Day 01 : ARRIVAL TRANSFER / COLOMBO

Met a our Representative at the Bandaranaike International Airport and proceed to Colombo – Check-in at Cinnamon Grand 5* (Superior Room) – Rest of the day at leisure – Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 02 : COLOMBO

Breakfast at the Hotel – Morning proceed to visit Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya Temple.
Seema Malaka Temple and Gangaramaya Temple
Lunch at a Barefoot Garden Café
Thereafter proceed to visit Paradise Road Gallery Colombo.
On completion return to Hotel – Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 03 : COLOMBO

Breakfast at the Hotel – Morning proceed to visit Art Gallery - Sapumal Foundation at Colombo 07.
Lunch at own cost at the food court in Arcade Independence Square. The T-Lounge by Dilmah.
Shop at Luv Sri Lanka and if possible, Stone ‘N’ String Colombo 03.
Visit souvenir shop Laksala Colombo 07 and thereafter proceed to visit Geoffrey Bawa’s house, Colombo.
On completion return to Hotel – Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 04 : COLOMBO

Breakfast at the Hotel – Proceed to visit Independent Television Network studio at Wickramasinghepura, Battaramulla for a guided tour and discussion of how ITN revolutionized television in Sri Lanka. Maybe see part of a program taping.
Lunch and afternoon with English-speaking, middle class Sri Lankan family/families at their house. Learn how to do “kolam” with rice-paste, and learn what typical Sri Lankan family life is like.
Return to Hotel - Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 05 : COLOMBO / AUKANA / DAMBULLA

After Breakfast at the Hotel – Proceed to visit Aukana Buddha statue. It is undoubtedly the most magnificent preserved image on the island. The 5th century statue, ascribed to King Datusena, is 13 meters high. Which is home to the most perfectly preserved ancient statue in Sri Lanka? The perfect & elegant 12m-high standing Buddha is adored all over the island to such an extent, that several full scale copies have been erected in the island. The statue was erected in the same period as those at Polonnaruwa's Gal Vihara& Lankathilake Vihara as well as Buduruwagala & Maligawila all of which emphasis on Buddha's superhuman, transcendental powers.
Thereafter leave to Dambulla.
En-route Lunch at a Local restaurant
Continue to Dambulla - Check-in at Paradise Resort and Spa 4* (Deluxe Room) – Evening proceed to visit Dambulla Cave Temples.
Golden Temple of Dambulla is also a UNESCO World Heritage site with its rock ceiling covered in one large sweep of colorful frescoes, some of which date back to over 2,000 years. This cave temple has the largest number of Buddha statues all housed in one place including a 14 meter long, colossal figure of the recumbent Buddha carved out of the rock. Five main rock caves attached to the cave temple date back to the Anuradhapura (1st c. BC to 993AD) and Polonnaruwa (1073-1250 AD) periods. They contain statues and paintings related to Lord Buddha and his life, as well as depictions of Hindu Gods Vishnu and Ganesh, and representations of Sri Lankan monarchs. Prehistoric humans lived in these caves before Buddhism arrived in Sri Lanka.
Return to Hotel - Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 06 : DAMBULLA / HIRIWADUNA/ DAMBULLA

Early Breakfast at the Hotel – Proceed on a nature trek to visit the village of Hiriwadunna. With its unpaved gravel paths and humble village folk. Shaded on either side by dry zone shrub forest, the dusty gravel path and subsequently the red soil of the tank bund will lead the visitors to an indigo reservoir which sets a stunning contrast of colors. A line of cormorants flying in formation will eventually stop to rest on a cormorant tree and the butterflies and dragonflies found at the edge of the shrubs create a kaleidoscope of colour that rivals the equally vibrant wild flowers.
As you walk further the sight of Sigiriya rock fortress appears in the vicinity against the silent and still waters of the reservoir which is rippled only by a lone fisherman mounted on his catamaran. Soon it’s already time to take a catamaran ride! Across the reservoir awaits a chena farmer’s modest home; a setting that takes you back a few decades to enjoy a black Ceylonese tea brewed by the farmer’s wife. Experience the simple pleasures of village-life as you walk across the chena cultivations and through the nearby woods, to board a bullock cart yet another ancient mode of the humble villagers’ transportation.
Lunch at the Hiriwaduna Village.
Return to Hotel - Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 07 : DAMBULLA / SIGIRIYA / DAMBULLA / POLONNARUWA / DAMBULLA

