Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Discovery

Price from £1520.00 per person

Sri Lanka Elephants Wildlife
Sri Lanka known as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean” has a lot to offer-strewn with cultural jewels and natural treasures. Its impressive landscapes host lush tropical forests, expansive dazzling lakes and magnificent mountain ranges. All this is scattered with captivating temples and ancient monuments, yet it remains largely untrodden by the typical tourist.

Day 01 – Arrival/ Colombo
On arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport, you will be met by your English-Speaking chauffeur guide and transferred to Colombo.
(Transfer time from Airport to Colombo: approx. 01 hour)
Check in to the hotel.
In the evening, you will enjoy a city tour of Colombo.
Colombo - the trade and commercial capital has long been the traditional gateway to the Orient. Sri Lanka’s largest city, it is located on the west coast and draws together all the cultures, religions and influences of foreign lands into a pot-pourri of sounds, smells and a kaleidoscope of colour. The original traders and settlers - the Arabs, Portuguese, Dutch and the British have left in their wake churches and monuments, names and religions, costumes and food and smatterings of their languages which have been absorbed into the speech of the Sri Lankan. Today, Colombo is a fascinating city - a happy blend of east & west, past & present, with a charm of its own. A less known but amazingly true fact is that Colombo has a superb range of high quality restaurants serving food from all over the world and some of the best shopping opportunities in Asia. The main seaport of Sri Lanka is in Colombo & adjoining it, is Pettah, a local bazaar & trading area. Other places of interest are the beautiful Buddhist temples, Hindu temples, mosques, the historic Wolfendhal church, (1749) residential areas where you find the stately homes of the affluent, the Colombo Museum, the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, the New Parliament in Sri Jayewardenepura, the Folk Art Centre, Art Galleries, Parks, Independence Square, the Zoo, the Ceramic Corporation famous for its well-known brand “Noritake” and ODEL the renowned shopping centre.

Overnight Stay: OZO Colombo, Colombo - Sleep Room on Half Board Basis

Day 02 – Sigiriya
After breakfast, you will travel to Sigiriya
(Transfer time from Colombo to Sigiriya: approx. 4 ½ - 5 hours)

Check in at hotel and spend the rest of your day at leisure.

Overnight Stay: Hotel Sigiriya, Sigiriya - Superior Room on BB basis

Day 03 – Sigiriya
After an early breakfast, you will visit the Lion Rock, one of the seven World Heritage sites of the island. 
(Transfer time to Sigiriya: approx. 15 minutes)
* It is recommeded to carry a bottle of water.
Sigiriya is an ancient rock fortress and ruins of a castle, which was once the home to King Kasyapa. The entrance to the original fortress was through the mouth of a lion, however the ravages of time has resulted with only a part of the massive paws remaining today. A testament to ancient artistry and architectural ingenuity – Sigiriya has many attractions to its visitors – its gardens (boulder, water & terraced), its artistry (the world renowned frescos), the mirror wall and the dramatic history linked to the construction of the Lion Rock. An original Lost City, Sigiriya is a must see in any visit to the Cultural Triangle.

Late afternoon, enjoy a game drive at Minneriya National Park.
(Transfer time from Sigiriya to Minneriya: approx. 15 - 30 minutes)
Minneriya National Park - Located between Habarana and Polonnaruwa, the 8,890 hectares of Minneriya National Park consists of mixed evergreen forest and scrub areas and is home to favourites such as sambar deer, leopards and elephants. However the central feature of the park is the ancient Minneriya Tank (built in 3rd. century AD by King Mahasena). During the dry season (June to September), this tank is an incredible place to observe the elephants who come to bathe and graze, as well as the huge flocks of birds (cormorants and painted storks to name but a few) that come to fish in the shallow waters.

