SPECTACULAR SRILANKA

Tour Highlights

Fortress in the Sky
Spice Garden at Matale
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
Royal Botanical Gardens
Nuwara Eliya
City tour & Shopping in Colombo

DAY WISE TOUR ITINERARY

ARRIVAL COLOMBO PINNAWELA – SIGIRIYA
PINNAWELA ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE- App. 55 miles from Colombo,off the Colombo - Kandy road is Pinnawela, where an orphanage was started in 1975 to house the abandoned and the wounded elephants. The number of elephants has increased to more than 65 now; including Baby Elephants brought from various parts, as well as some of the more then 25 babies born, as a result of the captive breeding programme. The best time to visit is the feeding time from 0930-1000 hrs and 1330-1400 hrs and the bathing time from 1000-1030 hrs and 1400-1430 hrs when all the elephants are taken to the river close by. Sigiriya - is home to the 5th Century “Fortress in the Sky” which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of the Island. It is also known as Lion Rock because of the huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the fortress. Within its triple-moated defence the huge rock rises almost to a sheer height of 500ft. On its summit are the foundations of what was once a great and sumptuous palace and gardens complete with swimming pool. On one of the stairways the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting survived in the form of Frescoes of life sized damsels in all the freshness and delicacy of their original colour.
SIGIRIYA – MATALE – KANDY
En-route visit a Spice Garden at Matale and see the luscious Cinnamons, Cardamoms, Pepper plants etc. You can also purchase your requirements of spices. Afternoon city tour of Kandy, including Upper Lake Drive, Market Square, Arts & Crafts Centre, Gem Museum and Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Kandy - the hill capital, venue of the annual Perahera. The last strongholdof the Sinhala Kings was finally ceded to the British in 1815. Kandy is an example of the Buddhism's influence in Sri Lanka today. Temple's shrines and monasteries keeping alive Buddhist traditions are everywhere. Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic - ever since 4th Century A.D, when the Buddha's Tooth was brought to Sri Lanka hidden from sacrilegious hands in an Orissan princess' hair, the Relic has grown in repute and holiness in Sri Lanka and throughout the Buddhist world. It is considered Sri Lanka's most prized possession. Evening witness the Kandy Cultural Dance Performance . Overnight stay at hotel in Kandy.
KANDY – PERADENIYA – NUWARA ELIYA
Royal Botanical Gardens - 147 acres in extent: started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the King’s of Kandy. There are more than 5000 species of tree and plants. Some and endemic as well as flora from the tropical world. Spice garden and Orchid House are popular with Tourists. Thereafter proceed to Nuwara Eliya. Visit Hanuman Temple and Seetha Amman Temple. Evening commence city tour in Nuwara Eliya. Nuwara Eliya - The ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, is set against beautiful backdrops of Mountains, Valleys, Waterfalls and Tea Plantations. It is supposed to be one of the coldest places on the island, but is really just like an England spring day although the temperature does drop at night.All around Nuwara Eliya you will see evidence of the British influence. Houses are like country cottages or Queen Ann style mansions. Overnight stay at the hotel in Nuwara Eliya.
NUWARA ELIYA – BENTOTA
En route visit Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery. Overnight stay at the hotel in or around Bentota.
BENTOTA – COLOMBO
En route Boat Ride in Madu Ganga. City tour & Shopping in Colombo. Colombo - a drive through the city taking you to the busy commercial areas as well as the tree-lined residential, Cinnamon Gardens. Visit Fort, the former British administrative center and military garrison, Sea Street - the Goldsmith’s quarters in the heart of Pettah, the Bazaar area, where is also a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carvings, and the Dutch Church of Wolfe dhal dating back to 1749. Also visit the BMICH, see the replica of Avukana Buddha and Independence Square.
COLOMBO – AIRPORT
After Breakfast leave to airport for departure according to the flight schedule.