Day 01

AIRPORT – NEGOMBO

On arrival the client will be met by the Glorious Travels representatives and will be decorated with garlands of “Temple tree flowers”.  Thereafter they will be introduced to the local tour guide who will be accompanying them around the Island. Afterwards transfer to Negombo.

Negombo

Is a fishing village that captures the imagination –something at once rakish and romantic, with the sparkling tropical sea, the quaint catamarans that venture out to bring the catch in.Negombo has the added ornament of picturesque lagoon, a Dutch built canal Hamilton, running North and South. A small Dutch Fort dated 1678 with a beautiful Dutch Church of  the same date and the beautiful Angunukaramulla Buddhist Temple, close by are some other attractions. Seafood is particularly fine here - the superb lobster mayonnaise, the curried prawns are  possibly the best in the World. Catamaran trips in the sea and boat trips in the lagoon are organized by hoteliers. Diving facilities are also available

• Dinner & overnight stay at hotel [Options given below separately]

Day 02

NEGOMBO – PINNAWALA – DAMBULLA - HABARANA

After breakfast proceed to Pinnawala

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

Started in 1975 to house the abandoned and the wounded, the orphanage has  grown to be  a big family today. The number of elephants has increased to more than 40 now, including baby Elephants brought from various parts, as well as the babies born, as a result of the captive breeding programe. A unique experience never to be missed .(Approx. 2 hours’ to visit)

•  Feeding time at 09:15hrs / 13:15hrs / 17:00hrs

Afternoon transfer to Dambulla and visit Dambulla Cave Temple
    
Dambulla

Dambulla is famous for the five cave Temples on a rock.  The first 03 caves are better, older and larger than the other two.  Some caves dates to 1st C.B.C. All the 5 cave walls and ceilings are covered with Buddhist murals and there are more than 130 Buddha statues, statues of Gods and Kings are also found here.Afterwards proceed to Kandy.En-route visit a Spice Garden at Matale and see the luscious Cinnamons, Cardamoms, Pepper plants etc. You can also purchase your requirements of spices.(Approx. 1 ½  hours’ to visit)

• Evening transfer for overnight stay
• Dinner & overnight stay at hotel  [Options given below separately]

Day 03

HABARANA – POLONNARUWA – HABARANA

After breakfast transfer to Polonnaruwa and commence sight—seeing tour in Polonnaruwa         

Polonnaruwa

Was the medieval capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th - 13th C.A.D Great revival was achieved in the country, politically, economically and socially during the period of Kings Vijayabahu 1,Parakramabahu 1 and Nissankamalla of the Polonnaruwa period. The monuments are better preserved than at Anuradhapura. Parakrama Statue, Royal Palaces, Audience Halls, Vata-da-ge, Thuparama, Rankoth  Vehera, Kiri-Vehera, Gal-Vihara, Lankathilaka and Tivanka Image House are some of the interesting monuments here.(Approx. 2 ½ hours’ to visit)

Afternoon transfer to Habarana and commence Village Tour including , Catamaran Ride & Bull Cart ride, lake trip in fishing canoe, village lunch with cooking instructions. (Any 03 components)       

Village Tour

Villages in Sri Lanka remains largely unchanged. You can feel how people live simply in harmony with the environment, responding to the seasons as they unfold. Specially you can visit traditional village and observe villagers day to day life pattern, domestic activities, and cultural framework. This tourist village tour includes the track winds  its way on a flat terrain through the village past patches of jungle , Chena cultivations, Bull cart ride, catamaran boat ride in the village lake, visit a traditional mud house and you can have SriLankan lunch (Rice and curry) by simple and very friendly village folk going about their daily routine. (Approx. 03 hours’ to visit)

• Evening return back for overnight stay
• Dinner & overnight stay at hotel  [Options given below separately]

Day 04

HABARANA – SIGIRIYA – KANDY

After breakfast to transfer to Sigiriya & climb famous Sigiriya rock fortress.     

Sigiriya

Is home to the 5th Century “Fortress in the Sky” which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of the Island.It is also known as Lion Rock because of the huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the fortress. Within its triple-moated defence the huge rock rises almost to a sheer height of 500ft. On its summit are the foundations of what was once a great and sumptuous palace and gardens complete with swimming pool. On one of the stairways the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting survived in the form of Frescoes of life sized damsels in all the freshness and delicacy of their original color.Afterwards leave for Kandy, en route visit a

Spice Garden at Matale

You will see many spice gardens at Matale where Cinnamon, Cardamom,Pepper Creepers and all other spice trees, plants and creepers are planted for visitors to see them. Spice products are also available for those who would  like to buy them. At all Spice Gardens visitors are taken round explaining each  tree and plant and at the end explaining the use of them in food preparations.

Batik Factory

where you can see the manufacture of beautiful Batik prints. These shops contain a wide variety of Batik items.  Afternoon proceed to Kandy.        

Kandy

The hill capital. Venue of the annual Perahera The last Strong hold of the Sinhala Kings was finally ceded to the British in  1815. Kandy is an example of the Buddhism’s influence in Sri Lanka today. Temple’s shrines and monasteries keeping alive Buddhist traditions are everywhere.

• Evening witness a cultural show featuring various dance types of Sri Lanka
• Dinner & overnight stay at hotel [Options given below separately]

Day 05

KANDY – PERADENIYA – NUWARA ELIYA

After breakfast visit Temple of the Tooth Relic.

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic 

Ever since 4th Century A.D, when theBuddha’s Tooth was brought to Sri Lanka hidden from sacrilegious handsin an Orissan princess’ hair, the Relic has grown in repute and holiness in
Sri Lanka and throughout the Buddhist world. It is considered Sri Lanka’s most prized possession.

Thereafter transfer to Peradeniya and visit Royal Botanical Garden             

Royal Botanical Gardens

147 acres in extent; Started  in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the Kings of Gampola and Kandy.  There are more than 5,000 species of trees, plants and creepers. Some rare and endemic as well as flora from the tropical world are found in the gardens. Spice Garden and Orchid House are popular with tourists. There are 5 Palm Avenues beautifying the gardens, the earliest and tallest Palm Avenue (Royal Palm Avenue) was planted in 1905 and the Double Coconuts from  the Seashells Island, with the largest seed of all plants in the world is one such avenue (Approx. 1 ½ - 2  hours’ to visit)

Afterwards continue to Nuwara Eliya en route visiting Tea Plantation & Tea Factory.

Tea Plantation

Tea was first planted in Sri Lanka in 1824 at theBotanical Gardens at Peradeniya, when a few plants were brought      from China.  More were introduced from Assam in 1839.  In 1867 a Scottish Planter named James Taylor planted tea seedling on 8 hectares of forest land, in the Loolcondura Estate. In 1873, the teaexport industry of Sri Lanka began with a modest 23lbs being shipped to  London. Tea will grow well only on rolling terrain and is classified be elevation into low grown, medium grown, high grown, into 3 main  groups. In 1996 Sri Lanka has produced 258 million kgs. Of tea and has earned Rs. 34,068 million by exporting 244 million kgs. of tea.

• Proceed to Nuwara Eliya and evening leisure at the hotel
• Dinner & overnight stay at hotel [Options given below separately]

Day 06

NUWARA ELIYA – ELLA - TISSA

After breakfast commence short sight-seeing tour in Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya

The ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, is set against beautiful backdrops of Mountains, Valleys, Waterfalls and Tea Plantations.  It is supposed to be one of the coldest places on the island, but is really  just like an England spring day although the temperature does drop at night. All around Nuwara Eliya you will see evidence of the British influence.  Houses are like country cottages or Queen Ann style mansions.

Thereafter transfer to Tissa en route visits Ella waterfall   

Ella

This is one of the most beautiful pots in Sri Lanka where the Gap  ranges is exposed as far as the sea, a distance of nearly 40 miles.  Ella is blessed with some of the most beautiful views, you could find in Sri Lanka. Only 8 km from Bandarawela, this small town is used as a base for plenty of trekking expeditions to the surrounding countryside. A taste of the breathtaking scenery of Ella could be had, if you just walk into the Garden of the Grand Ella Hotel (Formerly Ella Rest House), where you seem to be standing at the edge of the world, and everything around you seems to disappear at your feet. Some of the places you could see in Ella are the Ella Gap, Ravana Ella Falls, Little Adam's Peak and Bambaragala Peak among the other many varied pleasant walks with stunning scenery.

• Proceed to Tissamaharama
• Dinner & overnight stay at hotel [Options given below separately]

Day 07

TISSA – YALA - COLOMBO

Early morning Jeep safari at Yala National Park

Yala National Park 

185 miles from Colombo. Yala National Park is  378 sq. miles in extent. Yala was established in 1938 from, what originally was a Sportsman’s shooting reserve.This is the most famous and well developed National Park where wild animals and birds could be observed. The Wild animals include Elephants in herds of varying sizes, Leopards, Wild Boar, Wild Buffalo, Crocodiles, and Peacocks, Jackal, Sloth Bear and other animals. The bird-life comprises of about 130 species  including the resident and migrants.  Painted storks, Paradise Flycatcher,  Grey Herons, Serpent Eagle, Sea Eagle, Black-Necked Stork, Spoonbills, and Pelicans add colour to the bird-life in the park.(Approx. 03 – 04 hours’ to visit) Thereafter transfer to Galle.

Galle

72 miles from Colombo.  This is the most ancient and important  arbor of the country, until the Colombo Harbour was established.  Galle is identified as the ‘Tarshis ‘of the Bible.  This was captured by the Portuguese in 1587 A.D, Dutch in 1640 A.D, and British  in 1796 A.D. Most of the existing buildings date to Dutch Period.  The Bastians are still using Dutch names such as Zwart, Akesloot, and Aeloes etc.  Famous for lace making, Ebony carving, Gem cutting & polishing, out on shooting chanced on Nuwara Eliya plains, and Sir Edward Barnes investigated on it. Commence Galle City Tour

Afterwards continue to Colombo.

• Dinner & overnight stay at hotel [Options given below separately]

Day 08

COLOMBO - AIRPORT

Proceed to Colombo and city tour & shopping in Colombo

Colombo

A drive through the city taking you to the busy commercial  areas as well as the tree-lined residential, Cinnamon Gardens. Visit Fort, the former British administrative center and military garrison, Sea Street – the Goldsmith’s quarters in the heart of Pettah, the Bazaar  area, where is also a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carvings and the Dutch Church of Wolfendhal dating back to 1749. Also visit the BMICH, see the replica of Avukana Buddha and Independence Square. Also you can visit good old temple called ’Gangaramaya”, and National Meuseum, Vihara Maha Devi Park

Shopping

Visit Mlesna exquisite tea boutique, cashew nut shop, readymade garments and all sorts at Majestic City. Visit the Lanka CeramicsCentre, a place where you can buy “NORITAKE SET” or other ceramic items,visit the ‘ODEL SHOP’  at Lipton Place. Visit ’BAREFOOT’, ’HOUSE OF FASHION’and ’BEVERLY STREET’ – 24 hours shopping arcade (garments only) at Kollupitya.

Thereafter transfer to Airport to connect the departure flight.