EXPLORE SRI LANKA - 11 days - Heritage & Nature sightseeing + Beach stay

 US$ 1,500/- per person

Prices include:

·        Accommodation at 4* luxury hotels, sharing double rooms,

·        Daily Breakfast`s and Dinner (Breakfast starts from day 2 | dinner from day 01),

·        Entire transportation by private air-conditioned Car, including fuel & tax,

·        Service of an English-speaking chauffeur guide.

·        Entry tickets to all sightseeing places as in itinerary.

·        02 bottles of 500 ml mineral water – per person per day,

·        Applicable taxes at hotels.

·        Meeting and Assistance at Colombo airport.

(Suitable arrival/departure times: Arrival – morning | Depart – evening)

Itinerary

Day 1 - Airport – Sigiriya - (140 km`s – 03h 30m) - Overnight stay in Sigiriya

Welcome on arrival at Colombo international airport, by Oranta Holidays representative, and start your journey driving you through beautiful landscapes of plantations and little villages to your hotel in Sigiriya, later reach your hotel and settle in and relax.

By afternoon, you can climb the Sigiriya Rock. Sigiriya Rock is a UNESCO World Heritage site, well-known as Lion’s Rock which is a part of Sri Lanka’s ‘Cultural Triangle’ where you will have a chance to gaze over the stunning views of central Sri Lanka.

Sigiriya is the ruins of an ancient palace in a 200 meter high rock fortress, overlooking the beautiful plains of north-central Sri Lanka. Built for an exiled Indian prince, the breathtaking ruins are one of Sri Lanka’s main tourist attractions and date back to AD 477. Despite its age, Sigiriya still retains much of its former beauty and features some of the finest examples of ancient art in the form of wall paintings, as well as a network of attractive gardens and reservoirs, and Sigiriya’s namesake, a gigantic pair of lion’s paws cut into the rock. With its fascinating history and unerring beauty, Sigiriya is often referred to as the 8th wonder of the world and the UNESCO-sponsored Central Cultural Fund has even restored Sigiriya’s 5th century water gardens, so that you can get a glimpse of what Sigiriya might have been like thousands of years ago.

Tonight you will stay at the Sigiriya Village hotel, famed as the most idyllic hotel situated closes to the Sigiriya Rock. 

Day 2 - Visit Anuradhapura & Polonnaruwa - (230 km`s – 4h 30m) - Overnight stay in Sigiriya

After breakfast at hotel, travel to the 01st ancient city of Anuradhapura (4th century BC – UNESCO world heritage site), visit the important heritage sites and ruins and then continue your journey to Polonnaruwa (11th century BC – UNESCO world heritage site) to explore the 02nd ancient city. Thereafter travel back to your hotel in Sigiriya (Sigiriya Village hotel) and spend your evening at leisure by the pool.

Day 3 - Sigiriya - Kandy - (90 km`s – 3h) - Overnight stay in Kandy

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a typical village life style tour followed by a Sri Lankan traditional home cooked lunch. Then you will travel to famous town of Kandy, stopping at various places along the way for a chance to see some of the historically appreciated places like Dambulla Rock Cave temple (01st century BC – UNESCO world heritage site) Sri Lanka has to offer and the opportunity to gain some insight into Sri Lankan culture.

Then, it is time to cuddle some Sri Lankan traditions as you visit a Sri Lankan spice garden where you can learn about the basis of Ayurveda natural medicine, a custom essential to Sri Lankan culture.

Tonight you will stay at Amaya hills hotel, famed as one of the most scenic and idyllic hotel in Kandy. 

Day 4 - In Kandy – sightseeing`s - Overnight stay in Kandy

After breakfast at hotel travel to Pinnawala to visit the Elephant Orphanage. At Elephant Orphanage you can feed and bath the baby elephants, or simply sit and watch at many elephants relaxing in an idyllic and natural environment. Also visit the Zoological garden at Pinnawala situated close to Elephant Orphanage. (Feeding time for baby elephant is at 09:15 am)

Return to Kandy by noon and tour the City of Kandy including a visit to the Temple of the Tooth relic. In the afternoon you can choose to relax in the pool or head to the royal botanical garden in Peradeniya.

