Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Welcome to idyllic Sri Lanka - with its endless beaches, timeless ruins, welcoming people, oodles of elephants, rolling surf, cheap prices, fun trains, famous tea & flavourful food.

You might say Sri Lanka has been hiding in plain sight. Few places have as many UNESCO World Heritage Sites (8) packed into such a small area. Sri Lanka's 2000 plus years of culture can be discovered at ancient sites where legendary temples boast beautiful details even as they shelter in caves or perch on prominent peaks. More recent are evocative colonial fortresses, from Galle to Trincomalee. Across the island, that thing that goes bump in the night might be an elephant heading to a favourite waterhole.

Arrive in the dynamic & vibrant Colombo, with its ‘erstwhile’ 19^th century moniker of 'the garden city of the East'. It makes an excellent start - or finish - to your Sri Lankan adventures.

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? – Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport, subsequent to Immigration & Customs, you will be welcomed by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the hotel in Negombo (a suburb of Colombo), help you settle in & provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area as well as discuss the program for the next day.

On the way from the Airport stop for a delicious Tambili (King Coconut) to quench your thirst & rehydrate after the long flight.

Check-in at your hotel & relax.

*Check-in time is 02.00 pm. For earlier arrivals in the morning, we will request the hotel for a complimentary early Check-in but cannot be guaranteed unless reserved & paid for ‘immediate occupancy’.

Negombo is a modest beach town that is located very close to the Airport, & is an interesting & attractive place to visit with a friendly local community. Called “Little Rome” due to the strong influence of the Catholic Church in the area, it is one of the few cities in Sri Lanka that is predominantly Roman Catholic. The Dutch captured the town from the Portuguese in 1640, lost it & then captured it again in 1644.

The British then took it from them in 1796 without a struggle. Negombo was one of the most important sources of cinnamon during the Dutch era & there are still reminders of the European days. The star attractions of Negombo are its beach, the lagoon & the stupendous bounty of seafood, including crabs, lobsters & prawns.

Unwind & soak up the essence of island living.

Balance of the day is at leisure or perhaps opt for one of the many options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & / or make arrangements).

Retire to your balcony with a good book and a cup of Ceylon tea.

Overnight.  D

Early morning, depart for Dambulla, one of Sri Lanka's biggest wholesale markets. . But the town is more famous for UNESCO World Heritage listed Cave Temple, known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla which was donated by king Walagambahu in the 1^st century BC to Buddhist monks. 

Enroute, stop in the village of Pinnawala..

Spread over an area of 10 hectare in Pinnawala village, this government-run elephant orphanage is one of Sri Lanka’s most popular tourist attractions, visited daily by thousands of Sri Lankan & foreign tourists to observe the elephants bathing which is quite a spectacle.

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is an orphanage, nursery & captive breeding ground for wild Asian elephants located at Pinnawala village. It’s success & fame has travelled not just within the country but throughout the world to an extent where Pinnawala synonymous with the Sri Lankan Elephant.

Prior to the invasion of the British in Sri Lanka in 1815, an estimated 30,000 elephants lived on the island. In the 1960s, following nearly a century of game hunting & jolly slaughter by the British colonialists, the elephant population was close to extinction. The tragedy of decimation of the elephant population prompted the Government of Sri Lanka to initiate the Pinnawala (Pinnawela) Elephant Orphanage.

It was established in 1975 by the Sri Lanka Wildlife Department in a 25 acre coconut property adjoining the Maha Oya River to afford care and protection to the many orphaned Elephants found in the jungles of Sri Lanka. Pinnawala has the largest herd of captive elephants in the world. Since then it has never turned back an orphaned elephant & has expanded from the initial 4 orphaned elephants to a gang of no less than 109.

The primary purpose of the Orphanage has been to provide a lifeline to the orphaned baby elephants & adult elephants lost in the wilderness. In many occasions the mother of the orphaned baby elephant had been killed or there have been accidents of baby elephants falling into pits & losing contact with the herd. The persistent drought had dried up many village wells into which the young elephants had fallen, while attempting to get a drink. Even today mother elephants fall into quarry or gem-mining pits & die, leaving the baby elephants lost in the jungle. There are also instances of adult elephants being killed by Poachers or angry farmers to protect their paddy fields & crops resulting in baby elephants being orphaned.

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The success story of Pinnawala has drawn the attention of animal activists & scientists from all over the world. A considerable number of books & research articles on Pinnawala have been published in several languages. The elephants of the Pinnawala herd have been filmed, videoed & photographed thousands of times by professionals & millions of times by amateurs. The message of conservation from Pinnawala has been passed on to thousands, if not millions of people, after their visit to the Orphanage.

Moreover, today, with the help of local & foreign elephant experts, the Orphanage has commenced a scientific captive-breeding programme in 1982. Since then the Orphanage has become one of the most successful captive breeding programmes for Asian elephants. The free movement of the herd within the enclosed land of the Orphanage affords the elephants opportunities to mate. In 1984, the first baby elephant of Pinnawela was born. Since the inception of the program over 20 elephants have been bred here.

The elephants at the Orphanage aren’t subjected to any form of stress, abuse or threat at all and are supported by a team of employees numbering to over 100 including a group of mahouts. Today some of these orphans enjoy the good fortune of seeing their third generation too born at the orphanage. Most orphans are accustomed to their curious human visitors.  Nowhere else, except at the splendid ‘pereheras’ will you see so many elephants at such close quarters.

The aim of the Orphanage is to simulate a natural habitat to these elephants. However, there are some exceptions: the elephants are taken to the river twice a day for a bath & all the babies less than 3 years of age are still bottle fed by their human foster fathers - the mahouts & volunteers. The baby elephants gulp down several huge bottles of milk & then it is off to the river for a bath. Each animal is also given around 76 kg of green matter a day & around 2 kg from a food bag containing rice bran & maize.

The best time to visit is during the feeding times. Guests can also accompany the elephants to a river close-by & see them having their daily bath. The younger elephants are herded into the feeding sheds three times a day - 9:15 am, 1:15 pm & 5 pm to be bottle-fed with huge quantities of milk. At 10 am & again at 2 pm, the elephants are taken across the road & down to the Ma Oya river, where they can be seen splashing around & playing for about an hour. The inherent gentleness of the animals is most obvious during this time.

Visitors can interact a little with the elephants during the regulated bathing & feeding times.

