Sri Lanka: Sigiriya, Kandy, Yala and Colombo

1. 1

   Arrival, meet and greet, then proceed to Sigiriya/Dambulla via Pinnawala.

   The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, established in 1975, began with seven orphans. Today, some of these elephants enjoy the fortune of seeing their grandchildren born in the same location. The original objective of establishing the orphanage leaned more towards tourism but soon became a conservation and educational center. With the help of local and foreign elephant experts, Pinnawela started a scientific captive-breeding programme for elephants. The free movement of the herd enhanced the chances for individuals of both sexes to mate. The nearby river played a dominant role in this regard, and in 1984, the first baby was born at Pinnawela. The success story of Pinnawela has drawn the attention of scientists from all over the world. A considerable number of books and research articles on Pinnawela have been published in several languages. The members of the Pinnawela herd have been filmed, videoed and photographed thousands of times by professionals.
   Thereafter, proceed to the hotel and check-in.
   Overnight stay at Covanro Sigiriya / Sigiriyana Resort 4*
   Overnight in Sigiriya
2. 2

   After breakfast, climb the 5th century Sigiriya Rock Fortress

   This is a World Heritage Site, built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD). 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. These frescoes are painted in earth pigments on plaster.
   Overnight stay at Covanro Sigiriya / Sigiriyana Resort 4*
   breakfast Overnight in Sigiriya
3. 3

   After breakfast, proceed to Kandy via Matale.

   Visit a spice garden in Matale to see the different spices for which Sri Lanka is famous. Here, you can see various spices and how some of them are grown and processed. Witness a cookery demonstration. Do a city tour of Kandy. Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is a World Heritage Site. The name "Kandy" conjures visions of splendor and magnificence. Many legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. Drive around the Kandy Lake, built by the last Sinhala king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, in 1798. Visit the Kandy town and bazaar, the arts and crafts center, a gem museum and a lapidary. Also visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy and witness a cultural show. On arrival, check in to the hotel.
   Overnight stay at Grand Kandyan 5* / Royal Kandyan 4*
   breakfast Overnight in Kandy
4. 4

   After breakfast, visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens.

   This Botanical Garden was first built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala king and was expanded by the British. It covers 147 acres and provides an amazing variety of trees, plants and flowers.
   Thereafter, proceed to Nuwara Eliya. En route, visit the factory and tea plantation. Nuwara Eliya, because of its invigorating mountain climate and scenery, is Sri Lanka's most popular hill resort. Nuwara Eliya is also the heart of Sri Lanka's tea country, producing a significant share of the world's best tea. Sri Lanka's highest mountain, Pidurutalagala (8282 feet), is located here. Nuwara Eliya also has one of the finest 18-hole golf courses in South Asia. Continue to the hotel and check-in.
   Overnight stay at Araliya Green City 5* / Araliya Red 4*.
   breakfast Overnight in Nuwara Eliya
5. 5

   After breakfast, proceed to Yala.

   Take a jeep safari in Yala National Park. Yala is the largest national park in Sri Lanka and is home to wild elephants, wild boars, wild buffaloes, leopards, bears, deer and crocodiles. Large flocks of migratory and indigenous birds are also found here. On completion, continue to the hotel and check-in.
   Overnight stay at Hilton Weerawila 5* / Chaarya Resort 4*
   breakfast Overnight in Yala
6. 6

   After breakfast, proceed to the beach along Sri Lanka's southern coast.

   Galle was once the chief port of Ceylon. It is still well known for hand-made lace. You can also visit the Galle Fort (spanning 90 acres), which was originally built by the Portuguese and later extended by the Dutch in 1663. This is a World Heritage Site. Continue to Ahungalla/Induruwa and check-in at the hotel.
   Overnight stay at Heritance Ahungalla 5* / Turya Kalutara 4*
   breakfast Overnight in Ahungalla
7. 7

   After breakfast, proceed to Colombo.

   Check in to the hotel.
   In the afternoon, do a city tour of Colombo. Like many capital cities in developing countries, it is fast changing its face. Almost overnight, skyscrapers arise where old buildings once stood. Yet in some parts, the old-world charm is retained. For example, there is a 100-year-old clock tower and several British-built colonial buildings. Other places of interest include the Pettah bazaar, where you can shop for bargains; Hindu and Buddhist temples; residential areas with stately homes of the affluent; the Colombo Museum; the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), a gift to Sri Lanka from the People's Republic of China; and the Dutch Museum.
   Overnight stay at Courtyard By Marriott 5* / Morven Colombo 4*
   breakfast Overnight in Colombo
8. 8

   After breakfast, transfer to the airport in time for departure

   breakfast

Our Rates Per Person Include

• Accommodation in a standard room on bed & breakfast basis for 7 nights, from breakfast on day 2 to breakfast on day 8, at specified hotels or of similar standard. 02 Nights Sigiriya, 01 Night Kandy, 01 Night Nuwara Eliya, 01 Night Yala, 01 Night Ahungalla & 01 Night Colombo.
• Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle as per the itinerary.
• English-speaking guide services

Our Rates Per Person Exclude

• Round trip ticket
• Entrance fees such as: Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, Kandy Temple, Cultural Show, Yala National Park entrance and jeep cost (182$). Please note the above-mentioned rates are subject to change as per government legislation.
• Lunch & Dinner
• Video and camera permit.
• Expenses of a personal nature
• Excursions
• Tips and porterage
• Visa fee (eVisa is recommended)
• Travel and cancellation insurance (optional)

• Most hotels request a deposit upon check-in for extra services.