Explore Sri Lanka

After breakfast, drive to Anuradhapura. Anuradhapura, the world heritage city is the ancient capital of Sri Lanka. The city is made up of monastic complexes dedicated to different sects of Buddhism. Enjoy the sightseeing of Anuradhapura and visit the following: Jetawanaramaya Jetawanaramaya Stupa is located in the ruins of Jetawana monastery. The structure is the largest with the base area of 233,000 square meters. The Stupa belongs to the Sagalica sect. The compound covers approximately 5.6 Hectares and is estimated to have housed 10,000 Buddhist monks. Maha Bodhi Temple Buddhists from all over the world visit Maha Bodhi Temple. This 2000 years old Bodhi tree is the oldest living tree in the world with historical records. The tree is grown from the cutting brought from the original Bodhi tree in India under which Buddha attained enlightenment. Mihintale Mihintale is a mountain peak near Anuradhapura. It is a pilgrimage site and the site of several religious monuments. Mihintale can be visited in the late afternoon as it offers a beautiful sunset view. Dinner and Overnight at Hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Sigiriya Sigiriya is an ancient rock fortress. It is referred to as the Eighth wonder of the world by the locals and is probably a most visited destination of Sri Lanka. Visit the following in Sigiriya: Rock Fortress Climb the 5th-century rock fortress, which is also a world heritage site. It was built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD) and rises up to 200 meters from the scrub jungle. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70-hectare fortified town. Dinner and Overnight at Hotel

After breakfast, have an excursion to Polonnaruwa. Polonnaruwa was the 2nd capital of Sri Lanka built in the 11th and 12th centuries AD. The ancient city of Polonnaruwa has been declared as the world heritage site. Visit the following in Polonnaruwa: Gal Viharaya Gal Viharaya or Gal Vihara is a rock Temple of Buddha. It was crafted by King Parakrabahu (1153-1186 AD). Gal Vihara statues are still incomplete preservation with their irresistible charm and sublimity. Royal Palace Royal Palace of King Parakumba was constructed as a seven-story building, but now only 3 floors remain. Historical records say that the palace has 1000 rooms but today only ruins of 55 rooms can be seen. The building is made up with thick brick walls. Parakramabahu Statue of Parakramabahu is a stone sculpture. Identity of the statue is uncertain but the widely accepted theory is that it is a statue of Parakramabahu I, king of Polonnaruwa from 1153 – 1186 AD. The statue depicts a majestic figure holding a book in his hands. Hatadage Hatadage is an ancient relic shrine in the city. It was built by King Nisanka Malla and had been used to keep the relic of the teeth of Buddha. ‘Hata’ means sixty and ‘Dage’ means relics, it is commonly said that the place was named Hatadage because it held 60 relics. Gal Potha Gal Potha is a stone book and one of the famous works of King Nisanka Malla (1187-1196 AD). The stone book describes himself, his rule and his eligibility for being a King of Sri Lanka. The slab is 8.2 meters long and 1.4 meters wide. It has been brought from Mahiyangana area by the warriors of King Nisanka Malla. The text is written in 3 columns and contain over 4300 characters in 72 lines. Later in the evening drive back to Sigiriya. Dinner and overnight at Hotel.

After breakfast drive to Kandy. On the way visit Dambulla and Matale. Visit a Cave Temple in Dambulla and a spice plantation in Matale. Dambulla Cave Temple Cave Temple in Dambulla is a World Heritage Site and is also known as Golden Temple Of Dambulla. It is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. The rock towers 160 m over the surrounding. Major attractions are spread over five caves, which contains statues and paintings. Paintings and statues are related to Gautam Buddha and his life. Spice Plantation, Matale Later have a visit of a Spice plantation in Matale. Sri Lanka is famous for many different types of Spices. Plantations are a delightful place to stroll in fragrant greenery and learn about nutmeg, clove trees, cinnamon, cardamom and many more. After Plantation, lunch in Matale and driver further to Kandy. In the evening witness the Kandy Perahera Festival. Dinner and overnight at Hotel.

