Grand Tour - ultimate experiance in sri lanka

GRAND TOUR OF 20 DAYS 
DAY 01 : Colombo 

Arrival at the Colombo Air Port you will be met by our English speaking chauffeur Guide / Representative and will offer assistance. Thereafter leave for Colombo (35 km-Transfer time approx.01 hour) and check in hotel in Colombo. P.M City tour of Colombo 
Colombo is a metropolitan city with a population of nearly one million. It is the commercial Capital of Sri Lanka, which keeps pace with modern developments while preserving the Old World charms. Among the many places of interest in the City are the Fort, the Old Parliament House (presently the Presidential Secretariat), Buddhist temples, Old Churches, Hindu temples, Mosques, the National Museum, Independence Hall, Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall and the Zoological Gardens. 'Five Star' international chain hotels and a large number of other hotels and guest houses provide comfortable accommodation to the visitors at affordable prices. Several specialty restaurants serving international cuisine, karaoke bars, and discotheques keep the visitors happy late into the night. Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel in Colombo 

Day 02 : Bentota 

After breakfast leave for Bentota (65 km-Transfer time approx.011/2 hour) en-route sightseeing P.M at leisure on the beautiful beach. Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel in Bentota 

Day 03 : Bentota / Kosgoda/ 

After breakfast leave for Balapitiya (20 km one way transfer time approx. 01/2 hours) En-route visit Turtle Hacherary at Kosgoda is famous for its turtle hatchery operated by the Wild Life Protection Society of Sri Lanka. It was established in 1981 to protect Sri Lanka's turtles from extinction. The hatchery pays fishermen for eggs that they collect at night along the sandy beach. Visitors can see huge tanks filled with new born turtle hatchlings. After being fed, the baby turtles are taken to the sea and released when they are 2-4 days old, usually during the safer hours of darkness. Although October to April is the main laying season, some eggs can be found at Kosgoda throughout the year. Next boat ride at Madhu River (approx. 1 1/2hrs) The Boat Safari on the River Madhu is something that words would not justify. The primitive Life Style of the inhabitant of the islands of the Madhu River is only a boat ride away. The boat ride that takes you through the thick mangroves, The bird life around, the primitive style of Fishing and prawn trapping still practiced by the inhabitants of the islands will reveal to you another facet of splendid Sri Lanka. Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel in Bentota 

Day 04 : Galle / Thissamaharama /Yala 
After breakfast leave for Thissamaharama (175km transfer time approx . 3 hours ) en-route visit Galle The port of Galle, throughout by some to be the Biblical city of Tarshish, splendidly illustrates the solidity of the Dutch presence in Sri Lanka. The 36-hectare (89 acre) Dutch Fort, built in 1663, has withstood the ravages of time. Its massive ramparts surround the promontory that forms the older part of Galle, and shelters within its walls sturdy Dutch houses, museums and churches. This area has a quiet, relaxed atmosphere that seems almost detached from the flow of history. The New Oriental Hotel, built for Dutch governors in 1684, is a colonial gem with a wonderfully atmospheric bar. Nearby is a tiny sliver of a beach suitable for a dip, though most travelers prefer to head along the coast to the fine beaches at Tangalle, Weligama and Unawatuna.. 
Unawatuna. Stilt -Fishermen are a familiar sight here Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel Thissamaharama / Kataragama 

Day 05 : yala Wildlife Safari 

Leave hotel at 5.30am and precede to Yala by 4x4 Jeep Safari at Yala National Park. Yala combines a strict nature reserve with a national park, bringing the total protected area to 126,786 hectares of scrub. It is divided in to five blocks, with the most visited being block 1 (14,001 hectares). Also known as Yala west, this block was originally a reserve for hunters, and was given over to conservation in 1938. With ov1er 35 leopards. Yala west has one of the world's densest leopard Populations. The best time to spot leopards in February to June or July, when the water levels in the park are low. Elephants are also well-know inhabitants. You will probably see sloth bears, Elephants, spotted deer, Sambas, Hornbills, Peafowl, Wild boar, Iguana, Elk, Leopards, buffaloes, Water Lizard, Peacock, jungle fowl, Cobra, Wiper, and various other mammals, birds, and many kind of migratory birds Russian geese are found here when winter in the northern hemisphere. Around 150 spices of birds have been recorded at Yala. These birds include white-winged black terns, curlews, pintails and orioles. After safari return to the hotel for breakfast before 10.00a.m. Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel in Tissamaharama / Kataragama 

Day 06 : Ella/Nuwara Eliya 

After breakfast leave for Nuwra Eliya (165km- transfer time approx. 05 hours) heart of the Tea Country. Misty mountains and emerald Tea Gardens en- route Stop at Ella to admire the magnificent view Ella Ramana Waterfall, Sightseeing and City Tour of NuwaraEliya Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel in Nuwara Eliya 

