DAY 1: ARRIVE COLOMBO

Arrive Colombo, meet our airport representative on arrival at airport and transfer to hotel.

Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka is a city that is fast modernizing, but there are still some parts that retain the old world charm of the Sri Lankan capital.

Overnight stay in Colombo.

DAY 2: DRIVE COLOMBO – DAMBULLA (160 KMS / 4 HRS)

After breakfast, check out from the hotel.

Morning sightseeing tour of Colombo that includes a drive through the city’s busy commercial areas as well as the tree lined residential, Cinnamon Gardens, Fort - the former British administrative centre and military garrison, Sea Street - the Goldsmiths quarters in the heart of Pettah, the Bazaar area, where is also a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carvings, and the Dutch Church of Wolfendhal dating back to 1749. Also visit the BMICH, see the replica of Avukana Buddha & the Independence Square.

After that drive to Dambulla.

Dambulla is famous for it’s World Heritage Site, the Dambulla Cave Temples, which is a complex of 5 Caves with over 2000 square meters of painted walls and ceilings, containing over 150 images of Lord Buddha, including a massive rock carved figure of Buddha spanning 14 meters. Upon arrival check-in at the Hotel.

Overnight stay in Dambulla.

DAY 3: DAY EXCURSION TO SIGIRIYA – MINNERIYA NATIONA PARK -DAMBULLA

After breakfast visit the UNESCO Word Heritage site of Sigiriya Rock, built by King Kassapa in the 5^th Century AD. Today the rock is a treasure trove of rare art. In the pocket of the giant rock are the famous frescoes of the heavenly maidens of Sigiriya. Also called ‘the Lion Rock’ of the ‘Rock Fortress’ this citadel rises more than 1000 ft from the jungles below. If you wish to climb Sigiriya Rock, there are approx. 1200 steps and on an average it takes approx. 1.5 hrs to climb the rock (actual time varies from person to person).

Later proceed to Minneriya National Park --- Spread across almost 9000 hectares, the Minneriya National Park is famous for its large population of Elephants, which can be seen in herds of even 100 Elephants roaming together in the jungle and around the lake. Other mammals, reptiles and birds that can be sported in Minneriya National Park include wild buffalos, wild boar, spotted deer, leopards, crocodiles, and almost 200 species of birds.

Overnight stay in Dambulla.

DAY 4: DAY EXCURSION DAMBULLA – ANURADHAPURA  (60 KMS / 1.5 HRS)

After breakfast visit Dambulla is famous for it’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Dambulla Cave Temples, which is a complex of 5 Caves with over 2000 square meters of painted walls and ceilings, containing over 150 images of Lord Buddha, including a massive rock carved figure of Buddha spanning 14 meters.  (Approx. 27 kms / 45 Mins from Habarana)

After that an excursion to Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage site situated on the banks of the historic Malvathu Oya River. Anuradhapura, an ancient city founded in the 5^th Century B.C., is home to the largest number of monuments of the great Sinhala civilization. Visit the ancient royal Palaces, shrines, dagobas and Sri Mahabodhi. Also visit the “Bodhi tree” which is over 2200 year s old, grown from a branch of the tree which lord Buddha attained enlightenment.

Overnight stay in Dambulla.

DAY 5: DAMBULLA – KANDY (95 KMS / 2 ½ HRS)

After Breakast, check out from hotel and driver to Kandy. En-route visiting the Spice Garden at Matale. At the Organic Herb and Spice Plantation, you can see Cinnamon, Cardamom, Pepper and many other Spice trees, and even have an outdoor lunch at the plantation overlooking the gardens.

Kandy is a beautiful and romantic city, surrounded by lush green hills and with a large Lake in the city centre. Once the stronghold of the Sinhalese Kings, and the capital of Sri Lanka’s hill regions, Kandy now has the sophistication of a modern city.

Upon arrival check-in to the Hotel.

Later sightseeing in Kandy visiting the sacred Temple of the Tooth, one of the major attractions of Kandy. This gold roofed temple has many Buddha statues and it comes alive at night with monks and pilgrims doing a lively ceremony with drummers

Overnight stay in Kandy.

DAY 6: DRIVE KANDY TO NUWARA ELIYA (80 KMS / 2  HRS APPROX)        

After breakfast, transfer to Peradeniya railway station in time to board train for Nanu Oya (Scenic Train ride - Peradeniya-Nanu Oya ). Met on arrival at Nanu Oya railway station and transfer to Nuwara Eliya, en-route visiting Nuwara Eliya Tea Plantations & Factory. At an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level, the colonial hill station of Nuwara Eliya was, because of it’s pleasant climate, the favourite retreat of the British. Nuwara Eliya still retains it’s colonial splendour and many call it the “Little England” of Sri Lanka. Evidence of it’s colonial past still exists, with country cottages , some Tudor Cottages, Queen Anne style mansions, sprawling golf course and meadows.

Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.

DAY 7: DRIVE NUWARA ELIYA – YALA (180 KMS / 4 ½  HRS)

After breakfast, checkout from the hotel and drive to Yala.

Yala. Sri Lanka’s biggest National Park , Yala is spread over almost 400 square miles of grassy plains and tangled forests. Offering a diverse range of animal and bird life , Yala boasts of the highest density of Leopards in Asia, and also has Sloth Bears, Crocodiles, several species of Deer and Asian Elephants.

Upon arrival check in to the hotel.

Afternoon jeep safari into the Yala National Park.

Overnight stay in Yala.

DAY 8: DRIVE YALA – GALLE (175 KMS / 4 HRS)

After breakfast, drive to Galle. Located on the South West Coast of Sri Lanka, Galle was Sri Lanka’s most important port, falling on the trade route between the East and the West. Attraction in Galle includes the Galle Fort, now a World Heritage Site, which was constructed by the Portuguese, then taken over by the Dutch, and finally occupied by the British. Galle is a lovely city to wander around and has many waterfront shops and restaurants.

Later sightseeing tour of Galle visiting the Galle Fort and the city centre with its rich colonial history.

Overnight stay in Galle.

DAY 9: GALLE – COLOMBO (125 KMS / 3 HRS) DEPARTURE

After breakfast free at leisure, later checkout from the hotel and transfer to Colombo airport to catch your flight for onward destination.