Sri Lanka Holidays

Sri Lanka Tours

Traces of Splendid Sri Lanka
Destination: Colombo - Negombo - Anuradthapura - Giritale - Polonnaruwa - Sigiriya - Kandy - Yala National Park
Duration: 8 Days/7 Nights
Departure: Any Day of the week

From Colombo to Negombo to Anuradthapura to Polonnaruwa to Sigiriya to Kandy, you will be told of marvelous prosperity of culture of the past Sri Lanka by various ancient relics one after another. Its exquisite artworks, fascinating architectural works of ancient palaces, or the impressive Buddhist and Hindu monasteries are all the testament of cultural richness of this Emerald Island. After being overwhelmed with the majesty of ancient Sri Lanka. A harmony of cultural appreciation will make your trip in Sri Lanka unforgettable.

Day 1: Arrive Colombo - Negombo
Meet on arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake, 30 km north of Colombo. A warm welcome by our representative, and then we drive you along the road of the Negombo scenery to your hotel selected. Stay overnight.

Day 2 Negombo - Sigiriya [Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner]
After breakfast tour of the fishing village, Negombo, which is a famous fishing village North of Colombo, with a Dutch built Canal. The canal istself 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 Ships, Restaurant etc.

Lunch at Gimanhala Restaurant - Gimanhala.

Afternoon proceed to Sigiriya, climbing the Rock Fortress. Sigiriya 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 500 ft. On its summit are the foundations of what was once a great and sumptuous palace and gardens complete with the 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 color.

Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 3 Sigiriya - Anuradhapura - Polonnaruwa [Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner]
After breakfast leave for Anuradhapura for sightseeing. Anuradhapura 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 Ruvanveli 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 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 its the oldest historic tree in the world.

Lunch at Miridiya Hotel - Anuradhapura.

After lunch proceed to Polonnaruwa & commence sightseeing tour. Polonnaruwa is 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 shine 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 shine, has four Buddha statues, two seated, one standing and one reclining and Parakrama Bahu statue are examples of Sinhalese stone carver. The Vata-da-te is a unique creation of the Sri Lankan artistes.

Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 4 Polonnaruwa - Kandy [Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner]
After breakfast leave for Kandy. En route visit a Spice Garden at Matale and see the luscious, Cinnamon's, Cardamoms, Pepper plants etc. You can also purchase your requirements of spices. Afterwards visit a Batik Factory where you can see the manufacture of beautiful Batik prints. The ship contains a wide variety of Batik items.

Lunch at hotel.

Afternoon city tour of Kandy, including the Upper Lake Drive, Market Square Arts & Crafts Center and Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Kandy is 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 shines and monasteries keeping alive Buddhist traditions are everywhere. Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, built since 4th Century A.D., when the Buddha's Tooth was brought to Sri Lanka hidden from sacrilegious hands in an Orissan princess's 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 view a cultural show featuring various dance types of Sri Lanka. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 5 Kandy - Nuwara Eliya [Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner]
After breakfast leave for Nuwara Eliya. En route visit a tea estate and a factory. Nuwara Eliya, "the Little England" of Sri Lanka, is set against beautiful backdrops of Mountains, Valleys, Waterfalls and Tea Plantations. It is supposed to be one of the coldest places on the island, but is really jut like an England spring day although the temperature does drop at night. All around Nuwara Eliya you will see evidence of the British influence. Houses are like country cottages or Queen Ann style mansions.

Lunch at hotel. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 6: Nuwara Eliya - Galle [Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner]
After breakfast leave for Galle. Lunch en route. Afternoon, take city tour of Galle, was the most ancient and important harbor of the country until the Colombo harbor was established. Galle is identified as the "Tarshis" of the bible. This was captured by the Portuguese in 1587 A.D., Dutch in 1640 A.D., and British in 1796 A.D.

Also a visit to Julalongkorn Thammasala Temple. Evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 7 Galle - Colombo [Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner]
After breakfast leave for Colombo.

Lunch at Siam House, Thai restaurant. After lunch, take a city tour, 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 carving, and the Dutch Church of Wolfendhal dating back to 1749. The historic Dawatagaha Mosque and the former Eye Hospital are two buildings in Cinnamon Gardens worth looking at. Also visit the BMICH, see the replica of Avukana Buddha and the Independence Square.

Visit the Mlesna exquisite tea boutique, cashew nut ship, ready made garments and all sorts at Majestic City. Visit the Lanka Ceramics Center, a place where you can buy "NORITAKE SET" or other ceramic items, visit the Odel shop at Lipton place and "House of Fashion".

Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 8 Depart Colombo [Breakfast]
After breakfast, we transfer to airport for your departure flight.