Elephant orphanage – Sigiriya – Anuradhapura – Polonnaruwa – Dambulla – Kandy – Nuwara Eliya – Ella- Yala Jeep safari – Mirissa Beach Stay – Colombo
Day 01 Negombo
Arrive at Colombo International Airport. Here, you will be met by a designated chauffer guide from SHA Tours.
After the formalities at the airport you will be escorted to your air-conditioned vehicle and transfer to a hotel in Negombo for leisure.
Overnight stay at Negombo
Day 02 Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage
After breakfast leave for Sigiriya. Visit Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage at Kagalle. (entrance fees USD 5 pp)
A visit to this fantastic Elephant orphanage near Kegalle is a must! 20 km (12 miles) west of Kandy on the Colombo Highway, this is where young orphaned or abandoned elephants are cared for. The herd numbers are usually around 50, from tiny infants (tiny in elephant terms, that is) to hefty adolescents and young adults.
Overnight stay at Sigiriya
Day 03 Sigiriya – Anuradhapura
After breakfast leave for Anuradhapura for cultural sightseeing (entrance fees USD 25 pp) and visit Mihintale (entrance fees USD 3 pp)
Anuradhapura – The capital of Sri Lanka from the 05th Century B.C. to the end of the 10th Century A.D. was the most celebrated of Sri Lanka’s ancient ruined cities. The city’s greatest treasures are its dagobas constructed of bricks and are hemispherical in shape. The most notable of these dagobas are the Ruvanveliseya dating back to the 2nd Century B.C. and is 300 feet in diameter, the Jetawanarama is 370 feet and the Thuparama Dagoba is enshrined with the collarbone of the Buddha. The city’s most renowned relic is the sacred Bo Tree, which is said to have grown from a branch of the tree under which the Buddha gained Enlightenment. It was planted 2250 years ago and is the oldest historically authenticated tree in the world. Anuradhapura is a “World Heritage Site”.
Mihintale – is 140 miles from Colombo, 8 miles from Anuradhapura. Mihintale is called the “Cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka”- it was here that the Buddhist doctrine was first preached in here by the monk ‘Mahinda’, son of Asoka, Emperor of India, to King Devanampiyatissa more than 2000 years ago. Mihintale – ‘the hill of Mahinda’ is approached by a magnificent, wide, ancient stone stairway of 1,840 steps. This is the World’s first declared sanctuary from 247 B.C. and continues to be one up to this day.
Overnight stay at Sigiriya
Day 04 Sigiriya – Polonnaruwa
After breakfast climb the Sigiriya rock.
Sigiriya Rock – Sigiriya Rock Fortress is situated in the north central province belong to the “Cultural Triangle” in the dry lowlands of Sri Lanka. Sigiriya Rock known as Lion’s Rock and considered by some as the eighth Wonder of the World. Sigiriya contains the ruins of an ancient palace complex. Built during the reign of King Kasyapa (477-495 AD). On the west of the rock are ponds the remains of summer palaces and other structures, and the first part of the ancient road, which lead to its impressive summit. (entrance fees USD 30 pp)
Then, you will proceed to Polonnaruwa, the second capital of Sri Lanka in the 11th and 12th centuries. You will visit the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Vihare, three splendid statues of the Buddha in upright, sedan and recumbent postures carved out of a large rock. Other interesting sights are the Lotus Bath, Tivanke Image House with the best known Buddhist frescoes of Sri Lanka, and man-made Parakarama Samudra built by Parakarama Bahu the great. (entrance fees USD 25 pp)
Overnight stay at Sigiriya
Day 05 Dambulla – Kandy
After breakfast visit Dambulla Cave Temple. There after drive to Kandy, visit a Spice garden en route.
Dambulla Caves – Dating back to the 1st century BC, this is the most impressive cave temple in Asia. 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 and 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 and bodhisattvas, as well as various gods and goddesses.
Spice Garden : See why Sri Lanka became a globally popular country for its herbs and spices. The environment possesses excellent conditions for growing cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, peppercorn, and other flavorful delights. Learn about the process of growing these natural products using ecologically friendly methods. At the end of your visit, stop in the souvenir shop to purchase some exotic spices from the source. The attraction offers free transport wherever needed between the city and the estate. Note that the law strictly forbids harming cinnamon trees.
