Classic Sri Lanka 6N 7D

DAMBULLA  CITY 

 Dambulla is an ancient heritage city in Sri Lanka that  is influenced by Buddhist culture and situated in the center of cultural triangle of UNESCO world heritage sites and famous attraction is the  largest, best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. Apart to that several popular attractions nearby and some of them are in you travel basket.

 En-route near to Dambulla you can visit Ibbankatuwa Megalathic tomb complex  dated back to 700 – 400 B.C,  which is an ancient burial site and  thought to belong to the megalithic prehistoric and protohistoric periods of Sri Lanka and is considered one of the several ancient burial sites that have been found in the country.

Also Dambulla is having the largest agricultural economic center in Sri Lanka , where thousands of buyers and sellers meet together. If the time permit your tour guide will bring you there for a short visit. Then you will get an early checking option to the hotel in Dambulla where you plan to stay for next two days.

MINNERIYA NATIONAL PARK

 After early checking to the  hotel you can have a dip in swimming pool and relax in hot weather . In the evening you are proceed to witness the  biggest gathering of wild Asian elephants in the world over 300 no’s of elephant  around Minneriya rain water reserve in the  Minneriya National safari park. 

It’s home for large no of flora and fauna as well as home for large no of species of mammals, birds and reptiles , some are endemic to Sri Lanka. This will be surely, one of your remarkable life time experience. 

Day Plan

• Welcome the guests at the Colombo International Airport by Travelcom Lanka representative 
• Transfer to Negombo hotel depend on arrival time or Directly transfer to Dambulla. 
• On the way, you will be able witness the  varying landscapes and vegetation, with rural and city life, different cultivations & beautiful fauna and flora. You can taste fresh pineapple and  king coconut on the way from nearby plantations.
• Visit Ibbankatuwa Megalithic tomb complex  
• Visit Dambulla Economic center.
• Early Check in to the hotel at  Dambulla . 
• Afternoon Safari at Minneriya National Park . (Park Entrance fees + jeep hire directly by the guest)  
• Return to the Hotel & Overnight Stay at Dambulla
• Travel Time: Airport to Dambulla – 3 hours (approx.)

Activity time

• Minneriya Safari  – 3.5 Hrs
• Dambulla Economic center – 45 Mins
• Ibbankatuwa Megalithic Tomb complex – 45 Mins

Overnight stay at Dambulla

SIGIRIYA ROCK FORTRESS & VILLAGE SAFARI

Sigiriya is an UNESCO world heritage sites and famous attraction is the Sigiriya Lion Rock fortress which is considered the 8th archaeological wonder of the world by some experts. It’s a 

testament of Sri Lanka’s city planning, advanced irrigation systems which brought water to the top of rock ,  water gardens with fountains and engineering marvels in the 5th century AD. Also you can see the beautiful frescoes and the fascinating mirror wall of the rock fortress.

After site visit  you will proceed to a nearby village to engage in an interesting village safari  which includes a boat ride across a scenic lake, a traditional bullock cart ride, nature walk and at the end You will can taste  an authentic village lunch prepared by a farmer’s family with freshly picked ingredients cooked in clay pots over firewood in a traditional style kitchen.  

DAMBULLA CAVE TEMPLE

After visiting rock fortress and village safari with lunch you will checking to the hotel and can have short relaxation in the swimming pool . Evening you are proceed to visit Dambulla Cave temple.

Dambulla Cave Temple is an  UNESCO world heritage sites and famous attraction is the  largest, best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka dates from 2nd centaury BC. Although there are documented 80 nos of caves , major attractions are spread over five caves, which contain statues and paintings related to  Buddha and his life. 

Day Plan

• After early breakfast leave for Sigiriya Rock fortress (Entrance fees directly by the guest)
• After fortress visit proceed to Village safari with Lunch
• Checking to hotel and relax in the hotel
• Afternoon visit Dambulla Cave Temple 
• Return to the Hotel & Overnight Stay at Dambulla
• Travel Time:  Dambulla to Sigiriya  – 30 Mins

Activity time

• Sigiriya Rock Fortress visit – 2.5 Hrs  – 3 Hrs
• Village Safari  with lunch– 2 Hrs
• Dambulla Cave temple  – 1.5 Hrs

Overnight stay at Dambulla

SPICE HUB AT MATALE  

When travel from Dambulla to Kandy you can  Visit  spice gardens in Matale city which  is considered as the Spice hub of Sri Lanka with large and small scale spice gardens and processing plants. Also you can learn uses and benefits of each spices and even taste them , test health care and skin care products during this one hour tour.

