Day
01. ARRIVE COLOMBO - SIGIRYA BY SURFACE (97 MILES) Arrive in
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 at the hotel.
This day is free for you to relax at
the hotel.
Stay overnight in Sigirya.
Day 02. IN SIGIRYA After an early breakfast 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. The base of the rock is ringed by a moat and a
rampart and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens. Later
also see the world famous frescoes of the 'Heavenly maidens" of
Sigiriya in a sheltered pocket of the rock.
In the afternoon drive
on to
Polonnaruwa, 42 miles away. It was the island's medieval
capital from the 11th to the 13th century AD. The city in its day was
fortified with three concentric walls, beautified with parks and sanctified
by many shrines. Visit the ruins of the
Audience Hall,
Council
Chamber, the
Royal Citadel, the
Kumara Pokuna (Pond),
Royal Pavilion,
Siva Dewale,
The Thuparama, the
Vatadage
Relic house,
Kiriwehera,
Hatadage and
Gal Vihare,
with their impressive sculptures and reservoirs.
Stay overnight
in Sigiriya.
Day 03. 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 5 caves containing many statues and paintings
including a 47ft 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.
Afterwards visit the Peradeniya Botanical garden to see a rare collection of
tropical exotic and indigenous flora and the famous Orchid House. Later
witness a cultural program and a fire walking display. Finally visit the
Temple of tooth relic of Buddha.
Stay overnight in Kandy.
Day 04. KANDY - PINNAWELA - NUWARA ELIYA (95
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 10 AM to12 noon.
Afterwards leave for Nuwara
Eliya, enroute visiting a tea factory where you will witness the process of
manufacturing tea: from the plucking of the green leaves to the packaging of
the processed tea, which is mainly meant for export markets.
Stay
overnight in Nuwara Eliya.
Day 05. NUWARA ELIYA - YALA (120 MILES) This morning after
breakfast, start the tour of Nuwara Eliya. Visit the town, market place,
golf course, the hill club and then Lake Gregory.
Later leave for
Yala, enroute visiting
Grand Ella Motel to view the Ella Gap from
its front garden, the terrain that falls away some 3000ft to the south
coastal plain. Framed by towering Ella Rock on the right and a wooded ridge
on the left, the spectacle of Ella Gap is one that invites visitors to laze
and gaze.
In the afternoon enjoy a jeep safari to
Yala
National Park. Yala is located in the south-eastern corner of the
Island. The terrain is varied, flat plains alternating with rocky outcrops.
The vegetation ranges from open parkland to dense jungle, a must for any
wildlife enthusiast. The most common sightings are that of Elephants, Deer,
Wild boar and Sambhar.
Stay overnight in Yala.
Day 06. YALA - GALLE - COLOMBO (191 MILES) After an early
breakfast on this day, proceed for Galle. It is an old town situated south
of Colombo. This town with its old world charm is believed to be Tarshish of
the Bible. The natural harbor was a famous port in days gone by, taken from
the Sinhala Kings in 1587 by the Portuguese, who erected the first
fortifications. Galle was laid siege to by the Dutch in 1640. It is famous
for lace making, ebony carving and gem polishing.
Visit the Dutch
museum and fort. The Dutch fort faces the sea on three sides and its
ramparts, over a mile long, are today a favorite promenade for Galle's
citizens.
After the visit proceed to Colombo.
Once in
Colombo, drive through the commercial area and the city center, known as the
'Fort', built by the Portuguese in 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 Center.
Stay overnight in Colombo.
Day 07. LEAVE COLOMBO After breakfast,
proceed to the airport to connect to your flight for onward destination.
