Ancient Kingdoms and Best of East (14 Days)

Ancient Kingdoms and Best of East (14 Days)

A vacation that takes you from the eastern coast to Sri Lanka’s central country. Bask in the sunlight and let the waves wash over your feet as you watch the sunrise from the eastern horizon. Explore the ancient Kingdoms of Sri Lanka and discover the secrets behind the prevailing ancient monuments of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. Climb the world-renowned Sigiriya ‘Lion Rock’ Fortress and conquer the wilderness of Sri Lanka’s National Parks. (SKU: LK10130400)

Itinerary

Day 1: Airport > Negombo

Stop At: Negombo Beach, Negombo Sri Lanka
Enjoy the sun on the sandy beaches of Negombo on the Western Coast of Sri Lanka. Watch the flourishing fish industry, which is a centuries-old tradition. Ride an adrenaline high with some fun water sports. Enjoy the corals and underwater life while diving. See the 50-year-old ship-wreck just off the coast, where many varieties of fish make their home.
Duration: 2 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 2: Negombo > Yapahuwa > Anuradhapura

Stop At: Yapahuwa Rock Fortress, Yapahuwa Sri Lanka
Visit the rock fortress of Yapahuwa where the seat of government was based in the 13th century. It also had its own Temple of the Tooth Relic where the relic was housed at that time. View the majestic entrance arch and ornamental stairway. Walk through the ruins of the temple at the summit or along the terraces. Enjoy the detailed sculptures scattered throughout the entire fortress. Yapahuwa is an incredible place that defies description and is best seen with one's own eyes.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-Star Hotel.

Day 3: Anuradhapura > Mihintale > Dambulla

Stop At: Anuradhapura, Anuradhapura, North Central Province
Walk through the ancient ruined city of Anuradhapura, which was the capital for over a millennium until the 10th century AD. View the pagodas, monastic buildings and ponds that are scatter all over the vast area. Visit important landmarks such as Jetavanarama, which was one of the tallest buildings of the ancient world, the Sri Maha Bodhi and the ruins of the huge Abhayagiri Monastery. Gain more knowledge about Sri Lanka's history as you walk in the footsteps of Kings.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Mihintale, Anuradhapura Sri Lanka
Thereafter proceed to Mihintalaya. (Travel Time: 30 to 40 mins) Visit the place where Buddhism began in Sri Lanka. See the spot where the meeting of King Devanampiyatissa and Monk Mahinda took place. View the monastic ruins at the foot of the mountain. Walk in the footsteps of Mahinda as you visit the cave where he resided. View historic stupas, Ambasthala Dagoba and the Maha Stupa. Enter the ruins of an age long past to understand its impact on the history of Sri Lanka.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-Star Hotel.

Day 4: Dambulla > Polonnaruwa > Minneriya > Dambulla

Stop At: Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress, Sigiriya 21120 Sri Lanka
Climb the 5th century AD rock fortress, Sigiriya, where the King Kasyapa ruled. Walk through the entrance framed by the paws of a lion that is quite appropriate for its name, ' the Lion Rock'. View the beautiful unfading murals that brought Sigiriya its fame. Climb the steep staircase to see the terraced gardens and still-working cisterns. Walk through the tunnels leading to the palace as you get a feel for times long past.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress, Sigiriya 21120 Sri Lanka
Hiriwaduna is a little village that retains its authentic traditions and culture. Get a chance to go on an oxen cart ride and experience the world from the view of a village farmer. Have a relaxing catamaran safari through a calm lake. Walk through the golden fields ripe with their harvest of paddy. Watch an enjoyable traditional cooking demonstration that teaches you the basics of Sri Lankan cuisine. Delight your tastebuds with a home cooked lunch; made over a wood-fire and served on fragrant lotus leaves placed over woven trays. Enjoy the life of a Sri Lankan villager, just this day.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Minneriya National Park, Maradankadawala-Habarana-Thirukkondaiadimadu Highway, 50150 Sri Lanka
This three-hour safari takes you on a ride through the Minneriya National Park. Enjoy the sight of over 150 elephants congregating in one place during the famous Great Elephant Gathering, which happens in the dry season between May to October. In addition to elephants, get a chance to also see many mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians in the scrublands, forests and other areas.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-Star Hotel.

Day 5: Dambulla > Polonnaruwa > Pasikudha

Stop At: Golden Temple of Dambulla, Dambulla 21100 Sri Lanka
Enter the historic caves of the Golden Temple of Dambulla, dating back to the 1st century BC. View the ancient murals depicting the life story of Lord Gautama Buddha. Look at the hundreds of figurines of Buddha and other deities scattered throughout the five main caves. Visit the Cave of the Divine King, Cave of the Great King and the Great New Monastery. See the giant golden Buddha Statue just a little distance outside the cave complex.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Polonnaruwa Vatadage, Sacred City, Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
Visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, which was the second major capital of Sri Lanka. Walk through the ruins of the city that flourished between the 10th to the 13th century AD. View important monuments such as Gal Vihara, Vatadage, the lotus bath, Lankathilaka Temple and the statue of King Parakramabahu whose reign was considered the golden age of Polonnaruwa. Get to know more about Sri Lanka's ancient history.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-Star Hotel.

