Day 1 - Colombo - Sigiriya

Ayubowan or Welcome as you join us on a scenic journey along Sri Lanka. You will be Met on arrival at the Bandaranayke International Airport & leave for Sigiriya – Check in at the Hotel – Rest of the day at leisure – Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 2 - Sigiriya - Anuradhapura - Sigiriya

Breakfast at Hotel – Morning proceed on a sightseeing tour of Anuradhapura - It was the first capital and undoubtedly the grandest city of the ancient Ceylon. It is the home of two World Heritage Sites. Many places of historical and archaeological interest could be visited. Sri Maha Bodhi (Sacred Bo-Tree) was brought as a sampling of the tree under which Prince Siddhartha attained to enlightenment and it is over 2200 years old and is the oldest historically documented tree in the world. The Brazen Palace (2nd century B.C), the 1600 stone columns you see are all that is left of a magnificent multi-storied residence for monks. Ruwanweliseya (2nd century B.C) is the most famous of all the Dagobas. It originally depicted the perfect 'bubble shape" that modern restoration has not been able to accurately reproduce. 'Samadhi' Buddha statue (4th century AD) is one of the most famous statues, depicting the Buddha in a state of 'Samadhi' or deep meditation. Isurumuniya rock temple (3rd century B.C) is well known for its rock carvings. On completion return back to the hotel – Rest of the day at leisure - Overnight stay at the hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3 - Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa - Sigiriya

Breakfast at Hotel – Morning proceed on a sightseeing to Sigiriya - Climb the 5th century Sigiriya rock fortress which is a world heritage site, built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD). The 'Lion Rock' is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 meters from the scrub jungle. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town. A moat, rampart, and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens ring the base of the rock. Visit the world-renowned frescoes of the 'Heavenly Maidens' of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway. These frescoes are painted in earth pigments on plaster. Thereafter proceed on a sightseeing tour of Polonnaruwa - which was the 2nd capital city of Sri Lanka built in the 11th and 12th centuries AD, and which is a world heritage site. Here you can see the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya where 4 splendid statues of the Buddha in 'Upright', 'Sedentary' and 'Recumbent' postures carved out of rock could be seen, the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, the statue of king Parakramabahu, and the Parakrama Samudraya - a lake built by King Parakramabahu the great. There are also monuments of famous places of worship such as the Shiva Temple, the Lankathilake, the Watadage, the Galpotha, the Kiri Vehera and the remains of a former Temple of the Tooth Relic. On completion return back to the hotel – Rest of the day at leisure - Overnight stay at the hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4 - Polonnaruwa - Kandy

Breakfast at Hotel – leave for Kandy - Proceed to visit a spice garden in Matale to see different spices for which Sri Lanka is famous for. Here, clients could see different spices and how some of these spices are grown and processed. Witness a Cookery demonstration. Proceed to Kandy - Check in at the Hotel – In the evening visit Temple of the Tooth and witness a Kandyan Cultural Dance performance – Return to Hotel for overnight stay.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5 - Kandy - Pinnawela - Nuwara Eliya

Breakfast at Hotel – Morning proceed to visit the Elephant Orphanage in Pinnawela – The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, established in 1975, commenced with seven orphans. Today some of these orphans enjoy the fortune of seeing their grandchildren born in the same location. The original objective of establishing the orphanage inclined more towards tourism, but is soon became a conservation and educational Centre. With the help of local and foreign elephant experts, Pinnawela started a scientific captive-breeding program for elephants. The free movement of the herd enhanced the chances for respective individuals of both sexes to get together and mate. The nearby river played a dominant role in this regard, and in 1984, the first baby of Pinnawela was born. The success story of Pinnawela has drawn the attention of scientists from all over the world. A considerable number of books and research articles on Pinnawela have been published in several languages. The members of the Pinnawela herd have been filmed, videoed and photographed thousands of times by professionals. On completion proceed to visit the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya – This botanical garden was first built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala king and was expanded by the British. It is 147 acres in extent and provides an amazing variety of trees, plants and flowers. Thereafter proceed on a Sightseeing tour of Kandy - Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is a World Heritage Site. The name "Kandy" conjures visions of splendor and magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. Drive around the Kandy Lake built by the last Sinhala king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798. Visit the Kandy town and bazaar, the arts and crafts Centre, a gem museum and a lapidary. On completion return back to the hotel – Rest of the day at leisure - Overnight stay at the hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6 - Kandy - Nuwara Eliya

Breakfast at Hotel – Leave for Nuwara Eliya en-route visit a tea plantation and a Tea Factory where you would see the process of manufacturing tea. You can also see how tea is graded. Taste a cup of pure Ceylon tea in the factory. On completion proceed to Nuwara Eliya which is also the heart of Sri Lanka's tea country producing a significant share of the world's best tea. Sri Lanka's highest mountain Pidurutalagala (8282 feet) is located here. Nuwara-Eliya also has one of the finest 18 hole golf courses in South Asia – Check in at the Hotel – Afternoon leave on a sightseeing tour of Nuwara Eliya – Drive through the Little England – Return to Hotel for overnight stay.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7 - Nuwaya Eliya - Yala - Hambanthota

Breakfast at Hotel – Leave for Colombo – En-route visit to the Yala National Park - this park is famous for its high density of leopards, perhaps the highest in the world. You are also sure to see elephants – grumpy loan males during the dry months and large herds in the wet season. Sloth bears are also a big draw. You will also see mammal such as wild boars, several species of deer and wild buffalo. There is a plethora of reptilian species and platoons of crocodiles. As is common in Sri Lanka there is a huge diversity of stunning birdlife including migratory species such as the flamingo. It is also one of the few places in the world where the severely endangered black necked stork can still be seen. The uniqueness of the park is the sheer diversity of the habitat: dense jungles suddenly give way to lagoons and open plain areas and the park has a simply beautiful sea front. Huge, stark boulders dominate the horizon and the elegant, languorous leopard can often be seen basking atop the sun baked rock.On completion Check in at the Hotel Rest of the day at leisure – Overnight stay at the hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8 - Hambanthota

Breakfast at the hotel, then you will be transferred to either your beach resort or the airport for your onward flight to the UK.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Hotels Used:

Sigiriya - Standard: Hotel Sigiriya, Superior: Sigiriya Village

Kandy - Standard: Hotel Topaz, Superior: Chaaya Citadel

Nuwara Eliya - Standard: Galway Forest Lodge, Superior: Grand Hotel

Hambantota - Standard & Superior: Peacock Beach Hotel

Tours is available throughout the year and is based on a minimum of 2 persons travelling.