Close by, is yet another elephant sanctuary called ‘Club Concept’. The herd here is smaller & the matriarch Lakshmi & her daughter Puja are the star attractions. There is a small Museum on the premises that tells their story & which also contains an interesting explanation of the habits & lifecycle of the Sri Lankan elephant.

After spending a couple of hours here, continue on to Dambulla, one of Sri Lanka's biggest wholesale markets & a starting point for what is known as the ‘cultural triangle’.

Arrive by noon & Check-in at the hotel.

Dambulla is thought to have been a place of worship since 1^st century BC, when King Valagamba (also known as Vattagamani Abhaya), driven out of Anuradhapura, took refuge here. When he regained his throne, he had the interior of the caves carved into magnificent rock temples. The natural folds of the rock have been skillfully designed, giving the illusion of a cloth like texture. Further paintings were made by later kings, including King Nissanka Malla, who had the caves’ interiors gilded, earning the place the name Ran Giri (Golden Rock).

It is the largest & best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. The rock towers 160m over the surrounding plains. There are more than 80 documented caves in the surrounding area but the major attractions are spread over various Caves under a vast overhanging rock, carved with a drip line to keep the interiors dry, with over 2000 sq. meters of painted walls & ceiling - the largest area of paintings found in the world. The cave temples of Dambulla, now transformed into shrines, house several carefully carved out statues of Buddha. Depictions on the walls of the Caves include the temptation by the demon Mara & Buddha's first sermon.

The famed Royal Rock Temple is an iconic Sri Lankan image - at about 160m above the road in the southern part of Dambulla. You will be familiar with its spectacular Buddha filled interior long before you arrive in town. 5 separate caves contain about 150 absolutely stunning Buddha statues & intricate paintings, some of Sri Lanka's most important & evocative religious art. Buddha images were first created here over 2000 years ago. Many other kings added to & embellished the cave art & by the 11^th century, the Caves had become a major religious centre & still are. Nissanka Malla of Polonnaruwa gilded the caves & added about 70 Buddha statues in 1190. During the 18^th century, the caves were restored & painted by the Kingdom of Kandy. 

Prehistoric Sri Lankans would have lived in these cave complexes before the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka as there are burial sites with human skeletons about 2700 years old in this area, at Ibbankatuwa near the Dambulla cave complex.

In 1938, the architecture was embellished with arched colonnades & gabled entrances. Inside the caves, the ceilings are painted with intricate patterns of religious images following the contours of the rock. The Dambulla cave Monastery is still functional & remains the best-preserved ancient edifice.

Later in the afternoon, at 02.00 pm, meet the Tour-guide & proceed for a 3 hour visit to the Temples.

Ascend the stone stairs (10 minutes of climbing) on the vast, sloping rock face that leads to the Caves & spend time enjoy the breathtakingly intricate sculptures. From the caves there are superb views over the surrounding countryside; Sigiriya is clearly visible some 20 km distant. Just prior to 10.30am there is a short musical ceremony in cave 1.

Come back to the hotel.

Balance of the day is at leisure (we will be happy to offer suggestions).

Early morning at 07.00 am, meet the Tour-guide & proceed for a 6 hour excursion to Sigriya, one of the most valuable historical monuments of Sri Lanka.

Situated in the centre of the Island, the Cultural Triangle covers an area that includes the heritage sites of the sacred cities of Anuradhapura & Kandy, the ancient cities of Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya & Dambulla.

Enroute, stop at Sigriya Rock, one of the most valuable historical monuments of Sri Lanka that attracts thousands of tourists every year.

Referred by locals as the 8^th Wonder of the World, this ancient UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for its palace ruins on top of a massive 200 meter high rock surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs & other structures. The rock itself is a lava plug left over from an ancient long extinct volcano.

The palace & fortress complex has significant archaeological importance. Rising from the central plains, the iconic rocky outcrop of Sigiriya is perhaps Sri Lanka's single most dramatic sight. Near-vertical walls soar to a flat-topped summit that contains the ruins of an ancient civilisation, thought to be once the epicentre of the short-lived kingdom of Kasyapa, & there are spellbinding vistas across mist-wrapped forests in the early morning.

Understand also that, even though Sigiriya is maybe the most famous tourist attraction in Sri Lanka, and must have been a truly amazing place in the past, right now the ruins are only the two-brick-tall foundations of the palace walls; absolutely nothing remains standing.

The fortress complex, located in the heart of the island between the towns of Dambulla & Habarane on a massive rocky plateau 370 meters above the sea level, includes remnants of a ruined palace, surrounded by an extensive network of fortifications, vast gardens, ponds, canals, alleys & fountains.

Sigiriya rock plateau, formed from magma of an extinct volcano, is 200 meters higher than the surrounding jungles. The surrounding territories of Sigiriya were inhibited for several thousand years.

The palace & fortress complex is recognized as one of the finest examples of ancient urban planning & considering the uniqueness, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage site in 1982.

Since 3^rd century BC, the rocky plateau of Sigiriya served as a Monastery. In the second half of the 5^th century, King Kasyapa decided to construct a royal residence here. After his death Sigiriya again became a Buddhist monastery until the 14^th century, when it was abandoned. 

The main entrance is located in the northern side of the rock. It was designed in the form of a huge stone lion carved into the bedrock. The paws have survived up to today but the upper parts of the body were destroyed. Thanks to this Lion, the palace was named Sigiriya. The term Sigiriya originates from the word Sihagri, i.e. Lion Rock.

The surrounding landscape - lily-pad-covered moats, water gardens & quiet shrines - and the excellent site museum, only add to Sigiriya's rock-star appeal. At the mid-level terrace, see your reflection in the mirror wall, which protects a series of exquisite frescoes of celestial maidens using natural pigments.

The western wall of Sigiriya was almost entirely covered by ancient Frescoes, created during the reign of Kasyapa. 18 frescoes have survived to this day. The frescoes feature bare breasted ‘cloud maidens ‘depicting the typical dress of the palace courtesans (similar to those found at Ajanta Caves in India). considered to be either the portraits of Kasyapa’s wives & concubines or priestess performing religious rituals. Despite the unknown identity of the females depicted in the frescoes, these unique ancient paintings are celebrating female beauty & have incredible historical significance. It is generally agreed, however, that the Sigiriya Frescoes exhibit a uniquely Sri Lankan style panorama of the surrounding jungles.

One of the most striking features of Sigiriya is its Mirror wall. In the old days it was polished so thoroughly that the king could see his reflection in it. The Mirror wall is painted with inscriptions and poems written by the visitors of Sigiriya. The most ancient inscriptions are dated from the 8^th century, proving that Sigiriya was a tourist destination more than a thousand years ago. Today, painting on the wall is strictly prohibited.

