History and Heritage

Day 01: Airport > Negombo

Arrive at Colombo International Airport. Here, you will be met by a designated chauffer guide from Lakpura. After the formalities at the airport you will be escorted to your air conditioned vehicle and proceed to Negombo and check in to the hotel and relax. (Travel Time: 20 to 30 mins)

Things to Remember: 

- You will spend approximately 1 hour getting through the immigration cue and baggage collection. 

- Your Chauffer will be page your name at the Airport Arrivals Lounge.

- After the formalities at the airport you will be escorted to your air-conditioned Van and proceed to Colombo and check into the hotel. (Travel Time: 20 to 30 mins)

Day 02: Negombo > Colombo > Negombo

After a relaxed morning and breakfast at the hotel, proceed to commercial city of Sri Lanka, Colombo and go on a city and shopping tour. 

Experience the colorful lights and bright life of Colombo, the capital City of Sri Lanka. Visit historic monuments such as the Old Lighthouse, the Old Parliament, Galle Face Hotel, Galle Face Green, Gangarama Temple, the National Museum and more. Enjoy the malls of Independence Square or the Race Course. Visit boutique shops and designer stores.

Upon completion proceed back to Negombo, en route explore the city of Negombo. 

The Negombo Fishing Village also known as the Lellama by the locals is located across the lagoon bridge, near the Old Dutch Gate. The large open-air fish market is the second largest in the country. It gives you an unpretentious insight into the local fisher community. The market is loud, vibrant and smells like fish! You will be able to witness the fishermen in hundreds of boats bringing in their days catch. See how the wholesalers and restaurateurs trade and watch the packing and loading of fish for distribution across the country as well as for export – worldwide. The retail area is a bustling hive of activity – with customers negotiating prices with mom and pop fish vendors.

On completion return back to your hotel.

Day 03: Negombo > Kandy

An early breakfast at the hotel, check out and proceed to Pinnawala and visit the Millennium Elephant Foundation. (Travel Time: 1 ½ to 2 hrs)

The Millennium Elephant Foundation (MEF) is a family run non-government organization (NGO) dedicated to improving the welfare of domestic elephants throughout Sri Lanka. The Foundation provide and fund the care, medical treatments, food, mahout salaries, the running costs of the charity as well as having an on call Mobile Veterinary Unit which travels around the country treating sick elephants in need. The Elephant Walk Experience is another alternative to elephant riding for tourists, which is an ethical, up close and personal experience for tourists

Thereafter proceed to Peradeniya and visit the Royal Botanical Garden. (Travel Time: 1 to 1 ½ hrs)

Visit the famous Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya, which were formed in the early 19th century. Walk through the vast area containing over 4000 species of plants. Enjoy the learning more about the orchids, spices and medicinal plants. Wander down avenues shaded by large and rare trees, or bordered by flowering plants. Enjoy seeing the cannonball tree, walking over the wobbly suspension bridge and through the short hedge mazes or even climbing the twisty trees that make wonderful jungle gyms.

On completion proceed to the hotel and check in. 

Day 04: Kandy

Enjoy your morning with a refreshing breakfast. Afterwards, proceed to Kandy Town and walk through streets of the Last Kingdom of Sri Lanka, listening to the stories of the history. 

You will jaunt through the lively streets of Kandy with their bright colors, delicious foods and deep history. Explore Kandy's most important monuments. Try out yummy Sri Lankan street food in stalls. Enjoy watching garland makers ply their trade. Visit a beautiful Hindu Temple. Go on a short but fun three wheeler ride.

Thereafter visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.

The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which was built in the 16th century as the place of veneration and protection for Lord Buddha’s sacred tooth. Walk through the beautifully embellished passageways and elaborately painted halls, done in red, cream and black. Lounge against delicately carved pillars and get amazed by the beautiful golden statues. Get an unforgettable experience of history and art.

Upon completion return back to your hotel and relax.

Day 05: Kandy > Gal Oya 

After breakfast check out of the hotel and proceed to Gal Oya. 

Discover an ancient land untouched by time; a haven of serenity in which to reconnect with the rhythms of the earth. Immerse yourself in nature. Soak yourself in local culture. Explore the rich wildlife of Gal Oya, one of Sri Lanka’s most remote and least visited wilderness areas.

Day 06: Gal Oya

Relax that noon and later in the evening, go on a Boat Safari on Sri Lanka’s largest lake. 

Enjoy the only experience in Sri Lanka that allows you to spot wildlife from the water. It’s a unique way to immerse yourself in the animals’ habitats. With a little luck you could spot elephants swimming between islands or bathing at the lake’s edge. A 2-3-hour safari by boat, and a scenic 40-minute drive from the lodge to the lake is perfect to explore the national park and surrounding villages.

