Itinerary
Day 01 Arrival and welcome by a representative of Lanka Sportreizen and transfer to Hotel in Colombo – Commercial Capital Colombo .... is a fascinating city, not only for its comfortable blend of East and West, but also for its casy mixture of the past and the present .It is the Commercial Capital of the country, and is only 35 km south of the country's only International Airport. Many attractions , opportunities for shopping , availability of tasting a multitude of cuisine etc makes it an interesting city Undertake a City Tour of Colombo including a Buddhist Temple, Dutch Wolvendhal Church, a Hindu Temple, Town Hall, BMICH (Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall) , Cinnamon Gardens - Prime residential area, the Nelum Pokuna – the newly opened Performing Arts Theatre , the recently developed New Parliament Area etc.
Overnight stay at the Granbell Hotel - City View Room , Colombo
Day 02/ Day 03 / Day 04 Breakfast at the Hotel Official Engagements
Overnight stay at the Granbell Hotel - City View Room , Colombo
Day 05 After early breakfast leave for Polonnaruwa- the Medieval Capital of Sri Lanka- 11th Century AD Polonnaruwa.… the island’s Medieval Capital (11th – 13th Centuries AD) which rose to fame after the decline of Anuradhapura.. The city was fortified with three concentric walls, beautified with parks and gardens and sanctified by many shrines.A unique Irrigation complex watered the city as well as the surrounding plains helping in agriculture which made the island "the Grainery of the East" . The largest of the man made reservoirs, the huge Parakrama Samudra (the Sea of Parakrama), is larger in size than the Colombo Harbour.
Polonnaruwa is home to two magnificent World Heritage Sites and numerous other sites of archaoelogicl and historical interest , some of which depict the influence that Hinduism had on the Buddhist Civilisation during that period of history.
En route visit the Elephant Orphanage to see the world's largest herd of domestic Elephants comprising adults and babies including the world’s first set of twins who are still being fed by bottle thrice a day. Elephant Orphanage… established in 1975 as an effort towards education and conservation by way of scientific captive breeding. Located on the banks of the Maha Oya, the Elephant Orphanage provides shelter to house young elephants who find themselves displaced and lost from their natural habitats for various reasons such as environmental changes due to development projects, being abandoned by their parents when they fall into pits and ravines, etc.
In Polonnaruwa , visit the many sites of archaeological and historical interest in the Sacred City including the Grate Statue, Quadrangle, Royal Palace, Vatadage, Hatadage, Siva Devalaya, Gal Viharaya, Alahana Pirivena Complex, Kumara and Lotus Ponds, Thuparamaya , Rankoth Vehera, Pabalu Vehera , Thiwanka Image House , The Museum etc some of which depict the influence that Hinduism had on the Buddhist Civilisation during that period of history. Hop in to a Wood Carving Factory to see the skills of SriLankan Craftsmen.
Overnight stay at the Amba Yalu Hotel – Deluxe Room , Sigiriya
Day 06 After breakfast leave for Sigiriya Sigiriya… a Royal Citadel for 20 years in the 5th Century AD - stark and forbidding, haunted by an epic story of murder and betrayal is attibuted to King Kasyapa who found hiding here after killing his father more fruitful than meeting the wrath of the people who loved King Dhatusena much more before meeting his rival - Prince Mugalan who had fled to India seeking reninforcem,ents of his Army.
This unique Rock Fortress or "castle in the sky" - a massive monolith of red stone that rises 600ft above ground , derived the name "Lion Rock" as the entrance to the climb to the summit is reached between the paws of a lion .
Climb the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya , a Royal Citadel for 20 years in the 5th Century AD built by King Kasyapa ,contemporary with the paintings of Ajantha and Ellora Caves in India , highlights being the Frescoes , Mirror Wall and the Lion's Paw, considered as the 8th Wonder of the modern world , thought to be equivalant to the "Alakamanda" - Cellestial Palace of God Kuvera, was crowned recently as “Sri Lanka’s 1st Sustainable Tourism Destination”,to witness the sunrise. In the afternoon undertake a Jeep Safari of the Minneriya National Park famous for its many large herds of wild elephants Minneriya...
It is situated around the reservoir of the same name in the south central area of the island. This park comprises of grasslands, thorny scrubs and many valuable species of trees. Large herds of elephants, species of deer, wild boar, water buffalo and jackals are some of the wild animals found, along with a variety of avifauna that abounds the park. Has become synonymous with the annual “Elephant Gathering” taking placein the later part of each year.
Overnight stay at the Amba Yalu Hotel – Deluxe Room , Sigiriya
Day 07 After breakfast visit Dambulla Cave Temple considered to be the largest painted caves in the world with more than 22,000 sq ft of painted surfaces with many paintings , sculptures, statues of Lord Buddha, his desciples, Kings , Gods etc. Dambulla... a collection of five caves of different sizes full of paintings , sculptures, statues of Lord Buddha, his desciples, Kings , Gods etc. considered to be the largest painted caves in the world with more than 22,000 sq ft of painted surfaces declared a World Heritge Site.
Initial authorship is attributed to King Valagambahu who took refuge here after being driven out of Anuradhapura by invading armies, although the works span over all periods since then to the late Kandy Period in the 18th Century Leave for Kandy - the Hill Capital .