Sigiriya is an unmatched combination of urban planning, water engineering, horticulture & arts. The construction of buildings & gardens on a massive rock approximately 200 meters higher from the surrounding landscape show that the creators of this amazing architectural monument used unique & creative technical skills &  technologies and required advanced architectural & engineering skills.

Sigiriya has water gardens, cave & boulder gardens, and also 5^th century landscaped terraced gardens, among the oldest landscaped gardens in the world. They are located in the western part of the rock & include a complex hydraulic system, consisting of canals, locks, lakes, dams, bridges, fountains, as well as surface & underground water pumps. In the rainy season, all channels are filled with water, which begins to circulate through the whole area of Sigiriya. Fountains of Sigiriya built in the V century, perhaps, are the oldest in the world.

Get ready to climb to the top to arrive at Sri Lanka’s most important archeological legacies. The ruins of the ancient castles are attractions that bring many pilgrims & tourist to this historical site. Sigiriya refuses to reveal its secrets easily, and you will have to climb a series of vertiginous staircases attached to sheer walls to reach the top

Sigiriya Rock is rich in both legend & architecture and ascending 1200 steps to the 200m summit is well worth the effort. You can probably walk up to the top & down again in 1.5 - 2 hours.  Apart from the ruins of the palace & penthouse of the Parricidal King Kashyapa, you will be rewarded with the breathtaking views.

The Sigiriya Museum shows photos of the excavation of Sigiriya, reproductions of the frescoes, examples & translations of some of the graffiti on the Mirror Wall, and artifacts excavated from the site. You might spend an additional 30 - 60 minutes exploring the various nooks & crannies in the gardens.

Located about 1 km north of the Sigiriya Rock near the entrance, is the Pidurangala (Cave, Temple & Rock). Pidurangala rock is almost as high as its famous neighbor & provides a pleasant view onto its sibling as well as the surrounding area, which beats every postcard image you have ever seen. The trail starts to the right and going up. Further on, this will become a rocky stairway also leading to the meditation bunks of the monks.

The scenery & the view is really something & well worth the effort, and the vegetation is of a rough, almost unearthly beauty. From the summit, you can also see the mountains of Kandy, Pollonaruwa, Anuradhapura & the rain forest.

Come down after capturing some memorable photos & continue on to the hotel in Kandalama.

Return to the hotel.

Balance of the day is at leisure (we will be happy to offer suggestions).

Morning, at 08:00 am, leave with the Tour-guide, for a full day 8 hour excursion to the second most ancient city, Polonnaruwa, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, which will take you through its rich dynastic past. And then a game drive at  Minneriya National Park.

Established (1015) next to the shimmering waters of the Parakrama Samudra, a man - made lake, the region was described as the ‘Granary of the Orient ’in ancient chronicles.

With roots that date back more than 3000 years, the ancient city is known to be one of the best planned archeological sites in the country. Kings ruled the central plains of Sri Lanka from Polonnaruwa 800 years ago, when it was a thriving commercial & religious centre. From here, free-marketers haggled for rare goods & the pious prayed at any one of its numerous temples. The glories of that age can be found in archaeological treasures which give a pretty good idea of how the city looked in its heyday.

You will find compact core of the archaeological park a delight to explore, with hundreds of ancient structures - intricately carved lotus pillars, meditative halls, ceremonial towers, tombs & temples, statues & stupas and magnificent royal baths & palace ruins.  

Facing a cliff face of granite, view the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site of Gal Vihara, a historic wonder & an illustration of the country’s great craftsmanship.

The Gal Vihare is an ancient rock temple that is famously known for its colossal statues of the Lord Buddha, one of which is standing on a carving of a lotus in the blessing posture.

Part of Parakramabahu I’s northern monastery, this is an ensemble of beautiful imposing & inspirational Buddha images that probably marks the high point of Sinhalese rock carving. Gal Vihara consists of 4 separate images, hewn out of a single massive slab of granite. At one time, each was enshrined within a separate enclosure.

The standing Buddha is 7m tall & is said to be the finest of the series. The unusual crossed position of the arms & sorrowful facial expression led to the theory that it was an image of the Buddha’s disciple Ananda, grieving for his master’s departure for nirvana, since the reclining image is next to it. The fact that it had its own separate enclosure, along with the discovery of other images with the same arm position, has discredited this theory & it is now accepted that all the images are of the Buddha.

The reclining Buddha depicted entering Parinirvana (nirvana after death) is 14m long. Notice the subtle depression in the pillow under the head and the lotus symbols on the pillow end & on the soles of Buddha's feet.

The other two images are both of the seated Buddha. The carvings make superb use of the natural marbling in the rock. The one in the small rock cavity is smaller & of inferior quality.

Next, visit the Tivanka Pilimage, an ancient building with evidence of the era’s finest architecture, housing historical murals in their original form.

Polonnaruwa is also home to a man-made water body, Parakrama Samudra or Sea of Parakrama. The reservoir, expanded by the King Parakrama in 12^th century is an amalgamation of three individual reservoirs that have today resulted in prosperous irrigation & increased settlement.

Leave around lunch time & drive to Minneriya National Park.

The initial drive (along a very poor dirt road) into the heart of the Park is through dense forest, where wildlife sightings are rare. But then the landscape opens up dramatically & the views across the tank are superb.

This Park is one of the best places in the country to see wild elephants, which are often present in huge numbers as well as the huge flocks of birds (cormorants & painted storks to name but a few) that come to fish in the shallow waters.

It is dominated by the ancient 3^rd century AD Minneriya Tank built by King Mahasena, During the dry season (June to September), this tank is an incredible place to observe the elephants which can number 200 or more, come to bathe & graze on the grasses during what is known as ‘The Gathering’;.

Not close to being the largest tank in Sri Lanka, the Tank - with the woods that surround it forming the Minneriya-Giritale National Park - is nevertheless home to an extraordinary diversity of wildlife. If numbers interest you, there are 9 species of amphibians, 24 species of mammals, 25 species of reptiles, 26 species of fish (3 of which are endangered), 75 species of butterflies & 160 species of birds.

The park has plenty of scrub, forest & wetlands in its 88.9 sq km to also provide shelter for toque macaques, sambar deer, buffalo, crocodiles & leopards (the latter are very rarely seen however).