Upon completion return back to the lodge for dinner.

Day 06; Gal Oya > Dambulla

After breakfast, check out and proceed to Dambulla, en-route visit Cave Temples. (Travel Time: 3 to 3½ Hours)

Afterwards, climb down the rock fortress, visit a local village and get an an authentic experience of Sri Lankan village life. (Travel Time: 20 to 30 mins)

Enter the historic caves of the Golden Temple of Dambulla, dating back to the 1st century BC. View the ancient murals depicting the life story of Lord Gautama Buddha. Look at the hundreds of figurines of Buddha and other deities scattered throughout the five main caves. Visit the Cave of the Divine King, Cave of the Great King and the Great New Monastery. See the giant golden Buddha Statue just a little distance outside the cave complex.

On completion proceed to your hotel and check in. (Travel Time:  20 to 30 mins)

Dambulla > Polonnaruwa > Dambulla

After a refreshing breakfast at the hotel, get your exploring glasses and proceed to Polonnaruwa to ride and wander among the remnants of the Ancient Kingdom. (Travel Time: 50 to 60 mins)

The ancient city of Polonnaruwa, which was the second major capital of Sri Lanka. Walk through the ruins of the city that flourished between the 10th to the 13th century AD. View important monuments such as Gal Vihara, Vatadage, the lotus bath, Lankathilaka Temple and the statue of King Parakramabahu whose reign was considered the golden age of Polonnaruwa. Get to know more about Sri Lanka's ancient history. 

Thereafter proceed to Priyamali Gedara and participate in a Cooking Demonstration and enjoy a lovely farmer’s lunch.  (Travel Time: 15 to 20 mins)  

This experience provides an authentic farm lunch and cooking demo done by an actual local farming family. Learn the ins and outs of Sri Lankan cooking as the farmer’s wife and daughters demonstrate their art. Chat with the farmer to learn more about how the fresh ingredients are obtained from the surroundings. Indulge in a healthy farm meal cooked over wood fires and served on lotus leaves over woven trays. Traditional rice, lentils, fresh local vegetables cooked into fragrant curries, fried fish, and poppadum will play a major role in the meals. Those who are interested can also request the farmer’s wife for some delicious kotthu, which they can purchase separately. 

On completion return back to your hotel and relax.

Day 07: Dambulla > Sigiriya > Dambulla

After an Early breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Sigiriya Rock Fortress and, start Climbing up and counting down the steps, while wonder about the brilliant architecture of the ancient Sri Lanka. (Travel Time: 2 to 30 mins)

Climb the 5th century AD rock fortress, Sigiriya, where the King Kasyapa ruled. Walk through the entrance framed by the paws of a lion that is quite appropriate for its name, ' the Lion Rock'. View the beautiful unfading murals that brought Sigiriya its fame. Climb the steep staircase to see the terraced gardens and still-working cisterns.  Walk through the tunnels leading to the palace as you get a feel for times long past.

Afterwards, climb down the rock fortress, visit a local village and get an an authentic experience of Sri Lankan village life. (Travel Time: 20 to 30 mins)

Have a relaxing catamaran safari through a calm lake. Walk through the golden fields ripe with their harvest of paddy. Watch an enjoyable traditional cooking demonstration that teaches you the basics of Sri Lankan cuisine. Delight your tastebuds with a home cooked lunch; made over a wood-fire and served on fragrant lotus leaves placed over woven trays. Enjoy the life of a Sri Lankan villager, just this day.

On completion return back to the hotel and relax.

Day 08: Dambulla > Airport

After a relaxed morning and breakfast at the hotel check out and, drive to the Airport for your flight back home.

Tour Includes

• Accommodation on sharing a double/twin/triple room at the hotels specified in hotel collection. 
• Meal plan on Bed and Breakfast basis starting with breakfast on day 2 and ending with breakfast on day 10.
• Transport in a Private Vehicle, inclusive of all Chauffeur accommodation, cost of fuel, parking & highway tolls.
• Private Transport with airport transfers in an Air-Conditioned Vehicle throughout the tour. (2015 and Above Manufactured)
• Service of an English-Speaking Chauffeur Guide. 
• All prevailing taxes and service charges (Except for Credit Card/Bank Charges).

Tour Excludes

• Entry Visa Fees, please visit www.eta.gov.lk for more details / submit your individual visa application.
• X’ Mas & New Year Evening Gala Dinner Supplements.
• International / Domestic Airfare.
• Any expenses of personal nature.
• Tips & Portages.
• Cost of Beverages
• Meals where not specified.
• Entrance fees.