Day 1 - Airport to Colombo
Upon arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport you will be greeted by the Airport Representative and Professional Chauffeur of Taxiairport.lk. Your chauffeur will drive you to Colombo. Colombo is the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. Our chauffeur will conduct a city tour in Colombo. (Places to be visited: Galle Face Green, Independence Square, BMICH, Port City Project, Lotus Tower, Pettah Market, Colombo Harbor, Old Dutch Hospital, Old Parliament Building, Temple Trees, and President’s House). Overnight Colombo.
Day 2 - Colombo - Pinnawala - Ramboda - Nuwara Eliya
Highlights: Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Tea Factory, Tea Plantations, Ramboda Falls
After breakfast, leave for Nuwara Eliya, visiting the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage en route. It's an orphanage, nursery, and captive breeding ground for wild Asian elephants. The orphanage was established to feed, nurse, and house young/baby elephants found abandoned by their mothers. You will be able to feed them according to their timetable. Proceed to Nuwara Eliya, visiting a tea factory and tea gardens. A visit to a tea factory around Ramboda will be a fantastic stop through misty mountains, where you can enjoy a cup of the world-famous Ceylon tea and buy fresh tea products from the sales outlet. If interested, you can visit Shri Bhakta Hanuman Temple at Ramboda, dedicated to the God Hanuman, where you can witness the 18-foot Hanuman statue. Continue to Nuwara Eliya, passing beautiful waterfalls and misty mountains. Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.
Day 3 - Nuwara Eliya - Kandy
Highlights: Nuwara Eliya City Tour, Sita Amman Temple, Temple of the Tooth, Cultural Dancing Show
After breakfast, start the city tour in Nuwara Eliya, including Lake Gregory (a scenic reservoir with water sports), Victoria Park (a tranquil spot with birds and a playground), and the Golf Club. Visit Sita Amman Temple, the only Hindu temple in Sri Lanka dedicated to Princess Sita. Proceed to Kandy and visit the Temple of the Tooth, which houses the Sacred Tooth of Lord Buddha. Visitors can observe poojas (offerings) and the ancient traditions of drumming and sacred chanting in honor of the Tooth Relic. In the evening, witness the Cultural Dancing Show in Kandy, a stimulating display of Sri Lankan arts, dance, and cultural heritage with traditional dancers and drummers performing. Overnight stay in Kandy.
Day 4 - Kandy - Dambulla - Sigiriya
Highlights: Peradeniya Botanical Garden, Herbal Spice Garden, Dambulla Cave Temple
After breakfast, leave for Peradeniya to visit the Royal Botanical Garden, renowned for its collection of orchids. The garden includes more than 4,000 species of plants, including orchids, spices, medicinal plants, and palm trees. En route, visit the Aluvihare Rock Temple if interested. This historic location is where the Pali Canon was first written down completely in text on ola (palm) leaves. It is recommended to visit an Herbal Spice Garden at Matale on the way to Sigiriya to learn about Sri Lanka’s world-renowned spices and various herbs. Continue to Sigiriya, visiting the Dambulla Cave Temple. Dambulla is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka, with a rock ceiling that is one large sweep of colorful paintings related to Lord Buddha and his life. Some of these paintings are over 2,000 years old. There are 80 documented caves in the surrounding area and a total of 153 Buddha statues within the cave. Overnight stay in Sigiriya.
Day 5 - Sigiriya - Hiriwadunna - Minneriya - Sigiriya
Highlights: Visit the ancient Sigiriya rock fortress, Village Tour in Hiriwadunna, and safari in Minneriya National Park
Begin with a visit to the ancient Sigiriya rock fortress, constructed by King Kasyapa in the 5th century, showcasing its upper palace ruins, frescoes, and the iconic Lion Gate. Follow with a Village Tour in Hiriwaduna, offering insights into rural Sri Lankan life through activities like bullock cart rides, catamaran boat rides, and a traditional lunch in a mud house. Conclude the day with an exhilarating safari in Minneriya National Park, renowned for its abundant elephant population gathering around the Minneriya tank. Overnight stay in Sigiriya.
Day 6 - Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa - Trincomalee
After breakfast leave for Polonnaruwa, medieval capital of the island (11th & 12th century). Polonnaruwa shows the interesting blend of the influence of the South Indian Hindu culture on the Sinhala Buddhist art & architecture in the scattered shrines & monuments still venerated daily by devotees. The Siva Devalas are interesting transposition of the Hindu style of décor. Other popular ruins are, the King’s Council Chamber the floral stone pillars of Nissanka Lata Mandapaya, the royal citadel, Kumara Pokuna, the Thuparama with its original vaulted roof, the exquisite circular Vatadage relic house, lavished with Goonstones, Guardstones and sculptured railings, Kiri Vehera, the best preserved of Sri Lanka’s un-restored dagobas. Visit Gal Vihare, the massive statues of Buddha cut in a row form a horizontal escarpment of streaked granite. Visit Demala Maha Seya a shrine of novel design, Thivanka Image House which is famous for Buddhist frescoes, Lankathilake Viharaya, shows a unique style of brickwork architecture. Visit Parakrama Samudraya made by King Parakramabhahu, one of the largest man made inland lakes in the world. Can be visited the statue of Parakramabahu near the lake. It’s a large statue cut in a niche carved out of rock. Proceed to Trincomalee which is located on the east coast of the island overlooking the Trincomalee Harbor (ranked as the world’s 5th largest natural harbors) Overnight Trincomalee.
Day 7 - Nilaveli - Trincomalee
Highlights: Pigeon Island, Nilaveli Beach
Enjoy leisure time in Trincomalee today. Take a short boat ride to Pigeon Island near Nilaveli, renowned for diving, snorkeling, and sea bathing amidst vibrant marine life. Nilaveli Beach is a favored destination for sun worshippers seeking relaxation and scenic beauty. Overnight in Nilaveli or Trincomalee.
Day 8 - Nilaveli & Uppuveli
Highlights: Thirukoneswaram Kovil, Kanniya Hot Water Springs, Fort Frederick, Trincomalee War Cemetery, Nilaveli & Uppuveli Beaches
After breakfast, embark on a journey to explore Trincomalee's cultural and historical sites, starting with Thirukoneswaram Kovil, a renowned Hindu temple overlooking the sea. Visit the Kanniyai hot water springs, known for their therapeutic properties. Explore Fort Frederick, an ancient fort with historical significance, and pay respects at the Trincomalee War Cemetery. Enjoy leisure time at the beautiful sandy beaches of Nilaveli and Uppuveli, ideal for relaxation and scenic views. Overnight stay in Trincomalee.
Day 9 - Trincomalee - Ritigala - Negombo
After breakfast leave for Colombo, along the way stop and visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. The elephant orphanage was founded in order to allow the care and protection of many wild elephants orphaned found wandering in and near the forests of Sri Lanka. Afterwards leave for Colombo, make a city tour in Colombo. Later drive for Negombo. Overnight stay in Negombo.
Day 10 - Airport - Negombo
After breakfast transfer to the Bandaranaike International Airport according to the departure flight schedule. You are advised to be there at least 3 hours before the flight.