After breakfast proceed to the Dambulla Rock Cave Temple. (Approx. Distance – 15km / transfer time: 15 to 20 minutes)

The cave complex is home to the Golden Temple of Dambulla or the Dambulla Cave Temple Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Golden Temple of Dambulla is the largest and best preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. It towers 530 feet above the surrounding plains with sweeping views of the Sigiriya Lion Rock and the Kandyan Hills in the distance. The Cave monastery, home to Buddhist monks is covered with exquisite 2,000 year-old murals depicting the life and times of the Lord Buddha. The shrines also house a collection of 157 statues of Buddha in various sizes and poses, including a 15 meter long reclining Buddha and vividly coloured frescoes on the walls and ceiling, making this the largest antique painted surface in the world.

Thereafter, you will visit a spice garden and batik factory in Matale en-route to Kandy. (Approx. Distance – 65km / transfer time: 1.5 to 2 hours). Here you will be able to see different spices and aromatics for which Sri Lanka has been famous for centuries.

Thereafter proceed to Kandy, tucked away amidst lush evergreen forests at an elevation of 1640 ft and the gateway to the highlands. (Approx. Distance – 25km / transfer time: 1 to 1.5 hours)

Upon arrival, check into the hotel.

OVERNIGHT AT KANDY.

After the breakfast you will be proceed to Millennium elephant foundation in Pinnawela.

Millennium Elephant Foundation (MEF) a non-government organization (NGO) which is dedicated to improving the welfare of domestic elephants throughout Sri Lanka. Home of the new and exclusive Elephant Walk Experience. The alternative to elephant riding option for tourists. An ethical, up close and personal experience unique to MEF. The most interactive enjoyable way to see domestic elephants in Sri Lanka. The foundation has an international elephant volunteer program 365 days per year where the team is dedicated to the daily care of elephants and welcome applicants from all over the world. During the visit you will experience "How to bathe en Elephant" in a small stream near Pinnawala Orphanage.

After lunch, commence a City tour of Kandy visiting the Kandy Market, Kandy upper lake drive, Gem museum, Arts & Crafts Centre etc.

Late afternoon explore the city of Kandy and visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic which is located in the royal palace complex which houses the Relic of the tooth of Buddha. The entire complex is part of another UNESCO world heritage site.

On completion of the temple visit witness a cultural dance show.

The Royal City of Kandy is a World Heritage Site, as is the Temple of the Tooth, an important shrine to Buddhists the world over, since it contains a relic of the Lord Buddha’s Tooth. Kandy has a scintillating blend of ancient Sinhala architecture and contemporary architecture. The myriad colours, the pulsating atmosphere of the town center, sprinkled with amazing scenery and enveloped by a salubrious climate helps in making Kandy a must-visit destination in Sri Lanka.

OVERNIGHT AT KANDY.

After breakfast visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. (Approx. Distance – 6km / transfer time: 20 mins)

This was originally the King’s own royal pleasure garden that was later converted in to a botanic garden and opened to the public. At the Royal Botanical Gardens at ‘Peradeniya’ you could treat your eyes to an amazing, wide and rare collection of tropical and temperate, exotic and indigenous flora, and an orchid house with the largest collection in Asia. The gardens host the most extensive collection of orchids in Asia and are home to over 4000 indigenous and foreign specimens, including ornamental and medicinal.

After that proceed to Peradeniya railway station and take the train to Nanu Oya. Train leaves Peradeniya @ 1230Noon and arrival to Nanu Oya at 1550Hrs.

Kandy was a base to start the scenic train journey through the Sri Lankan tea plantations to Nuwara Eliya (1,868m). The rail route to Nuwara Eliya rises slowly from the subtropical spice and banana trees to pine and eucalyptus forest. Hot to chilly, sunny to cloudy, dry to wet, this sedate and slow paced journey takes you through so many different habitats. Amongst the relaxing hues of green you’ll see every colour of the spectrum from the wide variety of flora along the route. Large blooms and petite flowers shimmer in the sun and light up the shade as you pass through mountain terraces, rock formations and forest woodlands. From Hatton, the scenery is the most spectacular, passing St Clair and Devon waterfalls on the left hand side and many tea plantations. You will pass through thousands acres of tea plantations, saw waterfalls and felt as if we were in the clouds at the highest summit of this railway. Finally after about four and a half hours, you will arrive at Nanu Oya station and from here there is a 15 minute drive to Nuwara Eliya.