Making your way through the park, you will see elephants, Spotted Deer and also the Sambar, which is a deer with no spots and an apt scientific name, carves unicolor. If you're lucky, a leopard looking for food might cross your path.

But overhead is where the action really is. Sri Lanka, home to over 400 species of birds, has long been a birdwatcher's paradise. In Minneriya National Park alone, 160 species crowd the trees or strut on the banks.

You can afford to miss the Painted Storks, Great White Pelican, Gray Herons, and even the Ruddy Turnstones (whatever those are). But do try to spot the Sri Lanka Jungle Fowl, Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, Sri Lanka Brown-capped Babbler & Sri Lanka Gray Hornbill, because, as you can guess from their names, nowhere else are you going to find them but here, in Sri Lanka.

Return to the hotel.

Balance of the day is at leisure.

Morning, depart for the historical & sacred City of Kandy, another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

On arrival, Check-in at the hotel & relax for an hour.

Some say the beautiful, laidback Kandy is the only other real ‘city’ in Sri Lanka, other than Colombo. A large city in central Sri Lanka, set amidst forested hills on a plateau surrounded by mountains, which are home to tea plantations & biodiverse rainforest.  Locally, Kandy is known as either Maha Nuwara (Great City) or just Nuwara (City), which is what some conductors on Kandy-bound buses call out.

The name Kandy conjures visions of splendor & magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions & folklore are still lovingly kept alive. The easy-going capital of the Hill Country has a lot to offer - history, culture, & a touch of urban buzz. Only 115 km inland from the capital, climatically it is a world away due to its 500m altitude.

Kandy served as the capital of the last Sinhalese kingdom, which fell to the British in 1815 after defying the Portuguese & Dutch for 3 centuries. It took the British 11 years to build a road linking Kandy with Colombo, a task they finally completed in 1831. The town & the countryside around it, is lush & green & there are many pleasant walks from the town & further afield. The town centre, close to Kandy’s picturesque lake set in a bowl of hills, is a delightful jumble of old shops, antique & gemstone specialists, a bustling market & a very good selection of restaurants. As night falls the city becomes eerily quiet.

History & culture are on tap. Yes, the city is renowned for the great Kandy Esala Perahera festival (held annually in July/August), but its vibrant cultural life & attractions more than justify a visit at any time of year. The city's heart is scenic Kandy Lake (Bogambara Lake), which is popular for strolling & its vibrant cultural life & attractions more than justify a visit at any time of year.

Some days Kandy’s skies seem perpetually bruised, with stubborn mist clinging to the hills surrounding the city’s beautiful centrepiece lake. Delicate hill-country breezes impel the mist to gently part, revealing colourful houses amid Kandy’s improbable forested halo. In the centre of town, three-wheelers careen around slippery corners, raising a soft spray that threatens the silk saris worn by local women. Here is a city that looks good even when it is raining.  And when the drizzle subsides, cobalt-blue skies reveal a city of imposing colonial-era & Kandyan architecture.

After freshening up, meet the Tour-guide in the Lobby & proceed for 4 hour sightseeing tour to discover the former capital of the Sri Lankan kings.

Drive in a Tuk Tuk around the Kandy Lake built by the last Sinhala king Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798, as an additional feature for the beautifully laid out Temple of Tooth complex.

Also called the Milky Ocean, the Lake remains partially incomplete due to the British invasion in 1815. Several legends are connected to Kandy Lake & it is believed that the king installed a secret tunnel from its island to the palace. Nowadays, it remains one of the most highly regarded sights in the country &, despite its location in the center of the bustling city, the lake makes for a wonderful stroll & a respite from the noise of motorbikes & market vendors.

Proceed to one of the holiest places in Sri Lanka, Sri Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the Tooth Relic. The golden-roofed temple is supposedly home to a tooth of Buddha and during the puja, the time of offering & prayers, tourists as well as religious followers are able to inspect the gold casket in which it is guarded.

The Temple itself is located in the royal palace complex, which encompasses several temples & museums. It was originally believed that the holder of the tooth relic would also be the rightful governor of Sri Lanka. Particularly noteworthy is the annual Perahera, during which the Tooth is paraded around the city accompanied by around 65 colourfully decorated elephants.

Continue on visit the Lankatilaka Temple. Often described as one of the most remarkable temples in Sri Lanka, Lankatilaka brings together Hindu & Buddhist traditions, depicted in carvings of the structure. Its brick walls with two polygonal piers that flank the entrance, give it a majestic ambience.

Also view the 14^th century Embekke Temples, with its carved wooden pillars & intricate designs and the Gadaladeniya temple with its South Asian flavour.

You might also get an opportunity, depending on the time, to visit Kandy Arts & Crafts Centre where you can buy Kandyan silver & brass ware, metal work, lacquer work, wood & bone carvings, pottery & hand woven fabrics, a Gem Museum and a lapidary.

Balance of the afternoon is at leisure.

Early evening around 05.00 pm, you will be met by the Tour-guide & walk to the Kandyan Art Association & Cultural Centre which showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Kandyan Kingdom. The Centre overlooks the scenic lake as it is located along its shore. Early Birds can also be privy to handicraft showroom & workshops that are located alongside the Centre.

The 1 hour Dance show gives you the opportunity to witness a spectacular display of Kandyan dancing, Sri Lanka’s iconic art form, which includes elaborate costumes, boisterous mass drumming & flamboyant dancing. It gives you an introduction to the various dance forms of the Kandyan hill country as well as the low country.

You will enjoy a spectacular performance that includes the cobra dance, mask dance, the Ginisila, showing power over fire. The entire frenetic & colorful spectacle climaxes with the amazing & exciting fire walking, which will leave you mesmerised.

After the Performance ends, you will walk to the Temple of the Tooth Relic again, to see the puja ceremony. During the puja (offering of prayers) the normally heavily guarded room, housing the tooth, is open to visitors. You don’t actually get to see the tooth, only the gold casket in which it is kept, but the experience is enthralling.

From here, you will walk out to a famous historical Kandy House Restaurant to enjoy authentic Kandyan Curries that are recipes handed down family to family over hundreds of years. Kandyan cuisine, typical for Sri Lankan Sinhalese, is considered the most superior of island food by the Kandyans themselves! The rich food has a distinct flavor, cooked in coconut milk & often fried in coconut oil.

Walk back to the hotel.

Full day is at leisure or perhaps opt for one of the many options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions for “optional’ programs & make arrangements).

Early morning at 07.00 am, depart for Nuwara Eliya. nicknamed “Little England” by locals.