Kandy... literally the "City on the Hills" so named as it was protected by the nature - water , rocks and jungles. The last capital of the Sri Lankan kings before falling to the British in 1815AD which is a World Heritage Site. The name Kandy conjures vision of splendour of magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. The centre of attraction is the golden roofed Temple of the Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha .The Kandy Lake built by the last King Sri Wickramarajasinghe in 1806 holds a prominent view of the City.It is a City for arts and crafts as well culture and history Walk in to a Spice Garden and take part in a conducted tour to get some knowledge about the growth and use of spices in the day to day life.
In this garden you will find all Spices that grow in Sri Lanka including Cinnamon, Cardamom, Pepper, Nutmeg, Vanilla etc in the form of trees, plants, creepers. Visitors will be taken round by a competent person explaining each specie’ name , identity, growth, use in food/medicinal/curative values. All products are displayed in a shop from which those interested could by them although not mandatory to do so as this will mainly be a technical visit for educative purposes. In a Batik Making Factory , see how beautifully the village girls turn out beautiful coloured cloths for different purposes with colourful designs. En route visit the famous Muthu Mariamman Hindu Temple in Matale
Overnight stay at the Thilanka Hotel – Deluxe Room , Kandy
Day 08 After breakfast leave for a City Tour including the Upper Lake Drive - a place where one could have a bird's eye view of the city below, the Royal Botanical Gardens - one of the best of its kind in Asia with more than 5000 species of different varieties of flora which incidentally was the Headquarters of Lord Louise Mountbatten - the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces during the 2nd World War, a Gem Museum - to see how the valuable gems that you see on a shop shelf are turned out from a raw stone with the back ground history.
In the evening watch a Cultural Performance by traditional Kandyan Dancers and Drummers including devotional"Fire Walking" and walk across in the star lit night to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha - by far the most important place of worship for Buddhists worldover.
Overnight stay at the Thilanka Hotel – Deluxe Room , Kandy
Day 09 After breakfast leave for Nuwara Eliya - "Little England" through the Ramboda Pass surrounded by "Green Carpets"- hills covered with Tea and cascading Water Falls amidst breathtakingly beautiful landscapes Nuwara Eliya… nestled in a wooded basin at the foot of Mount Pidurutalagala Sri Lanka’s highest peak, this region at 6,183ft above sea-level Has a cool, crisp climate unknown elsewhere in Sri Lanka. A serene retreat from the hustle and bustle of Colombo, the town seems like a piece of the English Lake District. Unusual plants, birds and animals thrive here besides natural feature like waterfalls and caves.
Tea, the glistening green leaves of this lovely shrub, along with neat rows of green, cloak ridges and valleys providing a lasting impression of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country. The golf course – one of the most finest and picturesque in Asia – the serene Anglican Church of the Holy Trinity, beautiful parks and well kept lawns and hedges give the place an air of nostalgia.
En route visit a Tea Factory and a Plantation to witness the manufacturing process of world famous"Ceylon Tea" and to taste a pure unblended cup of factory fresh tea before being sent to the Tea Auctions in Colombo leading to Export.
Evening is free for walks /tour around the city - the important places being the Victoria Park , Gregory Lake , Golf Course,Market etc. Nature Lovers could make a visit to see the Lover's Leap Water Falls just outside the city which will involve a little bit of hiking for about 1 hour both ways.
Overnight stay at the Araliya Green Hills Hotel – Deluxe Room , Nuwara Eliya
Day 10 After breakfast leave for Negombo – Little Rome Negombo… Being one of the major tourist beach resorts of the island, this lively town is mainly inhabited by the fisher-folk. This is also one of the strongholds of the catholic community of Sri Lanka and quiet correctly considered as the “Little Rome”, located along the picturesque Negombo Lagoon, along which hundreds of fishing boats and catamarans could be seen most of the time. The Town is dotted with several churches, some dating from the earliest colonial times. Sightseeing in Negombo includes the remains of the Old Dutch Fortress from 1678, the Dutch Canal constructed for the transportation of Cinnamon, St. Mary’s Church and the Old Dutch Cemetery, and naturally, the Negombo Fish Market –more famously known as the “Lellama”.
Relax Undertake a City Tour of Negombo including a Fishing Village, Old Dutch Fortress from 1678 converted to a prison, the Hamilton Canal which was originally built by the Dutch for the transportation of Cinnamon; St. Mary’s Church , the Old Dutch Cemetery and naturally the Negombo Fish Market.
Overnight stay at the Goldi Sands Hotel – Standard Room, Negombo
Day 11 Transfer to the airport for departure through the Airport Expressway
Included Services
1.Accomodation on double sharing basis with breakfast included.
2.Transport in an A/C Deluxe vehicle with an English speaking Chauffeur
3.Entrance Fees to all the tourist sites that are included in the programme.
4. Jeep Hire with the Tracker's Services at the Minneriya National Park
5.All Taxes as of now
Excluded Services
1. Lunch and Dinner. 1. Cost for Optional Visits / Activities
2. All beverages, Tips and portages.
3. Video and Camera Permits.
4. Any supplements that may incur due to events taking place in those localities
5. All expenses of personal nature such as Telephone Calls, Laundry and Tipping etc.
6. Additional transfers: all additional transfers will be charged; mileage will be calculated from office to office.
Recommended travel period
until 31st October, 2025