Simply charming, simply Colombo. You’re sure to fall in love with the warm and welcoming locals of this enchanting island at the tip of South India. People here go about their business in the noisy, congested streets of the city with a cheerfulness that is endearing. Perhaps that’s down to their Buddhist faith, a religion practiced by the majority of Sri Lankans. The city is home to some extraordinary temples. But take a stroll and you’ll also fi nd mosques and churches plus a jumble of Dutch-and British-built buildings—a legacy of Colombo’s colonial past.

Colombo is divided into districts (or postcodes) numbered 1-15 and knowing this is essential if you’re to fi nd your way around. South along the coast from Fort, is the district
known as Colombo 1, Colombo 2-10 are where many topend hotels are located. These districts continue inland taking in the fashionable shopping and residential areas
of Colombo 7, while Colombo 11-15 spread northeast covering the harbour area. But one thing is for sure—wherever you go in the city you’ll fi nd history, culture and friendly locals.

DAY 1: COLOMBO - DAMBULLA
On arrival in Colombo, travel to Dambulla, stopping en-route to visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. After check-in to your hotel in Dambulla, the evening is yours to enjoy.

DAY 2: DAMBULLA
Visit the world-renowned frescoes of the ‘Heavenly Maidens” of  Sigiriya a world heritage site. The 'Lion Rock' is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 metres from the scrub jungle. The fresco’s here are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway. You’ll find this a novel and inspiring way to appreciate art and a memorable part of the trip.

DAY 3: DAMBULLA – KANDY
It’s time to say goodbye to Dambulla and make your way to Kandy. En-route stop off at a spice garden in Matale to see the different spices for which Sri Lanka is famous and also witness cookery demonstration. From Matale, head to Kandy hotel and the rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you prefer.

DAY 4: KANDY
Peradeniya Botanical Gardens is your first destination of the day. This 147-acre landscape features amazing variety of trees, plants, and flowers. Next proceed on a city tour of Kandy – the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and a World Heritage Site. Here you’ll get to see Kandy Lake, the town and the Bazaar as well as the Temple of the Tooth Relic. Round off the day with a cultural show before heading back to the hotel.

DAY 5: KANDY – NUWARA ELIYA
After breakfast procee to Nuwara Eliya, a hill resort in the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea country. Sri Lanka is renowned for its tea and today you’ll get to find out just how it’s all done.  Spend the day at a tea plantation and a tea factory, where the best tea in the world is produced before check-in to a hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

DAY 6: NUWARA ELIYA – COLOMBO
Today make your way back to Colombo via the scenic route. Stop off at Kitulgala and Sri Lanka’s broadest river, the Kelani River, where the Oscar winning movie “Bridge of the River Kwai” was filmed. This will be followed by a city tour of Colombo, where you can shop for bargains at the Pettah Bazaar, visit the Colombo museum, the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) – an outright gift to Sri Lanka from the People’s Republic of China and the Dutch Museum. After a day packed with activities, check-in at your hotel in Colombo.

DAY 7: COLOMBO
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to catch your flight back.

DAY 1:  COLOMBO - DAMBULLA
On arrival, meet greet and proceed to Pinnawala – an Elephant Orphanage, conservation and educational centre.  Overnight at Dambulla.
 
DAY 2: DAMBULLA
Visit the world-renowned frescoes of the ‘Heavenly Maidens” of  Sigiriya a world heritage site. The 'Lion Rock' is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 metres from the scrub jungle. The fresco’s here are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway. You’ll find this a novel and inspiring way to appreciate art and a memorable part
of the trip.

DAY 3: DAMBULLA – KANDY
It’s time to say goodbye to Dambulla and make your way to Kandy. En-route stop off at a spice garden in Matale to see the different spices for which Sri Lanka is famous and also witness cookery demonstration. From Matale, head to Kandy hotel and the rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you prefer.

DAY 4:  KANDY – NUWARA ELIYA
Peradeniya  Botanical Gardens is your first destination of the day. This 147-acre landscape features amazing variety of  trees, plants, and flowers. Next take a city      tour of Kandy – the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and a World Heritage Site. Then, on-to Nuwara Eliya, a hill resort in the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea country, is the focus  of this day. Overnight at Nuwara Eliya.

DAY 5: YALA
After breakfast proceed to Yala. Enjoy a safari of the Yala National Park by jeep, which is home for wild elephants, wild boars, wild buffaloes, leopards, bears, deer and crocodiles.  Flocks of migratory and indigenous birds are also found here.

DAY 6: YALA - AHUNGALLA
After breakfast proceed to the beach along the southern coastal best of Sri Lanka. Galle was once the chief port of Ceylon. You can also visit the Galle Fort (spanning 90 acres) which was originally built by the Portugese and later extended by the Dutch in 1663. Later proceed to your hotel in Ahungala for an overnight stay.

DAY 7:  AHUNGALLA - COLOMBO
In the afternoon, proceed on a city tour of Colombo. See the 100-year old clock tower and several British built colonial buildings. Other places of interest are the Pettah bazaar where you can shop for bargain, a Buddhist temple, the Colombo museum, the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) – an outright gift to Sri Lanka
from the People’s Republic of China, and the Dutch Museum.

DAY 8: COLOMBO
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to catch your flight back.