Highlights of Sri Lanka 9 nts / 10 days

OVERVIEW

This tour takes you to the Commercial Capital of Sri Lanka – Colombo, Rock Fortress at Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa – the Medieval Capital of Sri Lanka, Rock cave temple at Dambulla, Kandy – Lies midst of hills in the Kandy Valley and Relaxation at coastal city Bentota famous for golden beaches.

Tour Route:-

Arrive Colombo 1 Night > Drive Habarana 2 Nights ( Excursion Sigiriya & Polonnaruwa ) > Drive Dambulla > Drive Kandy 2 Nights ( Excursion Pinnawela ) > Drive Bentota 4 Nights ( Beach ) & Leave.

Day 01 Arrive Colombo

Upon arrival in Colombo Airport you are met and transferred to your pre booked Hotel Colombo, the commercial capital of the country. Colombo, check in at the hotel. Afternoon commence a sightseeing tour of the city of Colombo. Drive through the commercial and city centre area known as the “Fort”, built by the Portuguese in the 16th century where grand colonial era buildings stand alongside modern office structures. See the busy markets and noisy bazaars of Pettah, the National Museum with its fine collection of lovely antiques and art of Sri Lanka. Drive past the Town Hall, Independence Square, the B.M.I.C.H (International Convention Centre) and Cinnamon Gardens residential area and visit a Buddhist temple and a Hindu Kovil to experience the diversity of religion, ethnicity and customs of the people.
Dinner and Overnight stay at the Hotel in Colombo.

Day 02 Colombo – Habarana (Drive)

After breakfast leave for Habarana. Upon arrival in Habarana check in at your pre booked Hotel.Rest of the Day Free.Dinner and Overnight stay at the Hotel in Habarana.

Day 03 Habarana – Sigiriya – Polonnaruwa – Habarana (Drive)

After breakfast at hotel leave for Sigiriya and climb the Rock Fortress (a UNESCO World Heritage site) built by King Kassapa in the 05thcentury A.D. which was a Royal Citadel for more than 18 years. The lion rock 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 extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens. 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.
On completion, leave for Polonnaruwa (67 km, approx.1½ hour drive), (UNESCO World Heritage Site) the Capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th to 13th century, a well-planned medieval city defended by enclosing walls (around 5 km. which still remain),graced by palaces, shrines, monasteries, pavilions, parks, ponds and irrigation lakes. Polonnaruwa is strewn with ruins in a resplendent state of preservation. Of these the ‘Vatadage’ and the ‘Thuparama Image house’ are the most spectacular. 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. On completion, return to the hotel.
Dinner and Overnight stay at the Hotel in Habarana

Day 04 Habarana – Dambulla – Kandy (Drive)

After breakfast at the hotel, leave for Dambulla and visit the famous Golden Rock cave temple which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Centre. A sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, this cave monastery, a vast isolated rock mass with its five caverns is 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. The ceiling of one cavern is fully illustrated with paintings that follow the natural folds of the rock so closely that it appears to be made of cloth. The complex of caves is one of the most impressive Buddhist Temples in the world.
Thereafter leave for Kandy. En route visit a Spice garden in Matale. Kandy, the bustling hill country capital is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is famous for the pink painted Temple of the Tooth which houses the most sacred religious relic, the tooth of the Buddha, the Kandy Lake built in 1807 which is an attractive centerpiece to the town and the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. Kandy is also popular because of the annual festival known as the Esala Perahera where the inner casket covering the tooth relic of the Buddha is taken in a grand procession through the streets of the city held annually in the month of July or August. On arrival in Kandy, check in at the hotel. Evening, visit the sacred Temple of Tooth. Thereafter enjoy the Kandyan Cultural Show at the Kandyan Arts & Cultural Centre. The show features the graceful and rhythmic dancers and drummers culminating in an impressive fire walking display.
Dinner and Overnight stay at the Hotel in Kandy

Day 05 Kandy – Pinnawela – Kandy (Drive)

After breakfast leave for Pinnawela. En route commence a sightseeing tour of Kandy city, bustling hill country capital which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Drive past the picturesque premises of the University of Peradeniya and visit the Market Place, and an arts & crafts show room. Then drive along the Upper Lake road to get a panoramic view of the Kandy Lake built in 1807 and is an attractive centerpiece to the town. Also visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, where a rare collection of tropical exotic and indigenous flora including the famous Orchid House could be viewed.
On completion proceed to Pinnawala and visit the Elephant Orphanage. This orphanage was set up by the government to take care of baby elephants lost or abandoned in the wild. Witness the feeding of the elephants. The baby elephants being bottle fed with milk is a heartwarming sight. Thereafter observe them as they take their daily bath in the river nearby, which affords marvelous photo opportunities. 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. The young elephants are protected and cared for, by the older ones in the group and the leader of the group is respected by all. (Open from 8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Daily feeding times- 9.15 a.m.,1.15 p.m. 5.00 p.m. Bathing times – 10.00 a.m., 2.00 p.m., 4.00 p.m.).
On completion return to the hotel
Dinner and Overnight stay at the Hotel in Kandy

Day 06 Kandy – Bentota (Drive)

After breakfast proceed to Bentota. Upon arrival in Bentota check in at your pre booked Hotel.Rest of the Day at Leisure on the Beach.Dinner and Overnight stay at the Hotel in Bentota.

