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 – PINNAWELA – HABARANA (205 KMS / 6 HRS)

After breakfast, check out from the hotel, and driver to Habarana.

En-route to Habarana, visit Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, set up by Sri Lankan government to rehabilitate orphaned elephants. Spend some time at the orphanage, seeing elephants being fed and bathed by the orphanage staff (Open from 08:30 AM TO 05:00 PM daily). Feeding times – 09:15 AM, 01:15 PM, 05:00 PM. Bathing time – 10:00 AM, 02:00 PM, 04:00 PM)

Upon arrival in Habarana check in to hotel.

Overnight stay in Habarana.

DAY 3: DAY EXCURSION TO ANURADHAPURA  (60 KMS / 1.5 HRS)

After breakfast enjoy 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.

Return to Habarana for overnight stay.

DAY 4: DRIVE EXCURSION TO SIGIRIYA (16 KMS / 30 MINS) & POLONNARUWA (55 KMS / 1.5 HRS)

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 embark on your scenic driver to UNESCO World Heritage site of Polonnaruwa, the 2^nd capital of Sinhala Kings dating back to 11^th & 12^th 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 the city & ‘Gal Vihara’ complex is one of the best among them with fine sculptures of standing and seated Buddha. Also visit the Polonnaruwa museum here.

Return back to Habarana for overnight stay.

DAY 5: DRIVE HABARANA – DAMBULLA – KANDY (120 KMS / 4 HRS)

After Breakast, check out from hotel and driver to Kandy.

En-route 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)

Continue driver to Kandy, en-route visiting the Spice Garden at Matale.

Upon arrival check-in at the Hotel, and overnight stay in Kandy.

DAY 6: DAY IN KANDY    

After breakfast, you will be picked up for sightseeing tour of Kandy.

Visit the sacred Temple of the Tooth, one of the major attractions of Kandy. This gold roofed temple has many Buddha statues, located in the royal palace complex which houses the relic of the tooth of Buddha. Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country. Visitor are not allowed inside the inner chambers and cannot see the tooth relic.

This afternoon, visit peradeniya, which are spread over 67 hectares of exquisite beauty and house more than 4000 species of flora, a haven for nature lovers.

This evening enjoy a cultural dance show to see the popular Kandyan dancing and drumming of Sri Lanka.

Overnight stay in Kandy.

DAY 7: DRIVE KANDY – COLOMBO (120 KMS / 3.5 HRS)

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

Today take a city tour of Colombo driving 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.

If you are interested in shopping, Sri Lanka is renowned for its tea, gems, ceramics and handicraft. There are numerous Noritake outlets in Colombo for a wonderful ceramic collection. To shop where the locals shop, head to Odel shopping centre. For a quirky collection of artifacts, you may visit Barefoot.

Overnight stay is Colombo           

DAY 8: DEPART COLOMBO

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