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TelekiTravel - Teleki Travel Europe

Explore Sri Lanka Tour 11 Nights / 12 Days


Destination: Sigiriya, Kandy, Bentota, Dambulla, Anuradhapura, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla, Nuwara Eliya, Tissamaharama, Galle

From US$ 847 to US$ 2,250 12 days excluding flights

DAY – 1:  Airport – Pinnawala - Dambulla / Sigiriya 0r Habarana     
Arrival at Colombo International Airport and Meeting assistance and welcome reception with Garlands by representative of Crystal Holidays .Thereafter clients will be accompanied to the Vehicle and transferred to Dambulla / Sigiriya or Habarana  
Rest of the day at leisure  
Dinner & Overnight Stay in Dambulla / Sigiriya or Habarana    
Dambulla - Dambulla’s famed Royal Rock Temple is an iconic Sri Lankan image – you’ll be familiar with its spectacular Buddha-filled interior long before you arrive in town. Despite its slightly commercial air this remains an important holy place and should not be missed. 
Sigiriya - is a major archeological site in. It was made a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982, under the title "Ancient City of Sigiriya, preserving the ruins of an ancient palace complex built during the reign of King Kasyapa (477 – 495 AD). The most distinctive landmark within the ancient palace grounds is the amazing Sigiriya Rock, also called Lion Rock, a hardened magma plug from a long extinct and eroded volcano.  
Habarana – A small city in the Anuradhapura District of Sri Lanka. Habarana is a popular tourist destination for safari lovers as it is the starting point for safaris in the nearby jungle and the Minneriya National Park which is heavily populated by elephants. Elephant back riding is also an attraction in this small city. Habarana is situated on the main road from Colombo to Trincomalee and Polonnaruwa, closer to the ancient rock fortress at Sigiriya.    

DAY – 2:  Dambulla / Sigiriya or Habarana – Anuradhapura - Hiriwadunna – Dambulla / Sigiriya     
After breakfast, excursion to Anuradhapura, The greatest city in Sri Lankan history, packed with monuments from over a thousand years of the island’s past. Start Sightseeing tour in Anuradhapura and visit the most interesting places Thereafter proceed for the scenic village of Hiriwaduna, This program is designed for you to experience the real traditional Sri Lankan rural village style, where you will travel in a Bullock cart to a rural village. This program is highly recommended as a "must do" activity to get feel the real Sri Lanka  
Dinner & Overnight Stay in Dambulla / Sigiriya or Habarana 
Anuradhapura - A ‘World Heritage Site’, Anuradhapura was the capital of Sri Lanka from the 05th century BC to the end of the 10th century AD. It was the most celebrated of Sri Lanka’s ancient ruined cities. The City’s greatest treasures are its dagobas constructed of bricks and hemispherical in shape. The most notable of these dagobas are the Ruwanveliseya which dates back to the 2nd century BC and is 300 feet in diametre, the Jetawanarama which is 370 feet and the Thuparama Dagoba which enshrines the collarbone of the Buddha. The City’s most renowned relic is the sacred Bo tree, which is said to have grown from a branch of the tree under which the Buddha gained enlightenment. It was planted 2,250 years ago and is the oldest historically authenticated tree in the world. 
Hiriwadunna with its unpaved gravel paths and humble village folk, shaded on either side by dry zone shrub forest, the dusty gravel path and subsequently the red soil of the tank bund will lead the visitors to an indigo reservoir which sets a stunning contrast of colours. A line of cormorants flying in formation will eventually stop to rest on a cormorant tree and the butterflies and dragonflies found at the edge of the shrubs create a kaleidoscope of colour that rivals the equally vibrant wild flowers. 
Bullock Cart Rides is one thing that a visitor to Sri Lanka must not miss out on as it provides an exhilarating experience to both young and old alike.  The bullock cart, which at one time was the main mode of transportation for the rich in Sri Lanka, although the ride covers only a short distance in the surrounding areas, it nevertheless is an experience not to be missed by all. 