Overnight Stay: Hotel Sigiriya, Sigiriya - Superior Room on BB basis

Day 04 – Kandy
This morning, you will head to “the last kingdom of Sri Lanka” – Kandy.
(Transfer time from Sigiriya/ Habarana to Kandy: approx. 2 ½ - 3 hours)
En-route you will stop to visit the Dambulla Cave Temple. 
Dambulla Cave Temple - This is located in the North Central Province. This UNESCO World Heritage Site which dates back to the 01st century BC is an amazing complex of 05 caves, first used as a refuge by an ancient king who on regaining his throne, commissioned magnificent carved images within the living rock. Later kings made further improvements and the caves contain over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is a colossal figure spanning 15 meters. Cave inscriptions from the 2nd Century BC are found and on the walls are many paintings most of which belong to the Kandy period (early 19th century). This temple is a perfect location to view evolution of ancient Sri Lankan art and is an important historical site due to the amalgamation of the material from many eras.

Next you have the option to stop over at Matale Spice Gardens.
Matale Spice Garden (Optional) - You will have the opportunity to dabble in the homeopathic remedies of the East! The pungent aroma of the spice permeates the air as you explore the treasure garden of the Spice Gardens

Continue your journey to Kandy.
Kandy - Sri Lanka's hill capital, stronghold of the Sinhala Kings, is our most beautiful town. The focal point of the town is, without doubt, the golden roofed Dalada Maligawa. The highlight of the year is the Esala Perahera, when a replica of the relic casket is taken in procession accompanied by exotically costumed dancers, drummers and elephants during ten glittering nights in July/August. Visit Kalapuraya in the beautiful Dumbara valley. There are many shrines and temples, where you will see rare paintings, frescoes, wood and stone carvings.

Check in to the hotel and spend the rest of your stay at leisure.

Overnight Stay: OZO Kandy, Kandy - Sleep Room on BB basis

Day 05 – Kandy
This morning, enjoy a visit to the famed Temple of the Tooth.
* Light colour clothing with covered sleeves and trousers/skirts below the knee recommended
* As it a religious site, footwear will have to be taken off prior to entrance, socks can be worn if you wish to
The Temple of the Tooth which is commonly known as "Sri Dalada Maligawa" is situated in the city of hills, Kandy. It is an important shrine for Buddhists as it holds the tooth relic of Lord Buddha. It is famous for its carvings and the beautiful art that is unique to Sri Lanka. The most important part of the Dalada Maligawa is the octagon (Pathirppuwa). The Sri Dalada Maligawa is the most sacred temple in the whole of Sri Lanka. Thousands of people line up each day to get a glimpse of its majesty.

Return to the hotel.
In the afternoon, your guide will take you around Kandy for a City tour.
Next you will witness the Cultural Kandyan Dance Show.
Overnight Stay - OZO Kandy, Kandy - Sleep Room on BB basis 

Day 06 – Nuwara Eliya 
Then you will take a break from the road and enjoy a train journey from Kandy to Nanuoya 
(Nuwara Eliya)
Transfer time (Train) approximately 04 ½ hours

(Note –It is important to note that there have been delays in the train timings quite often. Hence, we recommend clients travel by road. However, the scenery en-route by train is magnificent and far superior to travelling in a car. Kindly also note that the train tickets can only be confirmed on availability 20 days prior to client's travel date to Kandy as the Railway Authority will only issue the tickets 20 days prior and we are only able to purchase them at that time. If tickets are unavailable, the clients will travel by road.)
*Kindly note that the train tickets can only be confirmed 14 days prior to your travel date as the Railway Authority only issue tickets at this time*
After arriving in Nanuoya, you will meet your chauffeur guide at the train station and will proceed to your hotel in Nuwara Eliya

Thereafter you will proceed to your hotel. Check in and relax the rest of the day.

Overnight Stay: Jetwing St. Andrews Hotel, Nuwara Eliya - Superior room on BB basis

Day 07 – Galle
This morning, you will proceed to Galle.
(Transfer time from Nuwara Eliya to Negombo: approx. 5 – 5 ½ hours via Southern Expressway)
En-route you will visit a Tea Plantation and Tea Factory.
Visit a tea plantation and a tea factory where one the best tea in the world is produced. You will be told all about the process of manufacturing tea and also gain first-hand experience on the manufacture of some of the best tea in world. If you're lucky you may be invited to taste a cup of pure Ceylon tea which begins its journey as raw green leaves in the hills and ends up as a final golden-brown graded product which we all but know too well.

Upon completion return to the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight Stay at Jetwing Lighthouse, Galle - Deluxe room on BB basis

Day 08 – Transfer to the airport or extend your trip with a beach stay.

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