DAY
1: - ARRIVE SRI LANKA - COLOMBO CITY TOUR Arrive in Sri Lanka.
You will be met by a representative and transferred to Colombo. Afternoon
commence City Tour of Colombo. *
Colombo a drive through the city taking you to the busy commercial areas as well
as the tree-lined residential, Cinnamon Gardens. Visit Fort, the former British
administrative center and military garrison, Sea Street - the Goldsmith's quarters
in the heart of Pettah, the Bazaar area, where is also a Hindu Temple with elaborate
stone carvings, and the Dutch Church of Wolfendhal dating back to 1749. The historic
Dawatagaha Mosque and the former Eye Hospital are two buildings in Cinnamon Gardens
worth looking at. Also visit the BMICH, see the replica of Avukana Buddha and
the Independence Square. Dinner
and overnight stay at Colombo. Breakfast
(No) | Lunch (No) | Dinner (No) DAY 2 - PINNAWELA
ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE - POLONNARUWA CITY TOUR After breakfast leave
for Polonnaruwa. En route visit * Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage - Started
in 1975 to house the abandoned and the wounded, the orphanage has grown to be
a big family today. A unique experience never to be missed. Afternoon
commence City Tour of Polonnaruwa. * Polonnaruwa - the Capital of
Sri Lanka from 11th - 13th Century, contains some splendid and spectacular statues.
Lankatileke, Tivanka and Thuparama are the most beautiful and largest shrine ruins
and Tivanka has the best example of frescoes of the Polonnaruwa period. Rankot
Vihara and Kiriwehera are well preserved large stupas, and Gal Vihare - a rock
shrine, has four Buddha statues, two seated, one standing and one reclining and
Parakrama Bahu statue are examples of Sinhalese stone carver. The Vata-da-ge is
a unique creation of the Sri Lankan artists. Then
transfer to Sigiriya. Dinner
and overnight stay at , Sigiriya. Breakfast
(Yes) | Lunch (No) | Dinner (No) DAY
3: SIGIRIYA ROCK FORTRESS & DAMBULLA CAVE TEMPLE After breakfast
climb the Sigriya rock fortress. * Sigiriya is home to 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 fortress. Within its triple-moated defence the
huge rock rises almost to a sheer height of 500ft. On its summit are the foundations
of what was once a great and sumptuous palace and gardens complete with swimming
pool. On one of the stairways the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting
survived in the form of Frescoes of life sized damsels in all the freshness and
delicacy of their original colour. Thereafter
leave for Kandy. En route visit Dambulla Cave Temple, a spice garden and batik
factory in Matale. * Dambulla is a vast isolated rock mass 500ft
high and a mile around the base. Here is found the famous Rock Temple dating to
the First Century BC. The caves of Dambulla sheltered the King Walagamba during
his 14 years of exile from Anuradhapura. When he regained the throne he built
the most magnificent of Rock Temples to be found on the Island. *
Spice Garden at Matale and see the luscious Cinnamons, Cardamons, Pepper
plants etc. You can also purchase your requirements of spices. *
Batik Factory where you can see the manufacture of beautiful Batik prints.
The shop contains a wide variety of Batik items. Dinner
and overnight stay at , Kandy. Breakfast
(Yes) | Lunch (No) | Dinner (No) DAY
4: KANDY CITY TOUR After breakfast commence city tour of Kandy,
including Upper Lake Drive, Market Square, Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and
the Royal Botanical Gardens. *
Kandy - the hill capital. Venue of the annual Perahera. The last stronghold
of the Sinhala Kings was finally ceded to the British in 1815. Kandy is an example
of the Buddhism's influence in Sri Lanka today. Temple's shrines and monasteries
keeping alive Buddhist traditions are everywhere. *
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic - ever since 4th Century A.D, when the
Buddha's Tooth was brought to Sri Lanka hidden from sacrilegious hands in an Orissan
princess' hair, the Relic has grown in repute and holiness in Sri Lanka and throughout
the Buddhist world. It is considered Sri Lanka's most prized possession. *
Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya, Sixty Seven hectares of exquisite
beauty and botanical treasurers containing more than 4000 species, this is haven
not only for Scientists but to every nature lover as well. Thereafter
proceed to Nuwara Eliya, visiting a tea estate and factory en route. Dinner
and overnight stay at, Nuwara Eliya. Breakfast
(Yes) | Lunch (No) | Dinner (No)
DAY 5: NUWARA ELIYA & YALA SIGHTSEEING After breakfast
Sightseeing of Nuwara Eliya. * Nuwara Eliya - The ‘Little
England' of Sri Lanka, is set against beautiful backdrops of Mountains, Valleys,
Waterfalls and Tea Plantations. It is supposed to be one of the coldest places
on the island, but is really just like an England spring day although the temperature
does drop at night. All around Nuwara Eliya you will see evidence of the
British influence. Houses are like country cottages or Queen Ann style mansions.
Afterwards
proceed to Yala via Bandarawela, Ella & Wellawaya. Afternoon
Safari at Yala National Park. *
Yala is a haven for Fauna both indigenous and migrant. Bird concentrations are
by the Lagoons/Salvers. Here are thousands of Flamingoes, Assemblies of spotted
Billed Pelicans, Spoonbills, Cormorants and various species of Herons. Pheasants,
Pea Fowl, Peacocks and the Wild Fowl are found in hundreds. Wild Buffalo and herds
of wild Elephants are a common sight. Whether it is birds or animals you have
them all at Yala. Dinner
and overnight stay at , Kataragama. Breakfast
(Yes) | Lunch (No) | Dinner (No) DAY
6: GALLE SIGHTSEEING After breakfast leave for Negombo.
En route commence sightseeing of Galle. * Galle - Sri Lanka's most historically
interesting town is Galle. Built on a premonitory rock in the south of the Island.
It was a major port until about 100 years, but today still handles shipping and
sailing boats in the natural harbour. Stroll around the Light House and
harbour or visit the old town where you can see the traditional lace makers and
carvers and purchase some the finest shell-craft souvenirs in the world. Dinner
and overnight stay at, Negombo. Breakfast
(Yes) | Lunch (No) | Dinner (No) DAY
7: DEPART SRI LANKA - ONWARD FLIGHT BACK HOME After breakfast transfer
to the airport for departure. Breakfast
(Yes) Take
home loving Memories of World Heritage Site Tour. TOUR
COST : AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.
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