PREMIUM SRI LANKA SMALL GROUP TOUR

Welcome to Sri Lanka! You will meet our tour guide at the arrival lobby of Colombo International. Transfer to Hotel & rest of the day at leisure.

This morning you will depart Negombo for the Cultural Triangle: the ancient heart of Sri Lanka. Travel along the bustling Kandy Road, past small villages and chaotic towns. Enjoy a short tour of Negombo, to witness the highlights of this fishing village.

You will be then driven to Anuradhapura, the sacred city.

Commanding a rich Sri Lankan heritage, Anuradhapura - one of the greatest and oldest civilizations in the world spanning over 1300 years in its peak - avows of being the greatest city of ancient Sri Lanka following its reign as the first capital. The sapphire of its crown is certainly the Sri Maha Bodhi - the sacred Bo sapling extracted from the tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment - standing more than 2200 years in its pride. Stroll through the sacred trails of the venerated city to adore the legacy that interweaves Ruwanweliseya - the gigantic dagoba resting alongside the Basawakkulama Tank - shading the Samadhi Buddha Statue & Isurumuniya Rock Temple that empower the culture, heritage and supremacy of arguably the strongest kingdom in Sri Lankan history.

Get back to hotel upon completion.

This morning after brekafast visit Hiriwadunna, the local village.

Hiriwadunna is all about Sri Lankan village life. In other words, it is a tale garnished with chirps of birds, fishermen carrying their nets and rods praying for a fine catch as well as an occasional crocodile basking on a shore of the lake. Do not have doubts about ample birdlife and butterflies as blessing visitors with the ‘soft winged’ is a part of Hiriwadunna’s schedule. Roam around with a local farmer before you hand-pick vegetables and join the experts in preparing them. Or hop into a bullock cart and toss along the gravel road for a memorable sightseeing tour that will remain memories of a lifetime.

This evening you will reach the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, or Lion Rock, one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic sights. Take the opportunity to climb to the top of this striking rock with its vertical walls supporting the remnants of an ancient city constructed in the 5th century. Built 1600 years ago, by King Kasyapa - a much maligned but brilliant king - Sigiriya is an exquisite example of ancient Sri Lankan art and architecture.

Along the way you will see the Fountain Gardens, Boulder Gardens, the Mirror Wall, frescoes of the ladies of the king's harem, the Lion's Staircase and finally Sky Palace for spectacular panoramic views.

Note: Climbing to the top of Sigiriya is strenuous but not hard. There are about 1200 steps all the way to the top; some of which are very narrow and steep. When you climb take your time, rest often and drink lots of water. Dress in loose cotton, linen or breathable fabrics. Sunglasses are a good idea to protect your eyes. Closed footwear or at least firmly fastened footwear is recommended.

You will be offered a refreshing King coconut as a reward for completing the 1200 steps

You will then visit the Dambulla Cave Temple. As one reaches the city of Dambulla lays a hub which has been treasured by many kings since the 1st century B.C. Today, an icon in the face of Sri Lanka Dambulla Rock Temple houses some of the most unique drawings in magnificently constructed 5 cave temples flanking the golden temple of Dambulla. Observe how exquisitely cave paintings are done along walls that shelter 150 statues of Lord Buddha. As you enter the retreat look straight up to the gigantic Buddha statue glittering in gold over a land that today houses an important junction in the country's economic and cultural uplifting. Have a relaxed evening by the pool.

Proceed to Kandy, en-route visit Matale Spice Garden. Sri Lanka is famous for its spices. At Matale you will have an opportunity to explore the delightful green and fragrant Spice Garden. Trained staff will introduce you to different spices including nutmeg, pepper vines, cloves trees, curry, cinnamon, and the precious cardamom (which grows in the shade of high jungle trees and can only be harvested by hand). They will explain how some of these are grown and show you how they are processed. If you are interested, you can purchase spices, traditional remedies and cosmetics here. Continue your journey to Kandy, check into hotel and relax. Evening visit the Temple of Tooth followed by the pooja ceremony and cultural dance. Last ruled by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe - before it was brought under the British rule in 1815, Kandy - the World Heritage Site & last royal capital of Sri Lankan kings - crafts an array of culture, history and heritage in the minds of visitors across the globe. Experience an ancient Kandyan legacy engraved around its crown jewel, the temple of the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha. A stroll across this small lakeside town - cradled among the misty hills - will feature the Kandy City Centre - bundled with latest and world class brands, bazaar, an arts & crafts centre, as well as a gem museum & lapidary. Drive towards Victoria Golf Course, undoubtedly one of the best golf courses in the world for a sweep blended with class and style. Enjoy a Kandyan Dance performance; the traditional Sri Lankan dance which flourished in the hill country during ancient times. The dancers, who are attired in frilled costumes with glistening headdresses and breastplates, skip and whirl to the beat of drums executing astonishing acrobatics in midair; the highlight is the fire walking at the end of the performance.You will be then offered local street food while enjoying a nice night walk in the Kandy city.

