Scenic Sri Lanka 8 Days

Set off on a journey that covers just about everything - from Sri Lanka’s ancient kingdoms, to sojourning in the hills over a cup of Ceylon Tea before venturing into the wildlife parks and then strolling along the colonial fort. This holiday program was designed to give you a sense of how the nation of Sri Lanka has grown and changed over time.

 
 
 
 
  • Day 01 Arrive Colombo ( 1 hour drive to City)
  • Day 02 Drive Colombo-Pinnawala-Sigiriya: About 4.5 Hours drive
  • Day 03 Drive Sigiriya-Polonnaruwa-Sigiriya (4 Hours)
  • Day 04 Drive Sigiriya-Kandy: About 3 Hours Drive
  • Day 05 Drive Kandy- Nuwara Eliya: About 3 Hours Drive
  • Day 06 Drive Nuwara Eliya-Yala: About 6 Hours Drive
  • Day 07 Drive Yala/Galle: About 4 Hours
  • Day 08 Galle-Airport-U.S
 

Day 01 Arrive Colombo ( 1 hour drive to City)

MEAL: Dinner

Upon arrival at the airport in Colombo, meet your driver cum guide and take a leisurely drive, just under an hour into Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka and check in to your hotel.

After settling in, it is time to explore the city of Colombo. Visit some interesting features such as the old city of Fort, the main markets of Pettah, the Hindu Temple at Sea Street, the Dutch Church at Wolfendal, the historic Davatagaha Mosque and the Colombo Museum.

Later  in the day enjoy drinks watching a picturesque sunset over the Indian Ocean from your hotel.

Overnight in Colombo.

Day 02 Drive Colombo-Pinnawala-Sigiriya: About 4.5 Hours drive

MEAL: Breakfast/Dinner

Set off from coastal Colombo to experience Sri Lanka’s inland delights over the next few days. Today, head to Sigiriya, which would take approximately 4 and a half hours. En route Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage.

Started back in 1975, the elephant orphanage houses the abandoned and the wounded elephants. We recommend timing your visit for when the elephants are being fed or as they all march to the river close by to be bathed.

After lunch continue to Sigiriya and check into your hotel.

In the evening, Visit Mount Sigiriya - a 5th century fortress in the sky, which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of the island. It is also referred to as Lion Rock because of the huge crouching lion image that is carved at the entrance to the fortress.

Overnight at Sigiriya.

Day 03 Drive Sigiriya-Polonnaruwa-Sigiriya (4 Hours)

MEAL: Breakfast/Dinner

Explore the cultural triangle and head out in the morning to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Polonnaruwa, which takes about two hours drive one-way. This is one of the better kept ruins of ancient Ceylon.

Polonnaruwa was the medieval capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th - 13th century A.D. During this time, great revival was achieved in the country, politically, economically as well as socially. During your walking tour you will sight the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya - where 3 splendid statues of Buddha in 'Upright', 'Sedantry', and 'Recumbent' postures are carved out of the rock, the Audience Hall, and the Parakrama Samudraya lake built by King Parakramabahu the Great.

On your return venture to the Minneriya or Kavdullah National Park, a vast sanctuary home to about 250 wild elephants, wild buffaloes, spotted deer, sloth bear and more. The Gathering of probably the largest herd of elephants occurs here annually September - October.

Overnight at Sigiriya.

Day 04 Drive Sigiriya-Kandy: About 3 Hours Drive

MEAL: Breakfast/Dinner

Today you will be taking approximately a three hours drive to the relaxing hill station of Kandy, surrounded by virgin forests broken by the great Mahaweli River. Kandy is also well known as the center of Buddhism and the capital of the last Sinhalese kingdom.

Having checked in and refreshed at your hotel, take a city tour of Kandy including the market place, pollah and the Temple of the Tooth Relic, which houses Sri Lanka’s most sacred relic, a tooth of the Lord Buddha. The Temple itself dates from the 16th century and is entered via 2 doors showing mythical beasts. In the late evening,view a dance performance featuring traditional dances from the different regions of Sri Lanka.

Overnight in Kandy.

Day 05 Drive Kandy- Nuwara Eliya: About 3 Hours Drive

MEAL: (Breakfast/Dinner)

Take a scenic three hours drive to Nuwara Eliya, which is Sri Lanka's tea growing region. During the drive, relish the endless views of tea carpeted valleys, processing factories belching out fragrant aromas and the bright flash of female "tea pluckers" in their pimento, fuchsia and cerise saris picking their way through the plantations. En route visit a tea factory where the process of tea producing and grading will be explained. You will also be able to taste a cup of pure Ceylon tea in the factory.

Once in Nuwara Eliya, you will realize that the abundant rainfall combined with sunshine, cold nights and misty mornings offers the perfect climate for producing high grown teas. With brick and stone-built houses, rose gardens and perfect lawns Nuwara Eliya in many ways resembles a 'small English village'. Enjoy a guided stroll pass the 18-hole golf course, the colonial member’s only Hill Club and English styled country homes.

Overnight at Nuwara Eliya.

Day 06 Drive Nuwara Eliya-Yala: About 6 Hours Drive

MEAL: Breakfast/Dinner

From the hills of Nuwara Eliya, decend over six hours to reach Yala. En route, enjoy one of Sri Lanka's finest views and visit the Rawana Ella Falls. The dramatic Rawana Ella Falls are 49 meters high and follow the water cascading down the mountainside in a series of mini waterfalls.

Having arrived at Yala, you will learn that the game park is famous for the elusive leopard and has one of the highest densities of leopards in the world. The sloth bear and Asian elephant who are also part of Sri Lanka’s Big Five can be spotted.

Yala has much more to share – wild bears, peacocks, wild buffalo, sambar and spotted deer. In addition, up to 130 species of birds have been recorded at Yala, many migratory, including the white winged black tern, curlews and pintails. Indigenous species include jungle fowl, hornbills and orioles. With luck you will witness all these creatures over an evening jeep safari with a naturalist guide.

Overnight at Yala.

Day 07 Drive Yala/Galle: About 4 Hours

MEAL: Breakfast/Dinner

After breakfast, take a four hours drive to Galle following the coast while watching the waves lap on the shores. En route witness a curious feature - the stilt fishermen of Weligama who carefully balance themselves before casting their fishing lines. The ancient port city of Galle is Sri Lanka's oldest living city and retains a unique old-world atmosphere. In the evening, enjoy a leisurely walk through the cobbled stone pathways of the massive Dutch influenced fort, which also is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Overnight at Galle.

Day 08 Galle-Airport-U.S

MEAL: Breakfast

After breakfast, drive to airport and fly back home or extend your trip to India or some other destinations in Asia.

 
 
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