Day 02                                       Ancient City of Anuradhapura

After breakfast leave for Anuradhapura. (190 km – transfer time approx.  4 hours)                                                         
Visit the ruins of the first capital founded in the 05th century B.C. here is
found the largest number of ancient monuments of a great civilization. ‘’ Sri Mahabodhi ‘’ the oldest historically documented tree in the world is over 2200 years.
There are monuments such as Ruwanveliseya dageba, 2nd century B.C. with its famous elephant wall; Thuparama dageba 3rd century B.C.
The pillars of the brazen palace which once had nine storey’s; the image of the Samadhi Buddha, one of the finest places of Buddhist sculpture,Jetawanaramaya, Aukana Buddha Statue, the twin ponds; guard stones & moonstones.

Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel in Anuradhapura.

Day 03                      Mihintale / Rittigala / Polonnaruwa

 After breakfast leave for Polonnaruwa (145 km – transfer time approx. 3 hours)
En route visit Mihintale. In 247 B.C. Buddhism was first introduced to Sri Lanka on the mountain of Mihintale. Since then, various kings of Sri Lanka have blessed this rock with magnificent masterpieces of architecture. These
Include a hospital, a monastic complex, stupas and dagebas. While some of these structures are in an almost perfect state of preservation, some others are in complete ruin. The most spectacular of these is the Kantaka Chaitiya, which displays some of the finest architecture of the early Anuradhapura era.

Thereafter visit Rittigala which nestles deep inside the Strict Nature Reserve, found just off Anuradhapura-Habarana road, and is the partially excavated ruins of an extensive Buddhist Monastery. It was abandoned following invasions in 10th and 11th centuries and was rediscovered by the British in the 19th century. The site is located on a hill, standing prominent against the surrounding flat jungle.

Next visit Polonnaruwa the city of Polonnaruwa, 2nd capital of Singhalese kings dating back to the 11th & 12th century A.D the entire landscape of the region is punctuated by huge man-made reservoirs, the most Famous of which is the “Parakrama Samudra’’. Numerous monuments are found in this city & “gal vihara” complex is one of the best among them with the fine sculptures of the recumbent, standing and seated Buddha’s. also the ruins of the King's Council Chamber, the Royal Citadel, the Kumara Pokuna, Royal Pavilion, the Vatadage Relic House , Kiri Vehera - the best preserved of all Sri Lanka's un-restored dagabas

Dinner & Overnight stay at  hotel in Polonnaruwa

Day 04                                   Sigiriya / Dambulla 

After breakfast leave for Dambulla (77 km – transfer time approx. 2hours)

Climb the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya. Sigiriya, a massive monolith of red stone rises 600 feet from the green scrub jungle to accentuate the lucid blue of the sky. How overpowering, then, this rock fortress of Sigiriya must have been when a palace crowned it 15 centuries ago. Sigiriya was no gloomy and forbidding fortification, as many other citadels are. At the brief height of its glory, a flowering of only 18 years in the late 5th Century, it was one of the loveliest royal cities that ever graced the earth. Sigiriya built by the patricide king Kashyapa in the 5th century A.D today it’s a treasure trove of rare art. In a pocket of the giant rock are the famous frescoes of the ‘’ heavenly maidens of "Sigiriya’’

Next visit the Rock cave temple of Dambulla 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 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
P.M at leisure by the pool

Dinner & Overnight stay at Hotel in Sigiriya

Day 05                        Nalanda Gedige / Matale / Kandy.

After breakfast leave for Kandy (75km – transfer time approx. 2  hours)
Visit Nalanda Gedige The "Abu Simbel" of Sri Lanka. Also visit a Spice Garden & batik factory in Matale.
Next Kandy this Historic and Romantic hill capital of Sri Lanka is situated 115 kilometers inland from Colombo. The road to Kandy is enchanting and exciting revealing the full glory- of the tropics. Everything is in the most effulgent luxuriance, throbbing with silver and green. The roads run round in sharp curves and looking down are the deep valleys, abysses, rocks, waterfalls and streams glittering in the sun and patte rned in emerald with terraced rice fields. On the other side the Mountains rise majestically against the blue sky. Whether one looks up or down, it's a sight of beauty, glorious beyond the power of words to express. The city of Kandy lies in a triangular valley surrounded by mountains.

P. M. Sightseeing of Kandy including a visit to the Temple of the much revered Temple of the Tooth relic.

Temple of the Tooth Relic. Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy is the most venerated place of worship for Buddhists throughout the world. Built in the 16th century this temple houses the sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha brought to Sri Lanka from the Kalinga
province in ancient India in the 4th century AD. Several buildings have been added to the temple complex by successive rulers, the latest being the Golden Canopy over the inner shrine where the Tooth Relic is placed. Originally the Temple was within the King's palace complex as it was the
Symbol of Royal Authority. 

Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel in Kandy

Day 06                                 Kandy / Pinnawala / Kandy

 After breakfast visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in time to witness the bathing and bottle feeding of baby elephants. (40 km -  transfer time 1 hour one way)
This orphanage was established to feed nurse and house young elephants found abandoned by their mothers. Often the young ones fall into pits and ravines in their request for water during drought period. The Elephants bathe in rivers and Baby Elephants can be seen fed with milk. It is a rare opportunity to visit a place like this and it should not be missed.
Thereafter visit the Royal Botanical Garden The most beautiful in the world and
begun as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala King. Every variety tropical and temperate tree and flower is cultivated here and special houses with orchids and e cacti are too beautiful to be true
P. M. Sightseeing of Kandy City and witness a Cultural Performance. at 5.30pm Traditional Kandyan and Low Country Dances of Sri Lanka (Blowing of the conch-Shell and Drum Orchestra, Pooja Dance, Panteru Netum, Cobra Dance, Mask Dance, Mayura Vannama, Raban Dance, Ves Dance, Fire Dance, Fire