Day 07 : Horton Plains National Park & World's End 

At 5.30am with packed breakfast visit Horton Plains National park & world's End by 4x4 Jeep The Horton Plains is a most beautiful, silent, strange world with some excellent hikes in the shadows of Sri Lanka's second- and third- highest mountains - Kirigalpotta (2395m) and Totapola (2359m),rearing up from the edges of the plateau. The 'plains' themselves from an undulating plateau over 2000m high, covered by wild grasslands and interspersed with patches of thick forest, rocky outcrops, filigree waterfalls and misty lakes. The early morning (between 6am and 10am) is the best time to visit before the clouds roll in. Worlds End -This is the only national park in Sri Lanka where visitors are permitted to walk on their own. The walk to World's End is about 4km,but the trail loops back to the Baker's Fall (2km) from where you can walk to the entrance (another 3.5km) the round trip is 9.5km and usually take around 3 hours. P.M. at leisure 
Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel Nuwara Eliya 

Day 08 : Kandy 

After breakfast leave for Kandy Sri Lanka's most beautiful city (105 km- transfer time approx. 3 � hours) En route visit Tea Estate and Factory Next Kandy this Historic and Romantic hill capital of Sri Lanka is situated 115 kilometers inland from Colombo. The road to Kandy is enchanting and exciting revealing the full glory- of the tropics. Everything is in the most effulgent luxuriance, throbbing with silver and green. The roads run round in sharp curves and looking down are the deep valleys, abysses, rocks, waterfalls and streams glittering in the sun and patte raned in emerald with terraced rice fields. On the other side the Mountains rise majestically against the blue sky. Whether one looks up or down, it's a sight of beauty, glorious beyond the power of words to express. The city of Kandy lies in a triangular valley surrounded by mountains P. M. Visit the Temple of the much revered Temple of the Tooth relic. Temple of the Tooth Relic. Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy is the most venerated place of worship for Buddhists throughout the world. Built in the 16th century this temple houses the sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha brought to Sri Lanka from the Kalinga Province in ancient India in the 4th century AD. Several buildings have been added to the temple complex by successive rulers, the latest being the Golden Canopy over the inner shrine where the Tooth Relic is placed. Originally the Temple was within the King's palace complex as it was the Symbol of Royal Authority 
Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel in Kandy 

Day 09 : Pinnawala/Peradeniya 

After breakfast visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in time to witness the bathing and bottle feeding of baby elephants. At 9.15am (48 km - transfer time 1 1/2 hour one way) This orphanage was established to feed nurse and house young elephants found abandoned by their mothers. Often the young ones fall into pits and ravines in their request for water during drought period. The Elephants bathe in rivers and Baby Elephants can be seen fed with milk. It is a rare opportunity to visit a place like this and it should not be missed. Thereafter visit the Royal Botanical Garden The most beautiful in the world and begun as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala King. Every variety tropical and temperate tree and flower is cultivated here and special houses with orchids and e cacti are too beautiful to be true P. M. Sightseeing of Kandy City and witness a Cultural Performance. at 5.30pm Traditional Kandyan and Low Country Dances of Sri Lanka (Blowing of the conch-Shell and Drum Orchestra, Pooja Dance, Panteru Netum, Cobra Dance, Mask Dance, Mayura Vannama, Raban Dance, Ves Dance, Fire Dance, Fire Walking) Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel in Kandy. 

Day 10 : Kandy 

Full day at leisure. 
Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel in Kandy . 

Day 11 : Matale/Dambulla/Sigiriya 

After breakfast leave for Dambulla (75 km - transfer time approx. 2 hours) En route visit a Spice Garden and batik Factory in Matale Next visit the Rock cave temple of Dambulla a vast isolated rock mass 500 ft and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was here that King Valagambahu took refuge in the 1st century B.C. The view from the top of this rock is breathtaking 350 ft. above are a series of five caves which was later turned into a magnificent rock temple by King Valagambahu. In the first cave is a recumbent image of the Buddha 47 ft, long, cut out from the rock there are images of deities associated with Buddhism. The frescoes on the walls and ceiling could be dated to the 15th - 18th centuries. In the second cave, the finest and the largest the ceiling too is covered with frescoes, which depict great events in the life of the Buddha, and landmarks in the history of the Sinhala Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel in Dambulla / Habarana 

Day 12 : Dambulla/Sigiriya 

After breakfast Climb the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya. Sigiriya, a massive monolith of red stone rises 600 feet from the green scrub jungle to accentuate the lucid blue of the sky. How overpowering, then, this rock fortress of Sigiriya must have been when a palace crowned it 15 centuries ago. Sigiriya was no gloomy and forbidding fortification, as many other citadels are. At the brief height of its glory, a flowering of only 18 years in the late 5th Century, it was one of the loveliest royal cities that ever graced the earth. Sigiriya built by the patricide king Kashyapa in the 5th century A.D today it's a treasure trove of rare art. In a pocket of the giant rock are the famous frescoes of the '' heavenly maidens of "Sigiriya'' Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel Dambulla / Habarana. 

