14 Days Special Tour
Destinations : Sigiriya / Polonnaruwa / Anuradhapura / Kandy / Nuwara Eliya / Yala / Bentota
Day 01 - Air Port / Dambulla / Pinnawala
You are met with traditional Sri Lankan hospitality at the airport, and then taken in your own private air-conditioned vehicle by our courteous English -speaking driver to Dambulla, En route visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage which is most largest orphanage in Asia. Madam do not forget to give a banana for an disabled elephant who lives in this place- after recovered from mine blast during civil war in Sri Lanka. Afterwards you will depart to visit the famous Dambulla Rock Cave Temple, with it’s marvelous Buddhist statues and frescoes dating back to our ancient times, all inside of an amazing cave!. In the late afternoon you will check into your Hotel in Sigiriya.
Day 02 - Sigiriya Rock Fortress / Polonnaruwa
After breakfast proceed to Sigiriya,where you will make a leisure climb up the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. (Lion Rock Citadel of Sri Lanka built by King Kasyapa in the 5th century A.D. It was the royal citadel of King Kasyapa for more than 18 years and has been named as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982). One of Asia’s major archaeological sites, Sigiriya presents a unique concentration of fifth-century urban planning, architecture, gardening, engineering, hydraulic technology and art. The Sigiriya site contains the ruins of an upper palace located on the flat top of the rock, a mid-level terrace that includes the Lion Gate and the mirror wall with its beautiful frescoes, the lower palaces located behind the lavish lower gardens, and moats and ramparts which protected the citadel. The site was both a palace and a fortress. The upper palace on the top of the rock includes cisterns cut into the rock. The moats and walls that surround the lower palace are exquisitely beautiful.
In the late afternoon you will proceed to visit the awe-inspiring ancient sites at Polonnaruwa – Sri Lanka’s splendid medieval capital where you can explore the well preserved remains of the old grandeur and glory.
On the way visit a Batik Factory to experience how the traditional cotton batik paints are made by hand and if you wish, you may even purchase colourful batik garment as a souvenir. Back to the hotel in the evening. Overnight stay at hotel in Sigiriya.
Day 03 - Sigiriya / Anuradhapura
After breakfast leave early in the morning to Anuradhapura – the first capital of Sri Lanka for approximately 1300 years (3BC – 10 AD). The city is also a UNESCO world heritage site. Among its most famous sights is the Sri MahaBodhiya- the Bo tree sapling brought from the tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment, which is said to date back to the year 245 BC. Thereaftervisit Ruwanweliseya, KuttamPokuna, Isurumuniya and Abayagiri Stupa – the largest brick monument in the world which is also part of this ancient city.
Day 04 - Anuradhapura / Kandy
After breakfast proceed to Kandy -last capital of the ancient kings’ era of Sri Lanka. The city lies in the midst of hills in the Kandy plateau, which crosses an area of tropical plantations, mainly tea. There will be brief stops along the way to visit a Spice Garden and also a Wood Carving Factory. Late in the evening, you will visit the beautiful DaladaMaligawa – “the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha”, one of the most sacred places of worship in the Buddhist world. Later on you will enjoy a traditional cultural dance program.Overnight at Hotel in Kandy.
Day 05 - Kandy
After breakfast,relax at a traditional Ayurweda Spa, followed by a Kandy City tour and Shopping in the city where your options for Gems and beautifully crafted Jewellery are endless. Kandy being a major tourist destination is geared to give its visitors a memorable shopping experience. The town centre surrounded by misty mountains and a picturesque lake has a mix of old shops along with more modern trade outlets. Visitors can wander through interesting old antique, curio and knick-knack shops, shop for gemstones, brass items and traditional handicrafts or even buy an ‘Elephant’ souvenir to take back home. Later on you will visit the Tea Museum which is located within close proximity to the Kandy city. Overnight at Hotel in Kandy.
Day 06 - Kandy / Nuwara Eliya
Today after breakfast visit Nuwara Eliya via Peradeniya Botnical gardenand, a spectacular drive around the mountains, viewing endless tea plantations and majestic waterfalls (Rambada water fall) brings you to Nuwara Eliya, our “little England” where time seems to have stood still since the days of the British occupation. (optional. Victoria park and golf course).
Day 07 - Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast explore the city of Nuwara Eliya, its vegetable beds and a Tea Factory. Visit the Seetha Hindu Temple that relates to the ‘Ramayana’ story en route to the New Zealand dairy farm, Strawberry farm and Hakgala botanical garden. Also you may have the opportunity to enjoy a boat trip on Lake Gregory too. Overnight at Hotel in Nuwara Eliya.
Day 08 - Nuwara Eliya / Thissamaharama
After breakfast leave to Yala. En route you will see the Rawana Waterfall and the Buduruwagala ancient Buddha temple. Reach Tissamaharama in the late afternoon for overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 09 - Thissamaharama / Yala
Leave early morning to reach the Tissamaharama area, ideally located for a day visit to the Yala National Park and also the Bundala Bird Sanctuary, where you will see a range of exotic Sri Lankan wildlife including elephants, species of deer, wild boar, water buffalo and jackals, as well as a very large variety of resident and migratory birds. Adventure out on a Jeep Safari in the late afternoon (the Jeep will come to pick you up at the hotel.)
Day 10 - Yala / Galle / Betota
After breakfast, depart on yet another scenic drive along the sea side. On the way stop at Galle to visit the Galle Fort and then to Ambalagoda to visit the Arts and Crafts Centre. Ambalangoda is popular for the manufacture of masks of any type. Then visit the kosgoda Turtle Hatchery – the prime turtle nesting site which was open by the Wildlife Protection Society in 1981.Visitors can see huge tanks filled with new born turtle hatchlings. After being fed, the baby turtles are taken to the sea and released when they are 2-4 days old, usually during the safer hours of darkness. Overnight stay in Hotel in beautiful Bentota.
Day 11 - Betota
After breakfast, you have the day to try out and enjoy a variety of options ranging from jet skiing and windsurfing to wakeboarding and canoeing. Boat trips up the river and deep sea fishing trips depend on weather conditions. Many independent diving schools operate along the beach front during the diving season which is between December and March/April.You may even spend the day resting and enjoying this calm andbeautiful beach and the pleasant weather. Overnight stay at hotel in Bentota.
Day 12 - Betota / Colombo
After breakfast you will depart to Colombo. You may visit National Zoo, the Gangaramaya Temple and enjoy shopping around the city. There are many recommended shopping outlets in Colombo for ladies ware, leather products, gem and jewellery, cashew, souvenirs etc. Also there are many restaurants in and around Colombo for you to try out and experience our traditional or any other cuisine that suits your taste buds.Experience nightlife in Colombo.Overnight stay at hotel in Colombo.
Day 13 - Colombo
After breakfast the entire day will be free to pamper the shopaholic in you. At the evening you have the option of resting in or having a drink at a bar, restaurant and dining out. Overnight stay at hotel in Colombo.
Day 14 - Colombo / Airport
This is a day to relax and perhaps do some last minute souvenir shopping while you say goodbye to the beautiful and exotic Sri Lanka and its friendly people. Transfer to the airport in time to board your flight home.