DAY – 3:  Dambulla / Sigiriya or Habarana – Polonnaruwa - Sigiriya – Dambulla / Sigiriya
After breakfast, excursion to visit World Heritage Site Polonnaruwa, home to some of medieval Sri Lanka’s finest art and architecture, including the giant Buddha statues of the Gal Vihara Visit the wonderful ancient relics at Polonnaruwa In the evening proceeds to climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress the world Heritage Site and see the famous decorated its sides with colorful frescoes.  
Dinner & Overnight Stay in Dambulla / Sigiriya or Habarana 
Polonnaruwa – A ‘World Heritage Site’, Polonnaruwa was the medieval capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th to the 13th century AD. Great revival was achieved in the country, politically, economically and socially during the periods of kings Vijayabahu 1, Parakramabahu 1 and Nissankamalla. The monuments here are better preserved than at Anuradhapura - the previous capital. Parakrama statue, royal palaces, audience halls, Vata-da-ge, Thuparama, Rankoth Vehera, Kiri Vehera, Gal Vihara, Lankathilaka & Thivanka Image House are some of the interesting monuments here. 
Sigiriya - Home to the 5th century ‘Fortress in the Sky’ built by King Kasyapa 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 defense, the huge rock rises to a sheer height of almost 500 feet.  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 survives in the form of frescoes of life-sized damsels in all the freshness and delicacy of their original colours. 

DAY – 4:  Dambulla / Sigiriya or Habarana - Kandy    
After breakfast leave for Kandy, the cultural capital of Sri Lanka is a World Heritage Site and has number of tourist attractions. En- route visit Dambulla Cave Temple, crammed with Buddhist statues and decorated with Sri Lanka’s finest murals & also visit the Spice Garden in Matale to see different Spices for which Sri Lanka is famous  
Dinner & Overnight Stay in Kandy   
Kandy - The hill capital; venue of the annual Esala Perahera (Local festival in Kandy); the last stronghold of the Sinhala kings, was finally ceded to the British in 1815. Surrounded by hills, the Mahaweli River and the virgin forest, it is the center of Buddhism, arts, crafts and culture in Sri Lanka. Kandy is an example of Buddhism’s influence in Sri Lanka today.  Temples, shrines and monasteries keep Buddhist traditions alive. To Buddhists of Sri Lanka and the world, Kandy is one of the most sacred sites as it is the home of the ‘Dalada Maligawa’ - Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. One would always return a second time to this beautiful city. 
Dambulla - Dambulla is famous for the five cave temples on a rock.  The first three caves are better, older and larger than the other two.  Some caves date back to the 1st century BC. All the five 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. 
Spice Gardens at Matale - See the luscious cinnamons, cardamoms, pepper plants etc. You can also purchase your requirements of spices. Afterwards visit a Batik factory where you can see the manufacture of beautiful Batik prints and also purchase a wide variety of Batik items.     

DAY – 5:  Kandy – Pinnawala - Kandy    
After breakfast, visit the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage .The foster – home of elephants of different age and size feed, bathe, play together and even mate.   Thereafter start the City tour of Kandy, visit Upper Lake, Market and Gem Museum & Shopping etc.., 
Evening, you will be taken to visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic which houses the remnants of Lord Buddha’s tooth and also witness a cultural dance show featuring various dance types of Sri Lanka 
Dinner & Overnight Stay in Kandy   
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage - Off Colombo-Kandy road is Pinnawela, where an orphanage was started in 1975 to house abandoned and wounded elephants. The number of elephants has increased to more than 65 now, including baby elephants brought from various parts of the Island as well as those born as a result of the captive breeding programme. The best times to visit is the feeding time and bathing time - when all the elephants are taken to the river close by. 
Temple of the Tooth Relic (Dalada Maligawa) – According to legend, the tooth was taken from the Buddha as he lay on his funeral pyre. It was smuggled to Sri Lanka in 313 AD, hidden in the hair of Princess Hemamali who fled the Hindu armies besieging her father's kingdom in India. The temple was originally built under Kandyan kings between 1687 and 1707, but later severely damaged during the 18th-century colonial wars against the Portugese and Dutch. After the wars, the original wooden structures were restored in stone  

