DAY 1: COLOMBO .
Arrive at Colombo Airport where you will meet our representative and transfer to your hotel for check in. Overnight in Colombo

DAY 2: COLOMBO - PINNAWALA - SIGIRIYA.
After breakfast, transfer to Sigiriya via Pinnawala en route visiting the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage. The Orphanage established in 1975, commenced with seven orphans. Today some of these orphans enjoy the fortune of seeing their grandchildren born in the same location. The original objective for establishing the orphanage was more inclined towards tourism, but soon became a conservation and educational centre. With the help of local and foreign elephant experts, Pinnawela started a scientific captive-breeding programme for elephants. The free movement of the herd enhanced the chances for elephants of both sexes to get together and mate. The nearby river played a dominant role in this regard, and in 1984, the first Pinnawela baby was born. Their success has drawn the attention of scientists from all over the world. A considerable number of books and research articles on Pinnawela have been published in several languages. The members of the Pinnawela herd have been filmed, videoed and photographed thousands of times by professionals. In Sigiriya climb the 5th century Sigiriya rock fortress which is a World Heritage Site, built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD). The 'Lion Rock' is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 metres from the scrub jungle. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town. A moat, rampart, and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens ring the base of the rock. Then visit the world-renowned frescoes of the 'Heavenly Maidens' of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway. These frescoes are painted in earth pigments on plaster. Overnight stay at Sigiriya /Dambulla/ Kandalama * depending on the category of hotels chosen.

DAY 3: SIGIRIYA - ANURADHAPURA- SIGIRIYI.
After breakfast drive to Anuradhapura. It was the first capital and undoubtedly the grandest city of ancient Ceylon. It is the home of two World Heritage Sites. Sri Maha Bodhi (Sacred Bo-Tree) was brought as a sapling of the tree under which Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment and it is over 2200 years old and is the oldest historically documented tree in the world. The Brazen Palace (2nd century B.C), the 1600 stone columns you see are all that is left of a magnificent multi-storied residence for monks. Ruwanweliseya (2nd century B.C) is the most famous of all the Dagobas. It originally depicted the perfect 'bubble shape" that modern restoration has not been able to accurately reproduce. The 'Samadhi' Buddha statue (4th century AD) is one of the most famous statues depicting Buddha in a state of 'Samadhi' or deep meditation. Isurumuniya rock temple (3rd century B.C) is well known for its rock carvings. Overnight stay in Sigiriya /Dambulla/ Kandalama * depending on category of hotels choice.

DAY 4: SIGIRIYI - POLONNARUWA & MINNERIVA - SIGIRIYI.
After breakfast transfer to Polonnaruwa, the 2nd capital city of Sri Lanka, built in the 11th and 12th centuries AD, and which is also a World Heritage Site. Here you see the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya where 4 splendid statues of the Buddha in 'Upright', 'Sedentary' and 'Recumbent' postures carved out of rock can be seen, the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, the statue of King Parakramabahu, and the Parakrama Samudraya - a lake built by King Parakramabahu the great. There are also famous places of worship such as the Shiva Temple, the Lankathilake, and the Watadage, the Galpotha, the Kiri Vehera and the remains of the former Temple of the Tooth Relic.

Then enjoy a jeep safari at Minneriya National Park. Minneriya National Park is about 8,889 hectares. There are wetlands in this National Park, which have international importance, animal and plant species, which are plenty in dry zone, are found in this park. Wild elephants, various amphibians, local and immigrant bird species are plenty in this park. About 160 species of birds, 9 amphibian species, 25 reptile species, 26 fish species and more than 78 butterfly species have been found in this area. There are bamboo trees here which are rarely found in any of the other parks. Overnight in Dambulla
Overnight stay at hotel in Sigiriya /Dambulla/ Kandalama * depending on the category of hotels chosen.

DAY 5: SIGIRIYI - DAMBULLA - MATALE - KANDY.
This morning after breakfast visit Dambulla Rock Temple built by King Walagambahu in the 1st century B.C. and now a World Heritage Site. It is the most impressive of Sri Lanka's cave temples. The complex of five caves with over 2000 sq. metres of painted walls and ceilings is the largest area of paintings found in the world. It contains over 150 images of Buddha the largest of which is the colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of rock and spanning 14 metres. Continue on to Matale where you will visit the spice garden to see the different spices for which Sri Lanka is famous. You will have the opportunity to see a cookery demonstration. Afterwards depart for Kandy. Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is a World Heritage Site. The name "Kandy" conjures visions of splendour and magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. Overnight in Kandy.

DAY 6: KANDY - PERADENIYA - KANDY.
After breakfast depart to Peradeniya Botanical Gardens first built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala king and then expanded by the British. It is 147 acres in size and provides an amazing variety of trees, plants and flowers. Return back to Kandy and drive around Kandy Lake built by the last Sinhala king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798. Visit Kandy town and bazaar, the arts and crafts centre, a gem museum and a lapidary. Also visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy. Later in the day enjoy a cultural show. Overnight in Kandy.

DAY 7: KANDY - TEA PLANTATION - NUWARA ELIYA.
This morning after breakfast transfer to a Tea Plantation, where the best tea in the world is produced. You will observe the process of tea manufacturing as well as learn how tea is graded. Taste a cup of pure Ceylon tea in the factory before continuing on to Nuwara Eliya. Due to its invigorating mountain climate and scenery, Nuwara Eliya is Sri Lanka's most popular hill resort and the heart of Sri Lanka's tea country producing a significant share of the world's best tea. Sri Lanka's highest mountain Pidurutalagala (8282 feet) is located here. Overnight in Nuwara Eliya.

DAY 8: NUWARA ELIYA - KATARAGAMA.
After breakfast drive to Kataragama along the Bandarawela Tissamaharama road. The story of Kataragama centres on the repeated descent and exploits on earth of a hero (Kataragama) and his battles with the forces of darkness. According to this basic symbolic framework, a number of themes are woven in depending on the perspective taken - whether it be Buddhism, where Kataragama is the bodhisattva or Buddha to be or Hinduism where according to legend, Skanda, the Hindu God of War arrived in Sri Lanka and received two gifts from the Sinhalese - a house of leaves and a beautiful wife. It is the romantic union of Skanda and his wife that is commemorated annually. Overnight in Kataragama.

DAY 9: KATARAGAMA - GALLE - BENTOTA / AHUNGALLA.
After breakfast visit Galle, once the chief port of Ceylon. Galle Fort, now a World Heritage Site (spanning 90 acres) was originally built by the Portuguese and later extended by the Dutch in 1663. Galle is still well known for its hand-made lace. Continue on to Bentota. Overnight in Bentota /Ahungalla *depending on the category of hotels chosen.

DAY 10: BENTOTA / AHUNGALLA.
Today is a full day at your leisure. Overnight in Bentota / Ahungalla.

DAY 11: BENTOTA / AHUNGALLA - COLOMBO.
After breakfast return to Colombo for a city tour. Colombo like many capital cities in developing countries is fast changing. Almost overnight, skyscrapers arise from where old buildings once stood yet in some parts the old world charm is retained. Other places of interest are Pettah Bazaar - where one can shop for bargains, a Hindu and a Buddhist temple, residential areas where you find the stately homes of the affluent, the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall - a gift from the People's Republic of China. Overnight in Colombo.

DAY 12: COLOMBO.
After breakfast transfer to Colombo Airport for your departure.