetual English spring weather, seasonal mists and dry winds provide ideal weather conditions for the production of one of the choicest grades of high grown tea, to which it gives its name. The city's southern end is adorned by Lake Gregory; high waterfalls add to its scenic beauty. The cool sparkling climate with the temperature changing around 13degoC this is an exquisite and healthy city famous for its wide range in flowers. With buildings of English architecture everywhere in the city, it is affectionately called little England. The Victoria Park in the center of Nuwara Eliya, the highest town in Sri Lanka is famous for Yellow-eared Bulbul, Blackbird, in winter Pied Thrush and Kashmir Flycatcher.

Dinner & Overnight stay at Windsor Hotel or similar.

DAY 6: NUWARA ELIYA – RATNAPURA – COLOMBO - MT LAVINIA
After breakfast leave for Ratnapura,
RATNAPURA - CITY OF GEMS. A land of stirring myth and legend, for you raise your eyes. This area has a long history for finest gems in the world specifically best rubies in the world.

The extent to which Ratnapura still yields its fabulous gems is sufficient to account for the early tales of their profusion and splendour. Yes, Ratnapura (also called the city of rubies) remains to this day the convergence of Sri Lanka's mineral wealth, the place to which the detritus of the rocks sweep down and are held lovingly in the dips and rises of a land that seems to stir in its sleep, then pulls the coverlets of green and gold around it. Gem collections can be seen at the National Museum, Ratnapura, and a number of private museums.

GEM INDUSTRY Gems are a very important mineral resource in Sri Lanka. According to the chronicles, Sri Lankan gem industry has a very long history and dates back even before the 6th century B.C.. It is one of the oldest industries of Sri Lanka, which still plays a major contribution to Sri Lankan economy. In ancient times Sri Lanka was known as the "Ratnadeepa" (the island of gems) by foreigners. There is much evidence available on the ancient Sri Lankan gem industry and gems and they are found in the chronicles and records of monks, tourists, explorers, historians and others.

En route visit a Gem pit & a Gem museum in Rathnapura.

COLOMBO is Sri Lanka’s commercial capital with Great shopping arcades, luxury hotels & restaurants, Karaoke Bars, Casinos- which has the highest winning percentage in the world, night-clubs and other entertainment facilities

Colombo is an important port in the Indian Ocean since ancient time. The traders from the middle-east used Sri Lanka as an exchange center. The Arab traders came to gather the ivory, the precious stones and spices such as cinnamons, cardamom, cloves and pepper, which were highly priced in Europe.

There are many locations relating to the Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial times. The Colombo Museum, Vihara Maha Devi Park, Old Parliament, World Trade Center, Zoo, Dutch Museum, Kelani Viharaya, National Art Gallery. Folk Art Center- Kotte, Natural History Museum, BMICH, Municipal Museum, Fort Railway Station dates back to 1904, Wolfandhal Church and Vaneshwara Kovil and main tourist attractions in Colombo.

Overnight stay at Berjaya Mount Royal or similar.

DAY 7: MT. LAVINIA – AIRPORT
After breakfast process to the airport for flight departure.

Price per person in U.S. Dollars