You arrive at the airport today where you will be met by your Chauffeur/guide who will drive you to your hotel in Negombo where you can relax on your first day in Sri Lanka
After breakfast your guide will take you to visit the sacred city of Anuradhpura which was the capital from the 4th Century B.C. and features well-preserved ruins of ancient Sri Lankan civilization.
You can also visit Mihintale which is a mountain peak near Anuradhapura. It is revered as the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
From here you continue your drive north to the centre of the island to Dambulla for the first of three nights at the beautiful Heritage Kandalama Hotel with its lake views and "living walls"
Anuradhapura was the first capital of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of ancient Lankan civilization. From the 4th century BC, it was the capital of Sri Lanka until the beginning of the 11th century AD. During this period it remained one of the most stable and durable centers of political power and urban life in South Asia. Sri Maha Bodhi (Sacred Bo-Tree) was brought as a sapling of the tree under which prince Siddhartha attained to enlightenment and it is over 2,200 years old and is the oldest historically documented tree in the world. Samadhi' Buddha statue (4th century AD) is one of the most famous statues, depicting the Buddha in a state of 'Samadhi' ; deep meditation.
After an early breakfast you will leave for Sigiriya with the aim of climbing Sigiriya rock fortress which is a UNESCO World Heritage site
Sigiriya is home to the 5th Century ‘Fortress in the Sky” which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of the Island built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD). It is also known as Lion Rock because of the huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the fortress. Within it triple-moated defence the huge rock rises almost to a sheer height of 500ft. On its summit are the foundations of what was once a great and sumptuous palace and gardens complete with swimming pool. On one of the stairways the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting survived in the form of frescoes of life sized damsels in all the freshness and delicacy of their original colour. These Frescos painted in earth pigments on plaster.
After lunch you can enjoy a second cultural highlight with a visit to Polonnaruwa, which was the second capital city of Sri Lanka from 11th-13th century. Here you can see the ruins of the Royal Palace, temples and splendid statues of the Buddha.
Polonnaruwa contains some splendid and spectacular status. Lankatilake, Thivanka and Thuparama are the most beautiful and largest shrine ruins and Thivanka has the best example of frescoes of the Polonnaruwa period. Rankot Vihara and Kiriwehera are well preserved large stupas, and Gal Vihare - a rock shrine, has four Buddha statues, two seated, one standing and one reclining and Parakrama Bahu statue are examples of Sinhalese stone carver. The Vata-da-ge is a unique creation of Sri Lankan artists and the remains of a former Temple of the Tooth Relic
Today you can enjoy a lazy breakfast at the hotel before visiting a local village where you will see typical village houses and take a short walk to the lake to take a catamaran ride and admire the views.
Upon your return you can enjoy a local lunch with the villagers and visit a farm and the farmers tree house and enjoy a coconut freshly cut from his trees.
This afternoon you have the opportunity to visit Dambulla cave temples which is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka dates from the third and second centuries BC (1st century BC to 993 AD)
Dambulla - is famous for the five cave Temples on a rock which was donated by king Walagambahu in the 1st century BC to Buddhist monks. The first 03 caves are better, older and larger than the other two. All the 5 cave walls and ceilings are covered with Buddhist murals and there are more than 130 Buddha statues, statues of Gods and Kings are also found here.
After breakfast today you head south to Kandy and en route you can visit a spice garden in Matale where you can see the luscious Cinnamons, Cardamoms, Pepper plants etc. here you can also purchase your requirements of fresh spices and enjoy a Srilankan style home made lunch while you are there.
You then continue on to Kandy with options to take a tour of the Temple of the Tooth Relic and / or the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya
In culturally rich Kandy we will drive around the lake built by the last Sinhala king in 1798 and in the evening you can enjoy a cultural show featuring the exotic traditional dances of Sri Lanka.
Today your chauffeur/guide will drop you today at Peradeniya rail station, for a scenic train from to Ella.
The journey takes you through stunning scenery and takes around 6 hours.
Your guide will drive to Ella with your luggage and will meet you when you arrive at Ella railway station and transfer you to your hotel in Ella, the luxurious 98 Acres Resort and Spa.
After a leisurely breakfast, you have a number of sightseeing options in around Ella, which includes visiting the famous 9 Arches Bridge, a beautiful colonial-era railway bridge, located in a picturesque valley surrounded by tea plantations.
You can also explore Ella Gap, a natural gorge between two mountains that offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape and if you are feeling energetic then yu'll have the chance to stop at Little Adam's Peak, a popular hiking spot that offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
Today you are free at leisure to enjoy the scenic beauty, nature and surroundings at the hotel and spa
After breakfast, you will be driven to Yala, a popular wildlife destination in Sri Lanka.
You will stay for two nights at Yala, where you can explore the Yala National Park, home to a variety of animals including elephants, leopards, sloth bears, crocodiles, and many bird species.
Today you will explore the Yala National Park on a full-day 4x4 jeep safari, accompanied by an experienced naturalist guide.
Yala combines a strict nature reserve with a national park. Divided into 5 blocks, the park has a protected area of nearly 130,000 hectares of land consisting of light forests, scrubs, grasslands, tanks and lagoons. Two blocks are currently opened to the public.
Situated in Sri Lanka’s south-east hugging the panoramic Indian Ocean, Yala was designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1900 and was designated a national park in 1938. Ironically, the park was initially used as a hunting ground for the elite under British rule. Yala is home to 44 varieties of mammal and 215 bird species. Among its more famous residents are the world’s biggest concentration of leopards, majestic elephants, sloth bears, sambars, jackals, spotted dear, peacocks, and crocodiles. The best time to visit Yala is between February and July when the water levels of the park are quite low, bringing animals into the open.
Yala is all about convergence of magnificence and endurance, painting a picture of eternal beauty and mystery. It’s a vast deciduous forest where the land gives up its green top, exposing vast expanses of open terrain dotted with grasslands and shrubs, tanks and lagoons, water holes and sand dunes. Despite its lack of a thick forest cover, animals are still experts at taking cover from prying eyes.
Today you have a second opportunity to enjoy another half day jeep safari in Yala National Park, accompanied by one of the park guides.
After enjoying a delicious breakfast, you will set off on a scenic drive that will take you through some of Sri Lanka's most picturesque landscapes.
On the way to Thalpe you will have the opportunity to witness the iconic stilt fishermen in action. These fishermen stand on tall poles in the water, patiently waiting for their catch. It's a unique and unforgettable sight that you won't want to miss.
You will also stop at the historic Dutch Fort in Galle, a UNESCO World Heritage site that dates back to the 17th century. This fort was built by the Dutch East India Company and features stunning colonial architecture, a lighthouse, and beautiful views of the Indian Ocean.
After your visit to Galle, you will continue your journey to Apa Villas where you can relax for 5 nights/4 days in this beautiful beach front boutique hotel overlooking the ocean.
Apa Villas consists of just 6 beach-front suites and 1 garden suite and the peaceful and tranquil setting is a perfect match to the naturally beautiful surroundings.
There is no restaurant at Apa Villas but the menu is of the highest standard and your meals are served to your suite for the ultimate dining experience.
Your chauffeur/guide will be on hand should you wish to go sightseeing nearby and we can organise whale watching tours for you at an additional £75 per person
After your final breakfast in Sri Lanka you driver/guide will collect you from your hotel and drive you back to the airport in good time for your onward flight.
