(8N/9D) – 9 Days Thrilling Tour to Sri Lanka

Endless beaches, timeless ruins, welcoming people, oodles of elephants, rolling surf, cheap prices, fun trains, famous tea and flavorful food make Sri Lanka irresistible.You might say Sri Lanka has been hiding in plain sight. Scores of travelers have passed overhead on their way to someplace else, but years of uncertainty kept Sri Lanka off many itineraries.

Now, however, all that has changed. The country is moving forward quickly as more and more people discover its myriad charms. Lying between the more trodden parts of India and Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka’s history, culture and natural beauty are undeniably alluring. It’s the place you haven’t been to yet, that you should.

Day 01 : Arrival | Colombo

Arrive to Colombo

Day 02 : Colombo | Dambulla

After Breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the PINNAWALA ELEPHANT ORPHNAGE  is situated northwest of the town of Kegalle, halfway between the present capital Colombo and the ancient royal residence Kandy. The orphanage was originally founded in order to afford care and protection to the many orphaned Elephants found in the jungles of Sri Lanka. The orphanage which boasts to have the largest herd of captive elephants in the world is very popular and visited daily by many Sri Lankan and foreign tourists. The main attraction is clearly to observe the elephants bathing which is quite a spectacle.

DAMBULLA CAVE TEMPLE first came to use as a refuge for King Valagambahu in 1st century BC.  This cave temple has the largest number of Buddha statues all housed in one place, including a 14-meter-long, colossal figure of the recumbent Buddha carved out of the rock.

SPICE GARDEN IN MATALE 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. Dinner & Overnight stay in Dambulla

Day 03 : Dambulla | Sigiriya

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to SIGIRIYA 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 colors. The Water Gardens, Fountain Garden, Summerhouses, Boulder Gardens and the Caves within the enclosed area should not be missed.

SAFARI AT KAUDULLA NATIONAL PARK. This national park is one of the best places in the country to see wild elephants, which are often present in huge numbers. Dominated by the ancient Minneriya Wewa, the park has plenty of scrub, forest and wetlands in its 88.9 sq km to also provide shelter for toque macaques, sambar deer, buffalo, crocodiles and leopards. Dinner & Overnight stay in Dambulla

SAFARI AT KAUDULLA NATIONAL PARK / SIGIRIYA ROCK FORTRESS

Day 04 : Dambulla | Anuradhapura

After breakfast at the hotel transfer to Anuradhapura. SRI MAHA BODHI  (Sacred Bo Tree) according to popular belief, the tree was grown from a cutting, from the original Bo Tree in Bodhgaya, India, under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. This was brought to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BC by Princes Sangamiththa. The tree is the oldest historically authenticated tree in the world.

RUWANVELI MAHA SEYA  (also known as the Maha Stupa or Great statue) the most revered Dagoba in the city, built in the 2nd century BC, is popularly believed to enshrine various remains of the Buddha. This Dagoba is fully restored, painted white and always filled with pilgrims throughout the day. It stands on a terrace whose outer face is decorated with elephant herd. MIHINTALE Mihintale is a mountain peak near Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka. It is believed by Sri Lankans to be the site of a meeting between the Buddhist monk Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa which inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. It is now a pilgrimage site, and the site of several religious monuments and abandoned structures

Eight miles east of Anuradhapura, is situated the “Missaka Pabbata” which is 1,000 feet (300 m) in height and is one of the peaks of a mountainous range. Geographically, the mountain range consists of three main hills: Ambastala Plateau of the Mango. Rajagiri, Mountain of the King, and Aanaikuddy the Mountain of the Elephant. The word ‘Aanaikuddy’ is Tamil. Thus, this mountain range should have some connection with the Tamils, probably the Tamil Buddhist Monks. According to Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa, Thera Mahinda came to Sri Lanka from India on the full moon day of the month of Poson (June) and met King Devanampiyatissa and the people, and preached the doctrine. The traditional spot where this meeting took place is revered by the Buddhists of Sri Lanka. Therefore in the month of Poson, Buddhists make their pilgrimage to Anuradhapura and Mihintale.

