TOUR

After breakfast proceed to Sigiriya (165 KM / 4h30m), and in the afternoon climb Sigiriya rock.

Sigiriya Rock Fortress (Duration of visit : approx 3 – 3 ½ Hours)

Sigiriya Located a few hours’ drive from Colombo, Sigiriya is a magnificent rock fortress built in the 5th century A.D. This majestic Citadel in the sky was the refuge of King Kasyapa and is world-renowned for its Mirror Wall’, which consists of poems and paragraphs carved by some of the thousands of visitors who visited the rock many years ago, and for its magnificent frescoes, similar to the Ajantha frescoes of India.

Tips & suggestions :
• We recommend the best times to climb Sigiriya are early morning or late afternoon to avoid the hot sun.
• Wear light/cool clothing and comfortable walking shoes for the climb.

Overnight stay at Sigiriya

After breakfast visit the Polonnaruwa ancient kingdom. (57 KM / 01 ½ h)

Polonnaruwa Ancient Kingdom (Duration of visit : approx 2 – 2 ½ Hours)

It would take you awhile to fathom that such a city every existed many years ago and after you return to your true senses the journey through this colossal city would be nothing less than magical. Polonnaruwa is Sri Lanka's second oldest kingdom and features a plethora of ruins and places of religious worship. Some of the many interesting places to visit in Polonnaruwa include the Gal Viharaya (Stone temple), Lankathilake, Tivanka Image House, Nissanka Latha Mandapaya, the Audience Hall and the Vatadage.

Come back to Sigiriya (57 KM / 01 ½ h) enroute engage in a safari in Minneriya National park.

Minneriya National Park (Duration of visit : approx 3 ½ – 4 Hours)

The extent of the Minneriya national park is approximately 8889 hectares. Dry zone plant and Animal Species are common. The elephants are a highlight of the park. Approximately 160 species of birds, 9 amphibians, 25 reptile species, 26 fish species and more that 78 butterfly species can also be found here. There are also rare bamboo trees in this park which is unique to Minneriya national park.

Tips & suggestions :
• Advised to wear long pants & covered shoulders (Sleeveless, transparent & shorts are not allowed) while visiting Polonnaruwa since you will visit certain religious sites.
• Best time to visit the National Park is during late afternoon around 2.30pm.
• If possible wear natural tones/earthy colours such as brown/green and comfortable walking shoes (neutral colours blend in with the surrounding natural environment).

Overnight stay at Sigiriya

After breakfast proceed to Kandy (90 KM/ 2h30m) en route visit Dambulla Cave Temple and Matale Spice Garden

Dambulla Golden Cave Temple (Duration of visit: approx 1 – 1 ½ Hours)

Designated as a world heritage site, the Dambulla Temple is located on a gigantic rock towering more than 160 m above the surrounding area. The Rock itself is more than 1.5 km around its base and the summit is at 550 km. The caves on this rock were the refuge of King Walagamba when he was in exile for 14 years and feature a mixture of religious and worldly paintings and sculptures. Several reclining Buddha's includes the 15-meter-long sculpture of the dying Buddha.

On completion proceed to engage in a Kandy City which includes visiting the Temple of Tooth.

Kandy Temple and City (Duration of visit: approx 1 ½ – 2 Hours)

The Sri Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a temple in the city of Kandy in Sri Lanka. It was built within the royal palace complex which houses the only surviving relic of Buddha, a tooth, which is venerated by Buddhists. The relic has played an important role in local politics since ancient times; it's believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country, which caused the ancient kings to protect it with great effort. Kandy was the capital of the Sinhalese Kings from 1592 to 1815, fortified by the terrain of the mountains and the difficult approach. The city is a world heritage site declared by UNESCO, in partly due to the temple.

Evening witnesses a cultural show.

Tips & suggestions :
• During the visit of Temple of the Tooth please wear clothing covering knees and shoulders, as a sign of respect. You will also be required to leave your shoes at the shoe counter near to the entrance before entering the temple.

Dinner and Overnight stay at Kandy.

After breakfast proceed to Nuwara Eliya (70 KM/ 2h30m) enroute visit Peradeniya Botanical gardens.

Royal Botanical Gardens (Duration of visit : approx 1 ½ – 2 Hours)

The history of the Royal Botanical Gardens dates as far back as 1371 when King Wickramabahu III ascended the throne and kept court at Peradeniya near Mahaweli Ganga. Later, in the reign of King Kirti Sri Rajasinghe from 1747 to 1780 this was made a Royal Garden and from 1780 – 1798 King Rajadhi Rajasinghe resided therein, where a temporary residence was erected for him.

In the afternoon engage in a Nuwara Eliya city tour.

Nuwara Eliya City (Duration of visit : approx 40 mins)

Nuwara Eliya is also known as 'Little' England', was the favorite hill station of the British who tried to create Nuwara Eliya into a typical English Village. The old brick Post office, country house like hill club, with its hunting pictures, mounted hunting trophies and fish, and it's strict formal dinner attire; the 18 hole golf course, race course etc., all remind you of 'England'.

Tips & suggestions :
• Please note you will be driving to an altitude of 1900 meters and therefore temprature in Nuwara Eliya will be 20-25c during day , 10-15c during night. Warm clothing recommended.
• Visit one of the local bars in Nuwara Eliya town and witness how the locals chat over a drink. (Direct payment) . Please note bars are closed on certain religious holidays.

Dinner and Overnight stay at Nuwara Eliya.

After breakfast proceed to Kithulgala. (85 KM/ 3hr)

Kitulgala (Duration of visit: approx 01 hours)

Kitulgala is a small town in the west of Sri Lanka. It is in the wet zone rain forest, which gets two monsoons each year, and is one of the wettest places in the country. Nevertheless, it comes alive in the first three months of the year, especially in February, the driest month. The Academy Award-winning The Bridge on the River Kwai was filmed on the Kelani River near Kitulgala, although nothing remains now except the concrete foundations for the bridge (and, supposedly, the submerged train cars that plunged into the river in the climactic scene). Kitulgala is also a base for white-water rafting, which starts a few kilometers upstream.

On completion proceed to Bentota for drop off.