Essence of Srilanka

Arrive in the morning, welcome & assistance at the airport, and then transfer to the hotel.Visit the city & Colombo Fort for a late shopping. Return to the hotel. Overnight.

After breakfast leave for Sigiriya. En-route visit the fishing village in Negombo which is the center of the island’s fishing community. It is largely Roman Catholic by faith, with huge imposing churches down almost every street. The sea & the catamarans are the backdrop to the Negombo scenery. P.M. Arrive in Sigiriya,Installation at hotel. Rest of the day for leisure. Night at hotel.

After Break Fast leave to Polonnaruwa (65 km) from Sigiriya. visit the 2nd capital of Singhala kings dating back to the 11th & 12th century A.D the entire landscape of the region is punctuated by huge man-made reservoirs, the most famous of which is the “Parakrama Samudra” numerous monuments are found in this city & “gal vihara ” complex is one of the best among them with the fine sculpture of the recumbent, Standing and seated Buddha’s.Return to Sigiriya, climb the rock of sigiriya built by the patricide king Kashyapa in the 5th century A.D today it’s a treasure trove of rare art. In a pocket of the giant rock are the famous frescoes of the ” heavenly maidens of sigiriya” Return to Sigiriya. Night at hotel.

After break fast leave for Kandy. En-route visits the rock cave temple of Dambulla. Some of the frescoes in these caves are over 2000 years old. There is also a colossal figure of the recumbent Buddha 14 meters long carved out of rock. 20 Km from Dambulla, to the south, visite the temple of Nalanda Gedige. At 28 Km from there Visit a spice garden & batik factory in Matale. Proceed to Kandy the center of the traditional arts in Sri Lanka .visit the temple of the sacred tooth relic of Buddha. Late in the evening view the Kandyan cultural performance. Night at hotel.

After breakfast leave for Pinnawela (35 Km).Visit the elephant Orphanage. This orphanage was established to feed nurse & house young elephants found abandoned by their mothers. Often the young ones fall into pits and ravines in their request for water during drought period. Visit the royal botanical gardens of Peradeniya which is well known for it’s large number and variety of plants, ornamental, Decorative, Useful & medicinal. More than 4000 species include indigenous and introduced plants. This garden is best known for it’s collection of orchids the largest in Asia. Leave for Nuwareliya the center of hill country, En-route visit a tea plantation and witness the manufacture of the world famous “Ceylon tea”. Spend the evening walking in the cool climate. Night at Hotel.

After breakfast leave for Bentota Beach , Enroute Visit Kitulgala for water rafting, where the famous film ‘bridge on the river kwai’.was filmed.The 1957. The historic blowing up of the bridge during the train crossing was enacted on the Kalani River at Kitulgala. A stop alongside of the bridge as a worthwhile photo opportunity.
Kitulgala is the most ideal place for water rafting in Srilanka.

Continue towards Bentota.Upon arrival checkin at hotel & rest of the day Free for leisure. Night at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel Full day at leisure on the beach. Night at hotel.

After breakfast leave for Colombo Airport (96 km, 2 – hour drive). for your Onward Destination flight.

(Optional:- EXTENSION MALDIVES)