Classic Highlights of Sri Lanka

Today in the morning, you will climb up the Sigiriya rock. The 8th wonder of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Sigiriya, is a massive rock in the green scrub jungle, is perhaps the most astonishing place for visitors, with unique views between human imagination and nature. The site was known since ancient times as a hermitage for Buddhist monks. A well-planned monastic complex included caved temples, bathing pools, lovely ponds, and Asia's oldest surviving landscaped gardens. The "Lion Stairway,"  the "mirror wall," and the "water gardens" are its other highlights. The ruins of the capital built by the parricidal King Kashyap I (477–95) lie on the steep slopes and at the summit of a granite peak standing some 370 m high (the 'Lion's Rock', which dominates the jungle from all sides). 

In the afternoon, enjoy the Ayurvedic massage.

Ayurveda is derived from Sanskrit for life (Ayuh) and knowledge (Veda), means ‘the science of life’. It is an ancient health care system in South Asia that has been passed down from father to son based on herbs and diet. It is one of the world’s oldest forms of healing and treatment. Ayurveda is a well-known treatment for stress, diabetes, migraine, asthma, arthritis, the immune system, and high blood pressure.

As you enter the spa center, you can smell the organic oils infused with ayurvedic herbs, incense creams, and hand-made scrubs, along with a relaxing massage that balances the body, mind, and spirit.

Accommodation: Amaya Lake, Deluxe or similar

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Today you will visit Polonnaruwa to explore the historical ruins. Polonnaruwa was the mediaeval capital and the second ancient kingdom of Sri Lanka. Today, it is one of the most beautiful centers of Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage and a UNESCO Heritage Site. With its comparatively brief history and dozen rules, it is a far more completely preserved ruin than Anuradhapura. Visit the ancient ruins and Gal Vihara complex, where 3 gigantic Buddha's statues are carved out of a single rock.

Afterwards, you will have lunch at a restaurant called Saruketha.

Rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Amaya Lake, Deluxe Room or similar

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Today, you will travel from Dambulla to Kandy. Travel time’s approximately 2 hours.

In the morning, you will visit the Golden Rock Cave Temple in Dambulla. It is a vast, isolated rock mass of 500ft high and 1.6 km around the base, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site The impressive Rock Temple dating to the First Century BC is found here. The caves of Dambulla sheltered. The King Walagamba during his 14 years of exile from Anuradhapura. When he regained the throne, he built the most magnificent of the rock temples to be found on the island. The complex consists of five caves with over 2000 square . meters of painted walls and ceilings. It is the largest area of paintings found in the world. In the first cave is a recumbent image of the Buddha, 14 meter long cut out of the Rock. There are images of deities associated with Buddhism all around. The frescoes on the ceiling date back to the 15th - 18th centuries. In the Second Cave, the finest and largest of all, there are 150 life-size statues of gods from the Buddhist religion, along with numerous images of the Buddha himself.

En – route, have Lunch - with local Sri Lankan family. It’s about an hour away from Kandy. When you arrive, you will be welcomed. You will have Sri Lankan village style food with fine aromatic 5 – 7 unique dishes for a feast.

In the evening, you will watch Traditional Kandyan Dance. Kandy, Sri Lanka’s second largest city is home to a Sinhalese cultural tradition of which Sri Lankans are justifiably proud. Rich in colour and agile in their movements, the Kandyan dancers evoke images of pageantry and traditions past. Lively and exuberant, spellbinding and hypnotic, a Cultural Show is a spectacle to remember with its nimble dancers, energetic drummers, and fireproof firewalkers.

Accommodation: Fox Kandy, Deluxe Room or similar

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

In the morning, you will visit the Temple of the Tooth & Buddhist Museum, Sri Dalada Maligawa dates back to the 16^th century, though most of the present buildings were built in the 19^th century. Venerated as the most important object in the Buddhist world, the Sacred Relic of the Tooth of Buddha is enshrined at the temple. Brought from India 2,500 years ago, it is said that the possessor of the relic had the right to rule the country. The relic is kept in a gold casket and stored amidst great security in the inner chamber.

Afterwards, you will explore the Kandy City & markets. Kandy is a beautiful historical city in the citadel of the country. It is not only known for its great kings who ruled the city for almost 225 years independently until the British took over in 1815, but it is also a place where the Sacred Tooth of Lord Buddha is laid in a magnificent temple.

The winding, narrow streets and waterfront promenades of Kandy city centre, just opposite the palace, is a great place for a stroll and for shopping – with the beautiful lake in front of you and the lush mountains, stupas, and Buddha statues all around.

After lunch, you will visit the Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya, just after passing Kandy. It was first established in the 14th century. Since British times the garden has become as one of the finest botanical gardens in Asia. When the British eventually wrested control of the Kandyan Kingdom in 1815, the site at Peradeniya was a Royal Pleasure Garden, apparently being enjoyed by the last Queen of Kandy.  In typical fashion, the British were quick to establish their own indelible stamp on this lush corner that exists in the cradle of a deep bend in the wide and languid river, the Mahaweli. Initially managed by Alexander Moon, the gardens started as little more than a coffee and cinnamon plantation.  Today, spread over a sprawling 147 hectares, they are home to some 4,000 species from all corners of the earth. There is a pungent and fascinating spice garden, which provides a fine introduction to the long-practiced medicinal science of Ayurveda, and an exceptional orchid house sheltering some 300 varieties. A number of the wider pathways are tree-lined, including the classic “Avenue of Palms,” which has the aesthetic power to transform a simple stroll into an event.

