Best of Sri Lanka with Sigiria

Overview

Best of Sri Lanka with Sigiria (8 Nights / 8 Days)

• Galle - Galle is a heritage port and a beach resort 150 kms South of Colombo, renowned for its heritage character and crystal clear beaches
• Kandy - Sri Lanka's hill capital is, perhaps, its most beautiful town. It is 488 metres above sea level, and next to Colombo, Kandy is Sri Lanka's most visited place. The focal point of the town is the golden-roofed Dalada Maligawa, where the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha is enshrined.
• Nuwara Eliya - Nuwara Eliya (5500 ft asl) in the Central Province, Sri Lanka is renowned for its Tea plantations and Colonial era heritage hotels .
• Colombo - Colombo is typical arrival point for tourists into Sri Lanka and access point to fly into or drive into destinations all over Sri Lanka.

Tour Itinerary

The itinerary that combines all the most popularly visited destinations of Sri Lanka such as Sigiriya (Heritage), Kandy (Lakeside), Nuwara Eliya (Plantation) and Bentota (Beaches).

Day-1 Arrival at Colombo

Travel to Sigiriya. Enroute visit Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage Arrival at Sri Lanka and transfer to Sigiriya (160 – 5 hours). Signiriya is renowned for its UNESCO heritage site, Sigiriya Rock Fortress. En-route visits the elephant orphanage at Pinnawela for an elephant experience. Witness the feeding and bathing activities of the elephants. Overnight stay at Sigiriya.

Day-2 Visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Dambulla Cave Temple

After breakfast visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Sigiriya – is a "UNESCO World Heritage Site" and the 5th Century "Fortress in the Sky". 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. Evening visit Dambulla Cave Temple. Dambulla Cave Temple (also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla) is a World Heritage Site (1991) in Sri Lanka situated in the central part of the country. Overnight stay at Sigiriya.

Day-3 Travel to Kandy

After Breakfast travel to Kandy (1600 ft asl) via Matale. (Approximately 80 Km 2 ½ Hour). En route visit spice garden & Batik factory at Matale. Kandy is a lakeside town and the most visited destination in Sri Lanka, visited for its Tooth of Relic temple, which is also a world heritage site. Today Kandy is the center of Buddhism, Arts, Crafts, Dancing, Music and Culture. Visitors can see these Dance & Music at the daily Cultural Performances held. Overnight stay at Kandy.

Day-4 Kandy Sightseeing

After Breakfast commence city tour of Kandy including Upper Lake Drive, Market Square and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Later visit Royal Botanical Gardens. Overnight stay in Kandy.

Day-5 Proceed to Nuwara Eliya.

Evening Sightseeing around Nuwara Eliya After breakfast proceed to Nuwara Eliya (5000 ft asl – 75 kms – 2.5 hours). Nuwara Eliya - The ‘Little England' of Sri Lanka, is set against beautiful backdrops of Mountains, Valleys, Waterfalls and Tea Plantations. All around Nuwara Eliya you will see evidence of the British influence, houses like country cottages or Queen Ann style mansions. Evening Sightseeing at Nuwara Eliya.

Day-6 Proceed to Bentota via Kitugala

After breakfast drive to Bentota via Kitulgala. En-route pass by beautiful scenery and the St. Clair's & Devon's waterfalls. White water rafting is optional in Kitulgala. In the afternoon check in at the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay in Bentota.

Day-7 Watersports / Sightseeing in and around Bentota

After breakfast move around Bentota or simply enjoy beachside character of the area. Water sports facilities are available. Interesting sightseeing tours include trips to Turtle Hatchery, Mask Shop, Boat trips on Bentota River etc. Guests also have an option to do day visit to Galle heritage area. Overnight stay in Bentota.

Day-8 Proceed to Colombo

Colombo Sightseeing After breakfast After breakfast drive to Colombo and enjoy city tour of Colombo including shopping. 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. Also visit the BMICH, see the replica of Avukana Buddha and the Independence Square. Overnight stay in Colombo.

Day-9 Colombo Sightseeing and exploration before Departure

After breakfast explore Colombo areas for shopping and sightseeing until departure in the evening. Depart for onward journey

Sightseeing

Colombo: -

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage - The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage is situated between Colombo and Kandy. There are about 80+ elephants here and is open to the public for an elephant experience.

Galle: -

National Marine Museum - The National Maritime Museum or National Maritime Archaeology Museum is located within the Galle fort. There are maps, naval craft, ropes, earthenware, beer mugs, smoking pipes, barrels, vast amount of articles including artillery guns and sailor shoes, some of which are nearly 800 years old

Cathedral of St Mary - The Cathedral of St. Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Galle. It is a landmark in the City of Galle and was built by the Society of Jesus at the end of the 19th century

Unawatuna Beach - Unawatuna is a major tourist attraction in Sri Lanka and famous for its beautiful beach and corals. Unawatuna traces its roots to the great epic Ramayana but there are no traces of that found except the references in local mythology.

Kandy: -

Kandy Lake - Kandy Lake is set in the heart of the hill city of Kandy. Around the lake the towns is set and from different corners of the town one can see the lake. Number of birds are found around the lake. The area around lake is excellent for a walk.

Tooth of Relic - Tooth of Relic is the focal point of Kandy town. The monument is Gold roofed and here the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha is enshrined.

Perediniya Botanical Gardens - Royal Botanical Garden, Peradeniya is renowned for its collection of a variety of orchids. It includes more than 4000 species of plants, including of orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palm trees

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage - The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage is situated between Colombo and Kandy. There are about 80+ elephants here and is open to the public for an elephant experience.

Nuwara Eliya: -

Tea Factory Visit in Nuwara Eliya - Tea Plantation visit and visit to the tea factory is a popular tourist activity in Nuwara Eliya. Many estates around the area offer an organised visit to the estate and the tea factory.

Seetha Kovil - Seetha Kovil is a temple on the way to Hakgala Botanical Garden and linked to Ramayana era mythology. It is believed that Goddess Seeta, Wife of Lord Rama, hid her in the place where the temple now is.

Ramboda Waterfalls - Ramboda Falls is 109 m high waterfalls one the highest waterfalls in Sri Lanka. It is located just off the Kandy - Nuwara eliya route.