Walking) Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel in Kandy

Day 07                                  Nuwara Eliya

After breakfast excursion to Nuwa Eliya en route visit a Tea plantation and Tea factory. (80km transfer time approx. 2 ½ hours)
This town seems like a piece of English district. Tudor-style and Victorian homes look across the blue lake. These buildings are the other architectural monuments to the English, the Post Office, the English country house like Hill Club with its hunting pictures, mounted hunting trophies and fish, Anglican Church and private residence. The Golf course here is one of the best.
P.M. at Leisure

Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel in Nuwara Eliya

 

Day 08                           Ella /  Kataragama /Thissamaharama           

After breakfast  leave for Thissamahrama (195 km– transfer time approx. 2 ½ hours)
En- route Stop at Ella to admire the magnificent view Ella Ramana Waterfall, Sightseeing, and the sacred city of Kataragama (Kataragama Devalaya) Dedicated to God Skanda (Murugan for Hindus) a deity, who came from India, married a local girl call Valli and lived here. He is treated by Hindus as the God of war. The annual festival is held during the month of July, culminating in the fire walking by large number of devotees and the water cutting ceremony. Here is a complex of temples dedicated to various Gods and deities; in the sacred area and large number of shops
providing fruit offerings prepared to be purchased by devotees. The offerings are made in the morning, mid-day and evening by large crowds. The girls working for the temple offering lights, and the ceremonies connected with the Pooja are interesting for visitors

P.M. free at Leisure.

Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel in Thissamaharama

Day 09                              Yala Wildlife Safari          

Leave hotel at 5.30am and proceed to Yala by 4x4 Jeep Safari at Yala National Park. Yala combines a strict nature reserve with a national park, bringing the total protected area to 126,786 hectares of scrub. It is divided in to five blocks, with the most visited being block 1 (14,001 hectares). Also known as Yala west, this block was originally a reserve for hunters, and was given over to conservation in 1938. With ov1er 35 leopards.

Yala west has one of the world’s densest leopard Populations. The best time to spot leopards
in February to June or July, when the water levels in the park are low. Elephants are also well-know inhabitants. You will probably see sloth bears,  Elephants, spotted deer, Sambas, Hornbills, Peafowl, Wild boar, Iguana, Elk, Leopards, buffaloes, Water Lizard, Peacock, jungle fowl, Cobra,
Wiper, and various other mammals, birds, and many kind of migratory birds Russian geese are found here when winter in the northern hemisphere. Around 150 spices of birds have been recorded at Yala. These birds include white-winged black terns, curlews, pintails and orioles. After safari return to the hotel for breakfast before 10.00am. (Option can be taken picnic breakfast).
                                                                                 
P.M. free at Leisure by the pool

Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel in Thissamaharama

Day 10                              Unawatuna / Gall / Hikkaduwa                                                

After breakfast leave for Hikkaduwa (210 km – transfer time approx. 5 hours) en route visit the Old Dutch city of Galle. When passing Unawatuna you could see Stilt –Fishermen are a familiar sight here
Galle The port of Galle, throughout by some to be the Biblical city of Tarshish, splendidly illustrates the solidity of the Dutch presence in Sri Lanka. The 36-hectare (89 acre) Dutch Fort, built in 1663, has withstood the ravages of time. Its massive ramparts surround the promontory that forms the older part of Galle, and shelters within its walls sturdy Dutch houses, museums and churches. This area has a quiet, relaxed atmosphere that seems almost detached from the
flow of history. The New Oriental Hotel, built for Dutch governors in 1684, is a colonial gem with a wonderfully atmospheric bar. Nearby is a tiny sliver of a beach suitable for a dip, though most travelers prefer to head along the coast to the fine beaches at Tangalle Weligama and Unawatuna.
Hikkaduwa-fabulous beach and Coral Gardens. Glass Bottomed Boats to explore Coral Gardens extremely beautiful.
Hikkaduwa is the island's most developed beach resort. It has a range of accommodation, good restaurants and pleasant cafe-lined beaches. There's good snorkeling at an attractive and easily accessible coral sanctuary scuba diving at a number of wrecks in the bay, tours by glass-bottomed boats and pretty good surfing. It's a relaxed place, similar to many Asian beach resorts popular with Western trailers. There are also plenty of handicraft shops catering to tourist whims, a Buddhist temple, a nearby lake with abundant birdlife

Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel in Hikkaduwa

Day 11                                 Hikkaduwa  
 
After breakfast full day free at Leisure by the pool or beach

Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel in Hikkaduwa

Day 12                               Colombo /  Air Port

After breakfast proceed to Colombo. (140 km – transfer time approx.4 hours)
City Tour of Colombo

Colombo is a metropolitan city with a population of nearly one million. It is the commercial Capital of Sri Lanka, which keeps pace with modern developments while preserving the Old World charms. Among the many places of interest in the City are the Fort, the Old Parliament House (presently the Presidential Secretariat), Buddhist temples, Old Churches, Hindu temples, Mosques, the National Museum, Independence Hall, Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall  and the Zoological Gardens. ‘Five Star’ international chain hotels and a large number of other hotels and guest houses provide comfortable accommodation to the visitors at affordable prices. Several specialty restaurants serving international cuisine, karaoke bars, and discotheques keep the visitors happy late into the night.

 

After the city tour transfer to the Airport for the connecting Flight. (Departure )

 

(THIS TOUR CAN BE CUSTOMIZED ACCORDING TO YOUR REQUIREMENTS)

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