Best of Ceylon

Arrive at Colombo International Airport. Please clear immigration & visa formalities, collect your baggage and proceed to the arrival lounge through the green channel if you do not have goods to be declared to customs. TOTAL HOLIDAY OPTIONS Executive will page you by your name. Thereafter you will be assisted with a transfer to the hotel, check-in at the hotel and stay overnight in Negombo.

Today after your breakfast continue your trip to Dambulla/Habarana the hub of the cultural triangle. Afternoon visit the 2nd-century cave temple of Dambulla and stay for three nights

• Breakfast
• Dinner

After breakfast proceed for an excursion to Anuradhapura. – a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the north-central part of the Island was the first capital (5th century BC - 9th century AD), the centre of the island's Buddhist civilization and undoubtedly the grandest city of ancient Sri Lanka. In antiquity and the interest, it is the equal of any ancient 'buried city' in the world. The oldest historically documented tree on earth (over 2,200 years old) - The Sri Maha Bodhi, brought as a sampling of the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment, and the island's oldest Buddhist shrines - some dating back to the 3rd century BC, impressive white 'dagabas' (relic chambers) and monuments embellished with handsome stone carvings or sculpture, pleasure gardens, beautifully executed stone baths and ponds and a superb irrigation system of reservoirs and canals are the main attractions of Anuradhapura. Visit Mihintale on your way back to the hotel. Evening enjoy cataraman ride on the Habarana Lake with a local fisherman. Stay overnight in Dambulla.

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After breakfast enjoy your excursion to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, which remains one of the best planned archaeological relic sites in the country, standing testimony to the discipline and greatness of the Kingdom's first rulers. The ancient city of Polonnaruwa has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. In the afternoon enjoy your jeep safari to witness a herd of wild elephants and various other wildlife species in Minneriya National Park.

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After breakfast travel to Kandy, en-route visiting the very impressive 5th century Sigiriya rock fortress. This world heritage site consists of the remains of a palace on the top of the rock, a mid-level terrace that includes the Lion Gate and the mirror wall with its frescoes of the 'Heavenly Maidens', the lower palace on the slopes below the rock, and the moats, walls and water gardens that extend for some hundreds of metres out from the base. Later continue the journey towards Kandy, en-route stop at Spice garden in Matale. Stay for 02 nights in Kandy

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Today, your guide will take you on a tour to explore Kandy at your own leisure. Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is a UNESCO world heritage site. You will visit the Temple of the Tooth relic, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Gem Museum and in the evening, witness a traditional Kandyan dance accompanied by live music.

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After breakfast leave for Nuwara Eliya - The ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, is set against beautiful backdrops of Mountains, Valleys, Waterfalls and Tea Plantations. It is supposed to be one of the coldest places on the island, but it is really just like an English spring day, although the temperature does drop at night. All around Nuwara Eliya you will see evidence of the British influence. Houses are like country cottages or Queen Ann style mansions. Visit a Tea Plantation and factory to witness the complete process of turning the raw green leaf into the finished product.

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In the morning leave for Horton Plains National Park – 20 miles (32 km) from Nuwara Eliya via Ambewela and Pattipola, is the Horton Plains only 3160 hectares in extent. Known to Sri Lankans as Mahaeliya, it became Horton Plains after Sir Robert Horton, British Governor from 1831- 1837. Horton Plains became a Nature Reserve in 1969 and upgraded as a National Park in 1988 due to its unique watershed and biodiversity values. Its flora has a high level of endemism. The hills are covered with diverse wet low evergreen forest with even large trees grown flattened to the ground on the higher windswept slopes. Horton Plains harbours 52 species of resident birds and 11 species of migrant birds. More than 2,000 to 3,000 Sambhur, Bear Monkey, Leopard, Barking Deer, Giant Squirrel, Fishing Cat, Wild Boar and Hares roam in the forests and grasslands but only seldom they could be seen other than the Sambhur in the evening and morning. Two escarpments- “World’s End” and “Little World’s End” falling from the Horton Plains 1000 feet and 3000 feet respectively, to the land below and the Baker’s fall are places you should visit. This is the only Park where visitors could walk on their own on the designated tracks. The afternoon is free to relax or explore this small town.

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Travel by road to Bentota / Beruwela, a small resort town in the southwestern coastal belt where the beaches boast of its dazzling combination of sun, sea and sand. Soft golden sand that feel like talcum powder under the feet, giant palm fronds rustling lightly in the tropical breeze; all in a breath stoppingly beautiful corralled bay, make your two nights at resort simply gorgeous! Enjoy and immerse yourself in the serenity of the area. The afternoon is free for you to relax and enjoy.

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After breakfast enjoy an excursion to Galle. This was the most ancient and important harbour of the country until the Colombo harbour was established. Galle is identified as the ‘Tarshis’ of the bible. This was captured by the Portuguese in 1587 A.D, Dutch in 1640 A.D, and British in 1796 A.D. Most of the existing buildings dates to Dutch period. The Bastians are still using Dutch names such as Zwart, Akesloot, Aeloes ect. Famous for lace-making, Ebony carving, Gem cutting & polishing. Explore the Bazaar for local hand-crafted souvenirs.

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Enjoy your leisurely breakfast before travelling back to Colombo. The tour finishes by late afternoon with a direct transfer to the International airport.

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