Day
01. ARRIVE COLOMBO Arrive at Colombo airport, where our
representative will meet and assist you. He will then escort you to your
hotel.
The rest of the day is free for you to explore the town on
your own or just relax at the hotel.
Stay overnight in Colombo.
Day 02. COLOMBO - ANURADHAPURA (134
MILES) This morning after breakfast proceed to Anuradhapura.
In
the afternoon visit this ancient city, which was founded in the 5th century
AD. It has the largest number of ancient monuments of the great Sinhala
civilization that flourished, in this region. Visit the Royal Palaces,
Shrines, Dagobas and Sri Maha Bodhi. Taking pride of place is the Sri Maha
Bodhi, the
"Bo tree" grown from a branch of the very tree
under which "The Buddha" attained enlightenment - the oldest
historically documented tree in the world, over 2200 year old.
Stay overnight in Anuradhapura.
Day 03. ANURADHAPURA - MIHINTALE - AUKANA - HABARANA (78 MILES)
This morning after breakfast visit Mihintale. It is regarded as the cradle
of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. The rock is dotted with shrines and rock
dwellings. A grand stairway of 1840 steps made of granite slabs 5mt. wide,
leads to the summit with its splendid view of the surrounding countryside.
Later continue to
Habarana, enroute visiting
Aukana
Buddha statue. This statue is undoubtedly the most magnificent undamaged
ancient image on the island. The 5th century statue, ascribed to King
Dhatusena, is 42½ ft (13 meters) high, standing beneath a recently
constructed brick shelter. Aukana means, 'sun-eating', and the figure is
best viewed when the sun rises. It is situated 32 miles southeast of
Anuradhapura via the great tank of Kalawewa.
Continue the journey
to Habarana.
Stay overnight in Habarana.
Day 04. HABARANA - SIGIRIYA - POLONNARUWA - HABARANA (100 MILES) After
an early breakfast, visit the
Sigiriya rock built by King Kassapa in
the 5th century AD. It was a royal citadel 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.
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, Gal Vihare, with some of the most impressive
sculptures and reservoirs.
Stay overnight in Habarana.
Day
05. HABARANA - RITIGALA - MINNERIYA - HABARANA (58 MILES) After
breakfast, visit
Ritigala monastery in the Ritigala Nature Reserve.
The monastery at Ritigala largely consists of meditation platforms
and walkways that are in perfect harmony with the huge boulders, trees and
streams of the sylvan surroundings. A British government surveyor by the
name of James Martell discovered this hermitage in 1867. The history of the
mountain dates back to the period when the sacred Bo Tree was brought to
Ceylon. Ritigala Mountain consists of the ruins of a reception hall, bathing
pond, Ayurvedic hospital, monastery and the Palace. It is now preserved
strictly as a nature reserve. The jungle surroundings consist of very
valuable medicinal plants and is home to indigenous animals. Ritigala
Mountain has a height of 2512ft and is approx. 138 miles towards the north
of Colombo. Archaeologists have discovered 2nd century inscriptions at
Ritigala and the ruins of an ancient forest monastery. Visitors can access
the hill along the steps leading to the archaeological site. Birds which can
be seen include the great songster white rumped Sharma, Himalayan migrant
Indian Blue Robin, majestic Raptor, Black Eagle and the brown-capped
Babbler.
In the afternoon visit
Minneriya National park.
It is spread over an area of 8889 hectares and surrounds Minneriya Lake with
a feeder area of 249 sq kms. Wild elephants have largely benefited by the
increased availability of water in the Lake. Dominant vegetation found in
Minneriya is medium canopy secondary forests with scrub, ridge forests with
open low canopy species, grasslands, plains and wetlands. Abandoned slashed
and burnt cultivated patches (Chenas) are also found within this National
Park. Amongst the animals found at the Minneriya National Park are the wild
elephants, purple-faced leaf monkey, toque monkey, Sambhar, spotted deer,
painted storks, great white pelicans, ruddy turnstones and grey herons. The
threatened wild animals found in this park are the leopard and the sloth
bear.
Stay overnight in Habarana.
Day 06. HABARANA - DAMBULLA - KANDY (64 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 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.
Stay overnight in Kandy.
Day 07. IN KANDYAfter 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 visit
the
Peradeniya Botanical garden, where you will get 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.
Thereafter visit the Temple of tooth relic of the Buddha.
Stay
overnight in Kandy.
Day 08. KANDY - NUWARA ELIYA (50 MILES) 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.
In the afternoon visit the Nuwara Eliya town, market
place, golf course, the hill club and Lake Gregory.
Stay
overnight in Nuwara Eliya.
Day 09. NUWARA ELIYA - HORTON PLAINS - NUWARA ELIYA Early this
morning we proceed for an excursion to
Horton Plains with packed
breakfast. Horton Plains is a strict nature reserve, the highest plateau in
Sri Lanka. Nature lovers love this wide, Patna-grass covered plain, the
haunt of several wild yet harmless animals and the home for many species of
birds. 'Bride' path through the plains will take you to the precipice,
popularly referred to as World's End, a sheer drop of 1050mts. The view is
magnificent on a clear day.
Stay overnight in Nuwara Eliya.
Day 10. NUWARA ELIYA - ELLA - YALA (120 MILES) This morning after
breakfast, leave for Ella. On arrival in Ella, visit the Grand Ella Motel
and view the Ella Gap from its front garden. The terrain 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.
Continue the journey to Yala.
After checking in at the hotel, relax for the balance day.
Stay
overnight in Yala.
Day 11. IN YALAThis
morning after breakfast enjoy a
jeep safari to Yala National Park.
Yala is located in the southeastern corner of the Island. The terrain is
varied; flat plain 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.
In the afternoon enjoy another safari.
Stay overnight
in Yala.
Day
12. YALA - GALLE - COLOMBO (191 MILES) After an early breakfast on
this day, proceed for Galle. It is an old town situated to the south of
Colombo. This town with an old world charm is believed to be
Tarshish of
the Bible. The natural harbour 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.
Rest of
the day is free for you to relax.
Stay overnight in Colombo.
Day 13. IN COLOMBOThis morning
after breakfast, 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.
Afternoon is free for you to do last minute
shopping.
Stay overnight in Colombo.
Day 14. LEAVE COLOMBO After breakfast, proceed to the airport to
connect to your flight for onward destination.