Thereafter, continue to Kandy and check-in to hotel and relax rest till the evening. Later that evening, go on technical tour related to the arts such as gem crafting, woodcarving and batiks. And watch the Kandyan Cultural Show with its colorful traditional dances and delightful music.
The Kandy Cultural Show gives an opportunity to experience some of the traditions of Sri Lanka. Enjoy this hour-long extravaganza as some of the most popular art forms of the island take to the stage. Be wowed by fire dancers and sword dancers. Watch the colorful Kandyan dancers take to the air to the thrumming primal beat of the drums. On completion, return to the hotel.
Overnight stay at Kandy.
Day 06 Kandy
After breakfast visit Botanical Garden Peradeniya and city tour in Kandy.
Peradeniya Botanical Garden- This is a much visited and acclaimed botanical garden, which is also good for birds. It is bounded on three sides by the Mahaveli River, which I snakes around the 60- hectare gardens. Before its use as Botanical gardens it had served as a royal pleasure garden. Peradeniya is the second largest botanical garden in Asia.
Kandy city – Kandy is the English name for the city of Maha Nuvara (Senkadagalapura) in the centre of Sri Lanka. It lies in the midst of hills in the Kandy plateau, which crosses an area of tropical plantations, mainly tea. Kandy is one of the most scenic cities in Sri Lanka; it is both an administrative and religious city.
Overnight stay at Kandy
Day 07 Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast Proceed to Nuwara Eliya. visit Gregory lake and enjoy the beautiful surroundings, visit tea plantations and step into a tea factory and experience a glimpse of the Ceylon tea making process and taste a cup of pure Ceylon tea.
Visit Hakgala Gardens (Per person LKR 1500) which is one of the most beautiful hill country botanical gardens in Asia. Do a panoramic tour in Nuwara Eliya city including a visit to the Golf Course.
Overnight stay at Nuwara Eliya
Day 08 Horton Plains National Park
Early morning proceed to Horton Plains National Park to see cloud forests and rare flora fauna which include the Endemic Rhino Horned lizard, Bearmonkey, Giant squirrel and Sambhur. We also look for endemic birds such as yellow-eared Bulbul, Hill white-Eye and Dull blue Flycatcher. walk though the grasslands to the view point know as Worlds End. (Per Person USD 28)
Overnight stay at Nuwara Eliya
Day 9 Ella
After breakfast proceed to Ella. Visit The Nine Arch Bridge and get the best view at the Ella Gap. We’ll be stopping to get a closer look and learn the art of tea picking (and brewing) from local pickers. You’ll have time to yourself this morning to chill and explore the pretty town of Ella.
Overnight stay in Ella
Day 10 Yala Safari
After breakfast proceed to Yala. In the evening Safari at Yala national Park. (USD 88 for 2 persons)
Yala National Park – Yala Block 1 has one of the highest densities of Leopards in the world. Yala therefore offers one of the best chances in Asia to see leopards. Other large animals you may see include Elephants, Sloth Bear, Mugger Crocodile, Spotted dear, Sambhur, Barking Dear, Wild Boar, Wild Buffalo, Jackal, Greay Langur mokey and Mongoose. Birding highlights include Malabar Pied Hornbill, Painted Stork, Lesser Adjutant, Black Necked Stork and etc.
Overnight stay at Yala/Thissamaharama
Day 11 Mirissa
After breakfast proceed to Mirissa for beach stay.
Mirissa and its breathtaking sandy beach pretty much transform your dreams and visions of a tropical paradise into an everyday reality. Located close to the Southern tip of the Island of Sri Lanka and only about 200 km from the Equator, this secluded crescent shaped beach is the perfect place to sit back, relax and forget about all the hussle and bussle of your other life that’s a million miles away.
Overnight stay at Mirissa
Day 12 Mirissa
Beach stay at Mirissa.
Overnight stay at Mirissa
Day 13 Colombo
After breakfast leave for Colombo enroot visit Dutch fort in Galle, turtle hatchery.
Overnight stay at Colombo.
Day 14 Airport
Drop off at the airport for departure flight.
Includes –
Transportation by private AC car
English speaking chauffeur guide
Excludes –
Beverages
Entrance tickets
Safari Jeeps
You can request to customize itinerary where you may choose transport, stay & sightseeing as per your taste & comfort.