DAY – 6:  Kandy – Nuwara Eliya    
After breakfast, visit Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya which is a paradise for nature lovers Thereafter leave for Nuwara Eliya, is one of the most scenic city & Little England of Sri Lanka On the way visit a working Tea factory and green Tea plantations, Ramboda Water Fall & enjoy a Nuwara Eliya City tour  
Dinner & Overnight Stay in Nuwara Eliya   
Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya – Started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the kings of Kandy, 147 acres in extent, it has more than 4,000 species of rare and endemic trees and plants as well as flora from the tropical world. This is a haven not only for scientists but to every nature lover too. The Spice Garden and Orchid House within the Gardens are popular with tourists.    
Nuwara Eliya - The ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, is set against beautiful backdrops of mountains, valleys, waterfalls and tea plantations and is 6,200 feet above sea level. In 1826 some British Officers out on shooting, chanced on Nuwara Eliya plains, and Sir Edward Barnes investigated on it. In 1828 a road was constructed over the ridge at Ramboda Pass and a station for convalescent soldiers was established. 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. The Victoria Park, in the middle of the town, is a lovely place for a stroll or a picnic.  
Tea Plantations - Tea was first planted in Sri Lanka in 1824 at the Royal Botanical Gardens in 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 seedlings in 8 hectares of forestland in the Loolkondura Estate. In 1873, the tea export industry of Sri Lanka began with a modest 23 lbs. being shipped to London.  

DAY – 7:  Nuwara Eliya – Yala or Tissamaharama     
After breakfast leave for Yala / Tissamaharama Afternoon go for the jeep safari at Yala National park where you might be lucky to see leopards but will definitely see crocodiles, elephants and many rare species of bird. 
Dinner & Overnight Stay in Yala or Tissamaharama 
Tissamaharama - The ancient capital of the province of Ruhuna, to which Sinhalese patriots rallying support against Indian invaders fled. No systematic excavation of the known (and unknown) archaeological sites of Ruhuna has yet been undertaken. The exposed monuments consists of Menik, Yatala, Tissamaharama and Sandagiriya dagobas and the large-pillared hall close to Yatala Dagoba supposed to be the temple where the Sacred Forehead Relics of the Buddha was kept until it was enshrined at the Tissamaharama Dagoba.  
Yala National Park - Yala National Park is famous for big herds of elephants, large number of leopards, spotted deer, sambar, crocodiles, mongoose, wild boars, wild buffaloes and many other animals. More than 130 bird species have been recorded which include the resident birds and winter visitors. The common birds found here are spot-billed pelicans, cormorants, egrets, spoonbills, herons, storks, ibises, bitterns, Indian moorhens, white-breasted water hens.  

DAY – 8:  Yala or Tissamaharama – Galle – Bentota or Beruwala     
After breakfast leave for Beach stay Bentota / Beruwala is a popular tourist destination known for its endless stretch of flat sandy beaches & famous for its water based sports activities. 
En-route visit the 17th century Galle Dutch fort, a world UNESCO heritage site & start sightseeing tour of Galle  
Dinner & overnight Stay in Bentota / Beruwala      
Galle - The south coast’s major city is Galle, whose oldest landmark is the massive Dutch Fort which is a ‘World Heritage Site’ in which the central city is contained. But the city may be much older. Some scholars believe it to be the ‘Tarshish’ of the Old Testament, to which King Solomon sent his merchant vessels and to which Jonah fled from the Lord. Today, the 90-acre Galle Dutch Fort shows no evidence of its Portuguese founders. The Dutch incorporated the Portuguese northern wall in a great rampart in 1663.   
Beruwala - Beruwala is a famous beach resort with a large number of hotels, providing star class facilities. The beach is safe and nice as a coral reef breaks the waves. Beruwala is also famous for water sports in the sea and the Bentota River. Sailing, water-skiing, para-sailing, water scooters and boat rides up stream of the river are available as well as Ayurvedic treatment. Kechchimale Mosque in Beruwala is one of the oldest in Sri Lanka. 
Bentota – The first National Holiday Resort developed by the Sri Lanka Tourist Board as a planned resort. There are more than 6 tourist hotels on the beach span of 5 miles with all the facilities a resort would require. Water sports facilities are also available.  

DAY – 9, 10 & 11:  Bentota or Beruwala     
After breakfast, enjoy your hotel facilities or take advantage of the spa treatments the hotels has to offer. There is nothing like and energizing swim in the sun kissed waters of the Indian Ocean while you get yourself a deep tan. Enjoy the company of people from all over the world as a dip in to the waters and also free for optional water sport activities and full day to enjoy the beach sunbathing, pleasant time of swimming  
Dinner & overnight Stay in Bentota / Beruwala    

DAY – 12: Bentota / Beruwala - Airport    
Proceed to Colombo Airport in time to check in for your departure flight  
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ID: LK-2-04-002