Description

Day 1
Arrive at Colombo airport and transfer by private car to hotel in Colombo. Free time to relax before going on a city tour to see the old and modern buildings including the 100 year old clock tower, historical buildings, Pettah Bazaar where you can enjoy shopping and the Buddhist temple. Return to hotel for overnight stay in Colombo.

Day 2
Leave Colombo and drive for approx 3-4 hours to Anuradhapura and check in to a hotel. Afternoon free to relax before an evening visit to the first capital and grandest city of the ancient Sri Lanka for sightseeing. Return to the hotel.

Day 3
Drive to Dambulla (approx 1 hour) for a 2 night stay. Check in to hotel and relax before a village tour, including travelling on a Bullock Cart to a rural village through paddy fields and sample Sri Lankan tea. Continue the journey on a traditional canoe on a lake in Habarana. Return to the hotel.

Day 4
A day of sightseeing including visiting the Sigiriya Rock Fortress which can be climbed to see magnificent views of the surrounding countryside. OPTIONAL walk or bike hire in the countryside. Drive on to Polonnaruwa for sightseeing, the second most ancient of Sri Lanka’s kingdoms of Polonnaruwa. OPTIONAL visit to Minneriya National Park for a jeep safari in search of elephants and other wildlife. Return to hotel in Dambulla.

Day 5
After breakfast, drive to Kandy (approx 1.5 hours) and en route visit the Matale Spice Gardens. Check in to hotel before a city tour of the last capital of the Sri Lankan Kings and a World Heritage Site. Drive around the lake, visit the town, bazaar, arts and crafts centre and Batik factory before seeing the Temple of the Tooth Relic and a cultural show featuring traditional Sri Lankan dancing. Return to the hotel.

Day 6
After breakfast leave for Dambana, a village of Indigenous People of Sri Lanka, living in a remote jungle and renowned for its eco-tourism. The population of these indigenous “Veddha” people now consists of only about 350 families, a number significantly reduced from a once thriving community. Meet and talk with the people, learn about their traditions and gain an insight in to their way of life. Return to the hotel in Kandy.

Day 7
After breakfast leave for NuwaraEliya via train and get off from NanuOya train station. Afterwards visit a tea factory and plantation where some of the best tea in the world is produced and have a possible opportunity of plucking tea leaves. Overnight stay in a hotel in NuwaraEliya.

Day 8
Drive for approx 2 hours to Tissamaharama near the south east coastline and check in to hotel. Visit Kataragama temple, home to Lord Karthikeya Subramaniam and an important religious pilgrimage site for Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims. “Poojas” or offerings take place daily so make sure you have a tray of fruits, incense and a little money to be offered.

Day 9
A free day in Tissamaharama or OPTIONAL jeep safari in Yala National Park in search of large and small mammals such as elephants, leopards, sloth bear, deer, wild boar, mongoose and porcupine. The park is also famous for its bird-life with over 140 species being recorded.

Day 10
Drive for about 4 hours to the west coast town of Beruwela. Check in to hotel and have the remainder of the day to relax.

Day 11
Visit Galle which was once the chief port of Ceylon as Sri Lanka was named by the British and is now a world heritage site. It is known for it hand-made lace. Also visit Galle Fort which was originally built by the Portuguese and later extended by the Dutch in 1663 and the Dutch Museum. Return to Beruwela.

Day 12
Tour ends – transfer to airport – return home or onward travel.