Wilpaththu – Anuradhapura – Polonnaruwa – Sigiriya – Pinnawella – Kandy – Negombo – Colombo
Day 1 – Wilpaththu national park
Arrive at Colombo International Airport. Here, you will be met by a designated chauffeur guide from SHA Tours. After the formalities at the airport you will be escorted to your air-conditioned vehicle and Leave for the Wilpattu National Park via Chilaw and Puttalam. The first stop is in Chilaw, There is a saying that “Chilaw is famous for Crabs, Coconuts, and Coreas,” a testament to the influence of the Corea Family who hail from this town. Chilaw is famous for the nearby Munneswaram temple, which is visited by both Hindus as well as Buddhists. We proceed to Puttalam, Puttalam is a small but very populous town. Famous for salt and fishing, Puttalam is the home to one of Sri Lanka’s largest lagoons, also called Puttalam lagoon. We visit the salt factory. After we have seen this we proceed to the Wilpattu National Park (Willu-pattu; Land of Lakes) is a park located on the island of Sri Lanka.
The unique feature of this park is the existence of “Willus” (Natural lakes) – Natural, sand-rimmed water basins or depressions that fill with rainwater. Located in the Northwest coast lowland dry zone of Sri Lanka.The park is 131, 693 hectares and ranges from 0 to 152 meters above sea level. Nearly sixty lakes (Willu) and tanks are found spread throughout Wilpattu.
Wilpattu is one of the largest and oldest National Parks in Sri Lanka. Wilpattu is among the top national parks world renowned for its Leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) population.We will start the Wild Life Safari and watch the Elephants, Sloth Bears, Leopards, water Buffalo, Sambhur, spotted deer, mongoose, mouse and shrew are more of Wilpattu’s residents.
After the Wild Life Safari we will proceed to hotel in Anuradhapura.
Overnight stay at hotel in Anuradhapura
Day 2 – 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 hotel in Anuradhapura
Day 3 – Sigiriya
After breakfast proceed on an excursion to see the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. (Per Person USD 30)
Climb the 5th century Sigiriya Rock fortress which is a UNESCO world heritage site and was built by King Kashyapa (477-495). The spectacular citadel of Sigiriya rises sheer and impregnable out of the plains of the dry zone. It is a remarkable archaeological site made unforgettable by its dramatic setting. The rock was the innermost stronghold of a 70 hectare fortified town. A moat, rampart and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens ring the base of the rock. Visit the world-renowned frescoes of the ‘Heavenly Maidens’ of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway.
Drive by a Safari jeep to Village, a beautiful rural area in Sigiriya city. Tour start with a Bullock cart ride near to the village pond & at there you will experience a boat ride to the next side of the rural village. After short walk within the paddy fields & vegetable cultivation you can reach village house. At the village house you can relax & taste a delicious Sri Lankan Lunch or Snacks. Then take a Tuk Tuk ride to tour start point. (Per Person USD 20)
Overnight stay at Hotel in Sigiriya
Day 4 – Polonnaruwa
After breakfast drive 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 Hotel in Sigiriya
Day 5 – 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. (Per Person USD 5)
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 Hotel in Kandy
Day 6 – 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.
On completion visit the famous Kandy Temple of the Tooth Relic. Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic. (Per Person USD 8.00)
Temple of the Tooth Relic : The Temple of the Sacred Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) was originally built by the Kandyan Kings in 1595, to house and honor the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha. Attracting crowds of white-clad pilgrims bearing lotus flowers for means of worship, the Maligawa features a myriad of intricate carvings that speak volumes of the architectural values of Kandy. Today the City of Kandy is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in part because of the Temple of the tooth relic.
Overnight stay at Hotel in Kandy
Day 7 – Pinnawela Elephant orphanage
After breakfast leave for Negombo. 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 hotel in Negombo
Day 8 – Colombo
After breakfast go on a City & Shopping tour in Colombo.
Colombo City & Shopping Tour : Take a fascinating journey in the capital of the isle paradise to taste its cultural texture, witness its bustling streets, visit bargain markets, and also relax while watching the uprising urban lifestyle of the capital. This commercial and administrative hub of the country proves to be a blend of cultures, religions, and socioeconomic classes. Your city tour will cover the following: Gangaramaya Seema Malakaya, National Museum, Old Parliament, Independence Memorial Arcade & Independence Square, Beire Lake, Odel shopping, Cinnamon gardens, Shopping at Laksala state owned Handicrafts emporium, Lighthouse and Clock tower & Colombo Harbor.
On completion, return to the hotel or drop off to the airport for departure flight.
Includes –
Transportation by private AC car
English speaking chauffeur guide
Excludes –
Beverages
Entrance tickets
You can request to customize itinerary where you may choose transport, stay & sightseeing as per your taste & comfort.
