Overnight flight from Stansted via Dubai with Emirates in Business Class
Ayubowan! Welcome to Sri Lanka
On arrival as you exit the aircraft, our representative will welcome you and escort you to the lounge after immigration process, where you can freshen up and enjoy a quick cup of tea while he/she claims your luggage. Our representative along with the designated chauffeur guide will then take you through to the exit and will escort you to the car. You will then be transferred to your hotel in Sigiriya for check-in and a well-deserved rest after your long journey.
Airport – Sigiriya
Travel Distance: 150 km
Approximate travel time: 01 Hour 45 Minutes
Check in to the Hotel, Rest & Relax. Evening proceed to visit the Dambulla Cave Temple
Sigiriya – Dambulla
Travel Distance: 20 km
Approximate travel time: 03 Hours 30 Minutes
Approximate excursion time – 02 Hours
Passing Matale as one reaches the city of Dambulla lies a hub which has been treasured by many kings since the 1st century B.C. Today, an icon in the face of Sri Lanka Dambulla Rock Temple houses some of the most unique drawings in magnificently constructed 5 cave temples flanking the golden temple of Dambulla. Observe how exquisitely cave paintings are done along walls that shelter 150 statues of Lord Buddha. As you enter the retreat look straight up to the gigantic Buddha statue glittering in gold over a land which today houses an important junction in the country's economic and cultural uplifting.
Upon completion return back to the Hotel for dinner & overnight stay
Overnight: Water Garden
Room Category: Deluxe Villa
This morning set out on a visit to Sigiriya — a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Hotel - Sigiriya
Travel Distance: 17 Km
Approximate travel time: 30 minutes
Approximate Excursion time: 03 Hours
After an ancient prince killed his father to claim the throne, he was forced to flee to his pleasure palace and convert it into a fortress to guard against his opposition. The spectacular citadel of Sigiriya built on a giant rock rises sheer and impregnable out of the plains below. This remarkable 5th century archaeological site is made unforgettable by its dramatic setting. A moat, rampart, extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens ring the base of the rock and the frescoes of the 'Heavenly Maidens' of Sigiriya. As you descend you’ll stop for a rest in a shaded location where your porter will have laid out mats and various tasty Sri Lankan delicacies!
Note: Please note that to reach the top of Sigiriya Rock, there are nearly 1,200 stone steps up and then down. Anybody in reasonably good condition will be able to venture to the top of Sigiriya Rock and it's certainly worth the effort, however important to know these little details before embarking on this outing.
Sigiriya – Minneriya
Travel Distance: 20 Km
Approximate travel time: 30 Minutes
Approximate excursion time: 03 Hours
Minneriya Tank was created by King Parakarambahu during the glorious years of Polonnaruwa being the capital of Sri Lanka. This national park is based largely around the huge tank (reservoir) and serves as an important gathering place for a large population of elephants. A great place for elephant spotting all year round – the dry season makes water scarce between June and September hence more and more elephants gather on the shores of Minneriya Tank. By late August and September up to 300 elephants can often be seen, this phenomonen is known as ‘The Gathering’ and is the largest gathering of Asian elephants that can be seen anywhere in the world. The Minneriya National Park also consists of wet lands, which have global significance.
Overnight: Water Garden
Room Category: Deluxe Villa
After a scrumptious breakfast you will set out on an exciting excursion to Senadiriyagama,
Hotel - Senadiriyagama
Travel Distance: 15 Km
Approximate travel time: 20 Minutes
Approximate excursion time: 03 Hours
A beautiful little village located within a 30 minute drive from Sigiriya. Your first visit is to the village temple with a history spanning over 300 years. You will be greeted by the village folk with lotus flowers which are customarily believed to represent purity, spiritual awakening and faithfulness. The short tractor ride along the gravel road through the village that leads up to the temple is an experience in itself as you will see the smiling faces of villagers engaging in their daily routines and children walking to school by the roadside in their pristine white uniforms.
Once you arrive at the temple, you will light oil lamps, incense sticks and offer flowers by the Sacred Bo Tree and stupa. You will then walk towards “Budu Geya” - the main house with Senadhira, a local farmer who will fervently explain the
history of the temple and the village relating to stories about how Senadiriyagama temple was once used as a resting camp for troops during the period the land was ruled by the kings. After a “Pirith” chanting, you will be blessed by the temple monk for the onward journey by tying a white string commonly known by the locals as a “Pirith Noola”.
