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Nineteen-day luxury Sri Lanka itinerary

Day 1

Colombo

Arrive in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo, where you will be met upon arrival and transferred to your hotel.

Stay: Uga Residency

 

Day 2

Colombo

In the late afternoon enjoy a personalised walking tour through the city of Colombo, where you can experience firsthand the borrowed words from the Portuguese to the amazing architecture the Dutch/English left behind, see the vision and live the Englishman had for this land – all while learning and experiencing what being “Sri Lankan” is all about. These walks are generally 3 – 4 hours and are conducted in the evening-time allowing the body to battle the humidity levels and experience the wind-down time of island culture. And most of all, to give that photographer in your midst the opportunity to create a masterpiece of Colombo City. With this personalised walk, we guarantee to engage your senses and set it all a-buzz as you will experience (safe) local food and beverages.

Stay: Uga Residency

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3

Colombo – Sigriya

In the morning, you will be driven 188km’s to Sigriya. En route you will visit the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage which was started in 1975 to house abandoned and wounded elephants. The sanctuary covers 25 acres of lush vegetation with an approximate population of about 77 consisting of both adult and baby elephants. The best time to visit is feeding  and bathing time, when all the elephants are taken to the river close by.

Stay: Aliya Resort & Spa

Meals included: Breakfast

 

Day 4

Sigriya

Today you will visit and climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress home to the 5th Century “Fortress in the Sky” which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of the island. It is also known as Lion Rock because of the huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the fortress. Within it triple-moated defends the huge rock rises almost to a sheer height of 500ft. On its summit are the foundations of what was once a great and sumptuous palace and gardens complete with swimming pool. On one of the stairways the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting survived in the form of frescoes of life sized damsels in all the freshness and delicacy of their original colour.

This afternoon’s visit is to Polonnaruwa, the Capital of Sri Lanka from 11th – 13th Century, contains some splendid and spectacular status. Lankatilake, Tivanka and Thuparama are the most beautiful and largest shrine ruins and Tivanka has the best example of frescoes of the Polonnaruwa period. Rankot Vihara and Kiriwehera are well preserved large stupas, and Gal Vihare – a rock shrine, has four Buddha statues, two seated, one standing and one reclining and Parakrama Bahu statue are examples of Sinhalese stone carver. The Vata-da-ge is a unique creation of Sri Lankan artists.
Stay: Aliya Resort & Spa

Meals included: Breakfast

 

Day 5

Sigriya – Anuradhapura – Sigriya

Enjoy a full day excursion to Anuradhapura, which is the most celebrated of Sri Lanka’s ancient ruined cities. The city’s greatest treasures are its dagabas constructed of small sun-dried bricks and hemispherical in shape. The most notable of these dagabas are the Ruvenweli which dates back to the 2nd Century BC and is 300ft in diameter, the Jetawanarama is 370ft and the Thuparama which enshrines the collarbone of the Buddha. The city’s most renewed relic is the sacred Bo Tree which is said to have grown from a branch of the tree under which the Buddha gained enlightenment. It was planted 2,250 years ago and is the oldest historic tree in the world.

Stay: Aliya Resort & Spa

Meals included: Breakfast

 

Day 6

Sigriya – Kandy

Transfer 130kms to Kandy, and en route visit the Dambulla Cave Fort. Dambulla is famous for the five cave Temples on a rock. The first three caves are better, older and larger than the other two. Some caves dates to 1st C.B.C. All the five cave walls and ceilings are covered with Buddhist murals and there are more than 130 Buddha statues, statues of Gods and Kings are also found here.

Stay: Elephant Stable

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 7

Kandy

This morning visit Kandy the hill capital. The last stronghold of the Sinhala Kings was finally ceded to the British in 1815. Kandy is an example of the Buddhism’s influence in Sri Lanka today. Temple’s shrines and monasteries keeping alive Buddhist traditions are everywhere.

To the Buddhist of Sri Lanka and the world, Kandy is one of the most sacred sites as it is the home of the ‘Dalada Maligawa’ – Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha.

In the evening, you will get to witness a Sri Lankan cultural show.

Stay: Elephant Stable

Meals included: Breakfast

 

Day 8

Kandy – Kitulgala – Hatton

This morning transfer to Nuwar Eliya. En route enjoy white water rafting at Kitulgala.

Stay: Norwood Bungalow

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

 

Day 9

Hatton

Take a leisurely walk or an adventure trek which is a delightful way to experience the varied landscapes, exotic flora, abundant birdlife and the sweet rhythm of life in a tea garden. Take in vistas of mountain lakes, manicured tea gardens, forests and doll’s house villages. A guide can be provided or self-walk on marked trails. Many of our guests walk from one Tea Trails bungalow to another for a meal or cup of tea.

Stay: Norwood Bungalow

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10

Hatton – Yala

Drive to Yala this morning. You will have a free afternoon.

Stay: Jetwing Yala

Meals included: Breakfast

 

Day 11

Yala

Full day game drive, trekking leopards, sloth bears, elephants and other wild animals and birds.

Stay: Jetwing Yala

Meals included: Breakfast

 

Day 12

Yala – Unawatuna

This morning transfer to Unawatuna. You will have a free afternoon.

Stay: Frangipani Tree Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast

 

Day 13

Unawatuna

A free day to enjoy the beach. There is a vehicle available at your disposal.

Stay: Frangipani Tree Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast

 

Day 14

Unawatuna

A free day to enjoy the beach. There is a vehicle available at your disposal.

Stay: Frangipani Tree Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast

 

Day 15

Unawatuna

A free day to enjoy the beach. There is a vehicle available at your disposal.

Stay: Frangipani Tree Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast

 

Day 16

Unawatuna – Galle

This morning transfer to Galle. Free afternoon to explore Galle.

Stay: Frangipani Tree Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast

 

Day 17

Galle

This morning visit Galle, a coastal town with a very Dutch presence. Galle was an ancient port (said to be legendary Tarshish of the Bible), and Sri Lanka’s first international commerce and trade centre. Today, Galle is the bustling provincial capital and administrative centre of the south.

Later proceed to Balapitiya for a boat ride at Madu River. This ride will take you to the various islands such as Cinnamon Island, Temple Island and Birds Island.

Stay: The Fort Printers Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast

 

Day 18

Galle

A free day to explore Galle Fort

Stay: The Fort Printers Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast

 

Day 19

Galle – Colombo

A free morning. In the afternoon, you will be transferred back to Colombo where you will then depart Sri Lanka and head on to your next destination.

Stay: Taj Airport Garden Hotel (day use)

Meals included: Breakfast

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