On arrival, Check-in at one of the town’s colonial hotels.

Located at the heart of Sri Lanka's tea country producing a significant share of the world's best tea, the summer resort town of Nuwara Eliya, meaning ‘City of Light’ keeps its colonial hill station atmosphere more completely than any place in the subcontinent. As it is situated at a high altitude, the town is colder than anywhere else in Sri Lanka.

Often referred to as ‘Little England’, this genteel highland community does have a rose-tinted, vaguely British-country-village feel to it, with its colonial-era bungalows, Tudor-style hotels, well-tended hedgerows & pretty gardens.

Indeed, Nuwara Eliya was once was the favoured cool-climate escape for the hard-working and hard-drinking English & Scottish pioneers of Sri Lanka’s tea industry. It was a favoured stomping ground for the tea planters - the ‘wild men of the hills’ as one British governor called them.

The town centre is a concrete tangle but the outskirts still keep the atmosphere of a misplaced British village, with hedges, rose gardens and red-roofed bungalows sporting twee names. The colonial-era old Post Office, the Racecourse, the English country house styled Hill Club with its hunting pictures, mounted fish & hunting trophies & the 18 hole golf course at the Royal Nuwara Eliya Golf Club (dating back to 1889),  the beautiful parks & Gregory Lake, all somehow seem more British than Britain itself.

The verdant surrounding countryside of Tea Plantations, carefully tended vegetable plots & craggy hills is highly scenic. Nuwara Eliya’s fair assortment of country-style houses with large gardens have been turned over to vegetables, making this one of Sri Lanka’s main market-gardening centres.

Sri Lanka's highest mountain Pidurutalagala (8282 feet) is also in the area.

Nuwara Eliya has a fair assortment of country-style houses with large gardens - many have been turned over to vegetables, making this one of Sri Lanka’s main market-gardening centres.

No better way to introduce yourself to what was labeled “Little England” than to have a cup of tea on the verandah of the British Colonial Hill Club built in 1876 - it is a huge part of Sri Lanka’s history.

Nuwara Eliya is located at the heart of Sri Lanka's tea country producing a significant share of the world's best tea.

Shortly after, you will meet the Tour-guide & embark on a 4 hour tour to learn how Ceylon tea is processed from raw leaves to the final product.

Formerly known as ‘Ceylon’, Sri Lanka stands as the world’s fourth largest producer of tea. The tea drinking culture within this island country is strong, with Sri Lankans drinking on average 3 cups per day. In an attempt to compete with China‘s tea production, the British introduced tea plantations to Sri Lanka in 1867 & since, the country has become the producer of some of the world’s finest teas, from single origins to mixed fruit blends.

The experienced guide will introduce you to the process of growing & harvesting, whilst providing in depth information about Sri Lankan tea culture. Wander through the tea gardens & visit the local tea pluckers creche that is supported by Ceylon Tea Trails and the MJF Foundation.

You will gain an insight into Sri Lanka’s tea making history by visiting an old tea factory & exploring their process. You will also see how the newer factories function, producing some of the finest single origin tea in Sri Lanka.

Halpewatte Tea Factory specializes in producing some of the finest single origin tea in Sri Lanka & has been doing so for the past 35 years. The factory stands as one of the largest tea factories in the region of Uva. They responsibly promote sustainability through their tea production, in addition to their engagement with tourism. The knowledgeable staff gives you a glance into the bustling & varied work of growing tea for the rest of the world to enjoy.

As the tour concludes, learn the art of becoming a discerning tea taster with the Master himself, Andrew Taylor - a descendent of James Taylor who planted the first tea seed in Sri Lanka in 1867.

The Tea Center on the Estate is a good place to purchase some of the area’s best quality teas, which make the perfect gift.

Return to the hotel.

Balance of the day is at leisure.

Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 06.00 am & proceed for a full day 8 hour excursion to Horton Plains National Park. Stone tools dating back to Balangoda culture have been found here.

Horton Plains National Park is a protected area in the central highlands of Sri Lanka & is covered by montane grassland & cloud forest. Its surroundings forests & the adjoining peak Wilderness constitute Sri Lanka’s most important catchment area of almost all major rivers. The plains are also of outstanding scenic beauty & conservation importance, containing most of the habitats and endemic plants & animals representatives of the country’s wet & montane zones.

The ‘plains’ themselves form an undulating plateau over 2000m high, covered by wild grasslands & interspersed with patches of thick forest, rocky outcrops, filigree waterfalls & misty lakes. The surprising diversity of the landscape is matched by the wide variety of wildlife. Large herds of Sri Lankan sambar deer feature as typical mammals, and the park is also an Important Bird Area with many species not only endemic to Sri Lanka but restricted to the Horton Plains.

The sheer precipice of World's End & Baker's Falls are among the tourist attractions of the park. The plateau comes to a sudden end at World’s End, a stunning escarpment that plunges 880m. Unless you get there early the view from World’s End is often obscured by mist, particularly during the rainy season (from April to September). Best time to visit is early morning (between 06.00 am & 10.00 am) before the clouds roll in. That is when you will spy toy-town tea plantation villages in the valley below, and an unencumbered view south towards the coast.

Return to the hotel.

Balance of the day is at leisure.

Morning, depart around 07.00 am for Uda Walawe National Park.

On arrival, Check-in at the lodge.

The lightly vegetated Uda Walawe Park on the 308.2-sq km centres around the massive man-made Uda Walawe Reservoir. The dry weather & short, grassy vegetation provides an ideal setting for game viewing Uda Walawe is undoubtedly one of the best places in Sri Lanka to see wild Asian Elephants throughout the year.

It rivals the savannah reserves of Africa. In fact, for elephant watching, Uda Walawe surpasses many of the most famous East African national parks. There are about 500 elephants in the park & they often roam in herds of up to 100. Uda Walawe National Park is unique in terms of consistency in numbers of elephants roaming in the Park.

You may spot other animals in the Park including water buffalo, wild boar, spotted deer, sambar deer, jackal, black-naped hare, mongooses, bandicoots, foxes, the endemic toque macaque & gray langurs. If you are lucky, you might be able to see a leopard & other smaller cats, such as fishing cat & jungle cat.

Afternoon, at 02.00 pm, proceed for game viewing at the Park. It is not uncommon to see a whole herd of elephants at a watering hole during your visit.

4WDs or open-top jeeps will bring you within close range of members of the park’s resident elephant population. You will have great photographic opportunities of capturing mesmerizing sunset with your camera.