After breakfast, proceed for visit of Kandy including the following: Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple Of The Tooth) Temple of the sacred tooth was built between 1687 and 1707 in order to house the sacred tooth relic. The interior temple structures are carved and painted with exotic woods, lacquer, and ivory. The temple is well known for the festival Esala Perahera. Royal Botanical Garden Garden was first built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala king and was expanded by the British. It is 147 acres in extent and has an amazing variety of trees, plants, and flowers. The garden is renowned for the collection of Orchids. National Museum Of Kandy The place was earlier known as Palle Vahala. This was used as the palace where the queens of the king lived. The building was used to deposit the various items of historical value made by Kandy Art Association established in 1832. It was opened in 1942 as a museum. Royal Palace Of Kandy Palace was the royal residence of Sinhalese Monarchy of the Kingdom of Kandy in Sri Lanka. The last king to reside in it was Sri Vikrama Rajasinha. Optional: Witness once again the Kandy Perahera Festival in the evening. Dinner and overnight at Hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Nuwara Eliya. Nuwara Eliya, because of its invigorating mountain climate and scenery, is Sri Lanka’s most popular hill resort. It is also the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea country, producing a significant share of World’s Best Tea. Sri Lanka’s highest mountain Pidurutalagala is located here and Nuwara Eliya also has one of the finest 18 hole golf courses in South Asia. Later visit of Nuwara Eliya including following: Gregory Lake Lake was created in the 19th century by the British, for the purpose of providing electricity. However, the lake was mainly used for leisure after it was built. Recently, the Gregory Lake area has been converted into a sort of Lake Park. Seetha Amman Temple Temple is located in the village of Seetha Eliya. According to the Hindu epic Ramayana, the place is believed to be the site where Sita was held captive by King Ravana and where she prayed Rama to come and rescue her. Tea Factory Visit a Tea factory and Tea plantations where one can taste the tea and experience Tea processing at the factory. Dinner and overnight at Hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Tissamaharama. Enroute visit Ravana falls in Ella and Kataragama. Ravana Falls Ravana falls is one of the widest falls in the country. The waterfall measures around 25 meters in height and cascades from an oval-shaped concave rock outcrop. It has been named after the legendary King Ravana, who is connected to the famous Indian epic Ramayana. Further, drive to Kataragama. Kataragama is perhaps the most visited holy places in the country. Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims flock to the shrines located there. The deity most often associated with Kataragama is Skanda. Buddhists travel to Kataragama to visit the Kirivehera, a dagoba where the Buddha is said to have meditated in his 3rd and final visit to Sri Lanka. Visit the Kataragama Temple. Kataragama Temple Kataragama Temple is a temple complex dedicated to Buddhist guardian deity Kataragama devil and Hindu war god Murugan. Earlier it was a jungle shrine, very difficult to access but today it is easily accessible. Shrines and Kirivehara are managed by Buddhists, the shrines dedicated to Teyvanai and Shiva are managed by Hindus and the mosque by Muslims. Later drive to Tissamaharama. Tissamaharama or Tissa is said to be founded in 3rd century BC. The town is a major cultural and natural attraction. It is bounded by lovely expanses of Paddy fields. In the middle of the paddy fields is the largest Stupa of Tissa, Santagiri. Dinner and overnight at Hotel.

Have an early morning Safari to Yala National Park. In Yala National Park, spotted deer, wild boar and wild elephant in addition to a wide variety of Birds. There are also chances to spot a Leopard in the Park. After Safari back to the Hotel for breakfast. Rest of the day is for leisure . Dinner and overnight at Hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Bentota. Rest of the day is at leisure to relax. Dinner and overnight at Hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Colombo. Colombo, Sri Lanka’s bustling commercial hub is located on the country’s west coast. It is the country’s biggest city as well as the most developed. Its natural harbor at the mouth of the Kelani River was a magnet for successive traders and conquerors – initially the Arab merchants, then Portuguese, Dutch and British. Spend the day relaxing or exploring one of Colombo’s markets. Pettah Market Pettah is an open market. Entrance to the market is marked by a tall monument known as Khan Clock Tower. It was built by a Parsi family from Bombay, who had substantial business interests in the country and also owned the Colombo Oil mills. Later after dinner, in time transfer to the airport to board flight for back home.