Day 1
Arrival at Colombo Airport and transfer to Sigiriya / Dambulla.
Lunch at the hotel.
Visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress in the evening.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight stay in Sigiriya / Dambulla
Sigiriya - Home to the 5th century ‘Fortress in the Sky’ which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of the Island. It is also known as Lion Rock because of the huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the fortress. Within its triple moated defence, the huge rock rises to a sheer height of almost 500 feet. On its summit are the foundations of what was once a great and sumptuous palace and gardens complete with swimming pool. On one of the stairways, the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting survives in the form of frescoes of life-sized damsels in all the freshness and delicacy of their original colours.
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.
Day 2
After breakfast, excursion to Polonnaruwa.
Lunch at a restaurant in Polonnaruwa.
Return to Sigiriya / Dambulla. (Optional Elephant Ride at Habarana en-route)
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight stay in Sigiriya / Dambulla
Polonnaruwa - Polonnaruwa was the medieval capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th to the 13th century AD. Great revival was achieved in the country, politically, economically and socially during the periods of kings Vijayabahu 1, Parakramabahu 1 and Nissankamalla. The monuments here are better preserved than at Anuradhapura - the previous capital. Parakramabahu 1 statue, royal palaces, audience halls, Vata-da-ge, Thuparama, RankothVehera, KiriVehera, Gal Vihara, Lankathilakavihara and Tivanka Image House are some of the interesting monuments here.
Day 3
After breakfast, visit Dambulla Cave Temples.
Thereafter leave for Kandy, having lunch at a restaurant and visiting a spice garden at Mataleen-route.
Witness a cultural dance performance and also visit Temple of the Tooth Relic in the evening.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight stay in Kandy
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.
Kandy - The hill capital; venue of the annual EsalaPerahera (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 ‘DaladaMaligawa’ - Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. One would always return a second time to this beautiful city.
Day 4
After breakfast, visit Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya.
Thereafter excursion to Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage.
Thereafter proceed for Beach Stay extension or to Colombo Airport for departure flight.
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 program. The best times to visit is the feeding time and bathing time - when all the elephants are taken to the river close by.