Relief and Relaxation (15 Days)

Relief and Relaxation (15 Days)

Bolt away from the urbanised environment and find sanctuary in the Paradise Island. Explore the Ancient Kingdoms of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa and go on safaris in the Yala and Minneriya National Park. Go on an adventurous hike in the Horton Plains. Wander in the hills of Nuwara Eliya and visit the Last Kingdom of Sri Lanka, Kandy. Climb the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya and visit the Spice Gardens of Matale and smell the authentic scent of Spices in the Gardens. Wander in the city of Kandy and go on technical tours and watch the cultural show as the professional performers perform the great culture of Sri Lanka to you. (SKU: LK10140200)

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.
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-Star Hotel.

Day 2: Negombo > Panduwasnuwara > Anuradhapura

Stop At: Panduwasnuwara Kingdom, Wariyapola Road, Kurunegala 60000 Sri Lanka
Explore the ancient kingdom of Panduwasnuwara, which was briefly the capital during the 12th century. Wander amongst the ruins of the city with its pagodas, image houses, meeting halls and the citadel. Visit the now restored former temple of the tooth relic, which lies just outside the citadel's walls. View the palace and listen to the many legends that surround it.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Mahamevnawa Dhammachethiya Buddhist Monastery Anuradhapura, Watawandana Rd, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
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

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

Day 3: Anurdhapura > Dambulla

Stop At: Mihintale, Anuradhapura Sri Lanka
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
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Avukana Buddha Statue, Avukana, Kekirawa 50100 Sri Lanka
This visit takes you to the majestic 40-foot rock sculpture in Avukana is one of the classical examples of Standing Buddha statues in Sri Lanka. You will be able to see the marvelous crafting of the statue in its being carved from a single rock and standing unsupported except for a single thin attachment at the back; the delicately carved folds of the robe; and the cleanly sculpted body structure. The partially collapsed structures around it point to it once having been sheltered in an image house.
Duration: 2 hours

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

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

Day 4: Dambulla > Polonnaruwa > Minneriya > Dambulla

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

Stop At: Minneriya National Park, Maradankadawala-Habarana-Thirukkondaiadimadu Highway, Minneriya 50150 Sri Lanka
This 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 > Sigiriya > Matale > Kandy

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: Kandy Lake Club - Cultural Dance Show, 7 Sangamitta Mawatha, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
The Kandy Cultural Show gives an opportunity to experience some of the traditions of Sri Lanka. Enjoy this hour-long extravaganza as some of the most popular art forms of the island take to the stage. Get wowed by fire dancers and sword dancers. Watch the colorful Kandyan dancers take to the air to the thrumming primal beat of the drums.


Duration: 1 hour

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

Day 6: Kandy

Stop At: Embekke Devalaya, Embekka Village Three Kilometers from the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, Handessa 20480 Sri Lanka
Get amazed by the wood crafting masterpiece that is the Embekke Temple. Wander through the historic and beautiful Gadaladeniya Temple and view its wonderful paintings and sculptures. Visit the Lankatilaka temple that was quite architecturally advanced for its time. See awe-striking sight of the Degaldoruwa Cave Temple, the inside walls of which are covered in painstakingly restored paintings.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Dalada Veediya, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic a UNESCO World Heritage Site which was built in the 16th century as the place of veneration and protection for Lord Buddha’s sacred tooth. Walk through the beautifully embellished passageways and elaborately painted halls, done in red, cream and black. Lounge against delicately carved pillars and get amazed by the beautiful golden statues. Get an unforgettable experience of history and art.
Duration: 2 hours

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

Day 7: Kandy > Nuwara Eliya

Stop At: Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya Road, Peradeniya 20400 Sri Lanka
Visit the famous Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya, which were formed in the early 19th century. Walk through the vast area containing over 4000 species of plants. Enjoy the learning more about the orchids, spices and medicinal plants. Wander down avenues shaded by large and rare trees or bordered by flowering plants. Enjoy seeing the cannonball tree, walking over the wobbly suspension bridge and through the short hedge mazes or even climbing the twisty trees that make wonderful jungle gyms.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Blue Field Tea Factory, No. 54 Haig Road, Ramboda 20590 Sri Lanka
Visit a Tea Factory and a plantation where you would see how the world’s famous “Ceylon Tea” is manufactured. In 1824 a tea plant was brought to Ceylon by the British from China and was planted in the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya for non-commercial purposes. James Taylor was a British citizen who introduced commercial tea plantation in Sri Lanka (Ceylon). He arrived at Sri Lanka in 1852 and settled down in Loolecondera estate in Kandy. Today even people who have never heard of Sri Lanka are familiar with Ceylon tea, which is known for its quality.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Nuwara Eliya, Nuwara Eliya, Central Province
Visit the highland city that was the premium holiday resort town of the British in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Enjoy walking through the streets with their pretty little cottages, quaint villas and beautiful mansions. Make a memory in the old red-bricked postoffice as you purchase an inexpensive and colorful postcard to take home or send to your friends. Relax at Queen Victoria Park or on the shores of Lake Gregory.
Duration: 3 hours

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

Day 8: Nuwara Eliya > Horton Plains > Nuwara Eliya

Stop At: Horton Plains National Park, Nuwara Eliya Sri Lanka
Visit the beautiful Horton Plains National Park in Ohiya, with its montane grasslands and cloud forests. Enjoy the majestic views from the precipice of World's End and the cooling sprays from Baker's Falls. Catch glimpses of the many endemic fauna that make their home in the plains. Get to know more about the archeological finds that were discovered in the area.
Duration: 4 hours

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

Day 9: Nuwara Eliya > Ella > Yala

Stop At: Ella, Ella, Uva Province
Explore Ella’s 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: Yala > Unawatuna

Stop At: Yala National Park Sri Lanka
This amazing Safari offers the opportunity to visit Yala National Park, the second largest in the island based off the Southeastern coast of Sri Lanka. Get a chance to see the famous Sri Lankan leopards, indigenous wild water buffalo, Sri Lankan Sloth Bear and large herds of Sri Lankan Elephants. The park is also home to many other species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates.
Duration: 3 hours

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

Day 11: Unawatuna

Stop At: Unawatuna Beach, Unawatuna 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: 5 hours

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

Day 12: Unawatuna

Stop At: Galle Fort, Church Street, Galle 80000 Sri Lanka
Discover the city of Galle, where the Portuguese and Dutch made their headquarters, and its secrets. Visit the Galle Fort which is one of the best-preserved fortifications in Asia. View the Maritime Museum, Galle National Museum and the lighthouse. Walk through the cobblestoned streets with their Dutch names as you learn more about their histories.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Koggala, Koggala, Galle District, Southern Province
Watch the captivating sight of fishermen perched on stilts in the waters along the coast of Koggala. Hear the stories of how stilt fishing came to Sri Lanka, from the mouths of the fishermen who have practiced the craft for generations. Learn how the stilt fishing is done in detail and marvel at the level of skill that goes into it. Get some amazing photographs of the fishermen silhouetted against the shoreline at sunset.
Duration: 2 hours

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

Day 13: Unawatuna

Stop At: Unawatuna Beach, Unawatuna 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: 5 hours

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

Day 14: Unawatuna > Balapitiya > Colombo

Stop At: Madu River, Nilwala River Safari, Bridge View, Custom Road, Balapitiya , Sri Lanka, Balapitiya 80550 Sri Lanka
Go on a wonderful 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 water birds in their natural habitats.
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.
Duration: 3 hours

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

Day 15: Colombo > Airport

Pass By: Katunayake, Katunayake, Negombo, Western Province
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.