Colombo :: Dambulla :: Kandalama :: Polonnaruwa :: Sigiriya :: Matale :: Kandy :: Pinnawella :: Nuwara Eliya :: Kitulgala

Day 01: Airport - Colombo
Arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport. Meet, greet and transfer to Colombo. Arrive at Tans Asia Hotel, Colombo. Afternoon around 14:30 hrs. Commence a city tour of Colombo. COLOMBO is the largest city in Sri Lanka. It is also the financial & commercial capital; almost all the major economic activity is centered around the city. Places of interest include century-old Clock Tower, British colonial buildings, the old Parliament in Fort, Buddhist & Hindu temples, St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Dutch Reformed Church at Wolfendhall Etc. After the city tour, return to hotel for dinner & overnight stay.

Day 02: Dambulla - Kandalama
After breakfast, leave for Dambulla via Kurunegala once called the "Ethugalpuraya" (Elephant Rock City) a Kingdom of Sri Lankan Kings. Arrive at Dambulla to visit the Rock Cave Temples which date back to 1st Century BC. This is the most impressive cave temple in Sri Lanka. It has five caves under a vast overhanging rock, carved with a drip line to keep the interiors dry. In 1938 the architecture was embellished with arched colonnades & gabled entrances. Inside the caves, the ceilings are painted with intricate patterns of religious images following the contours of the rock. There are images of the Lord Buddha & bodhisattvas, as well as various gods & goddesses. After visiting the Temples, proceed to Kandalama. Rest of the day at leisure. Dinner & overnight stay at Kandalama Hotel, Kandalama.

Day 03: Polonnaruwa - Sigipiya
After breakfast, leave for Polonnaruwa to visit the 2nd Capital of Sri Lanka. Polonnaruwa was the medieval capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th Century AD. In its time, a 6 km (3 ½ mile) rampart protected the city. Even during the Anuradhapura era, this was an important city because it strategically commanded all the crossings over the Mahaweli River & acted as a buffer against the invading armies. On your visit to Polonnaruwa, you will be visiting the Parakramabahu Statue, Quadrangle, Thuparama Image House, Gal Vihara (Rock Temple), Lankathilake Image House, The 12th Century Lotus Bath etc. Polonnaruwa was the capital from the 11th to 13th Centuries, AD, with 12 rulers. Of all the brilliant structures at Polonnaruwa, the best known is the Gal Vihara complex. Here are the four mid- 12th century statues cut from a single granite wall ranking among the true masterpieces of Sri Lankan art. On completion continue journey to Sigiriya.

Arrive at Sigiriya to visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress & Frescoes. Sigiriya was created by King Kasyapa who reigned between 477 and 495 AD. The summit of this almost inaccessible rock is 180 m (600 ft) above the surrounding jungle & was the setting for a courtly paradise of elegant pavilions amid gardens & pools. The rock was transformed into a recumbent lion by the addition of a brick-built head & foreparts of which only the paws remain. Broad moats & stone perimeter walls augmented the rock’s natural defences. In the event of an enemy approach, the outer moat was built so as to flood the entire area between the two moats. Dinner & overnight stay at Kandalama Hotel, Kandalama.

Day 04: Matale - Kandy
Breakfast at hotel and leave for Kandy en-route visiting a spice garden & a Batik factory in Matale, arrive at the Hill Top Hotel, Kandy. Afternoon commence a city tour of Kandy. Kandy is the famous city of Sinhala history, culture, religion & pageantry. The Kandyan Kingdom was the last independent state in Sri Lanka. It withstood the onslaught of three invading European armies for over two centuries. Kandy can be explored on foot, with the higher altitude making the climate conducive to long walks. The city is visually rich with its narrow streets lined with character-full old buildings and crowded with people. The Municipal Market has colourful displays of fruit & vegetables, textiles & clothing. The Kandy Lake provides an attractive focal point to the town. On your city tour you will visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic, scenic Upper Lake Drive, Gem Museum & Factory, Arts and Craft Centre, Royal Botanical Gardens, University Complex & other places of interest. After which you will be taken to auditorium where you can witness a performance of a typical Sri Lanka Kandyan Dance & Cultural show. Return to Hill Top Hotel for dinner & overnight stay.

Day 05: Pinnawella
After breakfast, leave for Pinnawella to visit the Elephant Orphanage, which is located on the banks of the Maha Oya. Most of the elephants in the orphanage are raised to maturity after having been found abandoned or injured in the country's jungles. It is interesting to visit at the feeding & bathing time. After visiting the orphanage, return to hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Dinner & overnight stay at the Hill Top Hotel, Kandy.

Day 06: Kandy - Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast at hotel, leave for Nuwara Eliya the heart of Sri Lankan Hill Country, renowned as "Little England". The drive is a climb, steep, especially in the latter half & there is a gradual change in the vegetation from tropical profusion to the cool green of tea bushes & pines. Arrive at Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya after stopping at a tea plantation & factory. Afternoon, commence a city tour.

The beauty of Nuwara Eliya is breathtaking. The early British settler favoured its mountainous landscape, cascading waterfalls & sleepy towns nestling into the mountainside. The abundant rainfall, sunshine, cold nights & mists provide the perfect climate for growing tea. As you climb higher the air grows cooler & the clouds get closer. This is one of the best holiday resorts with the most picturesque golf course in Asia. It was a resort site & there are many attractions such as Golf, Tennis, Horse-back Riding, etc. Dinner & overnight at Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya

Day 07: Nuwara Eliya - Kitulgala - Colombo
After breakfast, leave for Colombo driving along one of the most scenic roads passing the St. Clare’s & Devon waterfalls. Arrive at Trans Asia Hotel, Colombo after visiting the filming site of "Bridge on the River Kwai". Dinner & overnight at Trans Asia Hotel, Colombo.

Day 08: Colombo - Airport
Breakfast at hotel & leave for airport on time to connect to the onward flight to your selected destination.


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