Sri Lanka Grand

Welcome at the airport & proceed to Negombo for check-in ( Standard check in time : 14.00 hrs). (15 KM / 0h 20 m)

Negombo (Duration of visit : approx 1h 0m)

OLD DUTCH FORT IN NEGOMBO - Originally built in 1672, not far from the coastline, the fort was part of a colonial prison complex. Today the fort itself is largely in ruin, but the gate with its date of construction inscribed on it is still visible. In addition to the fort ruins, there's a lovely Dutch church nearby and other buildings around Negombo dating from this period. A bicycle ride on the path along the canal is a good way to see many of these colonial constructions.

Overnight stay at Negombo

After breakfast proceed to Anuradhapura and visit the ancient kingdom. (170 KM/ 3hr. 40 min.)

Anuradhapura Ancient Capital (Duration of visit : approx 2 – 3 Hours)

Anuradhapura, is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, world famous for its well preserved ruins of the Great Sri Lankan Civilization. The Civilization which was built upon this city was one of the greatest civilizations of Asia and in the world. The city now a UNESCO heritage site, lies 205 km (127 mi)north of the current capital Colombo in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka, on the banks of the of the historic Malvathu Oya. Founded in the 4th century BC it was the caital of the Anuradhapura Kingdom till the beginning of the 11th century AC.

Dinner and Overnight stay at Anuradhapura

After breakfast proceed to Sigiriya (40 KM/ 1hr. 40 min.) and climb Sigiriya Rock.

Sigiriya Rock Fortress (Duration of visit : approx 3 – 3 ½  Hours)

Sigiriya Located a few hours’ drive from Colombo, Sigiriya is a magnificent rock fortress built in the 5th century A.D.  This majestic Citadel in the sky was the refuge of King Kasyapa and is world-renowned for its Mirror Wall’, which consists of poems and paragraphs carved by some of the thousands of visitors who visited the rock many years ago, and for its magnificent frescoes, similar to the Ajantha frescoes of India.

Dinner and Overnight stay at Sigiriya.

After breakfast visit the Polonnaruwa ancient kingdom. (57 KM/ 1 ½ hr.)

Polonnaruwa Ancient Kingdom (Duration of visit : approx 2 – 2 ½ Hours) 

It would take you awhile to fathom that such a city every existed many years ago and after you return to your true senses the journey through this colossal city would be nothing less than magical. Polonnaruwa is Sri Lanka's second oldest kingdom and features a plethora of ruins and places of religious worship. Some of the many interesting places to visit in Polonnaruwa include the Gal Viharaya (Stone temple), Lankathilake, Tivanka Image House, Nissanka Latha Mandapaya, the Audience Hall and the Vatadage.

Minneriya National Park (Duration of visit : approx 3 ½  – 4 Hours)

The extent of the Minneriya national park is approximately 8889 hectares. Dry zone plant and Animal Species are common. The elephant are a highlight of the park. Approximately 160 species of birds, 9 amphibians, 25 reptile species, 26 fish species and more that 78 butterfly species can also be found here. There are also rare bamboo trees in this park which is unique to Minneriya national park.

Come back to Sigiriya.

Dinner and Overnight stay at Sigiriya.

After breakfast proceed to Kandy  (90 KM/ 2hr.40 min.) enroute visit Dambulla Cave Temple

Dambulla Golden Cave Temple (Duration of visit : approx 1 Hour)

Designated as a world heritage site, the Dambulla Temple is located on a gigantic rock towering more than 160 m above the surrounding area. The Rock itself is more than 1.5 km around its base and summit is at 550 km. The caves on this rock were the refuge of King Walagamba when he was in exile for 14 years and feature a mixture of religious and worldly paintings and sculptures. Several reclining Buddha's which includes the 15 m long sculpture of the dying Buddha.

Evening city tour of Kandy.

Kandy Temple and City (Duration of visit : approx 1 ½  – 2 Hours)

The Sri Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a temple in the city of Kandy in Sri Lanka. It was built within the royal palace complex which houses the only surviving relic of Buddha, a tooth, which is venerated by Buddhists. The relic has played an important role in local politics since ancient times; it's believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country, which caused the ancient kings to protect it with great effort. Kandy was the capital of the Sinhalese Kings from 1592 to 1815, fortified by the terrain of the mountains and the difficult approach. The city is a world heritage site declared by UNESCO, in partly due to the temple.