On Completion proceed to Nuwara-Eliya. Evening sightseeing in Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya is set in the heart of tea-country is a beautiful town where the British succeeded in creating a replica of the English countryside, with homes in styles from Georgian to Tudor to Victorian to Queen Anne. Well-kept lawns with hedges, an Anglican church, a famous golf course and beautiful parks give the place an air of nostalgia. Situated 6,200 feet above sea level, the air is cool and fresh – a serene retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city life. The town is on the foothill of Pidurutalala, the highest mountain on the island, at 8,282ft. A near constant level of cloud cover, the gentle pitter-patter of raindrops, coniferous forests, and rolling fog, it is a place removed from the usual hustle and bustle of other towns in Sri Lanka. Hence, prime relaxation is guaranteed.

Horse and Pony riding is available at the Turf Club of Nuwara Eliya to facilitate you with some sports and adventure. A variety of activities are centred on the banks of Lake Gregory in the heart of Nuwara Eliya.

Upon Completion check in to your selected hotel.

OVERNIGHT AT NUWARA ELIYA.

After early breakfast leave for the Yala National Park via the famous Ella Falls. Ella itself is the namesake of a cozy, mountainside hamlet on the way down to the coastal plains of Yala. Along the way are numerous waterfalls in all their grandeur, mountains carpeted in tea estates and spectacular views of the plains through gaps in the mountains. The Ella Gap in particular is a popular tourist attraction, owing to the fact that you can catch a glimpse of the southern shore on a clear day, almost a 100km away!

On arrival at Yala by late afternoon, enjoy a Jeep Safari in the eponymous national park – the 2nd largest in Sri Lanka (yet most visited), with the highest density of Leopards in Asia.

Yala conjures up images of elephants, leopards, sloth bears, water buffaloes, wild boars, sambar deer, spotted deer, jackals and a whole host of exotic fauna. Indeed, it is the premier wildlife destination on the island. The park consists of 5 blocks with a combined area of around 1,260 sq.km, though only one-fifth is accessible by visitors, while the rest is strict nature reserve. In addition to mammals, there is an abundance of birdlife, which will quench the thirst of any avian enthusiast. Yala is home to various ecosystems, ranging from moist to dry monsoon forests, grasslands, marshes, sandy beaches, marine wetlands, and semi-deciduous forests.

Please do note that the weather in Yala is hot and dry, with temperatures often reaching up to 35 degrees Celsius. In many places there are strong winds, therefore it is best to be attired appropriately, especially during the Safari. Photography is highly recommended, since many of the sights are unique. Do create a lot of memories.

OVERNIGHT AT YALA.

After breakfast leave for Galle. En - route visit the stilt fishermen in Weligama. Stilt fishing is an ingenious method of fishing, wherein a fisherman climbs a vertical pole that is embedded into the seabed, balances himself 2 metres above the water, and endeavour to catch fish. A most unique sight.

After Lunch in Galle, commence city tour of the Galle Fort and then proceed to your selected beach resort or proceed to airport for your return journey.

The Galle Fort, sometimes known as the Dutch Fort, was in fact first commissioned by the Portuguese, who were the first Europeans to colonise the island. It is a city within a city, surrounded by ramparts, a quaint lighthouse, banks, churches, mosques, restaurants and hotels. Cobblestoned roads crisscross within the fort, and it has the feel of a medieval European fortification. The Dutch made extensive modifications and beautified the fort, in so much that it is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka. It is an important archeological, historic and architectural monument, and one of the best preserved forts in all of Asia. A profound indication of the strength of this fort lies in the fact that it suffered minimal to unobserved damage during the 2004 Asian tsunami, while the relatively modern city of Galle was largely devastated.

Some important monuments located within the Galle Fort:

• The Dutch Reformed Church (Groote Kerk). Built in 1640, it is one of the oldest and most beautiful churches on the island. The caretaker is a friendly person, and is always prepared to take you on a journey back to the colonial era.
• The Old Dutch Government House.
• The Old Dutch Hospital
• All Saints Anglican Church. Built by the British in 1871
• The Clock Tower, built in 1882
• Galle Light house, built initially in 1848 by the British, and the oldest. However, it was destroyed by a fire in 1934, and the current one was built in 1939.
• Many of the roads and lanes retain their original colonial era names. A few examples are - Moorse Kramerstraat, Zeeburgstraat, Middelpuntstraat, Hospital Street, Leyn Baan Street or ‘Leyenbahnstraat’, Old Rope-Walk Street, and Church Street.

END OF THE TOUR.