SRILANKA TOUR

Sigiriya Sigiriya Rock Fortress – is a “UNESCO World Heritage Site” and the 5th Century “Fortress in the Sky” which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of the Island. It is also known as Lion Rock because of the huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the Palace on the summit of the 600-foot high rock. On its summit are the foundations of the Royal Palace, Water Tanks to supply water and all other buildings and at the edges the guardhouses.
On one of the stairways the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting survived in the form of Frescoes of 21 life sized damsels still shining in their original colours. The Water Gardens,
Fountain Garden, Summerhouses, Boulder Gardens and the Caves within the enclosed area should not be missed

Visit Anuradapura Historical City. (about 1.5 hours one way)

Anuradhapura is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, famous for its well – preserved ruins of ancient Lankan civilization. The city, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lies on the banks of the historic Malvathu River. From the 4th Century BC, it was the capital of Sri Lanka until the beginning of the 11th century. During this period it remained one of the most stable and durable centers of political power and urban life in South Asia. The ancient city, considered scred to the Buddist world, is today surrounded by monasteries covering an area of over sixteen square miles (40km2). Anuradhapura is also significant in Himdu legend as the fabled capital of the Asura King Ravana in the Ramayana. City Tour: You will be able to explore the tallest brick stupas of the ancient world. Ruwanweli saya, Abhayagiri and Jetawana Dagabas constituted the central edifices of the monasteries, Mahavihara, Abhayagiri Vihara and Jetavanarama respectively. Sri Mahabodhi the sacred tree shrine of the Mahaviharaya, planted in the 3rd Century BC still remains its vitality and receives veneration of the Buddist world all year around. Visit the Thuparama Dagaba, the historical Stupa built by King Devanampiyatissa. It has been converted in to a circular Chaitya Shrine (Vatadage). Visit the Twin Pnds and the Isurumuniya.

Afternoon: visit to Mihintale
We will get to know about the city of Mihintale, cradle of the Buddhism in Sri Lanka in the year 247 B. C. Since then it has become a place of great religious and historical significance that annually attracts thousands of pilgrims, mostly in the time of the full moon in June, to mark the official introduction of Buddhism in the country. Legend says that the Mihintale sacred mountain, located 13 km east of Anuradhapura, was sanctified by Buddha. It is considered one of the 16 sacred sites of Sri Lanka.
You can enjoy a breathtaking landscape and immerse yourself in this culture. The area includes a monastic complex, stupas, dagobas and a hospital. While some of the buildings are in almost perfect condition, others are in ruins.

Overnight stay at Dambulla.

Breakfast at the hotel, Proceed to Kandy. (100 KM and 3Hours Drive) En route Visit Spice Garden in Matale.
Commence city tour of Kandy, including Upper Lake Drive, Market Square and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.

Kandy - The hill capital. Venue of the annual Perahera. The last stronghold of the Sinhala Kings was finally ceded to the British in 1815. Kandy is an example of the Buddhism’s influence in Sri Lanka today. Temple’s shrines and monasteries keeping alive Buddhist traditions are everywhere.

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic - Ever since 4th Century A.D, when the Buddha’s Tooth was brought to Sri Lanka hidden from sacrilegious hands in an Orissan princess’ hair, the Relic has grown in repute and holiness in Sri Lanka and throughout the Buddhist world. It is considered Sri Lanka’s most prized possession.

Royal Botanical Gardens - Peradeniya - 147 acres in extent; Started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the Kings of Gampola and Kandy. There are more than 5,000 species of trees, plants and creepers. Some rare and endemic as well as flora from the tropical world are found in the gardens. Spice Garden and Orchid House are popular with tourists.


There are 5 Palm Avenues beautifying the gardens, the earliest and tallest Palm Avenue (Royal Palm Avenue) was planted in 1905 and the Double Coconuts from the Seashells Island, with the largest seed of all plants in the world is one such avenue. Visit to gem and lapidary museum in Kandy Evening visit Cultural show.

Overnight stay at Kandy

Breakfast at the hotel, Transfer to Nuwara-Eliya (90 KM and 3 Hours Drive) En rout visit Ramboda Falls, Hanuman Temple, Tea Plantation & Tea Factory.

