Sri Lankan Odyssey

Arrive Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, and transfer to the hotel Taj Samudra.

Afternoon city tour visiting the Colombo Fort, the Lakeside Temple, Independence Square with its Traditional style pavilion and the Old Town Hall, a fine specimen of British colonial period architecture.

Overnight at the hotel Taj Samudra.

After breakfast leave for Anuradhapura, the ancient capital of Sri Lanka founded in the 4th Century BC, home of two world heritage sites. Afternoon sightseeing includes the temples with giant Pagodas, Isurumuniya rock temple (3rd Century BC) known for its rock carvings, Samadi Buddha statue, Sacred Boo Tree, oldest historically documented tree in the world.

Overnight at the hotel Palm Garden Village.

Morning visit the Wilpattu National Park with natural lakes, forests, open grasslands and coastal belt. The park is rich in variety of animal and bird life including elephant, leopard, sloth bear mugger crocodiles, spotted deer and serpent eagle. Afternoon proceed to Mihintale, the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Climb the rock, with a grand stairway of 1,840 steps, riddled with shrines and rock dwellings.

Overnight at the hotel Palm Garden Village.

Morning drive to the rock fortress town of Sigiriya. Afternoon visit the rock fortress of King Kashyapa and view the famous 5th Century frescoes in a sheltered pocket of the rock. Nearby is the Lion platform from where it is possible to climb between the gigantic clawed paws to the summit.

Overnight at the hotel Sigriya Village.

Today visit Polonnaruwa, the medieval capital of Sri Lanka. Sightseeing includes visit to the 11th Century ancient city, Gal Vihara complex, Shiva devalaya and the remains of a former Temple of the Tooth Relic.

Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at the hotel Sigriya Village.

Drive to Dambulla and visit the famous 2000 year old Rock Caved temple. This is a complex of five caves with over 2000sq. meters of painted walls. It contains over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is the colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of rock and spanning 14 meters.

Remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel Sigriya Village.

After breakfast leave for Kandy visiting en route a spice garden and a Batik factory at Matale. You will sees spices grown & processed. Afternoon tour of Kandy visiting the Sacred Temple of Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha, a gem museum and market place. In the evening see a cultural dance performance.

Overnight at the Earl’s Regency Hotel.

Morning leave for Peradeniya to visit the Royal Botanical garden with amazing variety of trees, plants and flowers. Thereafter proceed to Pinnawela and visit the Elephants Orphanage and see the baby elephants go on their daily routine.

Return to Kandy and drive around the upper lake.

After breakfast drive through spectacular valleys and forests to Nuwara Eliya visiting a tea factory and a tea plantation en-route. Nuwara-Eliya is a hill resort at 2000 metres. The British came here in 18th Century and built Victorian houses, parks and gardens.

Overnight at the Grand Hotel.

Morning leave for Horton Plains, formerly a British hunting ground situated on high windswept saddle at 7000ft, for a hike to the Baker’s fall and World’s End, with a vertical drop of 4000ft.

Overnight at the Grand Hotel.

Drive to Ratnapura, “City of Gems”. Visit a gem mine and museum. Continue on to Colombo.

Reminder of the day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel Taj Samudra.