Sri Lanka Cultural Highlights Add-on

You will be met at the airport on arrival and transferred to the Ramada Colombo Hotel or similar. In the afternoon embark on a city tour of Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. It is a bustling, cosmopolitan city whose colonial history is still very much evident along wide, shaded boulevards and among its Victorian churches and tumbledown cafes. An introductory half-day city tour visits the vibrant temples and bazaars of Pettah, selling seemingly everything from traditional jewellery to Ayurvedic medicines. A trip to the Old Dutch hospital is a highlight of the restored Fort complex, home to some of Colombo’s chicest restaurants, cafes and shops. A visit to to a Buddhist temple and a Hindu kovil is a must to experience the diverse culture of this lively island. A stroll along the Galle Face Green whilst enjoying the magnificent sunset would be a perfect memory of the city to carry along. (If the flight arrives in the evening, they will do the city tour next morning). Afterwards return to hotel for dinner & overnight stay.

After breakfast proceed to Sigiriya and check in at Sigiriya Village. In the afternoon, proceed to Dambulla Rock Temple. the second capital of Sri Lanka in the 11th Climb up to the Temple, which was donated by King Walagambahu in the 1st century BC to Buddhist monks. Dambulla is a World Heritage site and is the most impressive of Sri Lanka’s cave temples. The complex of five caves with over 2000 sq. meters of painted walls and the ceiling is the largest area of paintings found in the world. These caves contain over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is the colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of rock spanning 14 meters. On completion return to hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at Sigiriya Village.

After breakfast proceed to Anuradhapura the 1st capital of Sri Lanka in 380 BC. Visit the sacred Bo Tree in Anuradhapura which is over 2200 years old, the remains of the Brazen palace (2nd century BC), Ruwanweliseya Dagabe, the Samadhi Buddha (the Buddha in a meditative pose acknowledge world-wide as a master piece) and the Isurumuniya Vihare famous for it's rock carvings (the lovers). Return to Sigiriya Village. Afternoon at leisure with optional bird watching or nature ramble. Dinner and overnight stay at the Sigiriya Village Hotel.

Early morning after a cup of tea or coffee explore the Sigiriya rock fortress built by King Kashyapa and see the remains of the palace and the famous frescoes which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway. Return to the hotel for a late breakfast then in the afternoon visit Polonnaruwa, the second capital of Sri Lanka in the 11th and 12th centuries AD, see the ruins of the Royal Palace, ruins of the Council Hall, Lotus Bath and the Polonnaruwa statue. Also visit the Gal Vihare. After spending enough time going through the ancient city of Polonnaruwa drive back to Sigiriya leisurely. Optional excursion available - visit the Polonnaruwa Rest House (where Queen Elizebath II stayed during her visit to Sri Lanka) for a cup of tea (payment directly in resort). Dinner and overnight stay at Sigiriya Village.

After breakfast, proceed to Matale visiting its Spice Garden and a Batik factory to experience the rich variety of the countries spices and marvel at the batik paintings. In the afternoon experience a city tour of Kandy, a World Heritage site, visit a gem museum and lapidary as well as a bazaar and an arts and crafts centre, plus enjoy a drive around Kandy Lake. Dinner and overnight at the Tourmaline Hotel.

After breakfast, visit the Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya. Continue to the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, where you will witness first-hand elephants being fed, bathed and trained by the wildlife authorities. In the evening head back to Kandy and visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in time for the 'Pooja' (religious worship) and a cultural show. Dinner and overnight at the Tourmaline Hotel.

After breakfast proceed to Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka's premier hill resort. Enroute, visit a tea estate/factory to study the process of tea manufacture. On arrival in Nuwara Eliya do a short city tour of the city. The clients will also get an opportunity to walk around the Nuwara Eliya market area to experience the day today life in a typical Sri Lankan market. On completion continue to Heritance Tea Factory or similar for dinner and overnight stay.