Day
01. ARRIVE COLOMBO Arrive in Colombo where our representative will
meet you, assist you and escort you to the hotel.
In the
afternoon, drive through the commercial area and the city center, known as
the 'Fort', built by the Portuguese in the 16th century. See the busy
markets and
bazaars of Pettah, visit a Buddhist and a
Hindu
temple, an
Old Dutch church and continue to the Cinnamon Gardens
residential area. Drive past the Town Hall, Independence Square and the
International convention centre.
Stay overnight in Colombo.
Day 02. COLOMBO - SIGIRIYA (97 MILES) After breakfast, proceed to
Sigiriya. Upon arrival you will be assisted with check in formalities at the
hotel.
In the afternoon visit the Sigiriya rock built by
King
Kassapa in the 5th century AD. It was a royal stronghold for more than
18 years. The Lion Rock is a citadel of unusual beauty, rising 200m from the
scrub jungle. The base of the rock is ringed by a moat and a rampart and
extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens. Later also see the
world famous frescoes of the '
Heavenly maidens" of Sigiriya in
a sheltered pocket of the rock.
Stay overnight in Sigiriya.
Day
03. SIGIRIYA - DAMBULLA - KANDY (60 MILES) After an early
breakfast, we begin the day with a drive to the
Dambulla Rock Cave
temple, a vast isolated rock mass where King Velagambhahu took refuge in
the 1st century BC. He later turned the caves into a rock temple. The temple
consists of a series of 5 caves containing many statues and paintings
including a 47ft long statue of the Buddha.
Later we drive on to
Kandy enroute visiting a spice
garden in Matale. Upon arrival in
Kandy, drive past the picturesque University Campus and also visit the local
market and an arts & crafts show room. Then drive along the upper lake
road to get a panoramic view of Kandy Lake and its surroundings.
Afterwards visit the
Peradeniya Botanical garden to see a rare
collection of tropical exotic and indigenous flora and the famous
Orchid
House. Later witness a cultural program and a fire walking display.
Finally visit the
Temple of tooth relic of Buddha.
Stay
overnight in Kandy.
Day
04. KANDY - PINNAWELA - BENTOTA (119 MILES) After an early
breakfast proceed to Pinnawala. This now famous elephant orphanage was set
up by the Sri Lankan government to rescue and rehabilitate elephants maimed
or orphaned at the hands of poachers in the jungle. At the orphanage witness
the feeding of elephants, which takes place daily from 9.15 to 9.45 AM. The
highlight of this event is the feeding of baby elephants using bottles of
milk. After feeding, the elephants are taken to a nearby river for their
daily bath, which normally takes place between 10 AM to12 noon.
Later continue by surface to Bentota.
Rest of the day is free for
you to relax in the hotel or just spend some time on beach.
Stay
overnight in Bentota.
Day 05. IN BENTOTA
Free day. Relax on the beach or avail of the many water sports available.
Stay overnight in Bentota.
Day
06. IN BENTOTA Free day.
Stay overnight in Bentota.
Day 07. IN BENTOTA Free day.
Stay overnight in Bentota.
Day
08. BENTOTA - AIRPORT (66 MILES) After breakfast, proceed to the
airport to connect to your flight for onward destination.
