Cultural Heritage Tour in Sri Lanka

• Arrive at Colombo International Airport • We will receive you at the arrival lounge of Colombo International Airport • Meet Ceylon Expeditions Tour Executive and your private chauffer. • Brief about the tour and discuss all other important things about operating of your cultural holiday in Sri Lanka. • After briefing the trip plan will start our journey heading to Dambulla. • Check-in to Dambulla or Habarana hotel. • No activities are schedulled for today after long flight with jetlag

• After breakfast, leave for Anuradhapura Sacred City ( Approximately 2 Hrs from Habarana) • Explore Anuradhapura sacred city (A UNESCO World Heritage) Dress code – Light color dress and knees / shoulders to be covered. Approximately 5 hrs drive up & down Safety instructions to be followed during National Park visit Anuradhapura Sacred City was the cradle of Sinhalese Buddhist civilization. The pride of place in Anuradhapura was taken by the ancient stupas and ancient reservoirs. Towering stupas (dagobas) of stupendous domes, reflects the marvels of ancient civil engineering. Among the other tourist attractions at Anuradhapura are magnificent rock carvings of monumental richness and remarkable grace; colossal stone pillars that stand proud amidst the ruins of royal palaces. Recommended activity during you cultural holiday in Sri Lanka.

• Today we will visit the Medieval capital of Sri Lanka which is now one of the key UNECO World Heritage sites, Ancient City of Polonnaruwa. (Travel time from Habarana 1 Hr approximately) • Explore the ruins & other Buddhist / Hindu monuments in Polonnaruwa ancient city. • Bird Island Tour at Parakrama Samudraya Polonnaruwa. • Learn fresh water fish species in dry zone of Sri Lanka (This will be an educational element for childrens) • Back to hotel in Habarana before dusk. Polonnaruwa Kingdom or the Ancient city of Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka for three centuries between the 11th to 13th century after the destruction of Anuradhapura Kingdom in 993. It is located in north central province of Sri Lanka. Due to its archeological remains / prominence and the ancient technological superiority UNESCO declared Polonnaruwa as a World Heritage in 1982 under the name of Ancient City of Polonnaruwa.

• Visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress (UNESCO World Heritage). This is one of the key archeological treasures in Sri Lanka and recommended place during archelogy / architecture educational holidays in Sri Lanka. (2 -3 Hrs) • Optional hot air balloon ride Dambulla • Village tour in Habarana with catamaran boat ride / authentic village lunch / walk throgh dry zone agriculture field. • Back to hotel and stay leisurely for a few hours. • Afternoon go for a wildlife safari at Minneriya National Park. • Back to hotel before dusk. Sigiriya Rock Fortress (UNESCO World Heritage) – This “Fortified Well Planned “city fortress on Sigiriya rock in 477 AD standing at the foot of the rock today it seems a staggering achievement but a palace and complex of gardens were constructed on the 3-acre summit and for 18 years served as a royal citadel. Minneriya National Park - The largest known meeting place for Asian elephants, Minneriya National Park provides the natural corridor amidst tropical dry mixed evergreen forests that attract herds of these wild creatures. Observe the largest mammal as it searches for food and water while making its way to the shores of a rainwater reservoir. Recommended National Park for family holidays in Sri Lanka.

• Today we will transfer to Kandy from Habarana after breakfast • Visit Dambulla Cave Temple (Golden Temple Dambull) A UNESCO World Heritage and most recommended place to visit during your cultural triangle itenerary in Sri Lanka. • Enroot visit Spice Garden in Matale and get an idea on how to grow spices in a tropical country. • Reach Kandy and check-in to Kandy hotel / relax. • Evening visit Sacred Tooth Relic Temple Kandy. • Cultural show Kandy. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic Kandy – One of the most venerated Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Sri Lanka. located in the royal palace complex which houses the Relic of the tooth of Buddha. Kandy was the last capital of the Sinhalese kings and is a UNESCO world heritage site partly due to the temple. Sacred Tooth Relic Temple of Kandy is a must visited place during Buddhist Pilgrimage tour in Sri Lanka.

