Arrive at the Colombo International Airport, Colombo & where you would be greeted by a VIP Airport Staff Representative and you will be ushered to the VIP lounge where you will meet the local travel representative who will help you collect your luggage then introduce you to your National Guide outside the lounge.
You will then transfer in a lovely vehicle towards Colombo and you hotel, where you will have the rest of the day at leisure.
Today after a delicious breakfast it is time to visit Gangaramaya Temple which is located right next to the hotel.
In the afternoon enjoy the special highlight of the Colombo stay - a Tuk Tuk Safari. A great way to feel the hustle and bustle of an afternoon in old Colombo town as it rolls into sunset. Cruise the city streets while watching the sun lower over the Indian ocean and enjoy the chaos as the 9 to 5 workday winds down and the city lights come alive for yet another evening of buzzing activity.
Commanding a rich Sri Lankan heritage, Anuradhapura - one of the greatest and oldest civilisations in the world spanning over 1300 years in its peak - avows of being the greatest city of ancient Sri Lanka following its reign as the first capital. The sapphire of its crown is certainly the Sri Maha Bodhi - the sacred Bo sapling extracted from the tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment - standing proudly for more than 2200 years.
Stroll through the sacred trails of the venerated city to adore the legacy that interweaves Ruwanweliseya. See the gigantic dagoba resting alongside the Basawakkulama Tank - shading the Samadhi Buddha Statue & Isurumuniya Rock Temple that empower the culture, heritage and supremacy of arguably the strongest kingdom in Sri Lanka.
Check in to hotel upon arriving in Anuradhapura and enjoy a relaxed evening. In the afternoon proceed to Mihintale. Just 16km off the sacred city of Anuradhapura lays the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka as the stone carvings and unending stairways proclaim a legacy which hinges the philosophy summoned by Buddha - 'The Awakened One'. This is the holy land which sheltered the first Buddhist sermon by Arahath Mahinda to King Devanampiya Thissa, when the Poson full moon brightened a forest used by the king himself for hunting.
Your walk will take you past a massive cooling fountain and then you head towards the renowned staircase of the temple. Feel the coolness of granite slabs as you shift from the ruins of a hospital to Kantaka Stupa built in 1st century B.C. enriched with magical hands of the Sri Lankan stone carver.
Today after breakfast, you’ll proceed to Polonnaruwa for sightseeing of the ancient city.
POLONNARUWA
Rising with the decline of Anuradhapura, the city of Pollonaruwa - medieval capital & crown jewel of King Parakramabahu I - remains superior proof of ancient culture & heritage blended with religious beliefs. Walk across its scattered walls of the World Heritage Site - blessed by stupas, resting Buddha statues, irrigation canals and fantastically carved Hindu sculptures - while observing the relic house - Watadage - which boasts beautiful stone carvings. Take a close glance and you will realize a subtle Hindu influence on architecture and statues found in Pollonaruwa. Or sit by the side of Galviharaya and observe the absolute beauty gushing out of every bend of its huge Buddhist statues.
Afterwards proceed to Minneriya national park for a Jeep Safari.
Minneriya
The major city closest to Minneriya National Park is Polonnaruwa. The renovated vast ancient Minneriya Rainwater Reservoir that irrigates the considerable area of the district of Polonnaruwa is the focal point of the Minneriya National Park. Being part of the elephant corridor, which joins up with Kaudulla and Wasgamuwa parks, Minneriya National Park gives the opportunity to see herds of Elephants throughout the year. May to October is the best period to visit Minneriya National Park in view of the famous gatherings of the wild elephants.
HIRIWADUNNA VILLAGE TREK.
Early morning leave with a packed breakfast to Hakas for a three hour trek through this archetypal Sri Lankan village. The trek begins with a scenic walk along a Wawa (man-made reservoir). The amazing birdlife, butterflies and possible sightings of crocodile only add to the charms of the trek.
Sight the villagers as they go about their early morning tasks of fishing or washing clothes at the periphery of the lake. Initially one wades through a shallow stream and thereafter crosses a wider tributary in a catamaran of an obliging farmer to inspect Chena cultivation (slash and burn agriculture). Enjoy the farmer's humble hospitality.
Climb the iconic Rock Fortress of Sigiriya.
The 5th century rock citadel of King Kasyapa and World Heritage Site - Sigiriya - doesn't only boast of ancient Sri Lankan engineering & urban planning supremacy but also acclaims to be one of the finest monuments of art & culture. Step through the gigantic 'Lion Paws' - overlooking the symmetrical royal gardens below - to comprehend the absolute splendor that once dominated this rock fortress. Surrounded by ramparts & moats the Lion Rock - resembling the mythological 'City of Gods' - is coated by frescoes that relate to Gupta style paintings found in Ajanta caves of India. Walk in the shade of an eminent 'mirror wall' embracing the Western face of Sigiriya representing an artistic hundred meters laminated with graffiti.
DAMBULLA CAVE TEMPLE
As one reaches the city of Dambulla you will see 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. On completion, you will enjoy a scrumptious complimentary lunch served at the Kamatha in Matale.
Afterwards proceed straight to Kandy and relax upon checking in to hotel
Experience an ancient Kandyan legacy engraved around its crown jewel, the temple of the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha. A stroll across this small lakeside town - cradled among the misty hills - will feature the Kandy City Centre - bundled with latest and world class brands, bazaar, an arts & crafts center, as well as a gem museum & lapidary. Walk in color as you glide through fresh fruits and vegetables in the Kandy market. Return to hotel on completion.
In the evening you enjoy the Cultural Dance. Fine tune your evening by stepping to the beat of traditional music & drumming amplified by a cultural show enhancing the rich and vibrant culture of the Wonder of Asia, Sri Lanka.
