SRI LANKAN CLASSICS

 Arrival in Colombo International Airport

 Transfer to Colombo – 1 hour drive approximately

 Overnight stay in Colombo

Day 02

 Breakfast at the hotel

 Spend the morning leisure in the Hotel

 City tour of Colombo covering, historical colonial era British built buildings and other

monuments, National museum, a Buddhist temple and Pettah market.

 Overnight stay in Colombo

Day 03

 Breakfast at the hotel

 Transfer to Sigiriya – 4 to 5 hours drive

 In the afternoon do a village tour near Sigiriya to photograph local village life, lakes, paddy fields, farming fields and village vendors.

 Enjoy some traditional home cooked rice and curry lunch.

 At evening, climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress (Lion Rock) which is one a UNESCO World Heritage site. Sigiriya Rock Fortress is an architectural marvel and one of the most photographed monuments.

 Overnight stay in Sigiriya

Day 04

 Breakfast at the hotel

 Transfer to Polonnaruwa – 1 ½ hours drive approximately

 Visit Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO world heritage site. The second most ancient Kingdom of Sri Lanka.

 Visit ancient rock monastery of Pidurangala.

 Overnight stay in Sigiriya

Day 05

 Breakfast at the hotel

 Transfer to Anuradhapura – 1 ½ hours drive approximately

 Explore the most ancient kingdom of Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura. An UNESCO world heritage site and famous for its well-preserved ruins of ancient Sri Lankan civilization

 Afternoon safari in Minneriya National Park from 3 to 6 Pm to see wild Elephants

 Overnight stay in Sigiriya

Day 06

 Breakfast at the hotel

 Visit another UNESCO World Heritage site of Dambulla Cave Temple. This largest cave complex is the best preserved caves in Sri Lanka. The main attractions are in 5 caves where ancient paintings of Lord Buddha’s life are artistically painted.

 Transfer to Kandy – 2 hours drive approximately.

 Visit Spice & Herbal Garden on the way to Kandy.

 Visit a Hindu Temple on the way to Kandy.

 Overnight stay in Kandy

Day 07

 Breakfast at the Hotel

 Morning visit to Kandy Temple of Tooth relic of Lord Buddha during the morning ceremony

 Afternoon walk in historical city of Kandy to street vendors, Kandy lake and Kandy view point

 See the Cultural Dance Show at Kandy Lake Club

 Overnight stay in Kandy

Day 08

 Breakfast at the hotel

 Visit Royal Botanical Garden

 Visit Ramboda Falls and some scenic places on the way

 Visit a Tea estate with a factory tour and tasting pure Ceylon tea.

 Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya

Day 09

 Leave to Horton Plains National Park at 5 AM with a picnic breakfast – 1 ½ hours drive approximately. Horton Plains is a very important bio diversity hot spot in Sri Lanka which is very scenic and is vast grassy plains surrounded by a thick sub montage forest (Cloud forest). Horton Plains is also home for scenic Baker’s waterfall. Early morning photos of Sambar Deer against a back drop of grassy plains is a nice shot.

 Return to Nuwara Eliya

 In the afternoon take a walk in Nuwara Eliya town to photograph colonial style bungalows and buildings in the town and local town bazaar and market.

 Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya

Day 10

 Breakfast at the hotel

 Transfer to Yala – 4 hours drive approximately

 Lunch at Yala Safari Camp

 Do some bush walks in the late afternoon around Yala Safari Camp bordering Yala National Park and enjoy a sun-downer on a rock cliff overlooking the local jungles sipping local arrack cocktail chased with Ginger Beer

 Dinner and overnight stay in Yala Safari Camp

Day 11

 Full Day safari in Yala, Yala is the most popular national park of Sri Lanka due to its increasing Leopard density. Apart from Leopards you can see Elephants, Bears, Spotted Deer, Crocodiles and many verities of birds. Picnic breakfast and lunch will be provided

 BBQ Dinner and overnight stay in Yala Safari Camp

Day 12

 Breakfast at the Camp

 Transfer to Mirissa – 3 to 4 hours drive

 Lunch at Tangalle beach

 Enjoy the Mirissa beach during sunset

 Overnight stay in Mirissa

Day 13

 Breakfast at the hotel

 Visit The Stilt Fishermen in Ahangama, age old traditional way of fishing by sitting on a pole fixed to the shallow bottom of the sea where the fishermen sit to make their daily catch.

 Do an evening walk in Portuguese built Fortress in 1500’s and it’s ramparts. Galle Fort is now home for many Boutique hotels and this is an architectural masterpiece. You can see many coffee shops, roadside bars, cafes and antique shops.

 Take a walk in and outside the Galle Fort on your own to visit Galle Market and street fishermen in Galle and fruit market

 Overnight stay in Galle

Day 14

 Breakfast at the hotel

 Transfer to Negombo – 3 hours drive approximately.

 Afternoon on your own. Take a leisurely walk in the seaside road in Negombo where you could photograph fishermen, traditional fishing catamarans, Old Catholic churches and Portuguese and Dutch architecture. There are many roadside bars in the seaside road in Negombo if you wish to have a Beer and do people watching.

 Overnight stay in Negombo

Day 15

 Breakfast at the Hotel

 Take the mid day river cruise in the Hamilton canal and majestic Maha Oya to experience a tropical countryside boat trip to witness the riverine village life of fishermen, a Bamboo forest, and birds. Follow the historic route of the spice traders along the Hamilton canal and then cruise upstream on this spectacular Maha Oya River to experience a tropical countryside boat trip and witness the riverine village life of fishermen, a Bamboo forest, and birds. We can stop at a sandy beach for a swim in the fresh water. We then call in for a riverside or beachside restaurants for some chilled beer and lunch. This is approximately 3 hours boat trip and if you wish to stop for lunch it will be approximately 4 hours boat trip.

 Relax in the rest of the day

 Farewell Dinner with live music and overnight stay in Negombo

Day 16

 Breakfast at the hotel

 Transfer to Airport for departure – 30 minutes drive approximately

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