Teardrop Isle

Welcome to Sri Lanka and the start of your holiday! Arrival Colombo and included transfer to your hotel. This afternoon, we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Sri Lanka’s capital, including; the Fort, Galle Face Green – a seaside expanse popular for informal cricket games, the Pettah – a viberant oriental bazaar, a visit to Gamgarama Temple, Cinnamon Gardens and lastly today, Independence Square.

Colombo - Dambulla. Departing Colombo, we drive to Dambulla and check into our hotel. This afternoon we visit Polonnaruwa, an 11th century city of compact size. Polonnaruwa features 12th-century stone sculptures, an old irrigation system with huge tanks, and the Gal Vihara – comprising of three enormous Buddha figures, one reclining (it’s 44 ft/13 m long), one standing and one sitting. The statues are located in a cluster along a dirt road and are revered as being amongst the most sacred monuments in Sri Lanka. There are also palace ruins, great bas-reliefs and friezes. After our time exploring the site, we return to Dambulla.

Dambulla - Kandy. Leaving Dambulla, we drive to Sigiriya, the elevated and mysterious 5th century fortress ruins of King Kasyapa, where we view the stunning frescoes. The ‘Lion Rock’ is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 metres from the scrub jungle. A moat, rampart and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens ring the base of the rock.

Next, we visit the impressive Dambulla Rock Temple. Dambulla is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is the most impressive of Sri Lanka’s cave temples. 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.

Leaving Dambulla, the final stop of the day is Matale en route to Kandy. Sri Lanka is renowned for its spices and spice gardens are located all over the country. However, the biggest concentration of them can be found around Matale. With a guide, you’ll see first hand how cinnamon, cardamon, curry leaves, peppercorns, saffron and other exotic spices are grown in the wild and then processed for consumption.

This morning we explore the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, once only exclusively reserved for Kandyan royalty. Back in Kandy, a scenic lakeside town, we visit the lake, colourful bazaar, Ceylon Tea Museum and lapidary workshop. This evening, we tour the Temple of the Tooth Relic and then enjoy a cultural show featuring traditional Sri Lankan dancing.

Our holiday sadly comes to an end after breakfast and included onward transfer to the airport.