Have an early Tea and proceed to climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress at 0700Hrs.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site, a spectacular Rock Fortress, is one of Sri Lanka’s major attractions. The most impressive facets of the unique complex are the Water Gardens, the Frescoes of beautiful maidens, the Mirror Wall with ancient graffiti, the Lion platform and the Summit of 1.6 hectares, which was completely covered by buildings during the period of Sigiriya’s glory. Built by King Kashyapa (477-495 A.D), the “Lion Rock” is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200m from the scrub jungle. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town and the base is ringed by a moat, rampart, and extensive gardens. The world-renowned frescoes (originally 500, of which only 19 remain today) which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway are painted in earth pigments on plaster. The old stairway to the top led through the mouth of a crouching lion but today only the huge paws remain giving an indication of the massive proportions of the head. Remains of the handsome royal citadel are on the summit and several caves for meditation, audience platforms and baths complete the unique site.
Return to Hotel for Breakfast and rest.
Afternoon proceed on a sightseeing tour of Polonnaruwa – En-route Lunch at Local restaurant
This medieval city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rose to fame as the capital (10th - 12th century AD) after the decline of Anuradhapura. The entire landscape of the region is punctuated by huge man-made reservoirs, the most famous of which is the Parakrama Samudra or the Sea of Parakrama, larger in size than the Colombo harbour. The monuments are relatively well preserved and give clear evidence of the glory of Sri Lanka's past. Highlights are the Royal Palace complex including the Kings Palace and Audience Hall, the Quadrangle with its
Concentration of ancient heritage and the spectacular Gal Vihare complex of four massive images of the Buddha, cut from a single slab of granite - a highlight of ancient Sri Lankan rock carving. Some of the best examples of the Hindu influence – the Temples of Shiva, intricate statues of Hindu Gods, fascinating Buddhist temples, the Lankathilake and Watadage, the Galpotha, the Lotus bath,
The Kiri Vihare Dagoba and the remains of a former Temple of the Tooth are other impressive sights.
Return to Hotel - Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 08 : DAMBULLA / MINNERIYA / DAMBULLA

After Breakfast proceed on an Elephant Ride in Habarana.
Experience the thrill of an elephant back safari in Habarana for about one hour. Each elephant will be able to carry 05 adults in a Howdy or Basket. Once the guest mount on Elephants, they will be taken deep in to the jungle, accompanied by a Mahout.
Lunch at a Local restaurant
Rest of the day at leisure at the Hotel – Dinner and overnight stay the Hotel.

Day 09 : DAMBULLA / MATALE / KANDY

Breakfast at the Hotel – Driver to Matale and visit Euphoria Spice and Herbal Have a guided spice tour here. Also enjoy a head/shoulder or leg Ayurvedic massage here.
Lunch at Matale Spice Garden.
Continue to Kandy – Check-in at Cinnamon Citadel 4* (Superior Room) Late after Late evening: take tuk-tuk rides in the evening to Kandy View Point.
Any visitor to Kandy should visit this place to get a panoramic view of the beautiful Kandy city and get an idea about the location of its important places where you can visit later. If you visit this place in the night you can see beautiful city illuminating with lights.
Return to Hotel - Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 10 : KANDY

8.30am: Post breakfast Explore Kandy’s rich ancient arts and crafts including drum-making, Dumbara mat-weaving, jewelry-making and traditional Kandyan dance and drumming. See if we can find silk weavers. Meet with Tilak Samarawickrema, an artist who has revived Dumbara mat-weaving
Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Kandy
Lunch at Helga’s Folly 3.30 pm: visit the International Museum of World Buddhism This is a quite remarkable museum.
Also explore the nearby Temple of the Tooth the temple has decorative walls, a golden roof and fine woodwork. Attend religious services in the evening when guests can participate. The services are accompanied by traditional music and drumming. Must dress appropriately – cover shoulders, arms, and legs.
Return to Hotel – Dinner and overnight stay the Hotel.

Day 11 : KANDY

Early Breakfast at the hotel.
8.30am -1.30pm: Tamarind Gardens is a community-based project with ‘Sustainability’ as its core. Its existence and all its underlying activities are designed to bring economic benefit to the community in a manner that is sustainable to local livelihoods and the surrounding environment. You will engage in the daily chores of a rural village, such as milking cows, caring for livestock, maintaining the vegetable and fruit garden and getting involved in preparing authentic Sri Lankan meals that you can enjoy for lunch. You will also discover traditional cottage industries like copper jewelry making, incense making and so on. Assist with cheese-making from milk collected by the village - Lunch at village.
Return to Hotel and in the evening, visit BahiravakandaVihara Buddha Statue.
Return to Hotel - Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 12 : KANDY/ HATTON

Breakfast at the Hotel – Morning proceed to the Peradeniya Railway Station to board the train leaving for Hatton - This dramatic ride will get you chance of viewing some of the magnificent sites of Sri Lanka. Stunning waterfalls, breathtaking views, long tunnels, etc are common sites in this trip. Coach will go by road with the bags and meet at the Hatton Railway Station.
Check-in at Tea Trails ‘Boutique” Luxury Room – Lunch at the Hotel.
Play a game of croquette with the staff in the evening.
Group high tea at the Bungalow.
Dinner and overnight stay the Hotel.

Day 13 : HATTON

Enjoy the “Tea Experience” (arranged by the hotel), which involves a visit to a plantation to observe firsthand the process, starting from the plucking field where it all begins with the picking of “two leaves and a bud” to the factory where the processing begins.
Afternoon trek to Waterfalls – Return to hotel for High Tea.
Dinner and overnight stay the Hotel.