Kandy is an exciting place for shopping with souvenirs in wood, copper, silver, brass, ebony and bronze. Ceramics, lacquer work, hand looms, Batiks and world famous exceptional kinds of Gems and jewellery.

If you prefer to witness a Cultural dance show, then you will finish the day with watching a Cultural performance featuring the traditional dance and drumming that Kandy is renowned for.

Day 5 - Kandy – Nuwara eliya - (75 km`s – 2h 30m) - Overnight stay in Nuwara eliya

Today, after breakfast at hotel you will leave for Nuwara Eliya, stopping en route to visit a Tea plantation and tea factory.

Visit to a Tea factory to observe the progress of making Tea, completes your visit to this Tea plantation region surrounded by the breathtaking and idyllic landscapes. You can view the vibrant green fields of tea which symbolize the image of Sri Lanka. You will also get a chance to taste and purchase some of the world’s finest tea.

In the afternoon, you will arrive in Nuwara Eliya, an intriguing colonial-style town set in the heart of the tea-country, which still bears a distinctly British stamp. Well-kept lawns, hedges, an Anglican church, Georgian-style houses, and a well-celebrated golf course give this charming town an air of nostalgia.

Your trip to Nuwara Eliya will provide you with the perfect retreat after your visit to the historical sites, and because it is situated 1,890 meters above sea level, the air is cool and fresh, making Nuwara Eliya the perfect place to unwind.

Tonight you will stay at the British colonial style St. Andrews hotel or modern Araliya green hills hotel.

Day 6 - Nuwara eliya - Yala - (140 km`s – 4h) - Overnight stay in Yala

After having breakfast at hotel, you will be taken to Nanu Oya railway station to board the local train (on availability) to travel up to Ella railway station. Train journey in the hills is enjoyable and very scenic ride, you will also experience the local`s traveling system in this part of the world. 

From Ella, you will travel to Yala to witness wild life habitat, where the most famous national park is situated.

Settle in to your hotel in Yala by late afternoon, rest of the day at leisure by the pool. Tonight you will stay at the Luxury Thaulle resort.

Day 7 - Yala - Mirissa - (120 km`s – 3h) - Overnight stay in Mirissa

After early breakfast at hotel, travel to Yala National park by a 4 x 4 jeep to witness the wild life habitat, later by noon travel to Mirissa for your beach stay.

Tonight you will stay at Mandara Resort, situated right on Mirissa beach.

Day 8 - In Mirissa - Overnight stay in Mirissa

After early breakfast at hotel, proceed to Mirissa harbor and board your boat to witness the Whales and Dolphins at Sea. Experience the Giants life style at sea and return to shore by noon. Rest of the day at leisure, by the pool or at the beach.

Day 9 & 10 - In Mirissa - Overnight stay in Mirissa

Breakfast`s at hotel, full day at leisure on the beach. In Mirissa you will find Sea water activity centers for Diving, snorkeling, etc., where you will have the opportunity to enjoy your Sea water activities during day time.

Day 11 - Mirissa - Colombo - Airport - (180 km`s – 3h 30m) - Departure

After breakfast spend morning at leisure on the beach, then by noon travel to Colombo and enjoy the city visits in Colombo….. You might also need to take part in some last minute shopping in to some famous boutique shops like “ODEL unlimited, Noritake ceramic shop, Cotton Collection, Show room of the Ceylon Tea” etc,.

Later, enjoy your Dinner at one of the beach side restaurant in Colombo, until your chauffeur will drive you safely to Airport for the connecting flight for safe return journey home.

Tour Ends…

WE THANK YOU FOR DISCOVERING SRI LANKA - KNOWN AS "PEARL OF THE INDIAN OCEAN"

TEAM ORANTA HOLIDAYS

Web-site : www.orantaholidays.lk

e mail : [email protected]

Office telephone : 00 94 11 2 563 497

Mobile : 00 94 72 500 8883