Day 01: Arrive Colombo - Negombo
On arrival you will be met and transferred to the hotel at Negombo for overnight stay.
Colombo the capital of Srilanka and is located on the west coast of the island. The city is a bustling metropolis, the city is an attractive blend of old and new. It has the lazy charm of the bygone era combined with the verve and vivaciousness of a modern city. Colombo is an ideal location to start the Sri Lanka sojourn.nad the city is also home to a majority of the Srilanka corporate office and entertainment venues.
In the morning you will proceed for a city sightseeing tour
Visit the Fort, Slave Island, where the slaves had their night quarters, Mount Lavinia – the famous beach, Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara – the famous Buddhist temple, Wolvendaal Church – the oldest Dutch church. Also visit House of Fashion, ODEL, Noritake ceramic shop & a local souvenir shop.
Later continue drive to Negombo and on arrival check-in into the hotel.
Negombo - a famous fishing village North of Colombo, with a Dutch built Canal. The canal itself is a hive of activity with all the fishermen traveling up and down in their gaily-painted boats. On the shores of the canal you will find many homes and churches and many species of birds including spectacular Kingfishers and also Parrots. Catamaran trips in the sea and boat trips in canal can be organized. From November to April, diving facilities are available in this quaint village. The streets on either side of the Hotels are dotted with Souvenir Shops, Restaurants etc.
Stay overnight at your hotel.
Day 02: Negombo-Anuradhapura-Dambulla
In the morning you will proceed to Anuradhapura
Sightseeing of *Anuradhapura - the capital of Sri Lanka from the 05th Century B.C. to the end of the 10th Century A.D. was the most celebrated of Sri Lanka’s ancient ruined cities. The city’s greatest treasures are its dagobas constructed of bricks and are hemispherical in shape. The most notable of these dagobas are the Ruvanveliseya dating back to the 2nd Century B.C. and is 300 feet in diameter, the Jetawanarama is 370 feet and the Thuparama Dagoba is enshrined with the collarbone of the Buddha.
The city’s most renowned 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 2250 years ago and is the oldest historically authenticated tree in the world.
Stay overnight at your hotel.
Day 03: Dambulla-Polonaruwa-Sigiriya - Dambulla
In the morning you will proceed to Polonnaruwa - the Capital of Sri Lanka from 11th - 13th Century contains some splendid and spectacular statues. Lankatileke, 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 the Srilanka.
Afternoon you will proceed to climb *Sigiriya Rock Fortress - is 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 its triple-moated defence 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.
Day 04: Dambulla – Matale – Kandy
In the morning you will be visit *Dambulla Cave Temple - a vast isolated rock mass 500ft high and a mile around the base. Here is found the famous Rock Temple dating to the First Century BC. The caves of Dambulla sheltered the King Walagamba during his 14 years of exile from Anuradhapura. When he regained the throne he built the most magnificent of Rock Temples to be found on the Island.
Visit a Spice Garden in Matale to see the different spices, which Sri Lanka is famous for. You will be introduced to different spices and shown how some of these spices are grown and processed.
On arrival city tour of Kandy, including Upper Lake Drive, Market Square, Arts & Crafts Centre, Gem Museum & Royal Botanical Gardens. *Kandy - the hill capital, venue of the annual Perahera. 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.
Royal Botanical Gardens - 147 acres in extent: started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the King’s of Kandy. There are more than 5000 species of tree and plants. Spice garden and Orchid House are popular with Tourists.
Late afternoon visit *Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic - ever since 4th Century A.D, when the Buddha's Tooth was brought to Sri Lanka hidden from sacrilegious hands in an Orissan princess' hair, the Relic has grown in repute and holiness in Sri Lanka and throughout the Buddhist world. It is considered Sri Lanka's most prized possession.
Evening witness a cultural show featuring various dance types of Sri Lanka.
Stay overnight at your hotel.
Day 05: Kandy - Colombo
In the morning you will be proceed to Colombo and on arrival check-in into the hotel.
Commence city tour of *Colombo - a drive through the city taking you to the busy commercial areas as well as the tree-lined residential, Cinnamon Gardens. Visit Fort, the former British administrative center and military garrison, Sea Street - the Goldsmith’s quarters in the heart of Pettah, the Bazaar area, where is also a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carvings and the Dutch Church of Wolfendhal dating back to 1749. Also visit the BMICH, see the replica of Avukana Buddha and Independence Square, including Gangarama Temple.
Afternoon shopping in Colombo - visit Mlesna exquisite tea boutique, cashew nut shop, ready made garments and all sorts at Majestic City. Visit the Lanka Ceramics Centre, a place where you can buy “NORITAKE SET” or other ceramic items, visit the ‘ODEL SHOP’. Visit ’BAREFOOT’, ’HOUSE OF FASHION’ and 'BEVERLY HILLS'.
Stay overnight at your hotel.
Day 06: Colombo Departure
In the morning you will be free for your independent activities.
Late evening as per scheduled you will be transferred to airport to the flight for onward journey. |