Day 6: Pasikuda

Stop At: Pasikuda Beach, Sri Lanka
Enter this land of golden sunrises. Relax in the shade of a coconut tree on beautiful beaches with the sun and sky for company. Visit the historical Dutch Fort and the lighthouse nearby. See the fishermen sell their catch at the early morning fish markets. Jog along the wide shores for miles. Enjoy the tropics as never before.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-Star Hotel.

Day 7: Pasikudha > Arugambay

Stop At: Arugam Bay Beach, Sri Lanka
Rest in the coast of Arugambay and enjoy the sea breeze and its magnificent tides
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-Star Hotel.

Day 8: Arugambay

Stop At: Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka
Spend the day leisurely enjoying the coast and the facilities provided by the hotel.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-Star Hotel.

Day 9: Arugambay > Ella

Stop At: Ella, Ella, Uva Province
Explore the city of Ella and its most interesting places. Pass through bright green tea fields, and tough stretches of rock, and get to see the magical views of Little Adam’s Peak. Walk over the history seeped Nine Arches Bridge and listen to the story of its construction. End your hike at the Demodara Railway station with its unique loop-over track design. This tour gives you the chance to see the best sights of Sri Lanka.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-Star Hotel.

Day 10: Ella > Udawalawe

Stop At: Ravana Ella Falls, Ella-Wellawaya Road, Ella 90090 Sri Lanka
A beautiful natural wonder associated with legend is the Rawana Ella (Ravana Falls) located near the village of Udunuwara on the Ella-Wellawaya Road. A cave ("cave of gold") hidden behind the falls is believed to be one of several places where Rawana hid his lovely Indian Princess Sita after abducting her.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Udawalawe National Park Sri Lanka
This three-hour safari gives you the chance to visit Udawalawe National Park. Travel through the marshes, forests and grasslands of the park that was created as a sanctuary for wildlife in the 1970s. See the water birds and Sri Lankan elephants for which the park is famed. Catch glimpses of the other mammals and birds, as well as the reptiles, amphibians and butterflies.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-Star Hotel.

Day 11: Udawalawe > Hikkaduwa

Stop At: Blow Hole Hummanaya, Dikwella 81200 Sri Lanka
Explore the wonders of the Hummanaya, which could possibly be the second largest blowhole in the world. Watch the impressive spraying fountain of sea water near the village of Kudawella that is part of Sri Lanka's natural geology. Listen to the deep humming noise that gives the Hummanaya its name.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Galle Fort, Church Street, Galle 80000 Sri Lanka
Explore the secrets of Galle where the Portuguese and Dutch made their headquarters. Visit the Galle Fort which is one of the best-preserved fortifications in Asia. View the museums of Galle and the lighthouse. Walk through the cobblestoned streets with their Dutch names and listen to your guide tell their stories. Relax with a king coconut or a cup of tea caressed by a breeze of the tropics.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-Star Hotel.

Day 12: Hikkaduwa > Bentota

Stop At: Hikkaduwa Beach, Hikkaduwa 80240 Sri Lanka
Relax with coconut palms and sea on the sunny white beaches of Hikkaduwa, a tropical paradise based off Southern Sri Lanka. Enjoy water sports at the second-best surfing coast of the island. Watch the colorful coral reefs at the Hikkaduwa Coral Sanctuary. Party with some of the best nightlife in Sri Lanka.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Madu River, Nilwala River Safari, Bridge View, Custom Road, Balapitiya , Sri Lanka, Balapitiya 80550 Sri Lanka
Go on a wonderful two-hour boat ride down the Madu River with its flourishing ecosystem. Pass through the secretive passages created by the mangroves. See the basking crocodiles and water monitors. Visit one of the small islands with its cinnamon harvesting natives. Enjoy the restorative qualities of the famous fish massage. Observe the waterbirds in their natural habitats.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-Star Hotel.

Day 13: Bentota > Colombo

Stop At: Bentota Beach, Bentota 80500 Sri Lanka
Walk down one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka; embraced by the warmth of the sun, the softness of the sand and the cool sea breeze. Feel the romance of the beautiful ocean at sunset. Relax in one of the luxury hotels that cluster on the beach. Watch the turtles come to nest from the sea. Enjoy the adrenaline rush of water sports such as jet-skiing, windsurfing and more.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Colombo National Museum, Albert Crescent, Colombo Sri Lanka
Experience the colorful lights and bright life of Colombo, the capital City of Sri Lanka. Visit historic monuments such as the Old Lighthouse, the Old Parliament, Galle Face Hotel, Galle Face Green, Gangarama Temple, the National Museum and more. Enjoy the malls of Independence Square or the Race Course. Visit boutique shops and designer stores. Enjoy the nightlife as you party till the morn.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-Star Hotel.

Day 14: Colombo > Airport

Pass By: Katunayake, Sri Lanka
After the breakfast check out from the hotel and proceed to airport after spending a memorable time in this island.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.