11 Nights & 12 Days Grand Sri Lanka

Package Code: SL111

Destinations Covered: Sri Lanka

Duration: 11 Nights / 12 Days

Itinerary:

Meet the clients on arrival and Transfer from Airport to Colombo.
Overnight stay at Colombo.


Breakfast at a Hotel in Colombo.
Transfer from Colombo to Pinnawala.
The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, established in 1975, commenced with seven orphans. Today some of these orphans enjoy the fortune of seeing their grandchildren born in the same location. The original objective of establishing the orphanage inclined more towards tourism, but is soon became a conservation and educational centre. With the help of local and foreign elephant experts, Pinnawela started a scientific captive-breeding programme for elephants. The free movement of the herd enhanced the chances for respective individuals of both sexes to get together and mate. The nearby river played a dominant role in this regard, and in 1984, the first baby of Pinnawela was born.
The success story of Pinnawela has drawn the attention of scientists from all over the world. A considerable number of books and research articles on Pinnawela have been published in several languages. The members of the Pinnawela herd have been filmed, videoed and photographed thousands of times by professionals.
Transfer from Pinnawala to Sigiriya.
Climb the 5th century Sigiriya rock fortress which is a world heritage site, built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD). The 'Lion Rock' is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 metres from the scrub jungle. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town. A moat, rampart, and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens ring the base of the rock. Visit the world-renowned frescoes of the 'Heavenly Maidens' of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway. These frescoes are painted in earth pigments on plaster.
Overnight stay at Sigiriya / Dambulla / Kandalama.


Breakfast at a Hotel Sigiriya / Dambulla / Kandalama.
Transfer from Sigiriya to Anuradhapura.
Visit Anuradhapura. It was the first capital and undoubtedly the grandest city of the ancient Ceylon. It is the home of two World Heritage Sites. Many places of historical and archaeological interest could be visited. Sri Maha Bodhi (Sacred Bo-Tree) was brought as a sapling of the tree under which Prince Siddhartha attained to enlightenment and it is over 2200 years old and is the oldest historically documented tree in the world. The Brazen Palace (2nd century B.C), the 1600 stone columns you see are all that is left of a magnificent multi-storied residence for monks. Ruwanweliseya (2nd century B.C) is the most famous of all the Dagobas. It originally depicted the perfect 'bubble shape" that modern restoration has not been able to accurately reproduce. 'Samadhi' Buddha statue (4th century AD) is one of the most famous statues, depicting the Buddha in a state of 'Samadhi' or deep meditation. Isurumuniya rock temple (3rd century B.C) is well known for its rock carvings.
Overnight stay at Sigiriya / Dambulla/ Kandalama.

Breakfast at a Hotel Sigiriya / Dambulla / Kandalama.
Transfer from Sigiriya to Polonnaruwa.
Visit Polonnaruwa, which was the 2nd capital city of Sri Lanka, built in the 11th and 12th centuries AD, and which is a world heritage site. Here you can see the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya where 4 splendid statues of the Buddha in 'Upright', 'Sedentary' and 'Recumbent' postures carved out of rock could be seen, the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, the statue of king Parakramabahu, and the Parakrama Samudraya - a lake built by King Parakramabahu the great. There are also monuments of famous places of worship such as the Shiva Temple, the Lankathilake, the Watadage, the Galpotha, the Kiri Vehera and the remains of a former Temple of the Tooth Relic.
Do a safari of the Minneriya National Park by jeep. The extent of the Minneriya National Park is about 8,889 hectares. There are wetlands in this National Park, which have international importance, animal and plant species, which are plenty in dry zone, are found in this park. Wild elephants, various amphibians, local and immigrant bird species are plenty in this park. About 160 species of birds, 09 amphibians, 25 reptile species, 26 fish species and more than 78 butterfly species have been found in this area. There are bamboo trees which are rare in other parks and wild elephants can be seen conveniently. The significant feature is that these elephants can be seen going closer to them.
Transfer from Minneriya to Sigiriya again via Polonnaruwa.
Overnight stay at Sigiriya / Dambulla / Kandalama.

Breakfast at a Hotel in Sigiriya / Dambulla / Kandalama.
Transfer from Sigiriya to Dambulla.
Dambulla rock temple was built by king Walagambahu in the 1st century B.C. and it is a World Heritage Site. It is the most impressive of Sri Lanka's cave temples. The complex of five caves with over 2000 sq. metres of painted walls and ceilings is the largest area of paintings found in the world. 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 metres.
Transfer from Dambulla to Matale.
Visit a spice garden in Matale to see different spices for which Sri Lanka is famous. Here, clients could see different spices and how some of these spices are grown and processed. Witness a Cookery demonstration.
Transfer from Matale to Kandy.
Overnight stay at Kandy.

