BEST OF SRI LANKA

13 NIGHTS / 14 DAYS

Enjoy astounding beaches to misty mountain ranges like you ’ ve never witnessed before , travel through ancient kingdoms and go on a wildlife safari in one of Sri Lanka ’ s national parks . This really is Sri Lanka at its best .

Yala

Galle

Koggala

Day 1 Arrive Colombo to Negombo You will be met on arrival and driven by your Englishspeaking chauffeur guide to Negombo , an important fishing town with Portuguese and Dutch colonial heritage . The Dutch legacy is seen in the remains of the grand Dutch Fort and Hamilton Canal . You can see gailypainted boats using it as a waterway .

Paul ’ s Church , and Royal Palace Park . It is possible to walk most of the way around the lake , where you can see the Royal Bathing Pavilion , and the royal summerhouse on an island in the centre of the lake . There are also several nightly cultural shows that showcase traditional Kandyan drumming , music , and dance , and the city boasts a fine international cricket stadium .

Day 2 Negombo to Sigiriya Today , depart for the Cultural Triangle ( 4 hours ). This area is considered to be the cradle of Sri Lanka ’ s Buddhist civilisation and is home to a wealth of UNESCO World Heritage Sites , alongside an abundance of wildlife and natural habitats . In the afternoon , set off to climb the rock fortress of Sigiriya , with its stunning views and water gardens . In the 5th century King Kashyapa ‘ tamed ’ the Lion ’ s Rock by building a palace atop its summit .

Day 3 Visit Polonnaruwa Today visit Polonnaruwa , an ancient royal capital with well-preserved 12th century ruins and impressive stone sculptures recalling an inspired past and the story of Buddhism . This will give you the chance to experience the grandeur of this period and the artistry of the island ’ s early craftsmen . Highlights are the Royal Palace and Council Chamber , and the four graceful Buddha statues of Gal Vihara ( Stone Temple ), the pinnacle of Sri Lankan rock carving .

Day 4 Sigiriya This morning you will drive from Sigiriya to Hiriwaduna Village , where you will have the opportunity to meet the villagers . You can help in some of their daily tasks , such as farming and cooking , or even be taken on a bullock cart ride through a banana plantation . Afterwards , enjoy a typical Sri Lankan rice and curry meal . This afternoon , visit the famous 5th century BC Dambulla cave temples . The walls of this World Heritage Site are covered with 21,000 sqft of murals . This visit involves a 10-15 minute walk uphill to wonderful views over the plains at the top .

Day 5 Sigiriya to Kandy Today drive to Kandy in the hill country , Sri Lanka`s second city ( 2.5 hours drive ). Kandy was the last capital of the Sinhalese kingdom and remains an important cultural and spiritual centre . Explore this picturesque lakeside city with its wealth of antique and gemstone shops , bustling market , and numerous restaurants . British legacy still remains in the form of grand buildings , St

Day 6 Kandy to Tea Country After breakfast , head south into cooler mountains to the heart of Tea Country . See the curious ‘ Little England ’ hill station of Nuwara Eliya , with its racecourse , golf course , lake , and colonial buildings , set against mountains , waterfalls , and tea plantations . Whilst in Tea Country , visit a tea factory on a working estate , following the process of tea production and enjoying a tasting . Optional : Train from Kandy to Tea Country

Day 7 Visiting Horton Plains Drive through the early morning mist to Horton Plains National Park , Sri Lanka ’ s highest plateau and a landscape with a unique climate and ecosystem . The circular walk will take you to the spectacular World ’ s End - a sheer drop of nearly 1,000 metres into the valley below , as well as to a view of the picturesque Bakers Waterfalls . More than 70 % of Sri Lanka ’ s endemic birds can be found here . In the afternoon , relax back at your hotel or enjoy a walk through the tea plantations .

Day 8 Tea Country to Yala This morning , enjoy more mountain scenery on the way to Ella Gap , where the mountains dramatically drop down to the plains of the south . This nature resort is located in ten acres of jungle bordering the entrance of Yala National Park and the Indian Ocean . A variety of wild animals are seen in the grounds , such as monkeys , boar , and elephants . Yala is most famous for its leopards and , with one of the highest densities in the world . This is very dry terrain with little shade , bordering beautiful coastline and interspersed with watering holes .

Day 9 Yala Begin early this morning with a jeep safari . Elephants , sloth bear , sambhur , and buffaloes are among the animals seen in the park . Because of the lack of other carnivores , the leopard is the top predator , so adults and cubs can be remarkably relaxed during the day . Young males in particular have no fear of the jeep , which can lead to excellent photo opportunities . In the afternoon , watch out for crocodiles basking in the evening sun .

Lighthouse at Galle

Leopard in Yala

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BEST OF SRI LANKA