Day 1
Arrival at Colombo Airport and transfer to hotel in Wattala.
Evening visit Muthurajawela wet land by boat.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight stay in Wattala
Muthurajawela wet land - covers an area of 3,068 ha. It is located between 10-30 km north of Colombo, in Gampaha District. Together with Negombo Lagoon (3,164 ha), Muthurajawela forms an integrated coastal wetland system of high biodiversity and ecological significance. There are many varieties of flora and fauna which are interdependent in this coastal ecosystem.
In 1996 an area of some 1,777 ha in the northern section of Muthurajawela was declared a Wetland Sanctuary.
Day 2
After breakfast leave for Kalpitiya, en route seeing sites and evening rest at the beach.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight stay in Kailpitiya
Kalpitiya is an unrivalled marine sanctuary with a diversity of habitats ranging from bar reefs, flat coastal plains, saltpans, mangroves swamps, salt marshes and vast sand dune beaches,
Kalpitiya affords the opportunity to view large pods of Dolphins often numbers running to hundreds, is becoming a celebrated location in Sri Lanka of the lovers of Spinner Dolphins, the presence of Sperm Whales and an occasional Blue Whale alone is a world class attraction of marine life.
Day 3
After breakfast leave for Anuradhapura, and optional visit to Whale watching, on completion proceed to Vilpatty National Park.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight stay in Anuradhapura
Wilpattu National Park - consists of a complex of lakes called ‘Villus’ surrounded by grassy plains, set within scrub jungle., elephant, sloth bear, water buffalo, and spotted dear can be seen here, though the biggest attraction is Leopard. Wilpattu is among the oldest and most important protected areas in Sri Lanka and being situated away from the common tourist routs, this National Park is unspoiled and can be enjoyed in tranquil seclusion.
Day 4
After breakfast, leave for Anuradhapura for sightseeing and proceed to Mihintale to visit Buddhist monuments
Lunch at a restaurant.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight stay in Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura – the capital of Sri Lanka from the 04th Century B.C. to the end of the 10th Century A.D. was the most celebrated of Sri Lanka’s ancient ruined cities. The city’s greatest treasures are its dagobas constructed of bricks and are hemispherical in shape. The most notable of these dagobas are the Ruvanveliseya dating back to the 2nd Century B.C. and is 300 feet in diameter, the Jetawanarama is 370 feet and the Thuparama Dagoba is enshrined with the collarbone of the Buddha. The city’s most renowned relic is the sacred Bo Tree, which is said to have grown from a branch of the tree under which the Buddha gained Enlightenment. It was planted 2250 years ago and is the oldest historically authenticated tree in the world.
A UNESCO World Heritage site since 1982
Day 5
After breakfast, visit Minneriya National Park.
Thereafter leave for Kandy en-route visit the Dambulla Cave Temple and Spice Garden in Matale.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight stay in Kandy
Minneriya National Park - The core of this National park is in an uninhabited area of the country’s most diverse natural systems, with intermediate forests, Bamboo stands, patanas and platoes, The main tourist attraction of Minneriya national park is the wildlife area around Minneriya tank that is frequented by elephants in the surrounding areas known as ‘Gathering’. During the dry season (July to September). They come from areas beyond Minneriya, and at any one time it is possible to witness up to 300 to 400 elephants. They are not migrating, they are simply ‘gathering’, to socialize, bathe, drink, feed and possibly mate.
Dambulla - Dambulla is famous for the five cave temples on a rock. The first three caves are better, older and larger than the other two. Some caves date back to the 1st century BC. All the five cave walls and ceilings are covered with Buddhist murals and there are more than 130 Buddha statues. Statues of gods and kings are also found here.
Spice Gardens at Matale - See the plants of luscious cinnamon, cardamom, pepper etc. You can also purchase your requirements of spices. Afterwards visit a Batik factory where you can see the manufacture of beautiful Batik prints and also purchase a wide variety of Batik items.
Day 6
After breakfast, visit Temple of the Tooth Relic and Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, Gem museum & Kandy City, on completion proceed to Colombo en-route visit the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight stay in Colombo
Kandy - The hill capital; venue of the annual Esala Perahera (Local festival at Kandy); the last stronghold of the Sinhala kings, was finally ceded to the British in 1815. Surrounded by hills, the Mahaweli River and the virgin forest, it is the center of Buddhism, arts, crafts and culture in Sri Lanka. Kandy is an example of Buddhism’s influence in Sri Lanka today. Temples, shrines and monasteries keep Buddhist traditions alive. To Buddhists of Sri Lanka and the world, Kandy is one of the most sacred sites as it is the home of the ‘Dalada Maligawa’ - Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. One would always return a second time to this beautiful city.
Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya – Started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the kings of Kandy, 147 acres in extent, it has more than 4,000 species of rare and endemic trees and plants as well as flora from the tropical world. This is a haven not only for scientists but to every nature lover too. The Spice Garden and Orchid House within the Gardens are popular with tourists.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage - Off Colombo-Kandy road is Pinnawela, where an orphanage was started in 1975 to house abandoned and wounded elephants. The number of elephants has increased to more than 65 now, including baby elephants brought from various parts of the Island as well as those born as a result of the captive breeding programme. The best times to visit is the feeding time and bathing time - when all the elephants are taken to the river close by.
Day 7
After breakfast, proceed for Beach Stay extension or to Colombo Airport for departure flight.