6 Nights Tour - Island of Serendipity Sri Lanka

6 Nights Tour - Island of Serendipity
Sri Lanka

Grasp the essence of this paradise via these exclusive tour packages to Sri Lanka during a shorter stay. Ancient cities, tea-growing hills, elephant back safaris and allows the perfect moment to climb the Adam's Peak or discover bio diversity at Horton Plains. Beach stay can be planned in Sri Lanka or in Maldives as per your choice of resort. Indian Ocean beaches and the finest hotels is a great highlight.

Holiday Highlights

• Unforgettable elephant back safari
• Discover the first capital of Ceylon, Anuradhapura
• Explore the medieval capital of Polonnaruwa
• Temple of the Tooth in honour of Lord Buddha
• Visit to Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya
• Visit to a Tea Plantation & Factory while tasting high grades of tea
• Opportunity of exploring Horton Plains

• Visit to Aukana, an architectural marvel
• Climbing the Sigiriya Rock Fortress
• Dambulla's serene Buddhist cave temples
• Kandyan dancing and drum beats
• Elephant bathing & bottle feeding of baby elephants in Pinnawala
• Discover the colonial city of Nuwara Eliya
• White Water Rafting in Kitulgala
• Climbing the Adam's Peak

Day 1 - Day 3

1^st Day - Arrival at the Colombo International Airport ...

Arrival at the Colombo International Airport. You will be met by our English speaking / other language speaking depending on availability Chauffeur Guide. Thereafter transfer direct to Sigiriya or Habarana or Dambulla according to the category of hotels selected with a comfort stop en route in Kurunagala. All 3 locations are conveniently located for all the ancient city sites and have a hotel complex principally for package tourists; also many better-heeled independent visitors also use it. At 1630hrs: One hour elephant back safari through the jungles of Habarana. Brief stop in the jungle and taste some delicious seasonal fruits served with mineral water or soft drinks. You will be awarded a certificate for your brave adventure. Overnight at selected category of hotel.

 

2^nd Day - morning after breakfast visit to Aukana ...

02 morning after breakfast visit to Aukana, What may be called one of the wonders of the world is the tall, standing statue of the Buddha at Aukana, another architectural marvel of the ancient Sinhalese. The rock cut statue which stands 39 feet above its decorated lotus plinth and 10 feet across the shoulders, belongs to the period of King Dhatusena (459-477 AD), PM: Excursion to Anuradhapura Sri Lanka's first capital, founded in the 5th century B.C. is situated 206 km. from Colombo. Attractions worth seeing are:- The Sacred Bo Tree, Abhayagiri Dagaba, Jetavanaramaya, Brazen Palace, Thuparama Dagaba, Samadhi Buddha, Kuttam Pokuna and Mirisavati Dagaba. Overnight at selected category of hotel.

 

3^rd Day - after breakfast, visit the Rock fortress of Sigiriya ...

after breakfast, visit the Rock fortress of Sigiriya ,One of Sri Lanka's most fascinating UNESCO world heritage sites - A mighty 600 ft high rock-fortress of a 5th century King is famous for its entrancingly beautiful frescoes. The old stairway to the top led through the mouth of a huge crouching lion, carved from the rock- today only the paws remain. Remains of the handsome royal citadel are on the summit. PM: Proceed to Polonnaruwa a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stop at a village house to witness the rural life style and to enjoy a friendly chat with some villages. Visit of Polonnaruwa - The 11th to 13th Century capital of Polonnaruwa has more to see and less to conjecture than the older metropolis of Anuradhapura. With its comparatively brief and uncomplicated history (two centuries and a dozen rulers, in contrast with 1,400 years and 123 kings of Anuradhapura) and its far more completely preserved ruins, much more recently exposed to the ravages of time. Return to your reserved hotel and overnight

Day 4 - Day 5

4^th Day - After breakfast depart to Kandy visiting the Rock cave temples of Dambulla .. .