Today is the opportunity to visit the three temple loop in Kandy, and enjoy a local cookery demonstration and lunch at Athulya villas. This is exclusive activity for our valued clients.
EMBEKKE
Legend states that the King Wickramabahu III’s consort; Henakanda Biso Bandara woke from a strange dream in which the god appeared and asked to build a temple for him. On finding that a drummer Rangama had the same dream, they considered it a portent and built a temple together. The original temple was supposed to have been a three story building that unfortunately did not survive the ravages of time. The temple consists of three main areas. The first is the Sanctum of Garagha which is the inner sanctum where the statues of the god is located. Next is the Dance Hall or Digge which is representative of the king’s consort Henakanda Bandara, and where dancing events were held in the times of the kings. The final section is the Drummers’ Hall, representing the drummer Rangama and where musical events were once held.
Gadaladeniya Temple
This is an old monastery built over a rock in Diggala in the district of Kandy. According to an inscription carved into the walls the temple was built in 1344 AD by King Buwanekabaghu the fourth. The temple was designed by the South Indian architect Ganesvarachchari in a design similar to South Indian architecture. Lanka Thilanka The Vihara buildings have been built on a natural rock called Panhalgala Rock. Among the buildings the image house possess characteristically outstanding architectural features, embellished with traditional Sinhalese sculptures. According to the facts recorded in the Lankatileke copper plaque, this image house was construct as a four storied mansion with height of eighty feet, but today only 3 stories can be seen. The walls and the ceiling of the image house have been adorned with the Kandyan era paintings and sculptures. Rock curved inscriptions found in the temple premises with both Sinhala and Tamil sections, proclaim about the initiators and the facilities gifted to this temple by the kings.
After breakfast you will be driven to Gampola to board the train to Hatton and be pickup by your driven at the end of the journey.
You will spend the next two nights at the world-renowned Ceylon Tea Trails resort which comprises of five restored historic tea planter residences, perched at an altitude of 1250 meters in Sri Lanka’s panoramic Ceylon tea region. This is the ideal setting for trekking and biking against the breath-taking backdrop of mountains, lakes, winding roads and a beautiful waterfall.
After breakfast you can join the tea experience tour which ends with a tasting of different grades of this great brew.
The guided tour of the Dunkeld Tea Factory is the quintessential tea experience in Sri Lanka. Their resident Tea Planter passionately delves into all aspects of tea in just the right amount of detail – from a look back to the early days of “planting” and the lifestyles of the early colonial settlers, to the manufacturing process, to how flavours are created to suit various palates – he’s got it covered.
The Tea Trails experience includes the resident tea planter demonstrating the age-old tea growing and making process, watching tea pluckers pick two leaves and a bud, and a visit to the factory, where the all-important conversion to ‘made’ black tea happens. The machinery is still of 100-year-old traditional British design, and the artisanal process has not changed for a century. On completion you are free to enjoy the rest of your day at leisure taking in the sights and sounds of the lush green surroundings.
Today you will head across to the beautiful Yala National Park. After check-in you will have time to relax at the stunning accommodation..
In the evening enjoy a special BBQ dinner under a million stars. Dine under a starlit sky with the sounds of nature creating the perfect soundtrack to your night.
Depart from the lodge early in the morning to enjoy the game drive in Yala National Park with a packed breakfast.
Spreading into a vast 1259 Km2 Yala - with its glory spinning around vast grasslands, shrubs, tanks and dunes - rightfully is the heartland of wildlife in Sri Lanka. As your jeep rumbles through the giant gates of Yala, you are not only stepping into the most visited national park in the country, but also the lands of a civilization which thrived during the reign of Sri Lankan kings. You name it, and Yala has it! Its usual inmates cover herds of elephant, sloth bear, spotted deer, jackal, extensively populated birdlife as well as the highest density of leopards in the world that garnish the park to be one of the finest destinations in the country. Feel the rough track as your jeep thunders over rocks and swish passing narrow bends for an exhilarating experience blended with the cries of wilderness under the tropical sun.
Once you’re done in the park for the day proceed back to the lodge where you have time to relax.
Today will follow the same pattern as yesterday with a fantastic early morning start for the game drive, with time to relax in the afternoon.
Today morning proceed to Weligama for your beach stay.
En-route, stop to watch the stilt fisherman employed in the traditional method of fishing practiced by most fishermen along the southern coast. You can endeavour to give it a go yourself and test your skills at stilt fishing in exchange for cash with the stilt fishermen.
Then drive to the UNESCO heritage site of Galle for a city tour that will take you back in time to the era of forts and bastions. Galle is the intersection where classic Dutch architecture meets a tropical setting creating a vivid atmosphere in beauty. Walk the Dutch-haunted streets listening to the creaks of wooden saloon doors and observe how European architecture mingles with South Asian traditions today flooding cultural enthusiasts on a global scale. Its original ramparts and bastions preserved up to date showcase evidences of a heritage preserved for more than 3 1/2 centuries.
Walk clockwise within the fort to observe the 'old gate' carrying the British coat of arms. Flanking the old gate is the Zwart bastion - the oldest of all - and the lighthouse standing 18 feet in its glory next to the Point Utretcht Bastion. This Dutch bliss is painted with streets that spread in a rectangular grid pattern pierced with houses carrying Dutch colonial style verandas. However, its hallmark stands a reality where the Dutch fort remains a working community with its usual buzz of administrative offices, court complex, commercial buildings, churches and Southern folks frequenting its streets bracing the air of the Elysium of architecture, Galle!
On completion, head straight to your beach resort for a piece of tropical heaven.
At an agreed time transfer back to the airport for your flight home. If you would prefer to stay longer at the beach then this can easily be arranged.
