Day 1 Airport/Colombo
On arrival at the Colombo International Airport you will be warmly welcomed by our representative, introduce your guide lecture and begin proceed to Colombo the commercial capital in Sri Lanka. You will drive through the commercial area of Fort, so named because both the Portuguese and Dutch had a fort at this point. Drive past Pettah, a noisy Oriental bazaar with a mix of humanity, ancient vehicles, bargains, mosques and temples. You will visit a Hindu and Buddhist Temple and the Jumi Ul Alfar Jumma Mosque. You will continue with the tour through the Wolfendhal Dutch Church, Hulftsdorp Law Courts, through the residential area of Cinnamon Gardens, and on to the Independence Square, Bandaranayke Memorial International Conference Hall.
There is plenty of nightlife in Colombo. Many casinos, or otherwise also called clubs here, scream for your attention with flashing neon lights. The clubs offer gamblers roulette, baccarat, poker, blackjack, and other games to try their luck as well as complimentary food and drinks, and sometimes music with live bands playing. Entrance is only for those over 18 years and some clubs offer entrance only for foreigners. Be dressed in smart casual for instant admission.
Furthermore, from chic relaxing cocktail lounges, and modern international restaurants to lively pubs, tapas bars and sports bars boasting snooker tables and large-screen TV’s, there’s something for everyone. With ever-popular karaoke bars, nightclubs showcasing new musical talent, and pulsating discos - the choice is endless.
You're overnight staying at Colombo.
Day 2 Colombo/Pinnawala/Kandy
Early morning we proceed to Kandy and breakfast on the way. We will visit Pinnawala en-route. This orphanage for baby elephants was established to feed, nurse & house young elephants found abandoned by their mothers. The feeding and bathing times are the highlights of the day.
Kandy was the last capital of the ancient kings' era of Sri Lanka. Since the Kandyan kingdom came under the British around 1815, the city still retains the living traditions of its sovereign kingdom era. Kandy is an amazing destination for sightseeing. It offers spectacular mountains, beautiful lakes and valleys. Boasting a rich heritage, it is full of surprises for travelers looking for cultural and religious sights. It is also the perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of ordinary day-to-day life.
Many tourists from all across the world visit this marvelous hill capital to explore its glorious past, witness the beauty of nature, wildlife and get a firsthand experience on its cool climatic conditions.
Kandy is most renowned for its Dalada Maligawa or the sacred Temple of the Tooth. It is believed that this Buddhist temple houses a tooth relic of Buddha. Buddhists from all across the country and world visit this outstanding place of worship each year in great numbers.
Yet another fascinating attraction in this city is the charming lake of Kandy. Without a tour around this lake, a trip to Kandy will not be complete. It is recorded that the last Sinhalese King who was Shri Wickrama Rajasinghe built this lake in 1806.
Kandy view point, Garrison cemetery, Commonwealth war cemetery, Peradeniya botanical garden, Udawattakele forest are other scenic places depend on the time.
Evening enjoy a typical Sri Lankan Cultural show of drumming dancing music and walking on fire.
You’re overnight staying at Kandy.
Day 3 Kandy/Matale/Dambulla/Sigiriya
After breakfast at hotel we proceed to Sigiriya. We can visit Aluvihara cave temple, Nalanda gedige and Dambulla cave temple en-route.
Sri Muththumari amman temple was made by Indian people 100 years ago. Story of the Nalanda Gedige belongs to King Ravana Era. There is an unidentified statue found in Nalanda gedige by archaeology department of Sri Lanka and according to the appearance it has no similarity with a human being but it shows more similarities to an extra terrestrial being. The survey department of Sri Lanka has proved that this location is exactly the middle of the island.
Then proceed to Dambulla. The name Dambulla derives from Damba – Rock and Ulla – fountain. One sees the incessant drip of water from the fountain within the main image house .This rock cave temple is must for any tourist who visits Sri Lanka. In history, Dambulla back dates to the 1st century BC. It has five caves under a vast overhanging rock, carved with a drip line to keep the interiors dry. The Dambulla cave monastery is still functional and remains the best-preserved ancient edifice in Sri Lanka.
Finally we can reach to Sigiriya.
Sigiriya Rising 200 meters vertically from the flat pains, Sigiriya Rock provides you with one of the most dramatic sites in Sri Lanka. Top of this rock contains ruins of an ancient palace complex, built during the reign of King Kashyapa (477AD – 495AD) and surrounding rock is the Royal Garden. It is one of the 7 world heritage sites in Sri Lanka and is one of its most popular tourist destinations. The Sigiriya site consists of a 200 meter tall granite rock, whose sides are so steep that at some points the top overhangs the base. Ruins of various chambers, stairways and pools can be seen at the top of this rock. There is a stone stairway leading from the base to the top of the mountain. About half way to the top, there is a giant pair of lions paws which is in fact are the remains of a huge head of a lion whose open mouth served as the entrance to the royal palace. Surrounding the palace complex are the ruins of a garden complex consisting of two moats and various pools, some with water fountains still functioning after 1500 years. Sigiriya is world famous for its frescoes. It is believed that there were paintings all over the rock which were later destroyed, only 22 still remaining. The frescoes are the only non-religious old painting in Sri Lanka.
