DAY 1: Airport – Colombo (35 kms = 01 & ¼ hrs)
Arrive in Colombo. Evening leisure at the hotel or free for shopping. Overnight stay in Colombo.
*Colombo:
Colombo is the commercial capital of Sri Lanka! Over 2 million people live in this vibrant city. While sometimes busy and hectic, visitors to this city can witness many of Colombo's treasures. The Fort area is the business center of the country and is home to the World Trade Center, as well as other modern buildings. A stroll along Galle Face Green allows a fantastic view of the Indian Ocean, and if timed right, a spectacular sunset. Cinnamon Gardens is home to many of the city's most luxurious homes. The Pettah area is a bazaar where one can watch people bargain for just about anything. There are several interesting museums and beautiful parks to view, as well as numerous noteworthy churches, temples and mosques. Tasty Sri Lankan food can be found throughout the city, with major hotels offering exquisite international cuisine. As in other areas of Sri Lanka, you will find the Sri Lankan people extremely friendly to tourists. Plan on spending at least a few days here to tour the city before or after exploring other areas of Sri Lanka.
DAY 2: Sigiriya – Pinnawala (124 km = 4 hrs),
After Breakfast leave for Sigiriya via Dambulla, enroute visiting Elephant orphanage in Pinnawala. Evening at leisure or (Optional) elephant back safari through the jungles of Habarana. Go on a Jeep safari to Minneriya National Park to witness the Wild Elephants. Overnight stay in Sigiriya / Dambulla.
*Pinnawala:
This orphanage is probably the only one of its kind and provides shelter to many elephants of all ages, found either abandoned as infants by their herds, or those found wounded in the jungles. The morning and afternoon feeding hours are the best times to visit the orphanage, followed by their two hour long bath in the river across the road from the orphanage.
DAY 3:
Breakfast at the hotel & then leave for Sigiriya to climb Sigiriya rock fortress. Excursion to Polonnaruwa for sightseeing. Evening back to Sigiriya / Dambulla for overnight stay.
*Sigiriya:
Climb the amazing rock of Sigiriya with its impregnable palace fortress built in the fifth century and enjoy the breathtaking views over the once magnificent royal pool, the throne, remains of the majestic palace, walk ways and garden. Sigiriya is a sixth century fortress perched on a 200 meter high rock and the most dramatic of Sri Lanka's historic sites.
DAY 4:
After breakfast visit the Dambulla Cave Temples. Thereafter proceed to Kandy, enroute
visit a Spice Garden and Batik Factory in Matale. Check-in to the hotel at leisure. Late evening view a cultural dance performance featuring various dance types of Sri Lanka. Overnight stay in Kandy.
*Dambulla:
Dambulla rock temple is a magnificent gallery of Buddha images, wall and ceiling paintings not seen anywhere else in the Island. It is a complex of five cave temples with its origin going back to the first 01st century BC.
*Spice Gardens:
On your way to Kandy in a suburban township called Matale, you will have the chance to visit spice plantations that grow a variety of spices such as cinnamon, pepper, and nutmeg, for which Sri Lanka was renowned and initially colonized by the Portuguese, Dutch and British.
DAY 5:
Breakfast at the hotel and enjoy the city tour of Kandy including the Kandy Market place and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Visit Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya. Dinner & overnight stay in Kandy.
*Tooth Temple:
Located in Kandy, long a center of the Buddhist faith, the stunning 17th century
Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) is believed to house the left upper canine tooth of the Lord Buddha himself. This precious relic attracts white clad pilgrims, bearing lotus blossoms and frangipani, every day.
*Peradeniya:
Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya situated in the outskirts of Kandy. Established in 1816, Peradeniya Botanical Gardens spans over 147 acres. Flanked by the Mahaweli River, these gardens house all the usual features such as an orchid house, a spice garden etc. But what makes them special is the beautiful and serene layout, and the fine specimens of mature plants and trees which are also home to incredible colonies of flying foxes.
DAY 6:
After breakfast leave for Nuwara Eliya en route visiting a Tea Plantation and a Factory. Evening sight walk in Nuwara Eliya City. Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.
DAY 7:
After breakfast leave for Negombo. Rest of the leisure. Overnight stay in Negombo.
DAY 8:
After breakfast transfer to the airport for the flight to Maldives. Arrive in Maldives on UL. Warm welcome at the Maldives International Airport and transferred to the resort by speed Boat. Rest of the day leisure at the hotel. Overnight stay at Resort.
DAY 9,10,11,12,13,14:
Full Day at leisure at the beach and free for any optional activities such as waterskiing, windsurfing, scuba diving, catamaran sailing, banana riding, night fishing, island hopping etc. (Own Arrangements) Full day leisure. Overnight stay at Resort.
DAY 15:
After breakfast transfer to the Male International Airport for the flight to London.
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