Day 1
On your morning arrival at Colombo International airport you will be met and transferred to the Global Towers Hotel, Colombo. Your itinerary begins in the afternoon with a city tour, taking in the delights of this vibrant and fascinating city, which contrasts its blend of east and west and its colonial past and thriving present. Dinner and overnight stay in Colombo.

Day 2
Following breakfast we depart for Habarana visiting en route the elephant orphanage, Pinnawela, where young and abandoned elephants are cared for before their release back in to the wild. The herd usually numbers no less than 50 elephants ranging from babies to the hefty adults and you are invited to watch feeding and then to follow the herd as it is led down to the river as they bathe and play. After our visit we continue our journey north to Habarana. The rest of your day is at your leisure. Dinner and overnight stay is at Sigiriya Village/ Sigiriya Hotel, Sigiriya

Day 3
After breakfast we visit the world heritage site rock fortress of Sigiriya, the 5th century ‘Lion Rock’ which climbs 200 metres from the jungle floor. At its base the surrounding moat and ramparts protects this ancient fortress with its extensive gardens, stone mirror wall and ancient paintings. Following lunch we travel the short distance to Polonnaruwa the medieval capital of Sri Lanka. Polonnaruwa rose to prominence after the decline of Anuradhapura. It remained the capital from the 10th to the 12th centuries AD and boasts many ancient ruins and sites. During your stay here you should not miss the Gal Vihare complex with its three fine sculptures of a seated, standing and recumbent Buddha. Dinner and overnight stay is at Sigiriya.

Day 4

After breakfast we head south to Kandy, the last independent kingdom of the Singhalese kings. En route we visit the most impressive of Sri Lanka’s cave temples at Dambulla. Built in the 1st century BC this world heritage site is made up of five caves with in excess of 2,000 square metres of painted walls and ceilings. This is the largest area of cave painting to be found anywhere in the world. After lunch we arrive in Kandy with an afternoon tour encompassing the most beautiful of all Sri Lankan cities, with its colonial buildings situated around the man-made lake. On the banks of the lake, you will see one of the most important sites for Buddhists, the Sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic. Later, enjoy an evening performance of Sri Lankan cultural dance. Dinner and overnight stay is in Kandy.

Day 5
Following breakfast, we travel the short journey south to Peredeniya on the banks of the Mahaweli Ganga to the Royal Botanical Gardens. The gardens were first planted and laid out for King Kirthi Sri Rajasingha (1747-1780) and cover some 150 acres with lawns, flowering shrubs and in excess of 10,000 trees and 4,000 plant species. During British rule in 1821, the Royal Gardens became a botanical garden. Here, exotic crops such as coffee, tea, rubber and cinchona (quinine) were all tested and now form a large part of Sri Lanka’s economy. We continue our journey south into ‘up country’ and the hill resort of Nuwara Eliya, where, at 5,199 ft above sea level, we experience a perennial spring-like climate. This area is famed for its tea plantations, cascading waterfalls and its colonial buildings many resembling old English cottages. We visit a typical Sri Lankan tea plantation and a working tea factory. Dinner and overnight stay is at the Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya.

Day 6
After breakfast we continue to drive south towards Yala. The Yala National Park covers approximately 1,259 sq km and stretches across the South East of Sri Lanka. The park varies in terrain from dense jungle, open parkland, rocky outcrops, waterholes and lakeland. There are various animal species including leopards and large numbers of elephants. On arrival in Yala we take a jeep safari into the National Park. Dinner and overnight stay is at Tangalle.

Day 7
Following breakfast we depart either back to Colombo or to your chosen beach hotel armed with experiences to make your Sri Lanka holiday one to remember.

Sri Lanka Experience		2006 Holiday Cost
		Standard Room & Private car with Guide
Departure Date	Board Basis	6 Nights / 7 Days
ALL YEAR	BED & BREAKFAST AND INCLUDING ALL TAXES	USD 1,500
Includes	Car, fuel & driver/guide	1200 KM included
For Reservation / Help Contact Us : Email : info@srilankatravelclub.com Hotline : +94 772 337 337
Prices include private tour and  meals as shown Why not extend your holiday with extra nights at one of our beach hotels