Upon arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport. You will be picked up by our local representatives and transferred to your hotel in Negombo , approximately 30 minutes. Relax on the first day in order to adjust to the new surroundings and prepare for the exciting journey ahead. Negombo is known for its long sandy beaches and centuries old fishing industry and has a large bilingual (Sinhala/Tamil) population with a clear Roman Catholic majority.
Breakfast at the hotel and we start the amazing journey around the island. We proceed to Dambulla/Habarana en route visit Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage (approximately 2 hours drive). This orphanage was set up by the government to take care of baby elephants lost or abandoned in the wild. Witness the feeding of the elephants. Thereafter observe them as they take their daily bath in the river nearby, which affords marvelous photo opportunities. Bath time is enjoyed by all elephants, young and old alike and it is a good time to closely observe their tightly knit family structure.
Enjoy delicious breakfast at the hotel. Today entire day is reserved to discover this beautiful City. Start with morning visit Royal Botanical Gardens , Paradeniya, where a rare collection of tropical exotic and indigenous flora including the famous Orchid House could be viewed. After visit of Botanical Gardens , continue with city Kandy Tour including visit Gem Museum. Witness the Cultural Dance Show is a stimulating Sri Lankan Arts, Dance & Cultural Heritage. The Show that is a must see for any visitor who visits the historic city of Kandy. Afterward continue to see the Traditional Theva ( Daily Service ) Ceremony at The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Dinner and overnight in Kandy.
After breakfast continue the journey to Annuradhapura via Matale, approximately 3,5 hours. En route visit Matale Spice Garden to see many different types of spices Sri Lanka is famous for. You will be introduced to different spices and shown how some of these spices are grown and processed. It’s a wonderful place to stroll in fragrant greenery and learn about nutmeg, pepper vines, clove trees and curry, cinnamon and many more. Enjoy your free head and shoulder massage at a Spice Garden. Afterward proceed to Dambula and visit Dambulla Cave Temple and explore the famous Golden Rock cave temple which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dinner and overnight at Anuradhapura.
Today visit the sacred ancient city of Anuradhapura founded in the 04th century B.C a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1982. It has the largest number of ancient monuments of the great Sinhala civilization which flourished in this region. You will see some of the most famous as well as the tallest Stupas of Sri Lanka and the Ruins of ancient royal palaces. In the afternoon visit Mihintale, the location where Buddhism was first introduced to Sri Lanka or the Cradle of Buddhist Civilization in the Country. Dinner and overnight at Hotel in Anuradhapura.
Today visit the rural but beautiful village of Hiriwadunna. The tour starts with a Bullock cart ride to the village. Then a walk through the tiny village of Hiriwadunna while enjoying the views and the cooling breeze. At a house in the village relax & taste a delicious Sri Lankan Lunch, that you helped prepare. Finish the tour by taking a tuk tuk ride back to the starting point. Continue sightseeing to one of the ruins of ancient Ceylon - the UNESCO World Heritage City of Polonnaruwa, which was the Capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th to 13th century. A well-planned medieval city defended by enclosing walls (around 5 km. which still remain), graced by palaces, shrines, monasteries, pavilions, parks, ponds and irrigation lakes in the evening go for a Jeep Safari Minneriya National Park is about 8889 hectares in extent and is an ideal eco-tourism location in Sri Lanka. Dinner and overnight in Sigiriya
After breakfast commence your day’s journey to Sigiriya and climb the Rock Fortress (approximately 30 minutes’ drive). The lion rock is an ancient rock fortress for its massive columns of rock that reaches nearly 200 meters high. It takes approximately 1,5 -2 hours to climb to Sigiriya Rock. Thereafter, proceed to Negombo and check in to the Hotel. Dinner and overnight in Negombo.
After breakfast check-out from the hotel and transfer to the Airport for your flight to the Maldives. Upon arrival Male International Airport , direct transfer by speed boat to your hotel.
Free days on your own activities
After breakfast, check-out from the hotel and proceed to Male International Airport by Speedboat to connect your departure flight.
