Sri Lanka Highlights

4 days / 3 nights
3 nights Habarana

Day 1 - Arrival in Colombo and transfer to Habarana

Meet on arrival at Colombo International Airport and transfer to Habarana.

Check In at Hotel.

Rest of the day spent at leisure.

Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 2 - Habarana / Sigiriya / Polonnaruwa

Breakfast at Hotel.

Proceed to Sigiriya. Ascend the stunning 5th century Sigiriya fortress, also known as the Lion Rock. This awe-inspiring fort carved out of rock is now a world heritage site. It was commissioned by King Kashyapa I in the late 5^th century CE and rises up 200 metres high from its jungle surroundings. The majestic rock monument was once the central lookout and military stronghold of the town but later used as a Buddhist monastery. See the fortress’s moat and explore its beautiful grounds including the striking water gardens at the foot of the rock.                

Visit Sigiriya’s legendary ‘Heavenly Maidens’ frescoes. These stunning earth paintings are hidden away in a sheltered cove of the rock.  

Visit Polonnaruwa, the world heritage site built throughout the late 11th and early 12th centuries AD in what was once the 2nd capital city of Sri Lanka. Discover the enchanting ruins of the Lotus Bath, the Royal Palace, the Audience Hall, King Parakramabahu’s statue and his magnificent Parakrama Samudraya Lake. Explore the temple of Gal Viharaya, home to four majestic statues of the Buddha in ‘Recumbent’, ‘Upright’ and ‘Sedentary’ postures that have been beautifully preserved. There are also famous religious monuments to discover such as the magnificent Lankathilake, the legendary Shiva Temple, 95 ft high Kiri Vehera, the Watadage and the Galpotha. 

Return to hotel for overnight stay. 

Day 3 - Habarana / Dambulla / Kandy

Breakfast at Hotel.

Travel to the ancient hilltop city of Kandy and visit the stunning Dambulla Rock Temple along the way. The Buddhist temple is a World Heritage Site and its 5 caves make it one of the most impressive religious sites in Sri Lanka. Dambulla’s cave temples were commissioned by ancient kings, the first being King Walagambahu in the 1^st century AD after the monastry provided him with a place of refuge during his exile. Climb up to the temple and explore the caves that feature intricate wall paintings and magnificent statues of Buddha, the most impressive being a 14-metre figure carved out of rock. Visit the renowned spice garden in Matale and receive a guided tour of the grounds and sample variety of spices and herbs that are used in Sri Lankan cuisine and Ayurvedic medicine. 

Check in at Hotel.

In the afternoon visit the beautiful Peradeniya Botanical Gardens that are famous for their orchids, palm trees, exotic flowers and medicinal herb sanctuary. The tropical grounds were cultivated by Sinhala kings but became an expansive botanical garden under British rule, with a variety of species shipped over from Kew Garden. There are almost 150 acres to explore.

Take a tour of Kandy City, the second largest city in Sri Lanka and home to the Temple of the Tooth. Kandy was Sri Lanka’s capital before the British invasion and deposition of the monarchy. It is a World Heritage Site and has an array of impressive relics, craft markets and museums to explore. Take a drive around the stunning Kandy Lake that was built in 1798 by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe. Spend the evening at the Temple of the Tooth Relic and enjoy a captivating cultural show featuring traditional Sri Lankan music and dancing.

Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 4 - Kandy / Pinnawala / Beach Resort

Breakfast at Hotel.

Visit Pinnawala’s elephant orphanage en route to the chosen beach resort. The orphanage is the home of over 80 elephants; many of which were born in captivity as part of the orphanage’s successful breeding programme. Visit Pinnawala during feeding times and you can see the handlers bottle-feeding the baby elephants. Follow the elephants on their daily stroll to the river and witness them bathing and splashing in the water.

Leave the tour at the Beach Resort and enjoy the rest of the day by the sea.

This package rate includes:

• Meet & greet by arrival transfers and English-speaking tour guides in air-conditioned car/micro bus.
• Accommodation in Hotels listed or similar on Twin sharing basis. Prices will vary depending on the star rating of the hotels.
• Daily breakfast & dinner.
• Entrance fees to Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Temple of the Tooth, Royal Botanical Gardens and Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage.
• Porterage, service charge and Government tax.

It does not include:

• Telephone calls, tips, bar, laundry and other personal expenses.
• Lunches.
• Departure transfers.