Best of Sri Lanka

On arrival in Colombo, we’ll be received by a member of our local team. Later we drive to Dambulla / Sigiriya with some halt to see some interesting sites. On our way, our first halt shall be at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. Here we shall watch the Elephants having their daily baths while have the sumptuous breakfast along the bank of the river. The elephant orphanage at Pinnawala is a home for about 60 elephants (out of which some are baby elephants) found abandoned or orphaned in the wild. They are being cared, fed and trained by the Wildlife Authority.
After visiting Elephant Orphanage, further short drive will take us to Mawanella. This place is surrounded by large plantations and is famous for its spice gardens. Visit a spice garden to see the different spices, which Sri Lanka is famous for. You will be introduced to different spices and shown how some of these spices are grown and processed.
Later proceed to Dambulla / Sigiriya. On arrival check into the hotel. Post lunch, rest of the day just relax or to take a dip in inviting swimming pool.

Rise and shine at early hours. After a cup of tea / Coffee Climb the 5th century Sigiriya rock fortress which is a world heritage site, built by king Kassapa (477 – 495 A.D). The “Lion Rock” is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 meters from the scrub jungle. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70-hectare fortified town. A moat, rampart, and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens ring the base of the rock. Visit the world-renowned frescoes of the “Heavenly Maidens’ of Sigiriya which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway. The frescoes are painted in earth pigments on plaster.
Later we shall return to our hotel for breakfast and freshening up. After check out our journey starts for Kandy with en-route halts to see some wonderful places.
En route we take a halt to see the Dambulla rock temple, which was donated by king Walagambahu in the 1st century B.C. to Buddhist monks. Dambulla is a world heritage site and is the most impressive of Sri Lanka’s cave temples. The complex of five caves with over 2000 sq. meters of painted walls and ceilings is the largest area of paintings found in the world. The caves contain over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is the colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of rock and spanning 14 meters.
Our next stop would be at Matale to visit one more spice garden to enjoy the blast of Sri Lankan Cuisines and Also, witness a Cookery demonstration. Also we could see different spices and how some of these spices are grown and processed.
Also, witness a Cookery demonstration. Later proceed to Kandy. On arrival, check into the hotel. In the evening You can take a short walk around the Kandy Lake and also a stroll in Kandy local market. Here you can visit the arts & crafts centre and a gem lapidary.

After breakfast visit Temple of the Tooth Relic Kandy, one of the most sacred sites as it is the home of the “Dalada Maligawa”.  Kandy was the capital of the Sinhalese Kings from 1592 to 1815. Fortified by a terrain due to this temple.Later we start our excursion trip Geragama tea factory & tea plantation and The Peradeniya Botanical Gardens.
Geragama Plantation, located in close proximity to the city of Kandy in Pilimatalawa – Poththapitiya road was established in the year 1903 and manufactures Low Grown and Long Leaf tea. It has a tea center for travelers from all over the world to buy Ceylon tea.
The Peradeniya Botanical Gardens was first built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala king and was expanded by the British. It is 147 acres in extent and provides an amazing variety of trees, plants and flowers. Conclude your day with the The Kandyan dance, which is flourished under the Kandyan kings from the 16th through the 19th centuries, and today it is considered the national dance of Sri Lanka.

After and early breakfast we, leave for Nuwara Eliya (On the way to N’Eliya, Firstly we take a short brake at Anjaneyar temple (Shri Bhakta Hanuman Kovil) Shri Bhakta Hanuman Temple is one of the important Hanuman Temples in Sri Lanka was built in the year 1999. The temple is located on the summit of the very beautiful and scenic mountain in Ramboda  and looks towards part of Kotmale Valley, 3,200 feet above sea level, Later we take a brief halt to see Ramboda waterfalls. Next halt shall be at the tea plantation and a tea factory where the popular tea in the world is produced. You’ll also observe the method of making tea, how tea is graded. Taste a cup of pure Ceylon tea within the factory. Later visit The naturally landscaped Hakagala Botanical Gardens which displays roses and tree ferns, and shelters monkeys and blue magpies. This garden is believed to be the Ashok Vatika that was located in the kingdom of the Rakshasa king Ravana. Post lunch break visit Divurumpola is the place that Sita Devi, after her liberation from King Ravana underwent a test to prove here chastity by offering herself to fire. Seetha Amman temple, Seetha Eliya – The stream that runs from the hill, catered to the needs of Sita Devi during her stay at Ashoka Vatika. She is said to have bathed in this stream. Now there is temple for Lord Rama, Sita Devi, Lakshmana, and Hanuman by the side of this stream.
In the evening One can roam around the lake Gregory and enjoy boating.

