Cultural Highlights with East Coast

Welcome at the airport & proceed to Chilaw for check-in ( Standard check in time : 14.00 hrs). (50 KM / 1 ½ hrs)

Evening at leisure.

Overnight stay at Chilaw

After breakfast proceed to Anuradhapura en-route visit Wilpattu National park. (130 KM / 4 hrs)

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

Consisits of varying natural habitats; coastal belt, natural lakes (villus), rocky outcrops, scrublands, open grasslands and dense forest provide for numerous species of animals. Among the species are 31 mammals. The biggest draws in Wilpattu are Leopards (Panthera pardus kotiya) and Sloth bears (Melursus ursinus). Apart from those two mammals are Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus), Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, jackals, sambhur, barking deer, mouse deer Wild Pig, Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and Mugger Crocodiles.

Tips & suggestions :

• If possible wear natural tones/earthy colours such as brown/green and comfortable walking shoes (neutral colours blend in with the surrounding natural environment).

Overnight stay at Anuradhapura

After breakfast pick up and visit Anuradhaura Ancient Kingdom.

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.

Thereafter proceed to Trincomalee/Pasikudah for beach stay. (170 KM / 4 hrs) (Depending on the beach  stay location program can be changed at the time of booking)

Tips & suggestions :

• Advised to wear long pants & covered shoulders (Sleeveless, transparent & shorts are not allowed) while visiting Anuradhapura.

Overnight stay at East Coast (Rates not included in cost)

After breakfast day at leisure.

• Note: Water sports activities are available and can be done at your own expense. Detroves Travel can assist with prices & bookings for water sports packages wished to be booked in advance.

Overnight stay at East Coast (Rates not included in cost)

After breakfast day at leisure.

• Note: Water sports activities are available and can be done at your own expense. Detroves Travel can assist with prices & bookings for water sports packages wished to be booked in advance.

Overnight stay at East Coast (Rates not included in cost)

After breakfast day at leisure.

• Note: Water sports activities are available and can be done at your own expense. Detroves Travel can assist with prices & bookings for water sports packages wished to be booked in advance.

Overnight stay at East Coast (Rates not included in cost)

After breakfast day at leisure.

• Note: Water sports activities are available and can be done at your own expense. Detroves Travel can assist with prices & bookings for water sports packages wished to be booked in advance.

Overnight stay at East Coast (Rates not included in cost)

After breakfast day at leisure.

• Note: Water sports activities are available and can be done at your own expense. Detroves Travel can assist with prices & bookings for water sports packages wished to be booked in advance.

Overnight stay at East Coast (Rates not included in cost)

After breakfast proceed to Sigiriya en-route visit Polonnaruwa ancient kingdom. (65 KM / 1 ½ hrs)

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.

Thereafter proceed to Dambulla and visit the Golden Cave Temple. (70 KM / 2 hours)

Dambulla Golden Cave Temple(Duration of visit : approx 1 – 1 ½ Hours)   

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 meter long sculpture of the dying Buddha.

Tips & suggestions :

• Advised to wear long pants & covered shoulders (Sleeveless, transparent & shorts are not allowed) while visiting Polonnaruwa (Galviharaya & Quadrangle) since you will visit certain religious sites

Overnight stay at Sigiriya

After breakfast climb Sigiriya rock fortress.

Sigiriya Rock Fortress (Duration of visit : approx 3 ½  – 4 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.

Thereafter proceed to Kandy. (90 KM / 3 hrs)

Tips & suggestions :

• We recommend the best times to climb Sigiriya are early morning or late afternoon to avoid the hot sun.
• Wear light/cool clothing and comfortable walking shoes for the climb.

Overnight stay at Kandy

After breakfast engage in a Kandy city tour including Temple of tooth relic.

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.

  Thereafter visit the Peradeniya Botanical gardens.

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.

  Evening at leisure.

Tips & suggestions :

• During the visit to Temple of the Tooth please wear clothing covering knees and shoulders, as a sign of respect. You will also be required to leave your shoes at the shoe counter near the entrance before entering the temple.

Overnight stay at Kandy

After breakfast proceed to Airport for departure. (115 KM / 3 ½ hrs)