Day 13 : Polonnaruwa 

After breakfast leave for Polonnaruwa (77 km - transfer time approx. 2 hours) The city of Polonnaruwa, 2nd capital of Singhalese kings dating back to the 11th & 12th century A.D the entire landscape of the region is punctuated by huge man-made reservoirs, the most Famous of which is the ''Parakrama Samudra''. Numerous monuments are found in this city and ''Galvihara'' complex is one of the best among them with the fine sculptures of the recumbent, standing and seated Buddha's. also the ruins of the King's Council Chamber, the Royal Citadel, the Kumara Pokuna, Royal Pavilion, the Vatadage Relic House , Kiri Vehera - the best preserved of all Sri Lanka's un-restored dagabas Dinner & Overnight stay at Habarana / Polonnaruwa . 

Day 14 : Trincomalee/Nilaveli 

After breakfast leave for Trincomalee( 135 km - transfer time approx. 2 1/2hours) Trincomalee is famed for its natural harbour. Described by Admiral Lord Nelson as the finest harbour in the world when he visited aboard HMS Seashore in 1770. It is ranked as the world's 5th largest natural harbor. During the Second World War the harbor became the base for the combined East Asian Fleet of the Allied Powers. It is the ideal beach resort for beach addicts between April & November when the sea is at its best. Located at the mouth of Sri Lanka's longest river Mahaweli Ganga, Trinco's most famous landmark is Fort Federick, a century and a half of British fortifications can be found here. The cliff known as Swami Rock on the tip of Fort Federick promontory is associated with a tragic romantic tale woven around a Dutch maiden who is believed to have jumped to her death from this spot seeing her fickle lover sailing away. Fort Federick Lovers Leap The Thirukoneswaram Kovil which stands on the top most pinnacle of the Swamy Rock is a high venerated Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva About 11 km from west of Trinco are the Kanniyai Hot - spring, scared to Hindus who believe them to be a creation of God Vishnu. Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel in Nilaveli . 

Day 15 : Nilaveli 

After breakfast boat ride Pigeon Island P.M.at leisure 
Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel Nilaveli. 

Day 16 : Mihintale/Anuradhapura 

After breakfast leave for Anuradhapura( 135 km - transfer time approx.3 hours) En route visit Kanniyai Hot -Spring next visits Mihintale. In 247 B.C. Buddhism was first introduced to Sri Lanka on the mountain of Mihintale. Since then, various kings of Sri Lanka have blessed this rock with magnificent masterpieces of architecture. These Include a hospital, a monastic complex, stupas and dagebas. While some of these structures are in an almost perfect state of preservation, some others are in complete ruin. The most spectacular of these is the Kantaka Chaitiya, which displays some of the finest architecture of the early Anuradhapura era. Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel Anuradhapura 

Day 17 : Anuradhapura 

After breakfast visit Anuradhapura the ruins of the first capital founded in the 05th century B.C. here is found the largest number of ancient monuments of a great civilization. '' Sri Mahabodhi '' the oldest historically documented tree in the world is over 2200 years. There are monuments such as Ruwanveliseya dageba, 2nd century B.C. with its famous elephant wall; Thuparama dageba 3rd century B.C. The pillars of the brazen palace which once had nine story's; the image of the Samadhi Buddha, one of the finest places of Buddhist sculpture,Jetawanaramaya, Aukana Buddha Statue, the twin ponds; guard stones & moonstones. Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel in Anuradhapura. 

Day 18 : Negombo 

After breakfast leave for Negombo ( 200 km - transfer time approx. 4 1/2 hours) On the way to Negombo sightseeing Negombo is a charismatic fishing town north of Colombo, located a mere 10 km from the international airport. Set amidst lush groves of coconut palms, it breathes the spirit of the sea. Negombo is a gourmet's paradise with sea food aplenty. Old - world fishing craft, like the outrigger canoe and the catamaran, bring seer, skip jack, herring, mullet and amber jack, while lobster and prawn are caught in the lagoon Negombo is situated by the shores of a lagoon and was once a trading port for the Portuguese and the Dutch. It is a ideal place for those who want quick access to and from the airport. Attractions in the city include the old Dutch fort gate built in 1672 and now a part of the prison, the Dutch Canal which was then a supply route to the Dutch administration, old churches and fishing villages. The 100km long canal running through the town is still being used and is an attraction for those who want to see the country from a different perspective. Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel in Negombo. 

Day 19 : Negombo 

After breakfast City tour of Negombo P.M.at leisure Dinner & Overnight stay at hotel in Negombo. 

Day 20 : Negombo/Air Port 

After breakfast transfer to the Air Port for the connecting Flight.(Departure) (10km Transfer time approx. 30 minutes) 


Include: 
Hotels - twin share star class hotel 
Standard set meals and bottled water 
Entrance tickets (Dambulla, Tooth Temple & Train Ticket /sigiriya rock ) 
Tour guide 
Comfortable air-conditioned transport 
Exclude: 
International air fare 
Personal travel insurance 
Tips and portages 
Expenses of personal nature 
Optional Items