Negombo – Habrana - Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa – Kandy - Nuwara Eliya – Bentota - Colombo
DAY 01 - AIRPORT / NEGOMBO
On arrival to Bandaranayke International Airport & transfer clients to Negombo. Afternoon commence Negombo city tour at leisure. This town, situated close to the Colombo International Airport, is one of Sri Lanka’s oldest fishing villages, having a quiet charm reflected in its churches dating back to the 17th century. The beaches are beautiful and you will enjoy watching the fishermen bring in their daily haul of fish. Overnight: Hotel in Negombo.
DAY 02 – NEGOMBO
After breakfast spend your day at leisure on the beach and perhaps take a boat ride along the Dutch canals. Overnight: hotel in Negombo.
DAY 03 – NEGOMBO / PINNAWELA / HABRANA
After breakfast proceed to Habarana and en-route visit to Pinnawala and visit the elephant orphanage in Pinnawala. This orphanage is the home for about 60 elephants, out of which some are baby elephants found abandoned or orphaned in the wild. They are being cared, fed and trained by the wild life authorities. The best time to visit is during the feeding times, when one will have the opportunity of seeing the baby elephants being bottle-fed. Also could accompany the elephants to a river close-by and see them having their daily bath. Overnight: Hotel in Habarana.
DAY 04 – HABARANA / SIGIRIYA / POLONNARUWA / HABRANA
This legendary citadel in the sky is a massive rock which tells a tale of power, intrigue and tragedy. Its founder, King Kassyapa, who murdered his father, seized the throne from his brother, the rightful heir, then fled to the 182 meter high rock and built his palace there, safe from his enemies. Today, Sigiriya is famous for its “mirror wall”, so called because of its highly polished surface and its galleries with their pockets of frescoes; paintings of lovely maidens done in brilliant tempera on the walls. On completion leave for Polonnaruwa to see ruins in Polonnaruwa. This city was considered the medieval capital of Sri Lanka. Though smaller in scope, it is said to be aesthetically superior to Anuradhapura. The ruins of palaces, shrines, temples and dagobas built by King Parakrama Bahu the Great, whose statue stands sentinel over the 5,940 acre Parakrama Samudra or “Sea of Parakrama”, (an enormous reservoir built by him for irrigation, and supply of water) are as fascinating as the history they unfold. Overnight: hotel in Habarana.
DAY 05 – HABRANA / DAMBULLA / MATALE / KANDY
After breakfast leave for Kandy. En route visiting Rock Cave Temple at Dambulla and Spice garden and Batik factory at Matale . Here is a collection of rock cave temples dating back to the 1st Century B.C. Dambulla Rock is 152 meters in height with a colossal recumbent figure of the Buddha, 14 meters in length. The paintings on the ceilings of the caves and the many carvings depict great events in the life of the Buddha and landmarks in the history of the Sinhala people. Overnight: Hotel in Kandy.
DAY 06 – KANDY
After breakfast commence Kandy City tour including a visit to the Peradeniya Botanical Garden, Gem Museum and Kandy Sacred Temple of Tooth Relic. This lovely city is the erstwhile Hill Capital and last stronghold of the Sinhala Kings. Encircled by hills, with a tranquil lake in its centre, it is the site of the renowned “Temple of the Tooth”. Places of interest are the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and the Mahaweli Diversion Project in their impressive settings. Spice Gardens dot the outskirts of Kandy along with handicraft centres and the marketplace is a hub of activity. Kandy retains an aura of grandeur which time has not effaced. In the evening witness a cultural show featuring traditional Sri Lankan dancing. Overnight: hotel in Kandy.
DAY 07 – KANDY / NUWARA ELIYA
After breakfast continue sightseeing in Kandy or shopping or leisure time. Afternoon proceed to Nuwara-Eliya. En-route visit a tea plantation and a tea factory, where the best tea in the world is produced. You will be told 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. Overnight: hotel in Nuwara Eliya.
DAY 08 – NUWARA ELIYA
After breakfast leave for Nuwara Eliya. Visit a tea factory, tea plantation & waterfalls. Nuwara Eliya which means the “city of lights” is also the city of eternal spring, where the air is pure, cool and distilled up through 1,884 meters. Windswept peaks lie shrouded in mist, while gaily clad tea pluckers wind their way among the terraced tea bushes. Listen to the wild music of the water falls. This is a holiday resort ideal for hikes, golf and boating – the setting, a nostalgic reminder of the English country-side. Evening free for leisure around Gregory’s Lake and visit to the Sita Amman temple. Overnight: hotel in Nuwara Eliya.
DAY 09 – NUWARA ELIYA / KITULGALA / BENTOTA
After breakfast leave for Bentota via Kitulgala driving along one of most scenic roads in Sri Lanka. Evening free for leisure at the beach. Overnight: hotel in Bentota.
DAY 10 - BENTOTA
After leisure in the Beach. Just across the Bentota Bridge over the River Bentara also called River Bentota Ganga is the coastal town of Bentota. Bentota is a very pretty rural area: the greenery of the landscape is especially striking. Most of the areas are well shaded and sheltered by tall trees with the coconut palm trees dominating the landscape. Bentota is the prime beach resort of the south-western and southern coastal belts of Sri Lanka. South of the city of Colombo, the city of Kalutara with its fine beach is the gateway to south western and southern bay beaches. Kalutara is the next popular beach. The Beruwala Bay Beach that is just before reaching Aluthgama at the Bentota Bridge and Bentota Bay Beach just over the bridge are the most popular twin beaches in the coast. The coast to the further south and onwards to the Deep South is replete with lovely topical beaches. (Optional: Excursions and Water Sports). Overnight: hotel in Bentota.
DAY 11 - BENTOTA / COLOMBO
After breakfast proceed to Colombo. Afternoon city tour of Colombo driving through the Commercial area of the “Fort” so named, because both the Portuguese and Dutch had a Fort at this point. Drive passed “Pettah” – a noisy Oriental bazaar with a hotchpotch of Humanity, ancient vehicles, bargains, mosques & temples. You will drive past and view a Hindu temple, Jumi-UL Alfar Jumma Mosque, Wolvendaal Dutch Church, Hultsdorf Law courts, and the residential area of Cinnamon Gardens, Independence Square and Bandaranayke Memorial International Conference Hall. Also shopping tour of Colombo including a visit to a departmental store ODEL, which has internationally Recognized “Designer” brands of clothing at reasonable prices. Overnight: Hotel in Colombo.
DAY 12 – COLOMBO
After breakfast day free at leisure or shopping. Overnight: Hotel in Colombo.
DAY 13 – COLOMBO / AIRPORT
Breakfast at the Hotel, day free at leisure or shopping. Leave for Airport for departure.
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