Day 01

Arrive at Colombo International Airport. Here, you will be met by a designated chauffer guide from Lakpura. After the formalities at the airport you will be escorted to your air conditioned vehicle and proceed to Kandy, en route make a pause at Elephant Orphanage in Pinnawala. (Travel Time:  2 ½ to 3 hrs)

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is the home for young Elephants who have been displaced or lost from their natural habitat, located at Pinnawala village in Sabaragamuwa province of Sri Lanka. Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage is the best place for an up close and personal experience with the world’s largest land mammals!

Day 02

After the breakfast at the hotel check out and proceed to Peradeniya and visit Royal Botanical Garden. (Travel Time:  20 to 30 mins)

Royal Botanical Gardens

Visit the famous Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya, which were formed in the early 19th century. Walk through the vast area containing over 4000 species of plants. Enjoy the learning more about the orchids, spices and medicinal plants. Wander down avenues shaded by large and rare trees, or bordered by flowering plants. Enjoy seeing the cannonball tree, walking over the wobbly suspension bridge and through the short hedge mazes or even climbing the twisty trees that make wonderful jungle gyms.

Thereafter towards the evening, go on technical tours and Watch the Kandyan Cultural Show with its colorful traditional dances and delightful music.

Technical Tours

Go on technical tours related to arts such as gem crafting, woodcarving and batiks.

Cultural Show

The Kandy Cultural Show gives an opportunity to experience some of the traditions of Sri Lanka. Enjoy this hour long extravaganza as some of the most popular art forms of the island take to the stage. Get wowed by fire dancers and sword dancers. Watch the colorful Kandyan dancers take to the air to the thrumming primal beat of the drums.

Overnight Stay

Economy Option (3 Star) – Oakray Regency
Standard Option (4 Star) – Cinnamon Citadel
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – Earl’s Regency

Day 03

After the breakfast at the hotel check out and visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic. (Travel Time: 20 to 30 mins)

Temple of the Tooth Relic

Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic a UNESCO World Heritage Site which was built in the 16th century as the place of veneration and protection for Lord Buddha’s sacred tooth. Walk through the beautifully embellished passageways and elaborately painted halls, done in red, cream and black. Lounge against delicately carved pillars and get amazed by the beautiful golden statues. Get an unforgettable experience of history and art.

Thereafter proceed to proceed to Matale visit a Spice Garden. (Travel Time: 1 to 1 ½ hrs)

Matale Spice Gardens

Do a guided tour of a spice and herbal garden, where you learn about spices, such as coriander, chili, cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg; and their uses. Take part in a traditional cooking demonstration that shows you how to make Sri Lankan cuisine while making full use of spices. Learn to make roti or create curry powder from scratch in one of the workshops in Spice Garden.

Thereafter proceed to Dambulla and visit the cave temple. (Travel Time: 1 ½ to 2 hrs)

Dambulla Cave Temple

Enter the historic caves of the Golden Temple of Dambulla, dating back to the 1st century BC. View the ancient murals depicting the life story of Lord Gautama Buddha. Look at the hundreds of figurines of Buddha and other deities scattered throughout the five main caves. Visit the Cave of the Divine King, Cave of the Great King and the Great New Monastery. See the giant golden Buddha Statue just a little distance outside the cave complex.

Day 04

After the breakfast at the hotel and visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress.

Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Climb the 5th century AD rock fortress, Sigiriya, where the King Kasyapa ruled. Walk through the entrance framed by the paws of a lion that is quite appropriate for its name, ‘ the Lion Rock’. View the beautiful unfading murals that brought Sigiriya its fame. Climb the steep staircase to see the terraced gardens and still-working cisterns. Walk through the tunnels leading to the palace as you get a feel for times long past.

Thereafter proceed to Minneriya and go on a Safari in the Minneriya National Park. (Travel Time: 20 to 30 mins)

Minneriya Safari

This three-hour safari takes you on a ride through the Minneriya National Park. Enjoy the sight of over 150 elephants congregating in one place during the famous Great Elephant Gathering, which happens in the dry season between May to October. In addition to elephants, get a chance to also see many mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians in the scrublands, forests and other areas.

Overnight Stay

Economy Option (3 Star) – Fresco Water Villa
Standard Option (4 Star) – Cinnamon Lodge
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – Heritance Kandalama

Day 05

After breakfast at the hotel check out and proceed to Polonnaruwa and visit Ancient Kingdom. (Travel Time: 1 ½ to 2 hrs)

Polonnaruwa

Visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, which was the second major capital of Sri Lanka. Walk through the ruins of the city that flourished between the 10th to the 13th century AD. View important monuments such as Gal Vihara, Vatadage, the lotus bath, Lankathilaka Temple and the statue of King Parakramabahu whose reign was considered the golden age of Polonnaruwa. Get to know more about Sri Lanka’s ancient history.

