Follow The Sun 9 days Sri Lanka
LSR Sri Lanka
08 Nights / 09 Days Sri Lanka
Day 01
Arrival, welcome by a representative of Lanka Sportreizen and transfer to Negombo
Overnight stay at Catamaran Hotel, Negombo
Day 02
After breakfast leave for Sigiriya.
Climb the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya, a Royal Citadel for 20 years in the 5th Century AD built by King Kasyapa, with the contemporary paintings of Ajantha and Ellora Caves in India highlights being the Frescoes , Mirror Wall and the Lion's Paw.
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 attributed 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 reinforcements 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.
Overnight stay at the Rangiri Dambulla Resort, Dambulla
Day 03
After 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 Granary of the East". The largest of the manmade 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 archaeological and historical interest, some of which depict the influence that Hinduism had on the Buddhist Civilization during that period of history.
Visit the many sites of archaeological and historical interest in the Sacred City of Polonnaruwa 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 Civilization during that period of history,
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”
Overnight stay at the Rangiri Dambulla Resort, Dambulla
Day 04
After breakfast 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
En route visit the 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 disciples, Kings, Gods etc.
Dambulla... a collection of five caves of different sizes declared a World Heritage 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
Proceed to Kandy
Visit Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha - by far the most important place of worship for Buddhists world over.
Overnight stay at the Suisse Hotel in Kandy
Day 05
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.
Overnight stay at the Suisse Hotel in Kandy
Day 06
After breakfast leave for Nuwara Eliya -"Little England" through the Hill Country 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 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.
Sightseeing in the city- the important places being the Victoria Park, Gregory Lake, Golf Course and Market etc.
Overnight stay at Heaven Seven Hotel, Nuwara Eliya
Day 07
After breakfast transfer to one of Railway Stations in Hill Country and take a Train to Ella (Train Tickets are subject to availability)
Pick up from Ella Railway Station and leave for the Hotel.
Check in to your Hotel.
Overnight stay at Ella Flower Garden Hotel, Ella
Day 08
After brealfast proceed to Yala via Katharagama
Yala (Ruhunu) National Park …………..Best known of Sri Lanka’s National Parks , Yala (Ruhunu) National Park is located in the south east of the island bound by sea and river. A terrain of scrub jungle with stunning outcrops of rock includes many fresh water lakes and brackish lagoons. The eastern boundary formed by the sea, is marked by high sand dunes and broad sandy beaches. It is divided in to five blocks out of which Block 1 stand out as the most familiar. With a secondary forest, probably a few hundred years old where thorn-scrub is interspersed with fairly dense forest marked by many flowering trees and rare tropical woods. A large number of historic ruins with in the park indicate that the Yala Area was part of the important Ruhunu Civilization of the Sinhalese. If you are lucky you can catch a glimpse of the Big Four – Elephant, Leopard, Bear and Buffalo while sightings of other mammals such as Sāmbhar, Spotted Deer, Jackal, Mongoose, with several species of Monkeys will stand as a bonus. The avifauna at Yala comprises of 120 – 130 species according to latest sightings which include the endemic and migrant species, the latter coming annually to escape the northern winter. It has been well known for its highest Leopard Concentration.
In the evening undertake a Jeep safari of the Yala National Park which has the highest concentration of Leopards in Sri Lanka.
Overnight stay at Chaarya Resort, Tissamaharama
Day 09
Drop off Bentota /Departure
COST INCLUDES
1. Transport in an A/C Vehicle with an English Speaking Chauffeur Guide from/to Airport as per itinerary except during free times. Upon request Chauffeur Guides conversant in other Languages could be made available for an additional charge.
2. Accommodation sharing double on BB basis. (ROUND TRIP PART)
3. Taxes as of now.
COST EXCLUDES
1. Lunch and Dinner.
2. Entrance Fees to all the Tourist Site that are included in the Programme except optional visits.
3. Jeep Hire with tracker’s service wherever applicable
4. Compulsory Christmas & New Year’s Eve Supplement.
5. Water Supplement.
6. Optional Visits.
7. Early Check - in / Late Check- out
8. All Beverages, Tips and portages
9. Video and Camera Permits
10. Any supplements that may incur due to events taking place in those localities.
11. All expenses of personal nature such as Telephone calls, Laundry, Tipping and etc.
12. Additional transfers other than the itinerary will be charged locally (Mileage will be calculated from office to office basis.
Lufthansa City Center