Buddha and Beach
Spend a week travelling to some of central Sri Lanka's best sites before heading off to a gorgeous beach for a few days....
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Negombo Holidays
Sample Itinerary - REF SRI LANKA 164
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Day 1: Colombo - Negombo
Welcome to Sri Lanka and the start of your holiday! Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel in Negombo.
Day 2: Negombo - Mount Lavinia
We set off today for a blast from the pasrt, taking in Galle Face Court and the Old Cricket Club. After time to reminisce, we head on to Mout Lavinia and check you into the hotel.
Day 5: Mount Lavinia - Habarana
En route visit the Elephant Orphanage in Pinnawela - This orphanage is the home for about 89 elephants, out of which some are baby elephants found abandoned or orphaned in the wild. They are being cared, fed and trained by the wild life authorities. The best time to visit is during the feeding times, when one will have the opportunity of seeing the baby elephants being bottle-fed. Also could accompany the elephants to a river close-by and see them having their daily bath. On completion proceed to Habarana
Day 6: Habarana
We head out to Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Built over 1500 years ago, this beautiful citadel stands 200 meters high in the middle of verdant jungle and was an important stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town. It can be viewed from miles around and is definitely one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic and famous sites. We then head to Polonnaruwa. This fascinating 11th century city is home to many interesting ruins and famous monuments including the Royal Palace and the Gal Vihara. Polonnaruwa was once the capital and is also the second most ancient city in Sri Lanka. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 7: Habarana
Our sightseeing today takes in Anuradhapura, the fascinating ancient city and one of Sri Lanka’s most important archaeological sites. It contains vast artificial lakes, temples, statues including the Samadhi Buddha, dagobas (solid hemispheres topped with spires), royal baths and museums. We also visit the holy Sri Maha Bodhi tree under which Prince Siddharta attained enlightenment. It is also the oldest historically documented tree on earth.
Day 8: Habarana - Kandy
Today we will leave Habarana and drive you to Kandy, with a stop at Dambulla on the way. Upon arrival in Dambulla, we climb to the temple which was donated by King Walagambahu in the 1st century BC to Buddhist monks. The complex of five caves with over 2000 sq. metres of painted walls and the ceiling is the largest area of paintings found in the world.
Day 9: Kandy
We start with a visit the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya - This 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. Thereafter we have a sightseeing tour of Kandy - Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings, and is a World Heritage Site. Drive around the Kandy Lake built by the last Sinhala king Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798. Visit the Kandy town and Bazaar, the arts & crafts centre and a gem museum and a lapidary.
Day 10: Kandy - Nuwara Eliya
Morning proceed to the Peradeniya Railway Station to board the Observation Train leaving for Nanu-Oya.Get in to the observation gallery and take a joy ride from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya. This dramatic ride will get you chance of seeing stunning waterfalls and breathtaking views. On arrival at the Nanu-Oya railway station, we proceed to Nuwara Eliya - because of its invigorating mountain climate and scenery, is Sri Lanka’s most popular hill resort. Nuwara Eliya is also the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea country producing a significant share of the world’s best tea.
Day 11: Nuwara Eliya
We head to Horton Plains - the coldest and windiest location in Sri Lanka consists of ecosystems such as Montane evergreen forests, grasslands, marshy lands and aquatic ecosystem. In view of the large number of endemic flora and fauna species, Horton Plains was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 30th July 2010. We then visit a Tea Plantation and a Tea Factory, where the best tea in the world is produced. You will be told 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. Afterwards, we visit the Hill School.
Day 12: Nuwara Eliya - Yala National Park
We drive through to Yala National Park today and in the evening enjoy a Jeep Safari to visit in the park. Yala is famous for its high density of leopards, perhaps the highest in the world. You are also sure to see elephants – grumpy loan males during the dry months and large herds in the wet season. Sloth bears are also a big draw. You will also see mammal such as wild boars, several species of deer and wild buffalo. As is common in Sri Lanka there is a huge diversity of stunning birdlife including migratory species such as the flamingo.
Day 14: Yala National Park - Colombo
Time to leave Yala and head back to Colombo and a sightseeing tour. Just off the north end of Galle Road, is the area known as the Fort, once a colonial stronghold. Just south of the Fort is Galle Face Green, a seaside expanse where informal cricket games are played out. At the south end of the green is the Galle Face Hotel, a beautiful colonial-era hotel. We also visit Pettah, the traditional bazaar district and also visit Gangarama Temple and Independence Square.
Day 15: Colombo
We will transfer you to the airport in time for your departure flight late this evening.
