Snapshot of Sri Lanka

Day 1 - Colombo

On arrival after the immigration process and claiming your luggage, a representative along with the designated chauffeur guide will take you through to the exit and will escort you to your vehicle, where you will be transferred to Colombo. 

Commence a panoramic city tour in Colombo.  Colombo is the business and commercial center and the new capital is Sri Jayawardhanapura Kotte, only a few miles away. Colombo was only a small seaport, which came into prominence in the 16th Century with the arrival of the Portuguese in 1505 and the development of it as a major Harbour took place during the British period. Colombo became the capital of Sri Lanka in 1815 after Kandyan Kingdom was ceded to the British.  The remains of the buildings during the period of the Portuguese, Dutch and British rule are found in every area of the city. None of the Portuguese & Dutch fortifications are found today but some of their buildings and churches could be seen in the Fort & Pettah areas. 

Accommodation - Cinnamon Lakeside 

Meals Included - Dinner

Day 02 - Colombo – Sigiriya

After breakfast at the hotel’s main restaurant check-out and leave for Sigiriya.  After an ancient prince killed his father to claim the throne, he was forced to flee to his pleasure palace and convert it into a fortress to guard against his opposition. The spectacular citadel of Sigiriya built on a giant rock rises sheer and impregnable out of the plains below. This remarkable 5th century archaeological site is made unforgettable by its dramatic setting. A moat, rampart, extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens ring the base of the rock and the frescoes of the 'Heavenly Maidens' of Sigiriya.  Note: Please note that to reach the top of Sigiriya Rock, there are nearly 1,200 stone steps up and then down. Anybody in reasonably good condition will be able to venture to the top of Sigiriya Rock and it's certainly worth the effort.

Accommodation - Habarana Village by Cinnamon 

Meals Included - Breakfast & Dinner

Day 3 - Sigiriya - Kandy

After breakfast at the hotel and drive to Kandy. You will also visit a spice garden in Matale. 

Visit the temple of the tooth relic and enjoy a brief tour of the beautiful Kandy town.  Unconquered for centuries, this capital city held the Sinhalese culture and sacred Buddhist Relics safe against the unsuccessful onslaught of Dutch and Portuguese invasions, before finally falling to British political tricks at the beginning of the nineteenth century. Amongst other fascinating sights, Kandy is the home of The Temple of the Tooth Relic, one of the most sacred places of worship in the Buddhist world. You will also visit an Arts & crafts workshop and a gem lapidary during your sightseeing tour. Thereafter witness the traditional cultural dance show starting at 1700hrs. 

Accommodation - Cinnamon Citadel 

Meals Included - Breakfast & Dinner

Day 4 - Kandy - Nuwara Eliya

After breakfast, check out from the hotel. Visit the Peradeniya botanical garden.  Royal botanical gardens of Peradeniya is 147 acres in extent; Started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the Kings of Gampola and Kandy. There are more than 4,000 species of trees, plants and creepers. Some rare and endemic as well as flora from the tropical world are found in the gardens. Spice Garden and Orchid House are popular with tourists. There are 5 Palm Avenues beautifying the gardens, the earliest and tallest Palm Avenue (Royal Palm Avenue) was planted in 1905 and the Double Coconuts from the Seashells Island, with the largest seed of all plants in the world is one such avenue. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to visit a Tea plantation and a Tea factory. (Closed on Sundays and on public holidays)  The stunning drive to Nuwara Eliya is a photographer’s paradise. Pause every now and again to admire the waterfalls, tea estates and the vegetable fields along the way. Once you arrive in Nuwara Eliya, you will notice the sudden drop in temperature.  With log fires and blankets in the Victorian-style bungalows and the beautifully kept lawns and flower gardens, it is no wonder this part of the country has become known as ‘Little England’. Wander through the fruit and vegetable markets and strike a bargain at the night ‘bale’ market to understand the local community on this part of the world.  Return to the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation – Blackpool Hotel 

Meals Included - Breakfast & Dinner

Day 5 - Nuwara Eliya - Yala

After breakfast, you will check out from the hotel and will be transferred to Yala.  Arrive in the afternoon and commence safari in the Yala national park.  Yala National Park covers 126,786 hectares including the Strict Natural Reserve (Block II). The most familiar is Block I (14,101 hectares) and this were established in 1938.Yala is famous for its big herds and large number of Elephants, Leopards, Spotted Deer, Sambhur, Crocodiles, Mongoose, Wild Boar, Wild Buffalo, and many other animals. More than 130 bird species are recorded which includes the resident and winter visitors.  Spend the rest of the day at leisure enjoying the hotel’s amenities 

Accommodation – Cinnamon Wild 

Meals Included - Breakfast 

Day 6 - Yala - Beruwala, via Galle

The South Coast’s major city is Galle, whose oldest landmark is the massive Portuguese and Dutch Fort which is a “World Heritage Site” in which the central city is contained. But the city may be much older. Some scholars believe it to be the “Tarshish” of the Old Testament, to which King Solomon sent his merchant vessels, and to which Jonah fled from the Lord. Today, the 90-acre Galle Fort shows no evidence of the Portuguese founders. The Dutch incorporated the Portuguese northern wall in a great rampart in 1663. A second, taller wall was built inside of it. Between the two walls, a covered passage connected the central bastion with the Fort’s two half bastions overlooking the sea. The Dutch also installed a sophisticated drainage system, complete with brick-lined underground sewers that were flushed twice a day by the high and low tides. The original gate to the fort was by the harbour. It is still there, marked by the British Coat-of-arms on the front and the Dutch V.O.C. (Vereenigde Oost Indische Compagnie) with the Coat-of-arms with a rooster crest, on the inner side of the Fort.

Accommodation – Turya Kalutara

Meals Included - Breakfast & Dinner

Day 7 - Beruwala - Colombo

Today your tour concludes with a transfer to the airport.

Why not extend you stay in the beach resort of Beruwala?

Melas Included - Breakfast