Breakfast at Hotel in Kandy.
Transfer from Kandy to Peradeniya.
Peradeniya botanical garden was first built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala king and was expanded by the British. It is 147 acres in extent and provides an amazing variety of trees, plants and flowers.
Transfer from Peradeniya to Kandy.
Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is a World Heritage Site. The name "Kandy" conjures visions of splendour and magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. Drive around the Kandy lake built by the last Sinhala king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798. Visit the Kandy town and bazaar, the arts and crafts centre, a gem museum and a lapidary. Also visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy. Thereafter witness a cultural show.
Overnight stay at Kandy.

Breakfast at Hotel in Kandy.
Transfer from Kandy to Tea Plantation.
Visit a tea plantation and a tea factory, where the best tea in the world is produced. Here you could observe all about the process of manufacturing tea. You can also see how tea is graded. Taste a cup of pure Ceylon tea in the factory.
Transfer from Tea Plantation to Nuwara Eliya.
Visit Nuwara Eliya. Nuwara Eliya, because of its invigorating mountain climate and scenery, is Sri Lankas most popular hill resort. Nuwara Eliya is also the heart of Sri Lankas tea country producing a significant share of the world s best tea. Sri Lanka s highest mountain Pidurutalagala (8282 feet) is located here. Nuwara Eliya also has one of the finest 18 hole golf courses in South Asia.
Overnight stay at Nuwara Eliya.

Breakfast at a Hotel in Nuwara Eliya.
Transfer from Nuwara Eliya to Kataragama through Bandarawela Tissamaharama road.
The story of Kataragama centres around the repeated descent and exploits on earth of a hero (Kataragama) and his battles with the forces of darkness.
According to this basic symbolic framework, a number of themes are woven in depending on the perspective taken - whether it be Buddhism, where Kataragama is the bodhisattva or Buddha to be or Hinduism where according to legend, Skanda, the Hindu God of War arrived in Sri Lanka and received two gifts from the Sinhalese - a house of leaves and a beautiful wife.
It is the romantic union of Skanda and his wife that is commemorated annually.
Transfer from Kataragama.
Overnight stay at Kataragama.

Breakfast at a Hotel in Kataragama.
Transfer from Hambantota to Galle.
Galle was once the chief port of Ceylon. It is still well known for hand-made lace. You can also visit the Galle Fort (spanning 90 acres), which was originally built by the Portuguese and later extended by the Dutch in 1663. This is a World Heritage Site.
Overnight stay at Bentota / Ahungalla.

Breakfast at a Hotel in Bentota / Ahungalla.
Whole day at leisure (No transport)
Overnight stay at Bentota /Ahungalla.

Breakfast at a Hotel in Bentota / Ahungalla.
Transfer from Bentota /Ahungalla to Colombo.
Do a city tour of Colombo. Colombo like many capital cities in developing countries is fast changing its face. Almost overnight, skyscrapers arise from where old buildings once stood. Yet in some parts, the old world charm is retained. For example, there is a 100-year-old clock tower and several British built colonial buildings. Other places of interest are the Pettah bazaar - where one can shop for bargain, a Hindu and a Buddhist temple, residential areas where you find the stately homes of the affluent, the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH)- an outright gift to Sri Lanka from the People's Republic of China.
Overnight stay at Colombo.

Breakfast at a Hotel in Colombo.
Transfer from Colombo to Airport to board the flight for onward destination.

Inclusions:

• Accommodation in standard room on bed & breakfast basis at hotels specified or of similar standard.
• Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle as per program.
• Service of English Speaking Chauffeur Guide.

Exclusions:

• Video and Camera permits.
• Lunch & dinner throughout the tour.
• Entrance fees for places of interest.
• Cost of Christmas / New Year Dinner.
• Expenses of a personal nature.
• Any other services not specified above.
• Cost for Minneriya Jeep.
• Airfare & Visa.

Remark:
Peak supplement charges will be applicable.
Compulsory ICC cricket world cup supplement at hotels will be applicable.
Compulsory Christmas / New Year period Supplements will be applicable.
Not applicable for Indian Market.
The official check-in time at all hotels will be 1200hrs, check-out time at all hotels will be 1100hrs.