Accommodation: Fox Kandy, Deluxe Room or similar 

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Today you will travel from Kandy to Haputale, part by road and part by train. Travel time’s approximately 4 ½ hours.

You will experience the most breathtaking train journey for 2 hours. You will travel from Nanuoya to Haputale through tea plantations and rolling hills on a scenic train with a panoramic view. This train journey is recorded in the Guinness Book of Records as one of the world's best scenic train journeys.  Your guide will pick you up at Haputale Station, and you will go by car to your hotel.

Accommodation: Melheim Resort, Deluxe Room or similar

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

In the morning, you will experience the safari at Yala national park. Jeep Safari in Yala is one of the best national park’s in Asia for spotting and photographing elusive and prowling leopards in the wild. The best times to spot these magnificent creatures roaming freely in the park are early in the morning and in the evening. Evaluators state that there are between 500 – 650 leopards living in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan Leopard is a recognized subspecies of the Indian Leopard and is the largest leopard living in Asia making this wildlife safari as one that is not easily forgotten.

Yala is home to 32 recorded species of mammals and is abundant with birds of migratory and non-migratory birds. Some of the mammals are sloth bears, Leopards, wild elephants, Water buffalos, Wild boars, spotted deer, Sambars, and Golden jackal. You will also be able to spot Mugger Crocodiles, Estuarine Crocodile and giant lizards that left over after ages. There are 130 species of birds recorded at the park. The brilliant blue Peacocks can be found in every corner of Yala.

Afterwards, you will travel from Yala to Balapitiya. Travel time’s approximately 3 hours.

En – route, you will discover the Dutch Fort in Galle. It is situated in the southern Sri Lanka. The Galle fort is a UNESCO world heritage site and the largest remaining fortress in Asia built by European occupiers showing the interaction between European architectural styles and south Asian traditions. Other prominent landmarks in Galle include the natural harbour, the National Maritime Museum, St. Mary's Cathedral founded by Jesuit priests, one of the main Shiva temples on the island. Galle offers a unique opportunity to create a visible demonstration of the conservation of its inheritance. There are many boutique shops along the narrow streets of the fort as well as antiques, arts, and craft shops.

Accommodation: Shinagawa Beach, Deluxe Room or similar

Meals: Breakfast

Full day at leisure at the beach.

Accommodation: Shinagawa Beach, Deluxe Room or similar

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

In the morning, you will take Boat Tour on the Madu River.  You will explore this remote area and Cinnamon Islands. Madu Ganga, or (Madu River) wetland spreads across 915 hectares, out of which 770 hectares is covered with water. Sail downstream for about a kilometer, the river opens its doors to 36 spectacular islands, covering the rest of the 145 hectares. The inhabitants of these islands are mostly traditional fishermen and to some extent they are engaged in some traditional cottage industries, such as producing peeled cinnamon and cinnamon oil.

Lunch - experience Sri Lankan cuisine with a local family to learn about Sri Lankan food.

Enjoy a Sri Lankan culinary experience for lunch (included). You will visit a local family in Bentota and will be welcomed. Here you will learn how to prepare and cook certain Sri Lankan dishes with aromatic spices and organic herbs. You will also discover how coconut milk is made, learn to crack open and scrape out your own coconut, and taste the samples of each dish as you go along. The end product is a feast of 7 unique dishes served in a lotus leaf, which you can eat local-style with your fingers if you are up for a challenge. (If you like to spend the day buying ingredients with the host in local markets, you are welcome to join in the morning.).

Accommodation: Shinagawa Beach, Deluxe Room or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today you will travel from Balapitiya to Colombo. Travel time is approximately 2 hours.

In the afternoon, you will explore Colombo city, starting from Fort, Independent Square, Old Parliament, Pettah Bazaar and Galle Face. You will also have time for shopping as well. Colombo Fort is the business district of Sri Lanka with skyscrapers and great international hotels. The Fort was built by the Portuguese and Dutch partly which later controlled by the British. Colombo Fort is home for Fort Railway Station, President's House and Presidential Gardens, a palatial neo- classical building which was originally the home of the British Governors and the residence of Sri Lanka's president now. The Lighthouse Clock Tower situated in the Chatham Street commissioned by the wife of Governor Sir Henry Ward in the hope that it would teach the Ceylonese to be punctual. It is good for shopping tea, souvenirs, and souvenirs and exchanging money.

Independence Square is known as one of the most prominent locations in Colombo. It is commonly used as a place where Sri Lankans come together in unison for significant national celebrations and cultural activities. This unique and outstanding monument positioned in the heart of Sri Lanka’s commercial capital Colombo, commemorates the country’s independence from foreign rule.

Opposite to the Presidential Secretariat (old Parliament) is the Colombo breathing green space known as Galle Face. Here every walk of life comes to chill. Some sit on the grass and watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean. Next to Galle Face is the grand Renaissance-style structure of Galle Face Hotel, South Asia’s leading Grande Dame, and the testimony to both Sri Lanka’s colonial past and its independent. You can enjoy the English high tea on the Victorian style Veranda or sip a martini facing the sea and enjoy the sunset.

Afterwards, you can walk into the One Galle Face shopping mall, just opposite to the Galle Face Green for a quick shopping or just to walk around as its always busy, grand and fabulous with multiple shops and stalls. You can also find few walls and stalls where you can take some cheerful pictures.

Accommodation: Cinnamon Red, Standard Room or similar

Meals: Breakfast

Today you will travel to the airport for your flight. Travel time’s approximately an hour, depending on the road traffic.

Meals: Breakfast