After breakfast, proceed to experience a local tea plantation, meet with a Tea plucker and visit the factory to see the processing stage followed by a tea-tasting session. Then, your guide will drop you at the Gampola train station to take the train ride from Gampola to Nanu Oya. Explore the scenic high country to Nuwara Eliya Where the colorful chaos of Sri Lanka meets colonial bungalows, well-tended lawns and red telephone boxes. Discover the journey from tree to cup of the world-famous high-grown Ceylon Tea. A guide will then pick you from the Nanuoya train station and drop you at the hotel.

Descend from high country to Kirinda the gateway to Yala National Park. En-route visit the Buduruwagala ancient Buddhist temple. The complex consists of seven statues and belongs to the Mahayana school of thought. The statues date back to the 10th century. The gigantic Buddha statue still bears traces of its original stuccoed robe and a long streak of orange suggests it was once brightly painted. The central of the three figures to the Buddha's right is thought to be the Buddhist mythological figure-the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. To the left of this white painted figure is a female figure in the thrice-bent posture, which is thought to be his consort-TaraDepart later in the afternoon for your jeep safari in Yala, the second largest National Park in Sri Lanka and home to a great diversity of wildlife, most famous of which is the leopard. Look out for elephants, sloth bears, water buffaloes, peacocks, wild boars, crocodiles and of course leopards. Yala is known as one of the best places in the world to spot the elusive big cat. Get back to the hotel and relax.

Get yourself driven to Udawalawa in the latter part of this morning.En route visit Ath Athuru Sevana Eth Athuru Sevana” or the “Elephant Transit Home”, the Asia's first rehabilitation centre for elephants. Established in 1995 by the Wild life Conservation Department the centre lies on a 200-acre land on the western boarder of the Udawalawe National Park with the Udawalawe Reservoir as the southern border. Be ready to witness trumpets across the border as you approach elephant country around the corner! Udawalawe truly is a sanctuary for the big footed & tusked. Marked by relatively large herds of elephants, the national park proves to be one of the best places one could observe them in their natural habitat. Hop into a safari jeep and head into the park, you are most likely to drive into your first herd of giants within the maiden hundred meters. Turn on your radar into other species - such as potted deer, sambur, barking deer, water buffalo and jackal - found within the parkProceed to the hotel upon completion & rest of the day at leisure.

Travel the scenic route from Sri Lanka’s southeast coast to Galle in the southwest.  Galle, the epic Southern capital, is the intersection where classic Dutch architecture meets a tropical setting creating a vivid atmosphere in beauty. Walk the Dutch-haunted streets listening to the creaks of wooden saloon doors and observe how European architecture mingles with South Asian traditions today flooding cultural enthusiasts on a global scale. Its original ramparts and bastions preserved up to date showcase evidence of a heritage preserved for more than 3 1/2 centuries. Walk clockwise within the fort to observe the 'old gate' carrying the British coat of arms. Flanking the old gate is the Zwart bastion - the oldest of all - and the lighthouse standing 18 feet in its glory next to the Point Utretcht Bastion. This Dutch bliss is painted with streets that spread in a rectangular grid pattern pierced with houses carrying Dutch colonial style verandas. However, its hallmark stands a reality where the Dutch fort remains a working community with its usual buzz of administrative offices, court complex, commercial buildings, churches and Southern folks frequenting its streets bracing the air of the Elysium of architecture, Galle!Head on to Bentota for the overnight stay.

Leisure day in Ahungalla.

Final overnight stay in Colombo. The throbbing metropolis, Colombo - located in the West - is not only the country's capital, but also the turbine that impels above 50% of the national GDP flanking Colombo's fancy urban development effort. Drive along the clean streets edging the crystal white Race Course - horse racing hub in 1893 & World War II airstrip - furnished today with lavish clothing, food & tea boutiques. Head along Bauddhaloka Mawatha towards 'Arcade' facing a historic way post, the Independence Square. Every designer boutique, top-notch cuisine outlet and even the 'walk-over fish tank', have revamped this colonial masterpiece into one of the trendiest shopping and hangout zones in Sri Lanka.Enjoy a relaxed evening in Colombo.

After breakfast and hotel check out, you will be transferred to the airport for the departure transfer.