Set in the Indian Ocean in South Asia, the tropical island nation of Sri Lanka has a history dating back to the birth of time. It is a place where the original soul of Buddhism still flourishes and where nature’s beauty remains abundant and unspoilt.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Evening jeep safari at Yala National Park
- climb the rock fortress of Sigiriya
- visit UNESCO World Heritage site - Dambulla Cave Temple
- cultural dance performance at Kandy
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Day 1
Arrive Colombo Airport
At the airport you will be greeted by our guide who will take you to your residence for the first night.
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Day 2
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, Rock Fortress of Sigiriya
Visit Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage & mount the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya. Set off from coastal Colombo to experience the inland delights of Sri Lanka. To begin, drop by the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, which houses the abandoned and the wounded elephants. Here you can watch them been fed and bathed. After lunch, our tourcontinues to the town of Sigiriya, within the country’s rich cultural triangle. In the evening, mount the rock fortress of Sigiriya, a 5th Century "Fortress in the Sky".
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Day 3
City of Polonnaruwa, Kavdullah National Park
Ancient City of Polonnaruwa & elephant safari. Learn about one of the best kept ruins of ancient Ceylon, the UNESCO World Heritage City of Polonnaruwa, which was the medieval capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th - 13th century A.D. On your return, take an adventurous jeep safari with the company of an expert naturalist guide to the Minneriya or neighboring Kavdullah National Park, a vast sanctuary home to about 250 wild elephants, wild buffaloes, spotted deer, sloth bear and more.
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Day 4
Dambulla Cave Temples, Temple of the Tooth Relic, Cultural Performance
Visit Dambulla Cave Temples, the Temple of the Tooth Relic & view a cultural dance performance. After breakfast leave for Dambulla and visit Dambulla Cave Temples. Thereafter you will arrive in spiritual Kandy, surrounded by greenery and the great Mahaweli River. Kandy is also well known as the centre of Buddhism. At your convenience, become acquainted with the city of Kandy, pay your respects to the Temple of the Tooth Relic and late evening, view a cultural dance performance.
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Day 5
Nuwara Eliya Tea Plantation
Visit tea plantation and factory & explore Nuwara Eliya town. Welcome to Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka's tea growing centre and enroute visit a tea factory. During the drive relish the endless views of tea carpeted valleys and the bright flash of female "tea pluckers" in their pimento, fuchsia and cerise saris. Enjoy a guided stroll of Nuwara Eliya town.
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Day 6
Yala National Park
Enjoy a leopard safari. From the hills of Nuwara Eliya descend to the jungles of Yala. One of the foremost places to visit in Sri Lanka, the Yala National Park is famous for the elusive leopard and has one of the highest densities of leopards in the world. The sloth bear and Asian elephant that are also part of Sri Lanka’s Big Five can be spotted. With some good luck you will witness all these creatures and more over an evening jeep safari accompanied by a naturalist guide.
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Day 7
Dutch Fort of Galle
Discover the Dutch Fort of Galle. En route to Galle witness a curious feature - the stilt fishermen of Weligama. Once in Galle, enjoy a leisurely walk through the cobbled stone pathways of the Fort – a massive Dutch fort, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Day 8
Galle and Airport
Our guide will introduce you to some of Colombo’s curious sites such as the vibrant markets of Pettah or alternatively indulge in some shopping. As all good things must come to an end, our guide will take you back to the international airport for a safe return journey.
