09 Days Best of Sri Lanka

Day 1 Singapore Colombo Negombo

Depart Singapore for Colombo. Upon arrive, transfer to Negombo for overnight stay. Relax at the beach during free time.

Day 2 Negombo Pinnawela Polonnaruwa

After breakfast, leave for Polonnaruwa. En-route will visit *Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage - where an orphanage was started in 1975 to house the abandoned and the wounded Elephants. The number of elephants has increased to more than 40 now, including baby elephants brought from various parts, as well as the babies born, as a result of the captive breeding program. The best time to visit is the feeding time from 0930 hrs - 1000 hrs & 1330 - 1400 hrs and the bathing time from 1000 - 1030 hrs & 1400 - 1430 hrs when all the elephants are taken to the river nearby. After lunch, proceed to Polonnaruwa. *Polonnaruwa - the Capital of Sri Lanka from 11th - 13th Century, contains some splendid and spectacular statues. Lankatileke, Tivanka and Thuparama are the most beautiful and largest shrine ruins and Tivanka has the best example of frescoes of the Polonnaruwa period. Raincoat Vihara and Kiriwehera are well preserved large stupas, and Gal Vicar - a rock shrine, has four Buddha statues, two seated, one standing and one reclining and Parakrama Bahu statue are examples of Sinhalese stone carver. The Vata-da-ge is a unique creation of the Sri Lankan artists.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3 Polonnaruwa Sigiriya Dambulla

After breakfast proceed to Dambulla. En-route will climb *Sigiriya Rock Fortress – home to the 5th Century “Fortress in the Sky” which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of the Island. It is also known as Lion Rock because of the huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the fortress. Within its triple-mooted defense the huge rock rises almost to a sheer height of 500ft. On its summit are the foundations of what was once a great and sumptuous palace and gardens complete with swimming pool. On one of the stairways the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting survived in the form of Frescoes of life sized damsels in all the freshness and delicacy of their original color. Sigiriya was never conquered by any of the invading forces that had such an affect on the Island of Sri Lanka. It was however ceded to the British during the colonial rule without force. After lunch visit *Dambulla Cave Temple, a vast isolated rock mass 500ft high and a mile around the base. Here is found the famous Rock Temple dating to the First Century BC. The caves of Dambulla sheltered the King Walagamba during his 14 years of exile from Anuradhapura. When he regained the throne he built the most magnificent of Rock Temples to be found on the Island. In the first Cave is a recumbent image of the Buddha 47ft long cut out of the Rock. There are images of deities associated with Buddhism all around. The frescoes on the ceiling date back to the 15th - 18th Centuries. In the Second Cave, the finest and the largest of all, there are 150 life-size statues of Gods from the Buddhist religion along with numerous images of the Buddha himself. The ceiling is also covered with frescoes, which depict great events in the life of the Buddha and landmarks in the history of the Sinhala people.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4 Dambulla Kandy

After breakfast proceed to Kandy. En-route will visit * Spice Garden at Matale and see the luscious Cinnamon, Cardamoms, Pepper plants etc. You can also purchase some spices here. Afterwards visit a * Batik Factory where you can see the manufacture of beautiful Batik prints. The shop contains a wide variety of Batik items. Afternoon city tour of Kandy, including Upper Lake Drive, Market Square, Arts & Crafts Centre, Gem Lapidary and Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. * Kandy - the hill capital, venue of the annual Perahera. The last stronghold of the Sinhala Kings was finally ceded to the British in 1815. Kandy is an example of the Buddhism's influence in Sri Lanka today. Temple's shrines and monasteries keeping alive Buddhist traditions are everywhere.
* Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic - ever since 4th Century A.D, when the Buddha's Tooth was brought to Sri Lanka hidden from sacrilegious hands in an Orissan princess' hair, the Relic has grown in repute and holiness in Sri Lanka and throughout the Buddhist world. It is considered Sri Lanka's most prized possession. Evening witness a cultural show featuring various dance type of Sri Lanka.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5 Kandy Nuwara Eliya

After breakfast leave for Nuwara, enroute visit Royal Botanical Gardens. Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya – 147 acres in extent: started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the King’s of Kandy. There are more than 5000 species of tree and plants. The spice garden and Orchid House are popular with Tourists. Thereafter proceed to Nuwara Eliya, visiting a tea estate & factory en route. * Tea Plantation - Tea was first planted in Sri Lanka in 1824 at the Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, when a few plants were brought from China. More were introduced from Assam in 1839. In 1867 a Scottish Planter named James Taylor planted tea seedlings on a 8 hectares of forest land in the Loolcondura Estate. In 1873, the tea export industry of Sri Lanka began with a modest 23lbs being shipped to London. Tea will grow well only on rolling terrain and is classified be elevation into low grown, medium grown, high grown, into 3 main groups. In 1996 Sri Lanka has produced 258 million kilo’s of tea and has earned Rs. 34,068 million by exporting 244 million kg of tea. *Nuwara Eliya - The ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, is set against beautiful backdrops of Mountains, Valleys, Waterfalls and Tea Plantations. It is supposed to be one of the coldest places on the island, but is really just like an England spring day although the temperature does drop at night. All around Nuwara Eliya, you will see evidence of the British influence. Houses are like country cottages or Queen Ann style mansions. Rest of the day and free to explore the scenic surroundings of hill station.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6 Nuwara Eliya Unawatun

After breakfast, will leave for Unawatuna. Enroute visit St.Clair and Devon water falls. Unawatuna is good for sea bathing, snorkeling and diving because of the wonderful coral reef extending in the shallow water. A few miles away at Koggala, you can see the world’s famous Stilt Fisherman and the fisherman during their nets in Magalle.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 7 Unawatun Beruwela

After breakfast leave for Beruwela. Upon arrival, check in hotel and free and easy at the beach.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8 Beruwela Colombo Singapore

After breakfast proceed to Colombo and commence city tour. * Colombo - A drive through the city will take you to the Fort and Pettah - the commercial area of the city and tree-lined Colombo - 07 Cinnamon Gardens. Colombo 3, 4, 5, 8 are the prime residential area of the City. Visit Fort, and Pettah for Shopping. The Hindu Temple at Sea Street, lined with goldsmith's shops, the Dutch Church at Wolfendaal, dating back to 1749. The historic Davatagaha Mosque, Independence Hall, B.M.I.C.H, see the replica of Avukana Buddha and the Independence Square. After lunch shopping in Colombo - visit the Mlesna exquisite tea boutique, cashew nut shop and all sorts of ready-made garments at Majestic City & Liberty Plaza. Visit the Lanka Ceramics Center, a place where you can buy "NORITAKE SET" or other ceramic items. Visit "ARENA" at Darley road & "ODEL" at Liptoncircus. Also visit "BEVERLY STREET" – 24 hours shopping arcade (garments only) at Kollupitiya. After dinner, you will be transferred to airport for flight back to Singapore.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 9 Arrive Singapore