D 01: Airport / Negombo

Transfer to your preferred hotel upon arrival

D 02: Negombo / Anuradhapura / Sigiriya

Witness Toddy Tapping followed with a visit to the Sacred City of Anuradhapura 

The coconut plays a major part in the everyday lives of Sri Lankans. They drink its sap and use the liquid squeezed from the grated kernel for making curries. The local alcoholic favorite is made from the coconut sap known as “Toddy”. Villagers often consume it in its undistilled form fermented with yeast. Before fermentation, it is a refreshing, non-alcoholic drink called as “Telijja” Distilled product of toddy known as “Arrack” is sold commercially in liquor shops, bars and restaurants.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site Anuradhapura is in the north central part of the Island was the first capital (5th century BC - 9th century AD), the centre of the island's Buddhist civilization and undoubtedly the grandest city of ancient Sri Lanka. In antiquity and the interest, it is the equal of any ancient 'buried city' in the world. The oldest historically documented tree on earth (over 2,200 years old) - The Sri Maha Bodhi, brought as a sapling of the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. 

D 03: Sigiriya

Visit the Rock Fortress in Sigiriya followed with a Village Walk

Sigiriya (Lion’s Rock) is an ancient rock fortress which climbs up to 200 meters above the surrounding. A popular tourist destination, Sigiriya is also renowned for its ancient paintings which are reminiscent of the Ajanta Caves of India The Sigiriya was built during the reign of King Kassapa (AD 477 – 495), and it is one of the seven World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka.

Get an early start to Hiriwaduna Village for a varied trek (approx. 2.30 Hrs), first to the reservoir, where the trunks of long dead trees stand stark against lush wetland greenery – egret’s roosting grounds. Thereafter, cross the stream in a local canoe and follow a narrow trail through a Chena Farm to the home of a Chena farmer for a refreshing king coconut drink and proceed into a scrub forest, where a waiting bullock cart is your “Jungle Transport”. Thereafter enjoy a “Sri Lankan style lunch at typical village house”

D 04: Sigiriya / Polonnaruwa / Pasikudah

 Visit the Medieval Capital of Polonnaruwa 

This medieval city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rose to fame as the capital (10th - 12th century AD) after the decline of Anuradhapura. The entire landscape of the region is punctuated by huge man-made reservoirs, the most famous of which is the Parakrama Samudra or the Sea of Parakrama, larger in size than the Colombo harbour.

D 05: Pasikudah

Sightseeing in the area and leisure at the beach resort 

D 06: Pasikudah / Mahiyanganaya / Kandy

Drive on the scenic 18 Hairpin Bends route to Kandy. En route, visit the Veddas in Dambana 

Sri Lanka's indigenous inhabitants, the “Veddas” -- or “Wanniya-laeto” ('forest-dwellers') as they call themselves -- preserve a direct line of descent from the island's original Neolithic community dating from at least 16,000 BC and probably far earlier according to current scientific opinion. 

D 07: Kandy / Pinnawala / Kandy

Visit the Elephant Orphanage in Pinnawala and a Spice Garden. Witness a Cultural Dance Show in the afternoon Followed with a visit to the Temple of the Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha 

The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, established in1975, commenced with seven orphans. Today some of these orphans enjoy the fortune of seeing their grandchildren born in the same location. The original objective of establishing the orphanage was more inclined towards tourism but it soon became a conservation and educational center. With the help of local and foreign elephant experts, Pinnawela started a scientific captive-breeding program for elephants.

The Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha is housed here in its own temple and is paraded around the city in one of Asia’s most celebrated festivals, the Kandy Perahera, held during July-August. Traditions of Sinhalese music and dance, such as Kandyan dancing, are kept alive in Kandy, as are many arts and crafts. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.

D 08: Kandy / Nuwara Eliya / Ella

Visiting a Tea plantation followed with the famous Train to Ella

Sri Lanka is one of the world's biggest exporters of tea. Since the introduction of tea to Sri Lanka in the mid-19th century Nuwara Eliya has been the capital of the tea industry. For many miles prior to reaching Nuwara Eliya from either direction you will find acres and acres of tea plantations. There are many factories open for visitors which also have tea sales outlets. Here you will get the chance to know how the tea is been made and as well as you could also taste a fresh cup of “Pure Ceylon tea”

D 09: Ella

Visit the 9 Arches Bridge and a hike to Ella Gap followed with sightseeing in the area

The train ride to Ella is considered “one of the best train rides in the world” The 9 Arches Bridge is one of the most photographed places in the world and the Deodara loop considered an engineering marvel up to date. Hikes to Ella Rock, the Little Adam’s Peak for stunning views and the mesmerizing Ravana Falls has made Ella a must visit in Sri Lanka.

D 10: Ella / Yala

Afternoon safari in Yala National Park

Yala National Park with an area of 1259 sq km is the biggest National Park in Sri Lanka. The Park is located 309 km south of Colombo on the southeast of the island and is divided into Yala West (also called Ruhuna) and Yala East. Yala West or Ruhuna National Park is one of the best parks in the world to observe and photograph leopards. There are about 35 leopards in the park, which probably is the highest density anywhere in the world.

D 11: Yala / Galle / Mirissa

Visit the Dutch Fort in Galle

Galle fort was built first by the Portuguese, then modified by the Dutch during the 17th century. Even today, after 400 years of existence, it looks new and polished with reconstruction work done by Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka. Today Sri Lankan government and many Dutch people who still own some of the properties inside the fort are looking at making this one of the modern wonders of the world.

D 12: Mirissa

Early morning Whale Watching boat trip in Mirissa. Rest of the day free for leisure at the beach resort

Mirissa is a very famous spot in Sri Lanka for Whale and Dolphin watching. The season for Whale sighting starts from November and operates till end of April. Sightings occur from 3 to 6 miles offshore from Mirissa and as a result, Sri Lanka has been considered as one of the “hot spots” in the world for Sperm and Blue Whale sightings.  

D 13: Mirissa

Full day free for leisure at the beach resort

D 14: Mirissa / Colombo 

City & Shopping Tour in Colombo 

Drive passed “Pettah” – a noisy Oriental bazaar with a hotchpotch of Humanity, ancient vehicles, bargains, mosques & temples. Nestle through the residential areas of “Cinnamon Gardens” and on to the “Independence Square” and wind up by the “Galle Face Green” to catch the Colombo’s sunset spills over the Indian Ocean.

D 15: Colombo / Airport

End of the tour until we see you again!

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