Arrival and transfer to Colombo.

Do a city tour of Colombo. Colombo like many capital cities in developing countries is fast changing its face. Almost overnight, skyscrapers arise from where old buildings once stood. Yet, in some parts, the old world charm is retained. For example, there is a 100-year-old clock tower and several British built colonial buildings. Other places of interest are the Pettah bazaar where one can shop for bargain, a Hindu and a Buddhist temple, residential areas where you find the stately homes of the affluent, the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) - an outright gift to Sri Lanka from the People's Republic of China.

Overnight stay at Cinnamon Grand, Colombo.

Web Site : www.cinnamonhotels.com
Address : 77 Galle Road, Colombo 03, Sri Lanka
E-mail : grand@cinnamonhotels.com
Tel : 011 2437437
Fax : 011 2449280

Breakfast at the hotel.

Thereafter transfer to Pinnawala.

Visit the Elephant Orphanage at Pinnawala established in 1975 and commenced with seven orphans. Today, some of these orphans enjoy the fortune of seeing their grandchildren born in the same location. The original objective of establishing the orphanage inclined more towards tourism, but soon it became a conservation and an educational centre. With the help of local and foreign elephant experts, Pinnawala started a scientific captive-breeding programme for elephants. The free movement of the herd enhanced the chances for individuals of both sexes to get together and mate. The nearby river played a dominant role in this regard and in 1984, the first baby of Pinnawala was born.

The success story of Pinnawala has drawn the attention of scientists from all over the world. A considerable number of books and research articles on Pinnawala have been published in several languages. The members of the Pinnawala herd have been filmed, videoed and photographed thousands of times by professionals.

Lunch at Pinnalanda Restaurant, Pinnawala.

Then transfer to Dambulla.

Visit Dambulla Rock Temple which has been built by king Walagambahu in the 1st century B.C. It is a World Heritage Site. It is the most impressive of Sri Lanka\'s cave temples. The complex of five caves with over 2000 sq. metres of painted walls and ceilings, is the largest area of paintings found in the world. It contains over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is the colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of rock and spanning 14 metres.

Dinner and overnight stay at Heritance Kandalama, Kandalama.

Web Site : www.aitkenspencehotels.com
Address : Dambulla, Sri Lanka.
E-mail : kandala@sltnet.lk
Tel : 066 5555 000
Fax : 066 2284109

Breakfast at the hotel.

Thereafter transfer to Sigiriya.

Climb the 5th century Sigiriya Rock Fortress which is a world heritage site built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD). The 'Lion Rock' is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 metres from the scrub jungle. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town. A moat, rampart, and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens ring the base of the rock. Visit the world-renowned frescoes of the \'Heavenly Maidens\' of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway. These frescoes are painted on plaster using earth pigments.

On completion, transfer to Polonnaruwa.

Lunch at Siyanco Holiday resort.

After lunch do a city tour of Polonnaruwa which is a world heritage site and the 2nd capital city of Sri Lanka built in the 11th and 12th centuries AD. See the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya where four splendid statues of the Buddha in 'Upright', 'Sedentary' and 'Recumbent' postures carved out of rock, the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, the statue of king Parakramabahu and the Parakrama Samudraya - a lake built by King Parakramabahu the great. There are also monuments of famous places of worship such as the Shiva Temple, the Lankathilake, the Watadage, the Galpotha, the Kiri Vehera and the remains of a former Temple of the Tooth Relic.

Dinner and overnight stay at Kandalama Hotel, Kandalama.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Thereafter transfer to Matale.

In Matale, visit a spice garden to see different spices for which Sri Lanka is famous for. Here, clients could see different spices and how some of these spices are grown and processed. Also, witness a Cookery demonstration.

On completion, transfer to Kandy.

Lunch at Hilltop Hotel, Kandy.

Then transfer to Peradeniya.

Visit Peradeniya botanical gardens which was first built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala king and has been expanded by the British. It is 147 acres in extent and provides an amazing variety of trees, plants and flowers.

In the evening, do a city tour of Kandy. Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is a World Heritage Site. The name "Kandy" conjures visions of splendour and magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. Drive around the Kandy Lake built by the last Sinhala king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798.

Thereafter witness a cultural show.

Dinner and overnight stay at Earl's Regency Hotel, Kandy.

Web Site : www.aitkenspencehotels.com
Address : Kandy, Sri Lanka.
E-mail : erhotel@sltnet.lk
Tel : 081 2422122
Fax : 081 2422133

Breakfast at the hotel.

Thereafter transfer to the airport for departure.

Cost : (In U.S. Dollars)

Important points to note :

• It is not possible to cancel any booking after making the payment. Therefore, payment once made will not be refunded.
• Optional excursions and additional services could be provided for which an additional charge will be applicable.
• The official check-in time at all hotels will be 12:00 hrs.
• The official check-out time at all hotels will be 11:00 hrs.
• Visits to wild life parks will be at client’s own risk. Jeeps available are non air-conditioned and very basic with basic insurance covers (not comprehensive as in the case of vehicles that will be used for tours).