Polonnaruwa, the 2nd most ancient kingdom of Sri Lanka is an interesting mix of Buddhist and Hindu structures that are a testament to the different kings who reigned over this ancient kingdom.  Duran, Duran used Polonnaruwa as a back drop to their music video ‘Save a Prayer’ in 1982. Dinner & Overnight stay in Anuradhapura.

Day 05 : Anuradhapura | Kandy

Breakfast at the hotel. Proceed to Kandy, ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS, PERADENIYA This majestic botanical garden is 147 acres in extent and was 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. The Spice Garden and Orchid House are popular with tourists.There are 5 Palm Avenues beautifying the gardens, the earliest and tallest, 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 the Temple of the Tooth Relic which was once a resplendent royal palace. The palace now houses one of the most sacred tooth relics of the Buddha and is considered one of the most symbolic icons of the Buddhist heritage of Sri Lanka. GEMS OF SRI LANKA The world’s best gems are available in Sri Lanka such as Blue and Yellow Sapphire, Star Ruby and Star Sapphire, Chrysoberyl  Cat’s Eye, Alexandrite, Topaz, Amethyst, Quartz, Garnet, Aquamarine, Moonstone, Tourmaline When comparing with other countries you will be lucky to buy pure and valuable gems at Sri Lanka for a competitive price. You can get the education about gems, making jewelries and other requests with them. You can buy gold, white gold and silver jewelry at your choice. You can even get them Tailor Made as per your preference.

Evening witness the Cultural Dance Show featuring various dancing types of Sri Lanka… Dinner & Overnight stay in Kandy

Day 06 : Kandy | Nuwara Eliya

Breakfast at the hotel. Proceed to Nuwara Eliya, RAMBODA FALLS Located next to the road between Kandy and Nuwara Eliya, Ramboda Falls is one of the highest waterfalls in Sri Lanka, standing at over one hundred meters tall, and is undoubtedly one of Sri Lanka’s most picturesque.

It is most definitely worth a stop off during your tour of the area given the stunning surroundings and countless photo opportunities that arise.The waterfall itself is made up of three sections, the middle of which can be partially seen from the road. The other larger sections can only be fully seen by walking along the paths which take you down to the Ramboda basis, where there are a number of hotels, and you’ll see the full lower section of the falls.

Enjoy “Tea experience”, which involves a visit a plantation to observe firsthand the process, starting from the plucking field where it all begins with the picking of “two leaves and a bud” to the factory where the processing begins. Originally introduced to the island around 1850 by the British, Ceylon Tea is world famous for its high quality and has remained a major contributor to the island’s economy for generations. Currently, Sri Lanka is one of largest exporter of tea worldwide. A guided tour around a Tea Factory is an enlightening experience. Dinner &  Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya

Day 07 : Nuwara Eliya | Bentota

Breakfast at the hotel. Rest & Relaxing with Misty Clemet then leave for Bentota On arrival Check-in & Relaxing at sun sea & sand. Dinner & Overnight stay in Bentota

Day 08 : Bentota

Breakfast at the hotel Bentota is a resort town on Sri Lanka’s southwest coast. Its long Bentota Beach stretches north, where it becomes a sandy strip known as Paradise Island, parallel to Bentota Lagoon. Coral-rich dive sites include Canoe Rock. On Bentota River, centuries-old Galapota Temple has a large Buddha statue. Southeast is Lunuganga, the estate and gardens of architect Geoffrey Bawa. Northeast is his brother Bevis’s Brief Garden

It’s a haven for, but it’s not somewhere that’s overcrowded. In my opinion, it is one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka for families. Getting to Bentota is fairly straightforward. Start a memorable boat ride in Madu river and experience an exciting ride through the mangrove caves to visit some beautiful riverside attractions. Turtle hatcheries are not sanctuaries, zoos, rescue or rehabilitation centres. They are used – or should be used – only when natural nesting conditions are threatened, such as by flooding, erosion, predation or heavy poaching. Dinner & Overnight stay in Bentota

Madu river / Turtle Hatchery

Day 09 : Bentota | Departure

Breakfast at the hotel until check-out time. Leave from Bentota, transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport.