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| OVERVIEW |
|
ITINERARY |
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PRICING |
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WHAT'S INCLUDED |
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12 days / 11 nights
This itinerary is available for one or more passengers. It may be customized with hotels of your choice, and the itinerary may be adjusted according to your interests and budget. |
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| Day Number of Tour |
| Day No. |
Location |
Program |
B |
L |
D |
| 1 |
Colombo |
Arrive Colombo
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D |
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You will be met on arrival in Colombo and transferred to the exquisite Mount Lavinia Hotel. The hotel is located on a small cliff facing the sea, outside the main city-centre. Balance of the day at leisure. Dinner at the hotel.
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| 2 |
Colombo |
City Tour of Colombo
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B |
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Today's city tour of Colombo will include Independence Square, the Oriental bazaar, the National Museum and the 'Fort' area with both Portuguese and Dutch influence. Visit both Hindu and Buddhist temples and the Jumi-ul Alfar Jumma Mosque. Drive through the residential area of Cinnamon Gardens before returning to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure.
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| 3 |
Colombo / Habarana |
Elephant Orphanage at Pinnawela
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B |
L |
D |
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Depart Colombo this morning to the unique Elephant Orphanage at Pinnawela, in time to witness the bathing and bottle-feeding of baby elephants, which have been abandoned by their herds in the wild.
Enjoy a buffet lunch by the riverside before proceeding to Habarana. Check into the Sigiriya Village Hotel.
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| 4 |
Habarana |
Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Polonnaruwa
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B |
L |
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This morning, take an excursion to Sigiriya. This spectacular Rock Fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Sri Lanka's major attractions. The complex includes Water Gardens, Frescoes of beautiful maidens and a Mirror Wall with ancient graffiti. The Summit of 1.6 hectares, was completely covered by buildings during the period of Sigiriya's glory. Continue on to Polonnaruwa, the medieval capital. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Polonnaruwa dates to the 10th - 12th centuries AD. Huge man-made reservoirs dot the landscape, including the Prakrama Samudra or Sea of Parakrama, which is larger in size than Colombo Harbour. Visit the Royal Palace complex, the Quadrangle with its concentration of ancient heritage and the spectacular Gal Vihare complex of four massive Buddha images, cut from a single slab of granite, which are a highlight of ancient Sri Lankan rock carving. Return to Habarana for overnight. Dinner at leisure.
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| 5 |
Habarana / Anuradhapura |
Elephant Safari Through the Jungle, Anuradhapura
|
B |
L |
D |
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This morning, take an exciting elephant 'safari' through the jungle - a wonderful Sri Lankan experience!
Later this morning, depart for Anuradhapura, the first major capital of the island, and one of Sri Lanka's most important archaeological sites. This is where Buddhism was first introduced to the island in the 3rd century BC. It contains large artificial lakes, temples, frescoes, dagobas, 1,600 square stone pillars (which once supported a nine-story monastery), several museums, royal baths and bas-reliefs of elephants. Also here amazingly, is the Sri Maha Bodhi Tree, which was brought to Sri Lanka 2,300 years ago as a sapling from the tree under which Buddha became enlightened. It is said to be the world's oldest historically documented tree. Evening at leisure.
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| 6 |
Habarana / Kandy |
5 Caves, Spice Garden, Cultural Dance Show
|
B |
L |
D |
|
This morning, depart for Dambula. This complex of 5 caves, A UNESCO World Heritage site, dates back to the 1st century BC. It was used as refuge by an ancient king who on regaining his throne, commissioned magnificent carved images within the living rock. Later kings made additional improvements though most of the paintings are from the early 19th century.
Continue on to Kandy, visiting a Spice Garden en route, to see spices growing in their natural habitat and learn about spices and their use in Sri Lankan cuisine and other natural products. Encircled by hills, with a tranquil lake in its centre, Kandy is the site of the renowned "Temple of the Tooth" and the Royal Botanical Gardens, home to an outstanding orchid collection. Kandy and its satellite villages are at the centre of the island's handicraft industry and its traditional dances are the most spectacular in the country. On arrival, check-in to the Citadel Hotel. This evening, attend a cultural dance show.
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| 7 |
Kandy |
Kandy City Tour
|
B |
L |
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Sightseeing in Kandy will include the magnificent Botanical Gardens, a visit to the Temple of the much revered Tooth Relic of the Buddha, an Arts & Crafts Workshop, the Oriental Market Place and Bazaar and if you wish, a Gem Lapidary where you may see how rough gems (particularly the famous Blue and Star sapphires) are mined, cut and polished using traditional methods. Balance of the day at leisure with your car, driver and guide at your disposal to further explore the town.
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| 8 |
Kandy / Nuwara Eliya |
Tea Plantation and Factory
|
B |
L |
D |
|
This morning, depart for Nuwara Eliya, on a spellbinding drive into the scenic mountains, passing waterfalls and tea plantations. Nuwara Eliya is located in the heart of Sri Lankan hill country, which is the home of the famous Ceylon Tea. The rolling mountains covered with tea plantations are unbelievably green and absolutely stunning. Visit a Tea Plantation and Factory to watch the process of turning the raw green leaf into the familiar black / brown final product. Your stay in Nuwara Eliya will be at The Tea Factory - a wonderful hotel created within a former tea factory, with fabulous views of the surrounding countryside.
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| 9 |
Nuwara Eliya |
Day at Leisure
|
B |
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Today is a day of leisure with your car, guide and driver at your disposal to explore the town and local area. You may wish to further explore one of the tea estates, do some shopping in the local market, or perhaps just sit back and enjoy the spectacular scenery. If active pursuits are more your style, hiking, boating or a round of golf may be arranged.
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| 10 |
Nuwara Eliya / Bentota |
Travel to Bentota
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B |
L |
D |
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Depart today for Bentota, on Sri Lanka's west coast, with a stop for lunch enroute. On arrival, check-in to the Taj Exotica Hotel for 3 nights. Balance of the day at leisure.
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| 11 |
Bentota |
Day at Leisure
|
B |
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Day at leisure to relax, explore or enjoy the hotel's facilities. Additional sightseeing can be arranged to visit the 17th century Dutch Fort at Gallee, a turtle hatchery, traditional Sri Lankan mask-makers, or a backwaters cruise to see some local village life.
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| 12 |
Bentota / Depart |
Day at Leisure, Depart from Colombo Airport
|
B |
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Day at leisure. This evening, transfer to Colombo airport for departure.
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