The accompanying Rangers are normally very knowledgeable about the Park & its animals and seem to have hawk like wildlife-spotting eyes (a Tip is expected & appreciated).    

Return to the hotel.

Balance of the day is at leisure.

Morning, Check-out by 07.00 am & visit the Elephant Transit Home.

Elephant Transit Home is a unique establishment in Sri Lanka, where nearly 35 baby elephants are being taken care of, with minimal human intervention. These baby elephants have lost their mothers to natural causes, or due to the perpetual conflict between elephants & humans. Baby elephants are given all the care they need - food, medical attention, and shelter - until they are ready to be re-introduced into the wild to live a normal elephant life. Visitors can see these baby elephants playing with their friends, and being fed milk in elephant-sized portions.

Spend an hour there & then drive on to Yala.

Enroute stop at Bundala National Park.

Much less visited than nearby Yala National Park, Bundala National Park, covering an area of 6216 hectares of eco-tourism appeal, is a fantastic maze of waterways, lagoons & dunes that glitter like gold in the dying evening sun. The terrain is generally flat with sand dunes bordering the coastline & vegetation consists mainly of dry thorny scrublands & lagoons.

The bio diversity of this Park is immense: A total of 383 plant species have been recorded from the Park, including 6 endemics and 7 species that are considered nationally threatened.

This wonderland provides a home to thousands of colourful birds ranging from diminutive little bee-eaters to memorably ugly open-billed storks. The bird life is also diverse. For keen bird-watchers, the complex wetland system harbours a rich bird life (approximately 197 species) within its 62 sq.km area, with many including several species of migratory waterfowl, journeying from Siberia & the Rann of Kutch in India to winter here, arriving between August & April (December to March is the peak time). It is also a winter home to the greater flamingo & up to 2000 have been recorded here at one time.

It is also home to 32 different species of mammal, 5 of which are classified as threatened. It also has a small but very visible population of elephants (between 15 & 60 depending on the season, December is the best month), as well as civets, giant squirrels & lots of crocodiles. Between October & January, four of Sri Lanka’s 5 species of marine turtles (olive ridley, green, leatherback & loggerhead) lay their eggs on the coast. The thorny scrub jungle is also home to spotted deer, the rare pangolin & the playful grey langur monkey.

Spend a couple of hours on a game viewing safari at the Park in 4WDs or open-top jeeps.

You will have great photographic opportunities of capturing mesmerizing sunset with your camera.

Continue on to Yala National Park.

Arrive by late afternoon & Check-in at lodge.

Situated in Sri Lanka’s south-east hugging the panoramic Indian Ocean, Yala was designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1900 & was designated a National Park in 1938. The Yala National Park is the most visited & second largest in Sri Lanka. Divided into 5 blocks, the Park has a protected area of nearly 130,000 hectares of land consisting of light forests, scrubs, grasslands, tanks & lagoons. 2 blocks are currently opened to the public.

Ironically, the Park was initially used as a hunting ground for the elite under British rule. Yala is home to 44 varieties of mammal & 215 bird species. Among its more famous residents are the world’s biggest concentration of leopards, majestic elephants, sloth bears, sambars, jackals, spotted dear, peacocks & crocodiles.

This is leopard country & they are the Lords of the Jungle! With a leopard density that's higher than anywhere else on this planet, these menacing predators prowl majestically in Yala, while elephants roam in their numbers with cautious deer scampering by their side. It is home to Panthera pardus kotiya, a majestic leopard endemic to Sri Lanka.

But among the glorious spectacle of wildlife, you would also witness the tell-tale signs of a lost civilization. The 2000 year old Monastic settlement of Sithulpawwa, an important pilgrim site, is said to have housed 12,000 inhabitants seeking solace. The restored rock Temple, among a series of well-preserved ancient temples offers a glimpse into a glittering past. What is today a pristine wildlife kingdom, Yala was home to a thriving civilization, dating back to the glory days of Sri Lankan Kings. Hundreds of tanks, most in dilapidated state today, are testimony to an agri-based civilization. The large, thriving tanks now provide a lifeline to the animal kingdom, especially during dry season.

Balance of the day is at leisure.

Morning at leisure.

Late afternoon, you will be picked up for a game viewing safari accompanied by an experienced naturalist who shares knowledge of the animals that call this wildlife kingdom home, including roaming elephants, wild boars, wild buffaloes, bears, deer, crocodiles and more leopards per area than anywhere else on the planet! Large flocks of migratory and indigenous birds can also be found here.

Leopards are nocturnal, so the best chance of seeing one in the wild is either at dawn or at dusk. The evening safari will enable you to see leopards as they come out of their daytime slumber.

Whether you are an avid nature lover or visiting a wildlife park for the first time, if you come here with a mind that’s eager to explore and learn, you will go away with new-found meaning to life after visiting the areas that bring you up, close & personal with untamed world of wildlife.  .

Return to the hotel.

Balance of the evening is at leisure.

Early morning, depart for Galle, driving through idyllic & picturesque farm country.

Arrive by early afternoon & Check-in at the hotel.

The quaint town of Galle, once the chief port of Ceylon & a living time capsule. Pass through one of the Fort gates & you are transported back to the Dutch colonial era. Most travellers are utterly seduced by Galle's ambience & it is undoubtedly southern Sri Lanka's one unmissable sight.

Galle (pronounced 'gawl'in English & 'gaar-le' in Sinhala), a UNESCO World Heritage Site is a jewel - the big unmissable destination in the south. It is at once endlessly exotic, bursting with the scent of spices & salty winds, and yet also, with its wonderful collection of imposing Dutch-colonial buildings, ancient mosques & churches, grand mansions & museums, a town of great beauty. Classic architecture melds with a dramatic tropical setting to create a reality that is endlessly interesting.

Above all else, Galle is a city of trade & increasingly, art. Today, the historic Fort area is crammed full of little boutique shops, cafes & hotels owned by local & foreign artists, writers, photographers, designers & poets - a third of the houses are owned by foreigners.

Originally built by the Portuguese & later extended by the Dutch in 1663, Galle's core is the 36 hectare UNESCO Heritage listed Fort, a walled enclave surrounded on 3 sides by the ocean & forms the older part of Galle. Described by the notoriously hard-to-please Paul Theroux as being ‘garlanded with red hibiscus & smelling of the palm-scented ocean, the Fort is an amazing collection of structures & culture dating back through the centuries.

A key part of the Fort’s allure, it remains a working community: inside there are administrative offices, courts, export companies & lots of regular folks populating the streets & a definite buzz of energy in the air.

