Day 01 – AIRPORT - NEGOMBO

Day 02 - 

Day 03 - 

Day 04 – 

Day 05 -  

After breakfast (Optional) visit urban village by bullock cart, then by catamaran and then walking over the Chena cultivation (farmers grow grains, vegetables and corns are in very remote areas full of wild elephants during the night time. After walking few hundred meters over the land we will arrive to small mud house to have delicious lunch made by village woman just only for us. After lunch retuned on the same way by walking, catamaran and bullock cart. Sometimes they will provide tuk tuk also. This tour called “Village tour”. After Village tour you can have one hour Elephant ride. This elephant will carry you to inside the village, cross the river (while crossing we can see only you and elephants head with trunk. It’s very interesting journey. You will really enjoy it.

After that proceed to Sigiriya the “The Lion Mountain” in the morning. Sigiriya present a unique concentration of fifth- century urban planning, gardening, engineering, hydraulic technology and art. In 470 AD Kashyapa the son of a non-royal consort of the king, took over the kingdom after committing patricide. He built his magnificent palace on the top of this 200meters high rock fearing the wrath of the crown prince Moghallana. The architectural wonder is famous for pleasure gardens, extensive moats and ramparts and mainly it’s well preserved rock paintings, of the beautiful “Cloud damsels” seen half up the rock and the “Lion stairway” that provides access to the summit. The complex of the fortress on the plains around the rock extends over 15 hectares. Then continue to Polonnaruwa.

Polonnaruwa located 142 km from Colombo was the islands second ancient capital. In 11th 13th c.AD, the medieval capital of Polonnaruwa was one of the great urban centres in South Asia. Today the well-preserved ruins give you the chance to experience the grandeur of this period and marvel at the artistry of the island’s early craftsmen. The great ruler King Parakramabahu 1st (1153-1186) reign was the highest peak of the agricultural development of the island with the subtitle of “Granary of the East” with the development of a vast and complex irrigation systems connected to “Sea of Parakramabahu”, the largest reservoir build in the history of Sri Lanka. At the heart of the ancient city are the remains of the Royal Palace and Council chamber. Nearby is the Vatadage or “relic house”, a beautifully decorated circular structure with an uncanny resemblance to Stonehenge. Among the other sites are the Gal potha (stone book) – a 9m – long granite slab inscribed with the feats of a king – theLankathilaka shrine and the supremely graceful Buddha statues at Gal Vihara, the pinnacle of Sri Lankan rock carving……

After all return to hotel for overnight stay. Also this area famous for “Ayurveda herbal massage” is done by well experienced therapists. No chemicals, only herbs.

Day 06 -  After breakfast checkout from the hotel and proceed to Kandy, en route you visiting the Golden Rock Cave Temple of Dambulla. Dambulla is renowned for its cave temple, which were built by King Valagambahu in the 1^stcentury BC in gratitude for the shelter he sought in the caves when fleeing from Indian invaders. Sighted on gigantic granite outcrop, which towers more than 160m above the surrounding land, the caves are completely covered by ancient frescoes depicting religious and secular scenes. Protected within the caves are hundreds of statues of Buddha, many carved out of the rock itself, of which the largest is the 15m long Dying Buddha.

While continuing to Kandy, on the way (in Matale) you will have a chance to visit a spice plantation that grows 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. You could also visit the Batik factory and watch the production of artistic fabric. Continue to Kandy. Check into the Cinnamon Citadel / Amaya hills / Thilanka / Serene grand / Devon/Queens / Hotel Suisse in Kandy.

Day 07- 

After breakfast visit the Royal Botanical Garden of Peradeniya, initially a royal park in 1821 under British rule it became a botanical garden. Here exotic crops, such as coffee. Tea, Nutmeg, Rubber and Cinchona (quinine) – an all of which were to become important to the country’s economy were first tested. The botanical gardens are fantastic with an excellent Orchid House, and a wide variety of plant species from all over the world. For keen gardeners, at least a morning is recommended to visit garden, possibly longer. Later take a guided tour of the city of Kandy. 

Kandy is the old capital of Ceylon and the seat of the last Sinhalese Kingdom. It is a charming city with the most important Buddhist temple in the country and is set in peaceful wooded valley overlooking a vast manmade lake. Kandy’s ancient official lake sits amongst rolling hills that are covered by forests and tea plantations. There is a fantastic view from the upper lake where you can see the whole city of Kandy. Wandering about in Kandy is a fun experience, with cross roads and interconnecting byroads – all forming and intertwined complex. Most pavements are dominated by the vendors selling garments. Lotteries, toys and variety of fancy items – making passing through look almost impossible especially during festive seasons. The main market are in the heart of the town is frequented often for its array of fresh fruits, vegetables, fish and meat stalls, sweets, cloths, fancy goods and what not ……!