Dinner and Overnight stay at Kandy

After Breakfast proceed to Nuwara Eliya (80 KM/ 3hr.) enroute visit Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and Tea Factory and Plantation. 

Royal Botanical Gardens (Duration of visit : approx 1 ½  – 2 Hours) 

The history of the Royal Botanical Gardens dates as far back as 1371 when King Wickramabahu III ascended the throne and kept court at Peradeniya near Mahaweli Ganga. Later, in the reign of King Kirti Sri Rajasinghe from 1747 to 1780 this was made a Royal Garden and from 1780 – 1798 King Rajadhi Rajasinghe resided therein, where a temporary residence was erected for him.

In the evening engage in a city tour of Nuwara Eliya.

Nuwara Eliya City (Duration of visit : approx 40 mins)

Nuwara Eliya is also known as 'Little' England', was the favorite hill station of the British who tried to create Nuwara Eliya into a typical English Village. The old brick Post office, country house like hill club, with its hunting pictures, mounted hunting trophies and fish, and it's strict formal dinner attire; the 18 hole golf course, race course etc., all remind you of 'England'.

Dinner and Overnight stay at Nuwara Eliya

After breakfast board train from Nanu Oya to Ella. (2nd class)

Observation Train ride (Nanu Oya-Ella)

If you happy to be taking a train ride in Sri Lanka. It has to be on an observation cabin, no matter where you are travelling to. A ride in the observation cabin gives you an unparalleled view and penetrating glimpse both of the scenic beauty and of the culture of the hill country as you go along. If you get travel sick, it’s advisable not to take the observation cabin. But if you are travelling with children, there’s no better seat than the one at the observation cabin.

Please note – 2nd class tickets will be on availability and we be sold by Railway department 30 days prior to train ride with limited quantity. (Not sold/available online) In case 2nd class is unavailable by date of train ride, clients can travel on 3rd class with locals with no seat reservations. (Seats are not guaranteed but they can travel standing) If clients travel on 3rd class we will refund Sri Lanka rupees (Rs)1500 per person 2nd class seat value on the day of journey. Alternatively clients could chose to travel by tour vehicle instead of train ride. Train system in Sri Lanka is not well organized.  Also train delays and cancellation could occur without prior notice.

Dinner and Overnight stay at Ella

After breakfast proceed to Yala (125 KM/ 3hr.15 min.) enroute visit Ravana Falls.

Ravana Falls (Duration of visit : approx 20  – 25 mins)

The Ravana Falls (popularly known as Ravana Ella in Sinhala) is a popular sightseeing   attraction in Sri Lanka. It currently ranks as one of the widest falls in the country. This waterfall measures approximately 25 m (82 ft) in height and cascades from an oval-shaped concave rock outcrop.

In the afternoon engage in a safari at the Yala National park.

Yala National Park (Duration of visit : approx 3 ½  – 4 Hours)

The Yala National Park in southern Sri Lanka has the world's highest concentration of leopards. Much of the nature reserve is parkland, but it also includes jungle, beaches, freshwater lakes, rivers and scrubland.  In addition to leopards the Yala National Park is also home to substantial numbers of elephants, crocodiles, wild boar, water buffalo, grey langurs and many more varieties of large animals. But that’s not all; the park is also home to birds of prey such as the white-bellied sea eagles, waders, painted Storks, the Indian peafowl and the Sri Lanka jungle fowl.

Dinner and Overnight stay at Tissamaharama.

After breakfast proceed to Galle (186 KM/ 4hr.45min. ) and engage in a  Galle City tour .

Galle (Duration of visit : approx 1 ½  – 2 Hours)

Galle is a town situated on the southwestern tip of Sri Lanka, 119 km (74 mi) from Colombo. Galle was known as Gimhathiththa (although Ibn Batuta in the 14th century refers to it as Qali) before the arrival of the Portuguese in the 16th century, when it was the main port on the island. Galle reached the height of its development in the 18th century, before the arrival of the British, who developed the harbor at Colombo.

Dinner and Overnight stay at Galle

After Breakfast Proceed to Bentota (70 KM/ 1 ½ hr.)  for the drop off