Some excellent boutique hotels have opened & locals are busily selling their often amazing unrestored vintage buildings to foreigners & speculators. The Fort is definitely one of those places that in a few years will have people saying: ‘Oh you should have seen it before.’ Galle is still well known for its hand-made lace.

Balance of the day is at leisure for independent explorations (we shall be only too happy to offer suggestions).

Wandering its rambling lanes at random yields one architectural surprise after another as you explore the amazing collection of structures dating back through the centuries. You will pass stylish cafes, quirky boutiques & impeccably restored hotels owned by local & foreign artists, writers, photographers & designers.

You may also want to enjoy a relaxing time at one of the best beaches in the world. The calm waters of Unwatuna Bay & Thalpe offers you a chance to lie down & catch some sun, go for a long walk on a beautiful beach, or just dive in to the still waters. Unawatuna is great for diving & snorkelling.

Get up at dawn today & accompanied by the Tour-guide, proceed at 06.00 am to Mirissa Fishing Harbor - a staging point for boat trips in the ocean for an opportunity to see whale & dolphins.

Whale watching remains a year around leisure activity in Sri Lanka & the coast here has the largest colony of blue whales anywhere in the world & Mirissa gives you the opportunity to see these marine mammals up close in their natural habitat. Several species of dolphin & whale inhabit these waters.

Mirissa & especially the Dondra Point, is a remarkable location to spot several species of Whales such as the Blue Whale, Bryde’s Whale, Fin Whale & the Sperm Whale. These charming giants live in salty water which is believed to help the whales to recover rapidly from injuries & be resistant to sickness.

In addition to these marvelous Whales, you would also spot the adorable & intelligent Dolphins. The Bottle nosed Dolphin, Spinner Dolphin, Risso’s Dolphin & even the Stripped Dolphin could be seen. Pods of Dolphins can be seen accompanying boats frequently during the said months.

The best season to watch whales in Mirissa is from November to April as the Ocean remains calm & warm, providing the most perfect environment to watch Whales & Dolphins in a closer proximity. Blue & Sperm Whales in large numbers frequent the coastline of Sri Lanka during this period, not too far from the beach. (Other months also possible but the sea may be rough & operation will be subjective).

Draped in safety jackets, you may sit freely on the large Trimaran double deck boat which can hold up to 100 passengers. Enjoy & snap memorable pictures.  

Head back to Shore after a cruise of 3 to 5 hours & disembark.

Transfer back to the hotel & relax for rest of the morning.

Later in the afternoon, meet the Tour-guide again at 02:00 pm & embark on a 4 hour tour of this charming medieval city steeped in history.

Begin with a visit to Galle’s natural harbour and historic Dutch Fortress - Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site, originally built by the Portuguese and later extended by the Dutch in 1663. Still as polished & new, the fortress holds more than 400 years of history housing a museum, towering light house & imposing ramparts.

The real charm of Old Galle lies in the quiet back streets & alleyways of the historic fort, which have changed little, if at all, since colonial times.

Just wandering the streets at random yields one architectural surprise after another as you explore the amazing collection of structures dating back through the centuries.

Make your way to Weligama, where we walk through a small & peaceful park to a 3 metre rock structure, carefully carved out of the hillside. Legend has it that the structure is of 8^th or 9^th century Leper King. Other tales denote that the carving is of the Lord Buddha in a pose of meditation.

Next stop takes us to Kataluva Purvarama Maha Viharaya. Illustrating an interesting piece of social history the 13^th century, Purvarama Maha Viharaya is one of the most interesting temples located in south Sri Lanka, well known for its Kandyan style paintings, some of which date back 200 years. They depict the 500 previous lives of Lord Buddha. Another interesting fact is that there are cameo style paintings of Queen Victoria and the Queen Mother in gratitude for ensuring the free practice of Buddhism during the British occupation of Sri Lanka.

Walk under the coat of arm of Queen Victoria, as you enter the monastery, with painted sculptures & murals, interspersed with images of the Lord Buddha.

Antiques, lace, traditional arts & crafts are the main souvenirs in Galle that you can pick up at various shops & stalls. There are a few gem shops around the Galle Fort too that sell semi-precious stone jewelry set in silver. The antique shops are well worth the visit too because of the town’s history of centuries old trading that goes as far as the era of King Solomon. The Fort is definitely one of those places that in a few years will have people saying: ‘Oh you should have seen it before.’ Galle is still well known for its hand-made lace.

Return to the hotel & freshen up as the day is not finished yet.

Tonight you will be treated to an amazing dinners in a secret location. Indulge your taste buds with fine food that is fresh, delicious & healthy at Kahanda Kanda. Cooked only with fruits, vegetables & herbs grown on the estate, supplemented with a selection of the freshest local produce to create simple, fusion dishes and classic Sri Lankan curries to pamper your palates with good health.

Return to the hotel. Or dare & explore the seaside city of Galle by night!

Morning, depart for Colombo.

On arrival, Check-in at the hotel.

Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, has a long history as a port on ancient east-west trade routes, ruled successively by the Portuguese, Dutch & British and. draws together all the colours & cultures that make up this island nation, condenses them into a patchwork of markets, gardens & buildings both humble & grand, and knocks them against a narrow slab of beachfront. 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.

Cosmopolitan Colombo, gateway to the wonder of Sri Lanka, boasts a rich colonial heritage, featuring a melting pot of races, religions & cultures. The legacies of colonial Colombo's garden roots are still very much intact along its often-shady boulevards. That heritage is reflected in its architecture, mixing colonial buildings with high-rises & shopping malls. The imposing Colombo National Museum, dedicated to Sri Lankan history, borders sprawling Viharamahadevi Park & its giant Buddha.

A city of contrasts, it is both an eclectic mix of shiny hotels & swanky office blocks, neighbouring beautiful red-tiled colonial-era buildings. Sprawling bustling street markets brim with fragrant spices, colourful silks, cottons and fresh fruit & vegetables

This seaside city offers a plethora of exciting adventures, experiences & places to visit. Delight in an exhilarating tuk tuk ride around the city, relish high tea at a magnificent colonial style hotel overlooking the azure ocean & play a round of golf on scenic green courses. Colombo’s cosmopolitan side supports ever-more stylish eateries, galleries & exquisite boutiques feature international brands & charming shops offer colourful local art & textured fabrics. The home of the famed Ceylon tea, delve into the vast array of fragrant flavoured teas, including banana & brandy.