After breakfast, we do check out and leave for Bentota with an En-route halt at Kitulgala-the best place for river rafting enthusiast. A famous adventure-sports centre located amid thickly forested hills. The Kelani River, the broadest river in Sri Lanka, flowing through Kitulgala wasthe main location where the Oscar winning movie Bridge on the River Kwai was filmed. On the hill above this town, a prehistoric cave was recently discovered containing large maidens of shells from some unknown civilization. Here we shall enjoy the lunch in a restaurant amidst the nature. Later we continue our journey towards Bentota. On arrival check into the hotel. You can take a leisurely walk on amazing Bentota Beach and spend time, sitting at the shacks at the beach.

After leisurely breakfast, rest of the day for some memorable experiences.Your first halt will be at Balapitiya. A coastal town situated on the southern province of the state. Here, you enjoy a memorable Maduganga River ride. Madu River is located at the south of Sri Lanka near Galle. The water of the river is dotted with small islands. Thus, the banks are all covered with opulent mangrove forests that are home to dozens of incredible animal species. Enjoy many vibrant tropical birds and a few crocodiles if you’re lucky enough.
Post lunch break, proceed to palm-dotted Hikkaduwa Beach, lined with restaurants and bars. The shallow waters opposite Hikkaduwa Beach shelter the Hikkaduwa park, which is a coral sanctuary and residence to marine turtles and exotic fish. Next stop shall be Meetiyagoda–Moonstone Gem Mine-The village of Meetiyagodanear Ambalangoda, is where moonstone is most commonly found, concentrated within an acre of land. It is believed to have been blessed by the moon. The mysterious gem, as captivating as the full moon gleaming in the night sky, is considered sacred and has beenused in jewelry for centuries. Later we visit the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery. They have the Care program which aims to protect sea turtle eggs and increase hatching rates.

Later return to your hotel. Rest of the evening to relax and unwind.

After and early breakfast we, leave for Nuwara Eliya (On the way to N’Eliya, Firstly we take a short brake at Anjaneyar temple (Shri Bhakta Hanuman Kovil) Shri Bhakta Hanuman Temple is one of the important Hanuman Temples in Sri Lanka was built in the year 1999. The temple is located on the summit of the very beautiful and scenic mountain in Ramboda  and looks towards part of Kotmale Valley, 3,200 feet above sea level, Later we take a brief halt to see Ramboda waterfalls. Next halt shall be at the tea plantation and a tea factory where the popular tea in the world is produced. You’ll also observe the method of making tea, how tea is graded. Taste a cup of pure Ceylon tea within the factory. Later visit The naturally landscaped Hakagala Botanical Gardens which displays roses and tree ferns, and shelters monkeys and blue magpies. This garden is believed to be the Ashok Vatika that was located in the kingdom of the Rakshasa king Ravana. Post lunch break visit Divurumpola is the place that Sita Devi, after her liberation from King Ravana underwent a test to prove here chastity by offering herself to fire. Seetha Amman temple, Seetha Eliya – The stream that runs from the hill, catered to the needs of Sita Devi during her stay at Ashoka Vatika. She is said to have bathed in this stream. Now there is temple for Lord Rama, Sita Devi, Lakshmana, and Hanuman by the side of this stream.
In the evening One can roam around the lake Gregory and enjoy boating.

After a leisure breakfast we shall have plenty of time for shopping. Colombo has several popular supermarkets, but the best shops to visit are Barefoot & Paradise Road. Barefoot is a store, bookshop, gallery, cafe, performance space and place to hang out And Paradise Road offers an abundance of things you’ll want to fill your home with. Or else you can explore the city as you like. Later proceed to the airport around 19.00 hrs to board the flight for hometown.