• Kandy sightseeing city tour / Walk through the general market in Kandy • Elephant Orphanage Pinnawala • Royal Botanic Gardens Kandy • Leisure in Kandy • Enjoy cultural show in Kandy (Daily 5.30 PM) Royal Botanic Gardens Kandy includes more than 4000 species of plants, including orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palm trees and is renowned for its collection of orchids and the long, palm framed pathways. Elephant Orphanage Pinnawala is an orphanage, nursery and captive breeding ground for Asian elephants. The orphanage was originally formed to protect elephant who wounded / abounded in jungles and one of the best activity of family adventure holidays in sri lanka

• Today we will transfer to Nuwara Eliya on train (Subject to seat availability. Note this has to be booked 30 days prior to your travel date). Kandy to Ella train ride is one of the most scenic train journey in Sri Lanka. • Arrive at Nanu Oya railway station. Transfer to Nuwara Eliya (3 Min drive) Your car will be reached to Nanu Oya railway station to pick you from there. • Sightseeing city tour in Nuwara Eliya. Nuwara Eliya is one of most visited beautiful city located in central highlands. Nuwara Eliya settled with a picturesque landscape and temperate climate with mind soothing sceneries and endless nature surprises wrapped up with breathtaking lush greenery. It is located at an altitude of 1,800 Meters (6,000 FT). Nuwara Eliya is a centre of Tea Plantation of the island which was initially found by Samuel Baker during British Colonial period in Sri Lanka (Then Ceylon). Most recommended place during your family holiday in Sri Lanka.

• Visit to Horton Plains National Park. Note - This is a 7 KM walk on un-even steps through misty cool climate and you may witness World’s End / Bakers Falls & many other nature attractions. Recommended excursion especially during Sri Lanka photography tour. • Visit Ambewela Dairy Farm • Sightseeing in Nuwara Eliya • Visit Teas Estates / Tea Factory • Hakgala Botanic Gardens and nearby Sita Amman Hindu Temple. • Transfer to Ella Horton Plains National Park montane grassland and cloud forest located in the Central Highlands with rich nature creations. It is on a plateau at an altitude of 2100 - 2300 Mts and was declared as a national park in 1988 due to its biodiversity and geographical importance. It is a popular tourist destination consisting of World’s End, Bakers Falls and the peaks of Kirigalpoththa and Totupola Kanda. One of the key places for wildlife tours in Sri Lanka.

• Today we explore Ell attractions • 9 arch bridge in Ella • Ella Gap • Little Adam's Peak • Visit a tea factory and tea plantation • Ravana Water Falls

• Today is the 10th day of our cultural holiday in Sri Lanka and will transfer from Ella to Kataragama (3 Hrs) • Visit Yala National Park 2 - 6 PM Yala National Park is the second largest and most visited safari park in Sri Lanka and Yala is a must places of wildlife tour packages in Sri Lanka with numerous types of wildlife. It combines a strict nature reserve with a national park. The park has a protected area of nearly 130,000 hectares of land which is divided into five blocks. consists of light forests, scrubs, grasslands, tanks and lagoons.

• Optional visit to Bundala National Park • Check-out and leave for Bentota. • En-root visit Dutch Fort Galle (UNESCO World Heritage) Galle Dutch Fort - UNESCO World Heritage site originally built by the Portuguese and later extended by the Dutch in 1663. The Dutch built the present Fort in the year 1663. They built a fortified wall using solid granite, and built three bastions known as "Sun," "Moon" and "Star."

• Leisure at beach hotel • Optional madu river boat ride / Turtle hatchery Kosgoda • Water sport activities in Bentota.

• Check-out from Bentota hotel • Leave for Colombo (2 Hrs) • Colombo sightseeing city tour • Departure (! Hrs from Colombo city)