Day 14 : HATTON / ELLA

Bed Tea and Breakfast at the Hotel – 0930Hrs check-out from the Hotel and proceed to Ella. Check-in at 98 Acres 4* (Standard Room).
Lunch at Garden View Restaurants
Trek to Little Adams peak.
Little Adam’s peak - This is Ella’s best known tourist attraction which resembles Adam’s Peak. Climb up to the top of the 1141 meter peak to – Enjoy the breathtaking views of an endless valley, tea plantations and waterfalls. Also visit The Ravana Ella Falls – Ravana Ella is a wonderful sightseeing attraction which had been ranked as one of the widest falls in Sri Lanka. The waterfall measures approximately 25 meters (82 ft) in height and cascades from an oval-shaped concave rock outcrop.
Return to Hotel to fresh up - Cooking lesson and Dinner and overnight stay at hotel

Day 15 : ELLA / YALA

Breakfast at the Hotel – Morning proceed to Yala via visiting Buduruvagala to see Sri Lanka’s tallest rock-cut Buddha statue.
En-route lunch at local Restaurants
Continue to Yala – Check-in at Cinnamon Wild 4*+ (Jungle Chalet) – late afternoon proceed on a Jeep Safari to visit the Yala National Park.
This Park is famous for its high density of leopards, perhaps the highest in the world. You are also sure to see elephants – grumpy loan males during the dry months and large herds in the wet season. Sloth bears are also a big draw.
You will also see mammal such as wild boars, several species of deer and wild buffalo. There is a plethora of reptilian species and platoons of crocodiles. As is common in Sri Lanka there is a huge diversity of stunning birdlife including migratory species such as the flamingo. It is also one of the few places in the world where the severely endangered black necked stork can still be seen. The uniqueness of the park is the sheer diversity of the habitat: dense jungles suddenly give way to lagoons and open plain areas and the park has a simply beautiful sea front. Huge, stark boulders dominate the horizon and the elegant, languorous leopard can often be seen basking atop the sun baked rock - Return to Hotel - Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 16 : YALA

Morning proceed on a jeep safari specially to see leopards.
Return to Hotel and have breakfast
Lunch at the Hotel – Thereafter proceed to visit the “Project Leopard’ conservational community assistance program at Yala.
Return to Hotel – Early Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 17 : YALA / UDAWALAWE

After an early Breakfast leave to Udawalawe – Check-in at Big Game Camp.
Morning proceed on a Jeep safari to visit Udawalawe National Park - This national park was established in 1972 to protect the catchment area of the Uda Walawe reservoir, crucial to the livelihoods of the farmers in the south east dry zone. With the land only recently reverting back from cultivation, the park has some fascinating characteristics that make it well worth a visit. Not least of these is the large elephant population. Uda Walawe is the most reliable place to see elephants in their wild habitat year round. Some 400-500 elephants live in the park and herds of up to 50 are commonly seen. The open plains are covered in thick manna grass up to the borders of the large reservoir in the centre and the Walawe River. The park is also covered by some abandoned teak plantation and dense scrub jungle. This variety in habitat makes for a rich variety of wildlife and game. As well as elephants, leopards live in the park (though you will be very lucky to spot one), toque monkeys, grey langur, spotted deer, wild pig and sambar. There are numerous bird species of course and Uda Walawe is particularly rich in raptor species, among them the white bellied sea eagle and the crested serpent eagle.

Day 18 : UDAWALAWE / HAMBANTOTA/ KOSGODA/ BERUWALA

Early breakfast at the Camp – Thereafter leave to Hambantota to see salt factory.
Thereafter visit Kosgoda turtle hatchery
Kosgoda is a famous for its turtle hatchery- operated by the Wild Life Protection Society of Sri Lanka. It was established in 1981 to protect Sri Lanka's turtles from extinction. The hatchery pays fishermen for eggs that they collect at night along the sandy beach. Visitors can see huge tanks filled with new born turtle hatchlings. After being fed, the baby turtles are taken to the sea and released when they are 2-4 days old, usually during the safer hours of darkness. Although October to April is the main laying season, some eggs can be found at Kosgoda throughout the year.
Continue to Beruwela – Check-in at Cinnamon Bey 5* (Standard Room) – Dinner and overnight stay the Hotel.

Day 19 : BERUWALA / POLHENA / BERUWALA

Early Morning proceed to Polhena Beach to see the Stilt Fishermen.
Return to Hotel and Breakfast at the Hotel.
Afternoon proceed to mask making workshop at Sithuvili Mask shop.
Return o Hotel – Relax by the beach – Dinner and overnight stay the Hotel.

Day 20 : BERUWALA / GALLE / BERUWALA

Breakfast at the hotel - Drive to Visit Galle Fort and walk the streets with little shops and cafes. We will try and arrange a tour with author Juliet Coombes to meet and talk with local merchants and share their stories.
Lunch at Deco on 44 Galle.
Return to Hotel – Dinner and overnight stay the Hotel.

Day 21 : BERUWALA / COLOMBO

Breakfast at the hotel – Morning proceed to Colombo.
Lunch at Colombo Restaurants.
Transfer to the airport to connect with the departure flight