KANDY LAST KINGDOM OF SRI LANKA

After Spice garden visit directly proceed to hill country capital Kandy city  which have charm weather compare to hot climate in Dambulla . Kandy is the last Kingdom of Sri Lanka and  one of a most visited beautiful and exciting place in Sri Lanka by foreign tourists and  famous for the most sacred Temple of the Tooth relic shrine . It is located in the Royal Palace Complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, which houses the relic of the tooth of the Buddha from 1600 AD. 

One of the Island most famous tourist attraction,  Kandy Esala Perahera , also known as The Procession of the Tooth relic is held in July and August in Kandy. Once you arrived Kandy you will proceed to the Temple of tooth relic and  after the visit, scroll  around the iconic Kandy lake admiring the serene and stunning landscape. Then you check in to the hotel for a short break until evening program.

In the evening you will witness a colourful cultural show of traditional Sri Lankan dances and pageantry. This  vibrant event filled with colourful costumes, graceful dances and oriental music, making it a memorable experience. After the cultural show you can have the dinner and unwind into the night at a local pub, where you can mingle with the locals and see and experience the local pub. 

Learn More

Day Plan

• Checkout from the hotel after breakfast
• En route Visit Spice Gardens in Matale which is the Spice hub of Sri Lanka. Can visit spice plantations and processing centers
•  Visit Sacred Temple of tooth relic in Kandy – The last kingdom of Sri Lanka
• Evening Experience the Cultural Show
• Check in to the Kandy Hotel and overnight stay in Kandy
• Overnight stay in a  Hotel in Kandy
• Travel Time:  Dambulla to Kandy  – 2 hours (approx.)

Activity time

• Matale Spice garden tour – 1.5 Hrs
• Temple of tooth relic – 1.5Hrs
• Evening Cultural show – 1 Hrs

Overnight stay at Kandy

KANDY CITY TOUR 

After breakfast you will embark on a city tour in Kandy. If you are gem entrusts you can visit gem shops where Sri Lanka is famous for its unique range of gems. Sri Lanka’s gem industry has a very long and colorful history. The island have the best sapphires, topazes, amethysts, and other gems in the world 

 PERADENIYA ROYAL BOTONICAL GARDEN VIST AND TEA FACTORY VISIT

En-route to Nuwara-Elia visit Peradeniya Botanical Garden , The garden includes more than 4000 species of plants, including orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palm trees. The origins of the Botanic Gardens date as far back as 1371 during Sri Lankan kings and later , The Botanical Garden at Peradeniya was formally established in 1843 by British rulers. The total area of the botanical garden is 147 acres and a must visit place in Kandy. After garden visit proceed to Nuwara Eliya.

En-route you can visit tea garden and tea processing factory and taste zip of finest Ceylon Tea. In over 150 years, the name Ceylon had become synonymous with the world’s finest tea. 

What Scotland is to whisky; Ceylon is to tea.

NUWARA ELIYA 

Nuwara Eliya is a picturesque city located in an altitude of around 1,868 mts above sea level  in the central highlands of Sri Lanka. It is renowned for its cool climate, lush greenery, and stunning landscapes. Often referred to as “Little England” due to its colonial-era architecture and English countryside feel, Nuwara Eliya is a popular tourist destination known for its tea plantations, scenic waterfalls, and recreational activities 

After checking in to the hotel,  in the evening, you will proceed to the Nuwara Eliya sightseeing tour that covers the famous Gregory lake. You can engage many water sports activities here. After enjoying the sightseeing tour relish in a local pub in a colonial building.

Day Plan

• Check out from the Hotel & Proceed to Nuwara Eliya
• En-route Visit Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya
• Visit Tea factory with tea plantation and tea tasting
• Visit beautiful Ramboda water falls
• Visit beautiful Gregory Lake with plenty of water sports
• Check in to hotel in Nuwara Eliya .
• Travel Time:   Kandy to Nuwara Eliya  – 2.5 hours (approx.)

