D 01: Airport / Negombo

Transfer to your preferred hotel upon arrival

D 02: Negombo / Pinnawala / Sigiriya

Visit the Elephant Orphanage in Pinnawala and the Rock Fortress in Sigiriya 

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.

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.

D 03: Sigiriya / Polonnaruwa / Minneriya / Sigiriya

Visit the Medieval Capital of Polonnaruwa and a Jeep Safari in Minneriya National Park 

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.

Minneriya National Park - is nevertheless home to an extraordinary diversity of wildlife. Most famous for the great spectacle known as, “The Elephant Gathering” where 300 to 400 elephants gather around the Minneriya Tank for water during the dry months from July to September. Believed to be the largest elephant gathering in the world. 

D 04: Sigiriya / Matale / Kandy

Visit a Spice Garden followed with a visit to witness traditional Batik making in Matale. Witness a Cultural Dance Show in Kandy

D 05: Kandy / Bentota 

Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha and a Tea Plantation 

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 06: Bentota

Full day leisure at the beach resort  

D 07: Bentota / Galle / Colombo

Visit a Turtle Hatchery and the Dutch Fort in Galle followed with a City & Shopping Tour in Colombo

Turtle eggs are collected or bought from local villagers and buried in the sand hatchery. Turtles are frequently injured at sea. Many get caught in fishing nets. Others are attacked by people attempting to catch and kill them for their meat. Surviving turtles are cared for by the Turtle Farm and those who make a good recovery can be re-released back the sea.

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.

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 08: Colombo / Airport

End of the tour until we see you again!

‍