Day 07 Bentota

Day at leisure on the beach.
Dinner and Overnight stay at the Hotel in Bentota

Day 08 Bentota

Day at leisure on the beach.
Dinner and Overnight stay at the Hotel in Bentota

Day 09 Bentota

Day at leisure on the beach.
Dinner and Overnight stay at the Hotel in Bentota

Day 10 Bentota – Colombo (Drive)

Today you are transferred to the Colombo Airport to board flight for Onward Journey.

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Hotel Suisse – Kandy

Suisse is housed in a colonial building, across Kandy Lake. Offering rooms with views of the tropical grounds or Kandy Lake, it has a spa, a restaurant and free parking. The colonial-style rooms at Hotel Suisse feature classic wood furnishings and floral fabrics. They are equipped with satellite TV and private bathrooms with hot/cold shower. Guests can lounge by the landscaped outdoor pool or enjoy a relaxing massage at the Ayurvedic Center. Sauna facilities are also available. There is also a tour desk to assist guests with making travel and trips arrangements. Suisse Kandy’s restaurant serves a wide variety of Western and Asian dishes.

Cinnamon Citadel – Kandy

Cinnamon Citadel Kandy offers a spectacular outdoor pool. It has a spa and well-appointed rooms.Air-conditioned rooms feature spacious interiors with fine beddings and furnishings. Each room is equipped with a minibar, tea/coffee making facilities and a TV with cable channels.Vel Eliya Restaurant boasts an international menu, and continental dishes can be found at the Mahaveli Eliya. The Giri Sikara Lounge is an excellent venue to enjoy refreshing beverages and light snacks. Hotel Offers 121 Rooms. Guests can enjoy massages at the spa, or have a leisurely swim at the outdoor pool. Free Wi-Fi is provided on site. The hotel’s tour desk can help organise trips to popular attractions such as the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. Kandy Chaaya Citadel is located a 20-minute drive from the famous Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha site. Bandaranaike International Airport is a 5-hour drive from the hotel, and free parking is provided.

Chaaya Village – Habarana

Chaaya Village Habarana is a 15-minute drive from Minneriya National Park. The hotel features an outdoor pool and facilities for tennis, volleyball and badminton. Chaaya Village Habarana is an hour’s drive from Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle. Driving from Bandaranaike International Airport takes 6 hours. Featuring wooden furniture, the air-conditioned rooms at Chaaya Village come with private terraces. Each room has a TV with cable channels, a safety deposit box, and tea/coffee making facilities. Azmaara Spa provides a range of treatments, from massages to manicures and pedicures. The hotel offers tours such as hiking in the Ritigala jungle or riding an ox cart in Hiriwadunna. El Hena Restaurant features buffet spreads with Asian and Western dishes, while Panthaliya Coffee Shop serves snacks and hot beverages. Refreshments are available at the pool bar.

Galle Face – Colombo

This iconic and colonial-style hotel, built in 1864, boasts a spa and a saltwater pool with sun loungers that faces the vast Indian Ocean. Fitted with wooden flooring, most rooms at Galle Face Hotel offer views of the Indian Ocean, Galle Face Green or Colombo City. Hotel Offers 81 Rooms. They are equipped with a TV and a private bathroom with a hairdryer. A minibar and a personal safe are included. Guests can enjoy a relaxing massage at the spa or work out at the gym. Galle Face Hotel also provides a business centre. Located in the heart of Colombo City, Galle Face Hotel is a 15-minute drive from Odel Shopping Mall and just 36 km from Colombo International Airport. Local and international dining options can be enjoyed at the hotel's 2 on-site restaurants, Verandah and 1864. For a drink, guests can head to the bar.

Bentota Beach Hotel – Bentota

Bentota Beach Hotel offers rooms with scenic views. It provides 3 dining options, a spectacular outdoor pool and exciting activities like elephant rides, archery and watersports. The Bentota Hotel is a 10-minute drive from the Sea Turtle Hatchery and the Brief Garden. The luxurious guestrooms are spacious and fitted with colourful wall decorations and beddings. They have private balconies and are equipped with a minibar, an in-room safe and cable TV. Recreational activities are endless at the hotel. It has floodlit tennis courts, squash courts, billiard tables and a water sport centre, where guests can try wind surfing, jet ski and diving. For a more relaxing afternoon, Azmaara Spa’s professional therapists offer customised massages and treatments. The Peacock Restaurant serves a selection of international and local dishes. Araliya Restaurant provides a memorable fine dining experience with an impressive wine menu. For light snacks, visit the Soorya Pool Bar.

Sri Lanka Experience – TJ SL 03