Surprises abound: with a little exploration you will find great local food, characterful shops & tiny, convivial cafes. Plunge into Colombo’s enticing street food scene, eat like a local, and immerse yourself in the sights, sounds & aromas of the whirling Pettah Bazaar brimming with markets & rampant commerce.

Some visitors will tire quickly of the diesel fumes & the modern buildings on Galle Road, the city’s main artery. There are plenty of cultural & historical attractions in areas such as Fort, Cinnamon Gardens & Pettah Bazaar - where one can shop for bargains. Discover Colombo’s multi-ethnic legacy with churches, mosques & temples congregating on the same streets, and delve into iconic sites including Fort Station, the Red Mosque & the Khan clock tower.

Other places of interest are a Hindu & 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.

Featuring a fascinating heritage and enticing culture, Sri Lanka‘s capital is one of Asia’s favoured travel destinations. You will appreciate Colombo’s colonial heritage, its fine dining & shopping opportunities & the dash of urban buzz in an overwhelmingly rural country.

The largest, busiest & most populated in Sri Lanka, Colombo is a colourful city that grew from a small port town to being the most important centre for finance, trade, transport, education & everything else in the country.

Although reclaiming its 19^th century moniker 'the garden city of the East' is unlikely, Colombo is rapidly emerging as a must-see stop in Sri Lanka. No longer just the sprawling city to be endured on your way to the southern beaches, it has become a worthy destination in its own right. Colombo’s cosmopolitan side supports ever-more stylish eateries, galleries & museums.

The Fort is in the midst of widespread historic restoration of its landmark colonial architecture, while Pettah brims with markets & rampant commerce.

Shortly after, meet the Tour-guide & embark on a 4 hour sightseeing tour.

A tour of Colombo city - a mix of colonial era and modern buildings - is a must, & shopping opportunities are aplenty - from street vendors to the more glitzy shopping malls - and bargains are to be had everywhere.

You will appreciate Colombo’s colonial heritage, its fine dining & shopping opportunities, and the dash of urban buzz in an overwhelmingly rural country.

Start with a short walk through the city’s central business district, where you will admire a number of colonial buildings.

Drive around as you check out city sights like Colombo Harbour, the Fort Clock Tower, Colombo Lighthouse & the President’s House. Then pass by Chatham Street, a now-trendy area that was off-limits for many years due to Sri Lanka’s civil war.

As your nimble driver ducks & weaves in between people, buses & bikes, you will zoom onward to visit Wolvendaal Church, a colonial-era Dutch structure that dates back more than 360 years. Take a look at the church’s collection of old tombstones from the city’s historic Dutch governors & then have a talk with the church keeper, who can share insights into city history & culture.

Head next to Sri Kaileshwarm Kovil (Captain’s Garden Hindu Temple), the main worship site for Colombo residents.

Then, off to Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara Temple.

It is believed Buddha visited the site of this temple on his 3^rd visit to Sri Lanka. Suitably grand & labyrinthine, it has a dramatic past. The original temple was destroyed by Indian invaders, restored & then destroyed again by the Portuguese in the 16^th century. The Dutch restored it again in the 18^th century in order to curry favour locally.

Then drive to Galle Face Green, the main north-south artery of the city in the area known as the Fort, once a colonial stronghold but now the site of many government buildings & interesting shops. At the south end of the Green is the Galle Face Hotel, a beautiful colonial-era hotel.

Walk by the ocean-facing urban park of Galle Face Green, a seaside expanse where informal cricket games are played out amongst city folk enjoying a pleasant stroll. You can also enjoy delicious local cuisine here.

Just east of the Fort is the Pettah, the traditional bazaar district - a colourful retail experience. Sri Lanka is known for its garment industry, manufacturing high quality clothes at affordable prices.

Just beyond the centre is the affluent Cinnamon Gardens district of the city.

Cinnamon Gardens is Colombo’s most gentrified area. A century ago it was covered in 289 acres of cinnamon trees on the Plantations. The cinnamon trade in Sri Lanka goes as far back to the time when Augustus Caesar ruled Rome. The Romans had communications with India & it is said that they traded largely in cinnamon obtained from Sri Lanka.

Today, it contains elegant tree-lined streets with posh mansions, as numerous foreign diplomatic missions, stylish cafes & shops, sports grounds and a cluster of museums & galleries.

Colombo’s vivid white, domed 1928 Old Town Hall overlooks the area’s heart, Viharamahadevi Park. To the south is the striking Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre, which opened in 2011. It is also the location of the Colombo Department of Meteorology & its Observatory, which gained due prominence after the Tsumani & is a major part of emergency management structure. The Prime Minister's Office is located here.

Drive by & stop for Photo break at the Independence Square located just a few minutes away from the Old Parliament building & the War Memorial.

Located within Independence Square (formally Torrington Square) in Cinnamon Gardens, is the Independence Commemoration Hall, the national monument built at the location where the formal ceremony to commemorate the independence of Ceylon from British rule with the establishment of the Dominion of Ceylon, marking the start of self-rule & the opening of the first parliament by the HRH Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester occurred at a special podium February 4, 1948.

Located at the head of the monument is the statue of the first prime minister of the country Rt. Hon. Don Stephen Senanayake the 'The Father of the Nation'. Most of the annual National Independence Day celebrations take place here.

Last stop will be Gangaramaya Temple, one of the most important Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka.

Run by one of Sri Lanka’s more politically adept monks, Galboda Gnanissara Thera, this bustling temple complex has a library, a museum & an extraordinarily eclectic array of bejewelled & gilded gifts presented by devotees & well-wishers over the years (plus one lonely & chained temple elephant named Ganga). Gangaramaya

is the centre for the most extravagant annual festival Navam Perahera Vesak celebrations on the February poya (full moon) day.

The sightseeing ends & you return to the hotel.

Balance of the day free for independent explorations or for optional activities (we shall be only too happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

You may catch up on your shopping. Sri Lanka is known for its garment industry, manufacturing high quality clothes at affordable prices.

Alas, the experience comes to an end & it is time to say good-bye to Sri Lanka’s warm hospitality & heritage. & go home.  We sure hope that you may want to discover a bit more of this idyllic island on your next visit.
 

Check-out of the hotel by 12:00 noon (if the departure time is later in the evening, we will request the hotel to allow usage of the facilities & to leave the luggage at the Bell Desk). 

In time, you will be met by a Journeys Rep, who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to Terminal? - Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport, for the flight back home.  B

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