Sri Lanka – Beauty and Culture Tour (10D/9N)

Day 01: Arrival in Sri Lanka – Transfer to Dambulla

Arrive in Sri Lanka. You will be met by a representative of Insight Holidays and transferred to Dambulla. At leisure in the hotel. Dinner & Overnight stay at Dambulla.

• Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage: Approx 55 miles from Colombo, started in 1975 for abandoned and wounded elephants. Currently houses over 65 elephants, including babies from captive breeding. Best visiting times: Feeding – 0930-1000 & 1330-1400 hrs, Bathing – 1000-1230 & 1400-1600 hrs.
• Dambulla Cave Temple (Golden Temple of Dambulla): UNESCO World Heritage Site (1991), largest cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. Rock towers 160 m over plains, 153 Buddha statues, 3 Sri Lankan kings, 4 gods/goddesses, murals covering 2,100 sq meters, depicting Buddha's life events.

Day 02: Dambulla – Sigiriya – Pasikudha

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Transfer to Pasikudha. At leisure in hotel. Overnight stay at Pasikudha.

• Sigiriya Rock Fortress: UNESCO World Heritage Site, 5th-century fortress called Lion Rock. Royal Palace foundations, water tanks, frescoes of 21 damsels, Water Gardens, Fountain Garden, Summerhouses, Boulder Gardens, and caves.

Day 03: Pasikudha – Trincomalee – Pasikudha

Breakfast at the hotel. Proceed to Trincomalee (272 Km, approx 7 hrs drive). Return to Pasikudha. Overnight stay at Pasikudha.

• Thiru Koneshwaram Temple & Hot Water Spring: Built by sage Agasthyar per Lord Shiva’s instructions. Unique as Lord Shiva built temple for devotee King Ravana. Lord Rama also offered prayers here to remove Brahmaasthi Dosham.

Day 04: Pasikudha – Arugambey

Breakfast at the hotel. Proceed to Arugambey. Check in to the hotel. At leisure. Dinner & Overnight stay at Arugambey.

Day 05: Arugambey – Ella

Breakfast at the hotel. Proceed to Ella. Check in to the hotel. At leisure. Overnight stay at Ella.

Day 06: Ella Sightseeing

Breakfast at the hotel.

• Nine Arch Bridge & Ravana Waterfall: 30-meter high Demodara Nine Arch Bridge, reachable by 30-min walk through lush green tea fields. Walking on the bridge is allowed and highly recommended.

Overnight stay at Ella.

Day 07: Ella – Nuwara Eliya – Kandy

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Nuwara Eliya and sightseeing. Transfer to Kandy. Evening visit Kandy Tooth Relic Temple. Overnight stay at Kandy.

• Nuwara Eliya: "Little England" of Sri Lanka, with mountains, valleys, waterfalls, tea plantations, Victorian cottages, and Queen Ann style mansions. Victoria Park is perfect for strolls. Best visited in spring (March–May) & fall (Aug–Sep).
• Sita Amman Temple
• Kandy: Hill capital, annual Perahera venue, last stronghold of Sinhala Kings ceded in 1815. Temple shrines and monasteries reflect Buddhism’s influence.
• Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic: 4th-century A.D relic brought from India, considered Sri Lanka’s most prized possession.

Day 08: Kandy – Royal Botanical Gardens – Bentota

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya and Gem & Lapidary Museum in Kandy. Transfer to Bentota. At leisure in the hotel. Overnight stay at Bentota.

• Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya: 147 acres, started 1374, over 5,000 species of trees/plants/creepers. Features Spice Garden, Orchid House, Palm Avenues, including Royal Palm Avenue and Double Coconuts.

Day 09: Bentota – Mirissa – Bentota

Packed breakfast. Proceed to Mirissa. Early morning whale watching. Evening sightseeing in Galle. Return to Bentota. Overnight stay at Bentota.

• Galle: Historic town and major port, with lighthouse, harbour, Dutch Fort (UNESCO World Heritage Site), traditional lace makers and wood carvers.

Day 10: Departure

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to airport to connect with departure flight. End of tour.

Hotels

Package Rates 3? Hotels (US$ per person sharing DBL room)

Package Rates 4? Hotels (US$ per person sharing DBL room)

Child Rates

Child with bed – 60% of adult rate, Child without bed – 35% of adult rate.

Inclusions

• Accommodation at mentioned hotels or similar.
• Transport in an A/C Car / Micro van with English-speaking chauffeur guide.
• Sightseeing as mentioned above.
• Entrance fees to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Dambulla Cave Temple, Sigiriya Rock, Peradeniya Botanical Garden, Kandy Tooth Relic Temple, Turtle Farm & Mirissa Whale Watching.
• Value added tax.
• Meeting and assistance at the airport.

Exclusions

• All entrance fees not mentioned above.
• Early check-in & late check-out.
• Meals not mentioned in the itinerary.
• Camera & video permit.
• Visa & other charges (Entry Visa Fees).
• Any personal expenses.
• Any other expenses not mentioned above.
• Tips & portages.