Thereafter proceed to Anuradhapura and visit ancient city of Anuradhapura. (Travel Time: 2 to 2 ½ hrs)

Anuradhapura

Walk through the ancient ruined city of Anuradhapura, which was the capital for over a millennium until the 10th century AD. View the pagodas, monastic buildings and ponds that are scatter all over the vast area. Visit important landmarks such as Jetavanarama, which was one of the tallest buildings of the ancient world, the Sri Maha Bodhi and the ruins of the huge Abhayagiri Monastery. Gain more knowledge about Sri Lanka’s history as you walk in the footsteps of Kings.

Overnight Stay

Economy Option (3 Star) – Lakeside At Nuwarawewa
Standard Option (4 Star) – Avasta Resort
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – Ulagalla Resort

Day 06

After breakfast at the hotel check out and proceed to Jaffna and visit Nagadeepa Island. (Travel Time: 3 ½ to 4 hrs)

Nagadeepa Purana Viharaya

Visit the historic Nagadeepa Purana Viharaya which is one of just sixteen of the holiest Buddhist sites in Sri Lanka. See the unique architecture of this vihara which is believed to be the place that Buddha stopped at during his second visit to Sri Lanka. Listen to the legends and history surrounding the visit and the construction of the temple.

Nainativu Nagaooshani Amman Temple

Visit the Nainativu Nagaooshani Amman Temple, with a proven history of at least two millennia as according to records by Ptolemy. Get to know about the legends surrounding the Temples; such as those of God Indra’s worship and much more. Enjoy looking at the majestic Dravidian Hindu architecture; with its four beautiful Gopurams, several halls or Mandapams, and chariots. Nainativu Nagaooshani Amman Temple is one of only 64 Shakthi Peedams around the world.

Overnight Stay

Economy Option (3 Star) – Jaffna Heritage Hotel
Standard Option (4 Star) – Jetwing Jaffna
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – Jetwing Jaffna

Day 07

After breakfast at the hotel proceed to Trincomalee and check into the hotel. (Travel Time: 1½ to 2 hrs)

Koneshwaram Temple

Visit this ancient temple praised by famous Indian poet-saints and mentioned by several famous personas around the world. See the beautiful murals describing the history of the temple. Worship at the little cave shrine that is has its start in 1580 BC, as compared to the actual temple which was developed in 400 BC. Marvel at the giant statue of King Ravana who, according to legend, worshipped this shrine.

Fort of Trincomalee

Visit the Fort of Trincomalee originally built by the Portuguese in 1624 CE. See the stones that once formed the Koneswaram temple before the Portuguese destroyed it. Listen to the history of Fort Frederick, which was dismantled and rebuilt by the Dutch.

Day 08

After breakfast at the hotel, visit Pigeon Island. (Travel Time: 30 to 40 mins)

Pigeon Island National Park

Visit the Pigeon Island National Park consisting of the smaller pigeon island and larger pigeon island and the coral reef that encircles the larger island. See the rock pigeon that makes the island its breeding grounds. Explore the islands to see the many coral types and fauna that can be found here.

Thiriyaya Watadage

Explore Thiriyai, or Thiriyaya as it is known now, is a village where Tamil Buddhism was practiced in ancient times. Visit the Girihadu Seya Stupa, which was built to mark the location where according to legend Buddha is gave hair relics to two traders who served him porridge as alms. See the old fortress of one of the last Vanniyar Chiefs who ruled the area.

Day 09

With a packed breakfast go on a lovely Whale watching safari. On completion of the day return back to the hotel and spend the evening leisurely at the hotel.

Trincomalee Whale Watching Safari

This tour gives you an opportunity to see the biggest mammals on earth, the whales, in their natural habitat. Get a chance to see blue whales, sperm whales and fin whales as they swim in the waters to the south of Sri Lanka. Gain more knowledge about the whales as a species from a qualified naturalist and learn to identify them. This tour gives you a responsible whale watching experience with a minimal imprint on nature.

Overnight Stay

Economy Option (3 Star) – Sea Lotus Park Hotel
Standard Option (4 Star) – Pigeon Island Resort
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – Jungle Beach Resort

Day 10

After the breakfast check out from the hotel and proceed Colombo and check into the hotel and relax. (Travel Time: 5 ½ to 6 hrs ) Towards the evening go on a city and shopping tour around Colombo. On completion of the day return back to the hotel and relax.

Colombo

Experience the colorful lights and bright life of Colombo, the capital City of Sri Lanka. Visit historic monuments such as the Old Lighthouse, the Old Parliament, Galle Face Hotel, Galle Face Green, Gangarama Temple, the National Museum and more. Enjoy the malls of Independence Square or the Race Course. Visit boutique shops and designer stores.

Overnight Stay

Economy Option (3 Star) – Hotel Sapphire
Standard Option (4 Star) – Zmax Firway
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – Cinnamon Grand

Day 11

After breakfast at the hotel on your final day, proceed to the Colombo International Airport (CMB) and get ready for your departure after spending a memorable time on the Pearl of the Indian Ocean.