You’re overnight staying at Sigiriya.
Day 4 Sigiriya/Habarana
After the breakfast, we start to climb the Sigiriya. It will take 3 to 4 our time. After lunch, we relaxed at the Hotel and go outing for Elephant safari,
In the evening.
Habarana:
Known solely for its wild life inducement. Habarana in Sri Lanka is a place to be for all safari devotees. It is the starting point for safaris in the nearby Habarana jungle and the Minneriya sanctuary which is heavily populated by elephants. Elephant back riding is also an attraction in this small city.
You're overnight staying at Sigiriya.
Day 5 Sigiriya/Anuradhapura
After breakfast from the hotel and we proceed to Sri Lanka’s first capital Anuradhapura. Located within the Cultural Triangle in the North central province, was the greatest monastic city of the ancient world. It was royal capital for more than 100 Sri Lankan kings and at its heights was home to thousands of monks from dozens of monasteries. Originally founded by a minister called Anuradha, in the 4th century BC, it became the capital of Sri Lanka two centuries later. After a long and sometimes bloody history, it was abandoned in 1073 and is now today the most important religious and cultural site in Sri Lanka. The ruins of Mahavihara, the first Monastery, which served as the seat of Theravada Buddhism, as well as the Thuparamaya, built by King Devanam Piyatissa in 250 B.C.E, the Ruwanwelisaya, and several other monasteries and temples can be seen. The ancient Bo Tree, which was originally a branch of the Bo tree in Buddha Gaya under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment and brought to Sri Lanka by Emperor Asoka’s daughter, Princess Sangamiita, also is in Anuradhapura.
There are uncountable scenic places in Anuradhapura. We visit the main places as Ruwanweli stupa, Jayasri ma bodhi, Mirisawetiya, Tisawewa (Lake), Isurumuniya, Samadhi statue, Lowamahapaya.
You're overnight staying at Anuradhapura.
Day 6 Anuradhapura/Mihintale
After the Breakfast from the hotel and we proceed to Mihintale. Mihintale is only 12 km away from the famous Anuradhapura city. The sacred forest mountain Missaka Pabbatha where King Devanampiyatissa met Arhat Mahinda Thero and his companions is situated in Mihintale. Prior to that, the Lord Gautama Buddha had visited this place on his Third visit which was called as Missaka Pabbatha then. Being one of the sixteen places (Solosmasthana) the Lord Buddha had visited in Sri Lanka, this is regarded as one of the most important sacred places by the Buddhists in Sri Lanka. The area of Mihintale surrounds with a jungle and there is rock boulders scattered around the mountainous area. There are many caves which were earlier used by monks for meditation in a quite surrounding away from the main city of Anuradhapura. There is abundance of ancient stone architecture surrounding the many Stupas, monastic complexes and other sacred places.
Visit Mihintale and back to hotel at Anuradhapura.
You're overnight staying at Anuradhapura.
Day 7 Anuradhapura/Kalpitiya
We will departure early in the morning and having breakfast on the way to Kalpitiya. We will visit Talawila St. Anne’s church en-route.
No matter what religion you follow, St. Anne’s Church in Talawila is one of the most ancient and wonderful of all Christian shrines in Sri Lanka. Founded in the epicenter of tradition and holiness, thousands of pilgrims flock during the Christmas season, in March and August to this amazing place of solitude and solace. Close to Kalpitiya, the St. Anne’s Church is easy to access with the roads in good condition and offering some stunning views of the Talawila Beach in peace.
Next we can reach to the Kalpitiya.
Kalpitiya is an exquisite coastal region located in the Western coastal belt, north of Colombo. It is an unrivalled marine sanctuary with a diversity of habitats ranging from bar reefs, flat coastal plains, saltpans, mangrove swamps, salt marshes and vast sand dune beaches. Kalpitiya affords the opportunity to view large pods of Dolphins and Whales. The best season to view the Dolphin and Whale at Kalpitiya Peninsula is between December and mid-April.
But most of days, we can view both of them regularly.
During the May to September (Main season) the peninsula of Kalpitiya delivers 20 knot winds day and night, peaking around 26 knots. Blessed with a number of flat water lagoons, wave riding spots in the ocean and an archipelago of sandbanks and islands creating breathtaking sceneries, Kalpitiya is paradise for kite surfers.
Stretching from December to March, together with the North-West monsoon we also have a season when kites are dancing in the Kalpitiya sky. Wind is normally giving 17 – 20 knots, but you might find a pleasant surprise when the thermal wind kicks in. During this period our sea is blue and calm, perfect for experiencing the underwater world through snorkeling, fishing and dolphin and whale watching
You're overnight staying at Kalpitiya.
Day 8 Kalpitiya
We can continue the entertaining which we hold prior day at Kalpitiya.
You're overnight staying at Kalpitiya.
Day 9 Kalpitiya/Airport
Breakfast at Hotel and prepare to departure. Leave from the hotel for your flight.
This itinerary can be tailored to your specific requirements, budget and tastes.
* Prices are quoted for one person on twin sharing basis.