Thereafter you will walk along the river bund towards the pier to experience a catamaran ride on the Senadiriyagama Lake. If you are lucky you will have a glimpse of the locals fishing by the lake and maybe even purchase the catch of the day! Once you arrive on the other side of the lake you will take a short walk towards the “Wadiya” - a mud hut, after being served a cool king coconut to beat the hot sun, where a delicious Sri Lankan meal with local delicacies and tropical fruits is prepared for you to indulge in. Upon completion, a waiting tuk tuk will transport you back to the vehicle.
Afterwards return back to the Hotel and rest of the day spent at leisure.
Overnight: Water Garden
Room Category: Deluxe Villa
After a scrumptious breakfast you will set out on an exciting excursion to Senadiriyagama,
Hotel - Senadiriyagama
Travel Distance: 15 Km
Approximate travel time: 20 Minutes
Approximate excursion time: 03 Hours
A beautiful little village located within a 30 minute drive from Sigiriya. Your first visit is to the village temple with a history spanning over 300 years. You will be greeted by the village folk with lotus flowers which are customarily believed to represent purity, spiritual awakening and faithfulness. The short tractor ride along the gravel road through the village that leads up to the temple is an experience in itself as you will see the smiling faces of villagers engaging in their daily routines and children walking to school by the roadside in their pristine white uniforms.
Once you arrive at the temple, you will light oil lamps, incense sticks and offer flowers by the Sacred Bo Tree and stupa. You will then walk towards “Budu Geya” - the main house with Senadhira, a local farmer who will fervently explain the
history of the temple and the village relating to stories about how Senadiriyagama temple was once used as a resting camp for troops during the period the land was ruled by the kings. After a “Pirith” chanting, you will be blessed by the temple monk for the onward journey by tying a white string commonly known by the locals as a “Pirith Noola”.
Thereafter you will walk along the river bund towards the pier to experience a catamaran ride on the Senadiriyagama Lake. If you are lucky you will have a glimpse of the locals fishing by the lake and maybe even purchase the catch of the day! Once you arrive on the other side of the lake you will take a short walk towards the “Wadiya” - a mud hut, after being served a cool king coconut to beat the hot sun, where a delicious Sri Lankan meal with local delicacies and tropical fruits is prepared for you to indulge in. Upon completion, a waiting tuk tuk will transport you back to the vehicle.
Afterwards return back to the Hotel and rest of the day spent at leisure.
Rise at dawn to freshly brewed Ceylon tea or coffee. Depart on morning game drive at 05:30.
Rest of the day spent at leisure enjoying the nature until the next game drive
Approximate excursion time – 03 – 04 Hours per game drive
Covering an area of over 130,000 hectares, Wilpattu is the largest national park in Sri Lanka. The park has got its name from the tens of floodplain lakes, called 'villus' in Sinhala, and has an astonishing diversity of flora and fauna. It is home to over 30 mammal species, including leopard, sloth bear, Sri Lankan elephant and spotted deer. Also, various wetland bird species such as the pin tail, whistling teal spoonbill, and white ibis can be found in the serene landscapes Wilpattu.
Wilpattu has an exceptional diversity and density of animals and birds you can discover. It is home to 31 species of mammals including the Sri Lankan elephant (Elephas maximus), sloth bear (Melursus ursinus), leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) and water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).
Reptiles, such as rat snakes, Indian python, common cobra, mugger crocodile, pond turtle and soft shelled turtle, can be spotted here also, as well as various species of birds, including garganey (Anas querquedula), pin tail (Anas acuta), whistling teal (Dendrocygna javanica), spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia), white ibis (Threskiornis malanocephalus), large white egret (Egretta alba modesta), cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) and purple heron (Ardea purpurea).
You will be taken through most of the Wilpattu National Park, covering the wetlands, grasslands, forest patches, etc. We will make longer stops at certain watering holes for unique photography opportunities.
Overnight: Leopard Trails, Wilpattu
Room Category: Deluxe Tent
After a leisurely morning , leave to Kotugoda
Wilpattu – Kotugoda
Travel Distance: 165 km
Approximate travel time: 03 Hours 30 Minutes
Check in to your hotel and rest of the day spent at leisure enjoying the amenities that the Hotel has to offer.
Overnight: The Wallawwa
Room Category: Wallawwa Bedroom
Breakfast at Hotel and leave to the airport latest 03 hours prior to the departure flight.
Kotugoda - Airport
Travel Distance: 10 km
Approximate travel time: 30 Minutes
On arrival in Male you will be met by an island representative who will escort you to your waiting speedboat.
You will be taken by speedboat to the airport in Male for your business class flights home.
