Best of Sri Lanka – 07N / 08D

DAY 01  AIRPORT–COLOMBO                               (D)  
Arrive in Sri Lanka. Clients will be met by our representative on arrival and transferred to Colombo. 
Afternoon at 1630 hrs commence a city tour of Colombo. 
City tour of Colombo - like many capital cities in developing countries is fast changing its face.  Almost overnight, skyscrapers arise from where old buildings once stood.  Yet in some parts, the old world charm is retained.  For example, there is a 100-year-old clock tower and several British built colonial buildings.  Other places of interest are the Pettah bazaar - where one can shop for bargain, a Hindu and a Buddhist temple (Gangarama), Independent squire, Galle Face Green, Haber and the residential areas where you find the stately homes of the affluent. 
Dinner & overnight stay in Ozo Colombo (4*), Colombo or similar 

DAY 02  COLOMBO–ANURADHAPURA–SIGIRIYA                                        (B/D)  
After breakfast leave for Anuradhapura via Puttlam Road. Commence a city tour of Anuradhapura. 
 Anuradhapura is the first capital of Sri Lanka from 5th C.B.C to 10th C.A.D. The remains of 15 centuries as a capital are found in a vast area. The city, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was the center of Theravada Buddhism for many centuries. From smaller monuments such as Thuparama and Lankarama to gigantic, 400 foot high Jetawana Dagaba,Abhayagiriya and Ruwanweliseya and the most sacred Bo-tree, (Ficus Religious)well-guarded up to this day, are found here. There are statues, remains of Palaces, Ponds, Temples,Shrines, Alms Halls, Meditation Centres, Old statues, Monasteries, Pleasure gardens and large number of other monuments are found at Anuradhapura. 
 Dinner & overnight stay at Camellia Resort & Spa (3*), Sigiriya or similar 

DAY 03  SIGIRIYA ROCK–POLONNARUWA–SIGIRIYA                                                (B/D) 
 After breakfast leave for Sigiriya & climb Sigiriya Rock. 
 Sigiriya today is a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site. It is one of the best preserved examples of ancient urban planning. It is the most visited historic site in Sri Lanka. King Kassapa (477-495 A.D) who shifted the Capital from Anuradhapura to Sigiriya made a fortress to surround his palace, which was constructed on the summit of a 500ft high rock, with necessary facilities. The Palace was surrounded by an outer-moat and wall and Inner - moat and Wall, pleasure garden, Mirror-wall, light coloured and dark coloured damsel's frescoes, to cover the western wall and a beautiful staircase through the body of a Crouching Lion are some of the attractions here. The boulder garden consists of caves where Buddhist Bhikkus lived and meditated. After Kassapa Sigiriya was given back once again to the Bhikkus. Afternoon proceed to Polonnaruwa & commence a city tour of Polonnaruwa. 
Polonnaruwa was the medieval capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th - 13th C.A.D Great revival was achieved in the country, politically, economically and socially during the period of Kings Vijayabahu Parakramabahu and Nissankamalla of the Polonnaruwa period. The ancient city of Polonnaruwa has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Dinner & overnight stay at Camellia Resort & Spa (3*), Sigiriya or similar 

DAY 04 SIGIRIYA–DAMBULLA–MATALE–KANDY                         (B/D)  
After breakfast leave for Dambulla & visit Dambulla Rock Temple. 

Dambulla is famous for the five cave Temples on a rock, which is a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site. The first 03 caves are better, older and larger than the other two. Some caves dates to 1st C.B.C. All the 5 cave walls and ceilings are covered with Buddhist murals and there are more than 130 Buddha statues, statues of Gods and Kings are also found here. 
Thereafter proceed to Kandy visiting a Spice Garden. 
Spice Garden at Matale and see the luscious, Cinnamons, Cardamoms, Pepper plants etc. You can also purchase your requirements of spices. 
In the afternoon commence city tour of Kandy, including Upper Lake Drive, Market Square and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. 
Kandy, the last stronghold of the Sinhalese 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 Orisons 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. Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic had been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. 
Dinner & overnight stay at Hotel Tourmaline (4*), Kandy or similar     
  
DAY 05  KANDY–PERADENIYA–KANDY                         (B/D) 
  After breakfast visit Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya. 
The Royal Botanical Gardens - 147 acres in extent; Started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the Kings of Kandy. There are more than 5000 species of trees and plants. Some rare and endemics as well as flora from the tropical World. Spice Garden and Orchid House are popular with tourist's. 
Visit a Gem Studio & witness art & the craftsmanship. 
Dinner & overnight stay at Hotel Tourmaline (4*), Kandy or similar 

DAY 06         KANDY–NUWARA ELIYA–BANDARAWELA                                       (B/D) 
After breakfast leave for Nuwara Eliya.  
Sight walk to the city area. Visit a Tea Plantation & Factory. 
Nuwara Eliya – 180 km’s from Colombo, 6200ft. above sea level. In 1826 some British Officers 1828 a road constructed over the ridge at Ramboda Pass and a station for convalescent Soldiers was established was Sir Samuel Baker who fell under the spell of Nuwara Eliya, brought hounds,horses, cattle, sheep etc; and started a typical English farm here. Flowers and vegetable were brought from England and planted. 
Afternoon leave for Bandarawela. 
Bandarawela is a green town full of tree and flowers (especially Roses) are grown all over. The Urban Council territory contains plots of forest and is full of tree formations. The undulating appearance of the town offers plenty of views. However, nobody seems to be aware of this green character. Actually the town’s inhabitants are great walkers themselves. Innumerable are the shortcuts linking the low to the high parts of the town. 
Dinner & overnight stay at Orient Hotel (3+*), Bandarawela or similar 

DAY 07 BANDARAWELA–YALA SAFARI–TISSAMAHARAMA                                                (B/D) 
 After breakfast leave for Yala. 
Leaving Nuwara Eliya behind and enjoying the drive to the south with passing Ella and the Ella Gap which allows a great view across the Southern plains of Sri Lanka. The Rawana Ella Falls are on the way always great to do a photo stop to have scenic picture card motives. 
Afternoon safari to Yala National Park by jeeps.  

Yala National Park - is an important national park in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka. 
This popular reserve has more than 400 wild Asian Elephants, which are relatively easy to see in this open habitat. Yala also has a dozen or so Leopards, although seeing this largely nocturnal carnivore requires considerable luck. There are good numbers of Crocodiles, Golden Jackals, Water Buffalo and Grey Iangurs amongst other large animals. The open parkland attracts birds pf prey such as White-bellied Sea Eagle Crested Serpent Eagle, Fish Eagle Booted eagle, Changeable Hawk Eagle and the wetlands have waders and Painted Storks. Land birds are in abundance, and include Indian Roller, Indian Peafowl, Malabar Pied Hornbill. 
 Dinner & overnight stay at Chandrika Hotel (3*), Tissamaharama or similar 

DAY 08 TISSAMAHARAMA–AIRPORT                                                                                     (B) 
  After breakfast leave for Airport or the beach resort. (Up to Chilaw). 
(Tour vehicle will reach Colombo around 1900 hrs)  
*** End of Program **