HIGHLIGHTS OF SRI LANKA

Duration : 06 Days

Colombo - Habarana - Dambulla - Sigiriya - Kandy - Pinnawala - Nuwara Eliya - Kandy - Kitulgala - Colombo

Day 01 : Arrive Colombo
Transfer to the airport to board flight for Colombo. Arrive Colombo, transfer to pre-booked hotel in Habarana (160 kms, 4 hrs. drive), a location of spectacular sceneries. Rest of the day free for individual activities.

Day 02 : Habarana
After breakfast, explore one of the best kept ruins of ancient Ceylon - the UNESCO World Heritage City of Polonnaruwa (43 kms, 1 hr. drive). This was the Capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th to 13th century, which was a well-planned medieval city defended by enclosing walls, graced by palaces, shrines, monasteries, pavilions, parks, ponds and irrigation lakes. Polonnaruwa is strewn with ruins in a resplendent state of preservation. The 'Gal Vihara' which consists of statues of the recumbent, standing and seated Buddha have been cut from a single granite wall and rank among the true masterpieces of Sri Lankan Art.

Day 03 : Habarana - Kandy
Morning, visit the city of Dambulla (25 kms., ½ hr.) to explore the famous Golden Rock cave temple, which is one of the eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka. Being a sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, this cave monastery is a vast isolated rock mass with its five caverns recorded as the largest best preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. The Buddhist mural paintings (covering an area of 2,100 sq. meters) are of particular importance as are the 157 statues including a 47 foot long statue of the recumbent Buddha.

Next visit the Sri Lanka's famous fallen kingdom - Sigiriya, The Rock Fortress (25 kms., ½ hr.). Climb the 5th Century "Fortress in the Sky", built by King Kassapa. The fortress was a Royal Citadel for more than 18 years. The lion rock (A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE) is a citadel of unusual beauty, rising 200 metres from the scrub jungle. The base of the rock is ringed by a moat and rampart and the extensive gardens are a glorious splendour pumped by advance plumbing techniques that baffles the historians to this day. The majestic Lion's Paw picturesquely guards the stairway of the palace on the summit. See the famous frescoes of the "Heavenly maidens" of Sigiriya in a sheltered pocket of the rock and the 10 foot high Mirror Wall.

After the visit, drive to the bustling hill capital of Kandy (92 kms., 3 hrs.) enroute visit the spice garden in Matale. Arrive Kandy and check-in at prebooked hotel. Relax in the wonderful ambience of city of Kandy. In the Evening you will visit the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic, and later enjoy the Kandyan Cultural show at the Kandyan Arts and Cultural Centre. The show features the graceful and rhythmic dancers and drummers culminating in an impressive fire walking display.

Day 04 : Kandy - Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast, visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage (50 kms., 1½ hr.). This project was initiated by the Government of Sri Lanka to take care of baby elephants that are lost or abandoned in the wild. Now it has become one of the hottest tourist destinations in the isle, where anyone can witness the innocence of the second largest land animal without a fear. While you are here, you will be offered the rare opportunity to observe the feeding of the elephants. Bath time is enjoyed by all elephants, young and old alike and it is a good time to closely observe their tightly knit family structure, which is also a marvellous photo opportunity. Daily feeding times - 9.15 am, 1.15 pm, and 5.00 pm. bathing times 10.00 am, 2.00 pm, and 4.00 pm.

Continue drive to Nuwara Eliya (130 kms, 04½ hrs.) enroute visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, where a rare collection of tropical exotic and indigenous flora including the famous Orchid House could be viewed.

Arrive Nuwara Eliya & check-in at prebooked hotel. It is a beautiful town, set in the heart of hill country and situated 1890 meters above sea level. It is where the British succeeded in creating an English countryside with charming homes inspired by Georgian to Queen Anne.

Day 05 : Kandy - Colombo
After breakfast, leave for Kitulgala (120 kms., 3 hrs.), a small town perched on the hills that slope down to the flowing waters of the Kelani River. The main attractions include white water rafting, trekking and the Kelani Forest Reserve, renowned as a bird watching location.

Continue drive to the city of Colombo (86 kms., 2½ hrs.). Arrive Colombo and check-in at pre-booked hotel. Rest of the evening in leisure. Free to drive around the city of Colombo, where the colonial remnants creatively fuses with the modern architecture.

Day 06 : Depart Colombo
Transfer to Colombo airport (35 kms., 01 hr.) to board your onward/return flight.