ACTIVITY TIME

• Kandy City visit ( Art & Craft, Gem Museum )– 1.5 Hrs
• Royal Botonical Garden – 2 Hrs
• Tea factory visit – 1 Hrs
• Greagory Lake – 1.5 Hrs

Overnight stay at Nuwara Eliya

KITHULGALA 

En-route to Bentota – Optional activity of engaging in White Water Rafting activities at Kithulgala which is famous hotspot for white water rafting in Sri Lanka. The route cover 5 major rapids and 4 minor rapids.. The distance covered is around 5 KMs. The river and its surrounding will make you feel enchanted, with a life time  experience during your White Water Rafting Tour.

BENTOTA 

Bentota is a popular coastal resort city and famous for beautiful beaches , lush greenery gardens and many more activities. After long journey on previous days Bentota is the ideal place for you to relax in beach , therapeutic spa treatment or engaging exciting water activities in the sea , River safari at Maduganga , visit Turtle hatchery etc.  Also you can shop around antique boutiques for traditional ornaments and unique pieces of jewellery to get as elegant souvenirs.

Day Plan

• Check out from the Hotel & Proceed to Bentota

En Route

• Visit Seetha Amman Kovil which is famous place in ancient Rama – Rawana  story
• Stop over to see Sri Lanka’s famous water rafting hot spot at Kithulgala (OPTIONAL – Charges directly by guest ))
• Check in to Hotel in Bentota in the evening
• Relax in beach
• Get Ayurvedic Spa treatment
• Over night stay in the hotel
• Travel Time:   Nuwara Eliya to Bentota  – 6.5 hours (approx.)

ACTIVITY TIME

• Seetha Amman Kovil – 1Hrs
• Kithulgala water rafting – 2Hrs (optional)

Overnight stay at Bentota

MADU GANGA RIVER SAFARI

Madu River is a scenic river close to Bentota with unique and diverse biodiversity.  You can explore this with some combine activities through a boat Safari along the part of  Madu Ganga. Embark on an unforgettable boat ride through this enchanting lagoon, renowned for its 64 islands and rich biodiversity. Boat ride begins by navigating through a stunning natural mangrove cave. Along the way, you’ll visit Cinnamon Island, where you can witness the traditional cinnamon manufacturing process. Marvel at rural fishermen in their traditional catamarans, adding to the picturesque charm of the lagoon. At the end of the journey can experience a unique fish therapy session, where fish gently nibble at your feet, enhancing circulation and sensation. 

KOSGODA TURTLE HATCHERY

Kosgoda stands out as a haven for nature lovers and conservationists, where renowned sea turtle conservation project led by the Wild Life Protection Society of Sri Lanka located there. The project is dedicated to protecting Sri Lanka’s endangered turtle species from extinction.

Day Plan

• After  breakfast visit Turtle hatchery at Kosgoda
• After visit proceed to Madu Ganga River Safari. 
• Check in to Hotel in same hotel in Bentota in the afternoon
• Relax in the beach
• Shop for souvenir  during free time 
• Travel time –
  •  Bentota to Kosgoda – 15mins
  • Bentota to Madu River – 30 mins

Overnight stay at Bentota

COLOMBO CITY

Colombo is the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. Diverse and vibrant   and developed during colonial period and can found many colonial era architectural buildings, Beautiful landscapes, bustling streets and many more. Colombo night life is vibrant with lot of Casinos , street foods and other entertainments.

This is the last day of your Classic Sri Lanka tour in this paradise island. After having a  lavish spread of breakfast at the hotel get ready for departure for the airport.

In Case the departure flight due in late night we will arrange  Colombo City tour to visit places of important to visit until departure time. This will be the end of an exciting, fun-filled and memorable tour in Sri Lanka. Hope to see you in next year too to explore the unexplored part of this Isle of paradise.

Day Plan

• After breakfast , check out from the Hotel & Proceed to Colombo
• Colombo City tour 
• After City tour , departure for the air port
• Travel Time:   Bentota to Colombo  – 2.5 hours (approx.)