Fortnight Sri Lanka

Colombo

Day 1

Welcome to Sri Lanka and the start of your holiday! Arrive Colombo, included transfer to hotel. Tonight, enjoy Sri Lankan cuisine at our Welcome Dinner. Overnight - Colombo.

Sightseeing in Colombo

Day 2

Colombo. Highlights of our sightseeing tour of Sri Lanka’s capital include the Fort – once a colonial stronghold, Galle Face Green – a seaside expanse popular for informal cricket games, the Pettah – a noisy oriental bazaar, a visit to Gamgarama temple, Cinnamon Gardens and Independence Square. We also visit the national museum (closed Friday). Overnight - Colombo.

Buddhist Temple and Zoological Gardens

Day 3

Discover ancient cave temples, enjoy a traditional village lunch and then head to Kandy, the spiritual heart of Sri Lanka. Wander around the Royal Botanical Gardens, get lost in Kandy’s streets and markets and join the pilgrims as they worship the tooth relic of Buddha at the sacred Temple of the Tooth.

Temple Ruins and Rock Fortress

Day 4

Colombo - Dambadeniya - Anuradhapura. En route to Anuradhapura, we visit 13th century Dambadeniya, once a royal capital. Its principal surviving ruins are the Dalada Maligawa temple and the Dagoba, locally revered thanks to some corporeal relics of Buddha it is said to contain. We also visit Panduvas Nuwara which features a well-preserved walled citadel, Padeniya, Arankele and the rock fortress of Yapahuwa. Overnight - Anuradhapura.

Anuradhapura

Day 5

Anuradhapura.Today, we visit Anuradhapura, the fascinating ancient city and one of Sri Lanka’s most important archaeological sites. It contains vast artificial lakes, temples, statues including the Samadhi Buddha, dagobas (solid hemispheres topped with spires), royal baths and museums. We also visit the holy Sri Maha Bodhi tree under which Prince Siddharta attained enlightenment. It is also the oldest historically documented tree on earth. Later a visit to Mihintale. Overnight - Anuradhapura.

Giritale via Dambulla

Day 6

Anuradhapura - Dambulla - Polonnaruwa - Giritale. En route to Giritale, we visit the stunning Aukana Buddha statue and the impressive Dambulla Rock Temple which contain beautiful frescoes of Buddha. Then we visit ancient Polonnaruwa, an 11th century city of compact size. We explore the ruins of the Royal Palace, temples and Gal Vihara which boasts 3 enormous Buddha figures. Overnight - Giritale.

Sigiriya and spice gardens

Day 7

Giritale - Sigiriya - Kandy. To Sigiriya – the elevated and mysterious 5th century fortress ruins of King Kasyapa. The ‘Lion Rock’ is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 metres from the scrub jungle. Visit the world-renowned frescoes of the ‘Heavenly Maidens’ of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway. At Matale, we visit an exotic spice garden. Overnight - Kandy.

Elephant Orphange and Kandy

Day 8

Today, we visit the elephant orphanage in Pinnawela, home to around 60 elephants. Continuing, we visit the ruined temples of Embekke, Gadaladeniya and Lankatilleke and the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. Back in Kandy, a scenic lakeside town, we visit the lake, bazaar, gem museum and lapidary. Tonight, we visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic. After, we enjoy a cultural dance show. Overnight - Kandy.

Nuwara Eliya and Tea plantations

Day 9-10

Kandy - Nuwara Eliya. Departing Kandy, we head further into Sri Lanka’s hill country surrounded by tea plantations. Situated at 6,525 ft/1,990 m, Nuwara Eliya is one of the highest towns in the region. Today, we enjoy a sightseeing tour and visit Hakgala Gardens. By jeep on day 10, we depart early for Horton Plains. Located on a high windswept saddle, Horton Plains offers the walker stunning panoramic views. We’ll hike to Bakers Fall passing en route the Gem Pit Pool, the Chimney Pool, and the Leg of Mutton Pool and then return to Nuwara Eliya. Overnight - Nuwara Eliya.

Yala National Park

Day 11

Numara Eliya - Yala National Park. Continuing to Yala National Park, en route we visit the Mahayana Buddhist rock sculptures at Buduruwagala. This evening, we enjoy a jeep safari. The largest national park in Sri Lanka, Yala is home to elephants, wild boar, buffalo, leopard, crocodile and myriad birdlife. Overnight - Yala National Park.

Bundala National Park and Galle

Day 12

Yala National Park - Kalutara. This morning, we visit Bundala National Park – a bird sanctuary. We visit the town of Galle and it’s 17th century fort. Within the fort, are narrow streets filled with churches and colonial buildings. We then continue to Kalutara, an ideal tropical beach holiday with it's sparkling warm blue seas and a lush fringe of palm trees, all bathed in warm golden sunshine. Overnight - Kalutara.

Beach

Day 13-14

At leisure on Sri Lanka’s tropical palm-fringed coast. Optional excursion to Ratnapura, home of Sri Lanka’s famous gem trade. There are around 200 gem pits in Ratnapura and many lapidaries where the mined stones are dressed, cut and polished. You’ll tour some pits, a lapidary and the museum Overnight - Kalutara.

Colombo

Day 15

Kalutara - Colombo. Today we travel via the coast road to Colombo and onward departure transfer to the airport. End of arrangements.

Airport pick-up and transfer to hotel.

Service of a qualified local guide (English speaking or choice of your language) during the whole trip.

All meals as mentioned in the itinerary.

Arrival, Departure and all sightseeing by transport.

All Sightseeing Entrance Fees as per Itinerary.

Medical and Personal Insurance

Tips, laundry, telephone bills, portage and Beverages.

Meals unless specified.

Entrances to Monuments and other specified destination.

Movie / video camera fee at monuments.

Domestic or International airfare unless specified.

Medical or baggage insurance.

Airport Departure taxes, Visa Charges.

Tips and gratuities.

Any other service that has not been specified

Your game safaris in the National Parks unless specified above.

New Year, Christmas, festivals & Events Period (supplements to be advised, if required)