Best Of Sri Lanka Including Beach Break

• Day 1: Arrive Colombo & Drive to Negombo (15 kms/ 30 minutes)

  Met on arrival at Colombo airport and transfer to Negombo (15 kms/approx. 30 mins). Located just a short drive from the Colombo international airport at Katunayake , Negombo was Sri Lanka’s first coastal resort , and it makes for a popular rest stop for travellers after a long journey to Sri Lanka. Overnight in Negombo. (Standard check in time at the hotel is 1400 hrs)

• Day 2: Drive Negombo to Dambulla (135 kms/approx. 4 hrs)

  Drive to Dambulla en-route visiting the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and Anuradhapura. The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, established in 1975 to give a home to orphaned Elephants, gives visitors a chance to see Elephants at close quarters, and see them being bred, fed and bathed. The next stop is Anuradhapura, with many temples, dagobas, and monasteries, many of which are now in ruins. After sightseeing, proceed to Dambulla. Dambulla is famous for it’s World Heritage Site, the Dambulla Cave Temples, which is a complex of 5 Caves with over 2000 square meters of painted walls and ceilings, containing over 150 images of Lord Buddha, including a massive rock-carved figure of Buddha spanning 14 meters. Upon arrival check-in at the Hotel. Overnight stay in Dambulla.

• Day 3: In Dambulla

  Full day excursion to Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Polonnaruwa. A World Heritage Site, the Sigriya Rock Fortress dates back to the 5th century, and is perhaps Sri Lanka’s picture post card monument. It is a massive rock structure jutting out of the forested plains like a giant tooth, and still has the remains of the Fortress and the Royal Palace. The climb up to the Sigiriya Rock Fortress is 1200 steps through the Mirror Wall and the giant stone paws of a lion, Sigiriya means Lion’s Fortress in the local Sri Lankan language, Sinhalese. Continue to Polonnaruwa which became the Island’s capital after the South Indian Chola Kings ransacked Anuradhapura. Polannaruwa is a more compact city than Anuradhapura, and many of it’s temples, monasteries and palaces are still intact and are certainly worth visiting. Overnight in Dambulla.

• Day 4: Drive Dambulla to Kandy (95 kms/approx. 2½ hrs),

  After breakfast, drive to Kandy en-route visiting Dambulla Cave Temples. Dating back to the 1st century BC the Rock Temple and the Caves of Dambulla are a World Heritage Site. Continue to Kandy, en-route visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth. Upon arrival check in at the hotel in Kandy. Kandy is a beautiful and romantic city, surrounded by lush green hills and with a large Lake in the city centre. Once the stronghold of the Sinhalese Kings and the capital of Sri Lanka’s hill regions, Kandy now has the sophistication of a modern city. Overnight stay in Kandy.

• Day 5: Kandy to Nuwara Eliya

  After breakfast, drive to Kandy en-route visiting the Organic Herb and Spice Plantation. At the Organic Herb and Spice Plantation, you can see Cinnamon, Cardamom, Pepper and many other Spice trees, and even have an outdoor lunch at the plantation overlooking the gardens. Transfer to Peradeniya railway station in time to board the train for Nanu Oya (Scenic Train ride - Peradeniya-Nanu Oya ). Met on arrival at Nanu Oya railway station and transfer to Nuwara Eliya, en-route visiting Nuwara Eliya Tea Plantations & Factory. At an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level, the colonial hill station of Nuwara Eliya was, because of it’s pleasant climate, the favorite retreat of the British. Nuwara Eliya still retains its colonial splendor and many call it the “Little England” of Sri Lanka. Evidence of its colonial past still exists, with country cottages, some Tudor Cottages, Queen Anne style mansions, sprawling golf course, and meadows. Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.

• Day 6: Drive Nuwara Eliya to Yala (180 kms/approx 4½ hrs).

  Sri Lanka’s biggest National Park, Yala is spread over almost 400 square miles of grassy plains and tangled forests. Offering a diverse range of animal and bird life, Yala boasts of the highest density of Leopards in Asia and also has Sloth Bears, Crocodiles, several species of Deer and Asian Elephants. Upon arrival check in to the Lodge. Overnight stay in Yala.

• Day 7: In Yala

  Morning and afternoon jeep safaris into the Yala National Park. Overnight stay in Yala.

• Day 8: Drive Yala to Bentota (250 kms / approx. 5 hrs).

  Morning jeep safari into Yala National Park. Later drive Yala to Bentota. Located just 2 hrs South of Colombo, Bentota is a popular beach resort and a perfect place to relax and unwind. The beach on the Indian Ocean is a wild curve of golden sand, with a good choice of Bars and Restaurants as well as world-class resorts. Overnight stay in Bentota.

• Day 9: In Bentota

  Day at leisure. Overnight stay in Bentota.

• Day 10: In Bentota

  Day at leisure. Overnight stay in Bentota.

• Day 11: Drive Bentota to Colombo (85 kms/approx. 2 hrs).

  Drive to Colombo. Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka is a city that is fast modernizing, but there are still some parts that retain the old world charm of the Sri Lankan capital. Upon arrival check-in at the Hotel. Later sightseeing tour of Colombo that includes a drive through the city’s busy commercial areas as well as the tree-lined residential, Cinnamon Gardens, Fort - the former British administrative center and military garrison, Sea Street - the Goldsmiths 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 & the Independence Square. Overnight stay in Colombo.

• Day 12: Depart Colombo

  Transfer to Colombo airport in time to board flight for onward destination. (standard check out time at the hotel is 1200 hrs)

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