Seetha Amman Temple Visit
Seetha Amman temple, The stream that runs from the hill, catered to the needs of Sitadevi during her stay at Ashok Vatika. She is said to have bathed in this stream. About a century ago of three idols was discovered in the stream, one of which was that of Sita. It is believed that the idols have been worshipped at this spot for centuries. Now there is temple for Lord Rama, Sitadevi, Luxshmana, and Hanuman by the side of this stream. It is interesting to note that foot prints akin to Lord Hanuman's are found by this river and some are of small size and some are of large size, which tells us of the immense powers of hanuman transforming himself into any size.
Visit Hakkgala Botanical garden and Ashok Vatika

Spend the evening relaxing at Gregory Park
Nuwara Eliya – The ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, is set against beautiful backdrops of Mountains, Valleys, Waterfalls and Tea Plantations. It is supposed to be one of the coolest places in the Island, but it is really just like an English spring day, although the temperature does drop at night. All around Nuwara Eliya you will see evidence of the British influence, houses like country cottages or Queen Ann style mansions. The Victoria Park, in the middle of the town, is a lovely place for a stroll or a picnic and is also good for Birding as you get some rare birds in this Park. Seasons may be absent elsewhere in Sri Lanka, but here you can read them by the flowers, which bloom in the spring (march to May) and the fall (August and September).

Overnight stay at Nuwara Eliya

127 miles from Colombo and 8 miles from Bandarawela, on the leeward side of the central mountains. The view from Ella Gap is one of the most spectacular scenic sights in Sri Lanka - the landscape falls away in a dizzy drop of 3000ft to the eastern plains.
The Ella rock is famous for the cave of Ravana a legendary king of Sri Lanka ruled during the pre- historic times. The 1080-foot high waterfall few miles from the Ella Rest
House is one of the most beautiful falls in the country.


Nine Arch Bridge – Also called the Bridge in the Sky, It is one of the best examples of colonial-era railway construction in the country. The construction of the bridge is generally attributed to a local Ceylonese builder, P. K. Appuhami, in consultation with British engineers.
It is located in Demodara, between Ella and Demodara railway stations. The surrounding area has seen a steady increase of tourism due to the bridge's architectural ingenuity and the profuse greenery in the nearby hillsides.
Popular rumours suggest that when construction work commenced on the bridge, the Great War began between the empires of Europe and the steel assigned for this site was reallocated to Britain's War related projects at the battlefront. As a result, the work came to a standstill, leading the locals building the bridge with stone bricks and cement, but without steel. Visit to Rawana Falls and Cave

Overnight stay at Nuwara Eliya

Kosgoda (Turtle Hatchery) - Where you can see five species of turtles-Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta), Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) and Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea). The eggs collected by the Villagers and Fishermen are purchased by the Kosgoda Hatchery and kept in sandy pens until they are hatched. The newly hatched ones are kept in seawater tanks and released to the sea in the night. This Hatchery alone has released more than 1,750,000 young turtles to the sea. An endowment by the Hasselblad Estate was responsible for the establishment of this hatchery.
Overnight stay at Bentota

Madu River Boat Safari - Sri Lanka is a real paradise for all nature lovers. Yet some places are especially beautiful and draw hundreds of tourists with enchanting sceneries and serene atmospheres. Madu River is located in the south of Sri Lanka near Galle. The water of the river is dotted with small islands and the banks are all covered with lush mangrove forests that are home to dozens of incredible animal species. Enjoy hundreds of vibrant tropical birds and a few crocodiles if you’re lucky enough. These creatures are pretty rare and don’t like crowds. A fish breeding center is located in the middle of the river offering an insight into the breeding cycle of local fish species. The swampy marshlands that surround the Madu River are under protection of the government of Sri Lanka as it is a fragile ecosystem that is home to many rare animal species. There are around 300 animal species in Madu River, 19 of which are endemic. The soil there is also really fertile - it’s a real treasure trove for ecologists and biologists.

On Arrival at Colombo Proceed to a city tour in Colombo with shopping.

Colombo: a drive through the city taking you to the busy commercial areas as well as the tree-lined residential, Cinnamon Gardens. Visit Fort, the former British administrative center and military garrison, Sea Street - the Goldsmiths quarters in the heart of Pettah, the Bazaar area, where is also a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carvings and the Dutch Church of Wolfendhal dating back to 1749. The historic Dawatagaha Mosque and the former Eye Hospital are two buildings in Cinnamon Gardens worth looking at. Also visit the BMICH, see the replica of Avukana Buddha and the Independence Square. Visit Gangarama Temple

Overnight stay at Colombo

Transfer to airport to connect with the departure flight. (40 KM and 1 Hour Drive)