After breakfast depart to Kandy visiting the Rock cave temples of Dambulla another protected UNESCO world heritage site. The caves at first came into use as a refuge for King Valagambahu in 1st century BC. Concealed by the local monks, upon returning from exile to his throne at Anuradhapura, he had the magnificent cave temple built for them. The cave temple consists of a complex of Buddhist image houses. Its rock ceiling is one large sweep of colourful frescoes, some of which dates back to over 2,000 years, which depicts Buddhist mythology, and the tales of the Buddha's previous births. This cave temple has the largest number of Buddha statues all housed in one place, including a 14m-long figure of the recumbent Buddha carved out of the rock. Continue the journey up to Kandy through roads in sharp curves and looking down are the deep valleys, abysses, rocks, waterfalls and streams glittering in the sun and patterned in emerald with terraced rice fields. The city of Kandy, lies in a triangular valley surrounded by mountains. Sightseeing of Kandy city in the evening including a visit to the Temple of the much revered Temple of the Tooth relic. Also witness a Cultural Performance. Temple of the Tooth Relic. Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy is the most venerated place of worship for Buddhists throughout the world. Built in the 16th century this temple houses the sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha brought to Sri Lanka from the Kalinga province in ancient India in the 4th century AD. Several buildings have been added to the temple complex by successive rulers. Return to hotel and overnight at selected category of hotel

 

5^th Day - Visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens after breakfast ...

visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens after breakfast, the most beautiful in the world and begun as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala King. Every variety tropical and temperate tree and flower is cultivated here and special houses with orchids and e cacti are too beautiful to be true. Thereafter proceed to Pinnawala to Visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in time to witness the bathing and bottle feeding of the baby elephants. Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage Among the green hills of Kegalle, about 50 miles (85km) from Colombo on the road to Kandy in the hill country, a herd of about 60 elephants roam free in the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. This popular attraction, established as a sanctuary covering 25 acres of lush forest by the Sri Lankan Government in 1975, is unique. Its purpose is to feed, nurse and house young elephants lost or abandoned by their mothers. Recently the sanctuary has also started a breeding program. The sights of herds of elephants splashing and playing in a river and bottle feeding of baby elephants have charmed countless tourists. Return to Kandy and leisure walk in the Kandy city with free time for shopping. Fabulous options to buy souvenirs in wood, copper, silver, brass, ebony, and bronze are available. Ceramics, lacquer work, handlooms, batiks, jewellery and rush and reed-ware can also be purchased. Thereafter continue towards Nuwara Eliya City tour with free time for shopping. Nuwara Eliya, this town seems like a piece of English district. Tudor-style and Victorian homes look across the blue lake. These buildings are the other architectural monuments to the English, the Post Office, the English country house like Hill Club with its hunting pictures, mounted hunting trophies and fish, Anglican Church and private residence. The Golf course here is one of the best in Asia. Arrival and overnight at selected category of hotel. For the Boutique category of hotels, transfer direct to Hatton for the stay at Tea Trails Bungalows on All Inclusive.

Day 6 - Day 7

6^th Day - Breakfast at the hotel and Full day at leisure .. .

Breakfast at the hotel and Full day at leisure. Tea factory and Plantation - A guided tour around will allow you to experience the whole process of tea production. It also provides an opportunity to buy the best grades of tea. For guests based in Nuwara when selecting a 4 to 5 star hotel have the opportunity of discovering the Horton Plains as an optional excursion. Guests of all 3 categories of hotels can climb the Adam's Peak as another optional activity. Stay at Tea Trails will be on All Inclusive Overnight at the selected category of hotel

 

7^th Day -Breakfast at the hotel ...

Breakfast at the hotel and direction towards Airport for passengers leaving to destination of origin or to Maldives in an evening flight OR to the selected beach location in Sri Lanka via Kitulgala Kitulgala is the film location of David Lean's masterpiece "The Bridge on the River Kwai" One hour soft white water rafting through the Kelani River with safety gears – Optional After the rafting, optional lunch in a restaurant at the river bank. Thereafter continue the drive up to the beach hotel of your choice with few comfort stops en route. Arrive at your beach hotel or at the airport for passengers leaving towards their destination of origin or to Maldives