Welcome to Sri Lankal Upon arrival at Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport you will be met by your guide for a private transfer to your hotel in ‘Cultural Triangle’ (175km / approx. 4 hrs)Overnight Habarana
Set off this morning for Sigiriya, also known as the ‘lion Rock (15km / approx. 20 mins).
This UNESCO World Heriage Site is one of Sri lanka’s major altractions. A spectacular pillar of rock visible from miles around, geologically Sigiriya is a hardened magma plug of an extinct volcano. Historically, the origins of the remains are disputed and it is thought to have been either a royal fortress built under the reign of King Kashyapa (477 – 495 AD) or a Buddhist monastery.
Later in the afternoon you will drive to Minneriya National Park for a 2-3 hour jeep safari (20km /approx. 45 mins). Dominated by the ancient Minneriya Tank, which was built in the 3rd Century AD by King Mahasena, the plains and forests of this park are home to herds of elephants who come to graze and to bathe in the tank’s waters. Flocks of cormorants and painted storks, toque macaque and sambar deer may also be spotted. Depending on the movement of the elephants you may visit the nearby Kaudulla National Park or Eco Park instead. Overnight Habarana
Today you will drive towards Kandy with a stop to visit the Dambulla cave temples en route (105km / approx. 3 hrs).
The Dambulla cave temples are another UNESCO World Heritage Site which date back to the 1st Century BC. This amazing complex of five caves was first used as a refuge by an ancient king who upon regaining his throne commissioned magnificent images to be carved from the rock. Later kings made further improvements and the caves now contain over 150 images of the Buddha painted upon the walls. Continue the drive to Kandy. Late afternoon you will: head to a Local hall to watch a show of traditional Sri Lankan music, dance and drumming. Afterwards you’ll visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, known locally as Sri Dalada Maligawa, the most sacred temple in the whole of Sri Lanka. During the evening ‘puja’ throngs of pilgrims visit the temple to line up to glimpse the golden casket said to hold the sacred relic and to make offerings of Hewers.
Overnight Kandy
Today you will drive through the hill country to Nuwara Eliya (115km / approx. 3 hrs).
En route you will stop at a tea factory and tea plantation where you will have the opportunity to learn more about the tea making process and the different grades of tea. Located in the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea country at an elevation of 1900m, Nuwara Eliya was a favoured retreat of the British in the 19th Century thanks to its cool climate. With an abundance of red and green roofed plantation bungalows, English country style homes, a fine 18 hole golf course and a racecourse, the town still has a decidedly British feel. Take a walk around the town centre, passing the Victorian post office, the old Hill Club and golf course before a stop at Holy Trinity Church, a quaint building constructed by the British in the mid 19th Century. Continue to ella. Overnight Ella
Across the valley towards Ella Rock.
After an early breakfast enjoy a short hike up nearby Little Adam’s Peak for breathtaking views. Continue to another viewpoint to see the famous and picturesque Nine Arch Bridge accessed by a short walk along the railway and then drive to Rawana Ella waterfall for a photo stop. This pretty waterfall has links to the famous Indian epic, the Ramayana. According to legend, it is said that Rawana(who was the king of Sri Lanka at the time) had kidnapped princess Sita, and had hidden her in the caves behind this waterfall.
After you will drive on to Udawalawa national park for an afternoon jeep safari ( 90km / 2.30 hrs) Uda Walawe National Park is renowned as one of the best places in Sri Lanka to see elephants. Centered on a large reservoir the light vegetation makes game watching easy and most visitors will be graced with numerous sightings of herds of these gentle giants as they roam the grassland and scrub landscapes. The park also hosts many other species such as water buffalo, sambar deer, monkeys and the occasional leopard. It is also a wonderful place to enjoy birding. Overnight Udawalawa
Start the morning at the Elephant Transit Home, a small facility on the border of the national park which cares for orphan elephants until they are ready to be released into the wild. You’ll watch from behind a barrier as the elephants follow the keeper into the compound and eagerly await their turn to receive their milk. Afterwards you will leave your hotel and drive yala national park ( 90km / 2 hrs)
Yala National Park is one of the largest national parks in the country with a varied terrain of dry woodland and grassy plains which supports an abundance of wildlife. It is home to a large number of elephants, spotted deer, sambar, wild buffalo, jackals, mongoose and crocodiles. The park boasts one of the highest densities of leopards in the world, but they are elusive creatures so any sighting is sure to be a highlight. Ancient ruins are also found here and this mixture of natural beauty, wildlife and ancient culture make this park a national treasure. Evening you will be game drive around yala national park. Overnight Yala
This morning you will lave your hotel after breakfast and freshen up before heading to Galle (180km / approx. 4.5 hrs). Set on a promontory on the southwest tip of Sri Lanka, Galle is an immensely charming town and remains the best preserved example of a European built fortified city in Asia. The narrow streets are a delight to explore with decaying colonial buildings and numerous boutiques and cafés surrounded by grand fort walls. Overnight Galle
Drive north to Colombo airport for your onward flight (157 km / approx. 3 hrs).or Beach Stay
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