Charms of Sri Lanka

Day 01. ARRIVE COLOMBO - SIGIRYA BY SURFACE (97 MILES)
Arrive Colombo where our representative will meet and assist you with your road transfer to Sigiriya. Upon arrival you will be assisted with check in formalities.

In the afternoon visit the Sigiriya Rock built by King Kassapa in the 5th century AD. It was a royal stronghold for more than 18 years. The Lion Rock is a citadel of unusual beauty, rising 200m from the scrub jungle. A moat and a rampart and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens ring the base of the rock. Later also see the world famous frescoes of the "Heavenly maidens" of Sigiriya in a sheltered pocket of the rock.

Stay overnight in Sigiriya.

Day 02. SIGIRIYA - DAMBULLA - KANDY (60 MILES)
After an early breakfast, we begin the day with a drive to the Dambulla Rock Cave temple, a vast isolated rock mass where King Velagambhahu took refuge in the 1st century BC. He later turned the caves into a rock temple. The temple consists of a series of five caves containing many statues and paintings including a 47 ft long statue of the Buddha.

Later we drive on to Kandy, enroute visiting a spice garden in Matale. Upon arrival in Kandy, drive past the picturesque University Campus and also visit the local market and an arts & crafts show room. Then drive along the upper lake road to get a panoramic view of Kandy Lake and its surroundings.

Stay overnight in Kandy.

Day 03. IN KANDY
After breakfast you will visit the Peradeniya Botanical garden to see a rare collection of tropical exotic and indigenous flora and the famous Orchid House. Later in the afternoon witness a cultural program and a fire walking display. Thereafter visit the Temple of tooth relic of Buddha. .

Stay overnight in Kandy.

Day 04. KANDY - PINNAWELA - COLOMBO (79 MILES)
After an early breakfast proceed to Pinnawala. This now famous elephant orphanage was set up by the Sri Lankan government to rescue and rehabilitate elephants maimed or orphaned at the hands of poachers in the jungle. At the orphanage witness the feeding of elephants, which takes place daily from 915 to 945 AM. The highlight of this event is the feeding of baby elephants using bottles of milk. After feeding, the elephants are taken to a nearby river for their daily bath, which normally takes place between 10AM to12 noon.

Later you will continue your road journey to Colombo. Once in Colombo, drive through the commercial area and the city centre, known as the 'Fort', built by the Portuguese in the 16th century. See the busy markets and bazaars of Pettah, visit a Buddhist and a Hindu temple, an Old Dutch church and continue to the Cinnamon Gardens residential area. Drive past the Town Hall, Independence Square and the International Convention Centre. Stay overnight in Colombo.

Day 05. LEAVE COLOMBO
After breakfast, proceed to the airport to connect to your flight for onward destination.