Kandy is a great place to buy gemstones, sapphires of all colors, rubies, tourmalines and many precious and semiprecious stones can all be found here. Visitors are also invited to have a look around the workshops, where they will be able to see the design, cutting, polishing and setting processes.

There is a local traditional dance performance which you will enjoy in the town in the late afternoon, after the show visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. (Sri  Dalada Maligawa) Ever since it was founded in the 16^th century, it has one of the most sacred relics of Buddhism – a tooth of the Buddha collected from his funeral pyre and which is now protected within the gold – roofed temple of the tooth. It was built within the Royal palace complex which houses the only surviving relic of Buddha, a tooth, which is venerated by Buddhists. The relic has played an important role in the local politics since ancient times; it’s believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country, which caused the ancient kings to protect it with great effort. Kandy was the capital of the Sinhalese kings from 1592 to 1815, fortified by the terrain of the mountains and the difficult approach. The city is a world heritage site declared by UNESCO in part due to the temple.

At the end of the day return to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 08 - 

After breakfast checkout from the hotel and proceed to Nuwaraeliya (little England) on scenic way. You have the opportunity to enjoy a brief train ride on your way to Nuwaraeliya. Your vehicle will travel ahead of you and pick you up from predetermined railway station. This is optional and availability has to be confirmed.  Enroute visit the Tea Factory to learn how tea is grown and processed. Arrive Nuwaraeliya and check into hotel for overnight stay in the cool comfort.

Nuwara Eliya meaning "city on the plain (table land)" or "city of light", is a town in the central highlands of Sri Lanka with a picturesque landscape and temperate climate. It is located at an altitude of 1,868 m (6,128 ft) and is considered to be the most important location for Tea production in Sri Lanka. The town is overlooked by Pidurutalagala, the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka.

The city was founded by Samuel Baker, the discoverer of Lake Albert and the explorer of the Nile in 1846. Nuwara Eliya's climate lent itself to becoming the prime sanctuary of the British civil servants and planters in Ceylon. Nuwara Eliya, called Little England then, was also a hill country retreat where the British colonialists could immerse in their pastimes such as fox hunting, deer hunting, elephant hunting, polo, golf and cricket.

Although the town was founded in the 19th century by the British, the whole district is today visited by native travelers, especially during the month of April, the season of flowers, pony races, go cart races and auto rally.

Many of the buildings retain features from the colonial period such as the Queen's Cottage, General's House, Grand Hotel, Hill Club, Town Post Office and even new hotels are often built and furnished in the colonial style. Anyone who visits the city can wallow in its nostalgia of bygone days by visiting these landmark buildings. Many private homes still maintain their old English-style lawns and gardens.

Day 09 - 

After breakfast checkout from the hotel proceed to Horton plains. End of it continue another beautiful locationBeragala near Haputale. Visit the Lipton’s seat and then checking to hotel Melheim for two nights. Situated in very charm beautiful place with scenic view. Ideal place for honeymooners.

The Melheim Resort is an idyllic cocoon located in Beragala, Haputale. Glorious blazing blend of hues which is a spine tingling experience.

Bordered by thick forest reserves nearby boasting of a variety of bird species, the surrounding mountains expand in a panoramic view and nature trails and treks provide the adventurous, plenty of pleasure.

There are 9 luxurious guest rooms, each with its own private deck opening out to a scenic view of the mountains. Rooms feature Satellite TV and hot water. There is also an Internet facility.

There is a restaurant serving eastern and western cuisine with fantastic views over the hills and valleys below. Please note: Melheim serves wine and beer, and not hard liquor to clients. I will show you one of the Sri Lanka’s most beautiful Diyaluma water fall. The 171m-high Diyaluma Falls, Sri Lanka’s third-highest waterfall, is just 5km beyond the town of Koslanda. Cascading down an escarpment of the Koslanda Plateau, the stream is fairly small, but it quickly escalates after a downpour.

Day 10 - 

Checkout from the hotel to proceed to Bentota , Wadduwa or Beruwala for beach stay. If you need you can go further like Unawatuna or Mirissa. Checking to Bentota beach, Avani Bentota,Centara Sea Sands, Blue water, Paradise beach club, Mandara Mirissa, Marriott hotels for beach stay.

Day 11,12 -  You can select as you wish.

This itinerary can turn it to either way. If you want to visit Yala park also can arrange. But after long time now Wilpattu have open for public after war. It has more animals, but it depends on your luck.

Knuckles mountain range we can see on the way and if you want to climb Ella rock and Little Adams peak we have to skip Lipton seat area. It is in another part. But not very far, I arrange this itinerary to do it leisurely.

Sinharaja close it from Bentota Beruwala area, while you are in beach stay we can do it one day.

For more details

http://www.cyriltours.com/contactus.php