Sri Lanka - Pearl Of The Indian Ocean

After a leisurely breakfast we enjoy a relaxing morning at our hotel. Late morning we board our coach and enjoy a highlights tour of Negombo which includes the amazing Fish Markets, plus several buildings that date back to the Dutch and Portuguese colonial days including the Dutch Fort and Catholic Church. The sandy beaches, sea, colourful wooden boats and fishing port provide a scenic backdrop. This afternoon we arrive back at our hotel to enjoy a rest, stroll along the beach or swim before dinner. Optional Orphanage or School Visit - subject to permission - no cost - suggestion for all to bring gift for children, books, pencils, Australian souvenirs - kangaroo or koala.

Overnight Negombo: Jetwing Blue

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Today we depart early from Negombo and travel up to the Central Province Region which is dominated by Sigiriya Rock. We stop in Pinnawala where we will see elephants at close range, in a natural setting bathing in the Maha Oya River. We enjoy lunch overlooking the Maha Oya River and the bathing elephants. After leaving Pinnawala we continue our drive into the Central Province Region arriving at the iconic Sigiriya Rock ‘Lion Rock’. Dating back to the 3rd century, the fortress complex includes remnants of a ruined palace, surrounded by an extensive network of fortifications, vast gardens, ponds, canals, alleys and fountains. The Sigiriya Museum has a diorama of the site and provides an excellent overview and explanation of Sigiriya’s cultural importance. Late afternoon we check into our resort before dinner.

Optional Tour: Sigiriya ‘Lion Rock’ Fortress Climb - payment on tour.

Overnight Sigiriya: Aliya Resort & Spa

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast we visit one of the better kept ruins of Ancient Ceylon - the UNESCO World Heritage City of Anuradhapura. Re-founded in 4th Century BC, Anuradhapura became the capital of Ceylon and the sacred city of Buddhism, home to the most renowned relic, the sacred Bodhi tree planted in 3rd Century BC. Our guide will introduce us to some of Anuradhapura’s sacred sites such as the Isurumuniya Rock Temple and Brozan Palace, Siri Maha Bodhi and Ruvanveliseya Dagaba, all rich in Buddhist faith culture and practices. After our tour we break for lunch at the Lake View Hotel before returning to our resort for a relaxing afternoon poolside before meeting up for dinner.

Optional Tour: Dambulla Cave Temple - payment on tour

Overnight Sigiriya: Aliya Resort & Spa

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

This morning we proceed to the ancient City of Polonnaruwa which was built in the 11th and 12th centuries AD, and which is a world heritage site. We take a drive up to the Parakrama Samudraya - a lake built by King Parakramabahu the great. We then visit the sites such as the Royal Palace, Audience Hall, Pool, Sacred Quadrangle “The Vatadage”, Shiva Temple and the remains of a former Temple of the Tooth Relic. Our last stop is at the Gal Viharaya where 4 splendid statues of the Buddha carved out of rock can be seen. Next stop is at the Nishantha Woodcarving Factory for an interesting demonstration and then wander through the amazing display. We then make our way to Jaga Food for a unique Sri Lankan dining experience amongst the paddy fields. After lunch we proceed to the Minneriya National Park where we experience an amazing Elephant and Wildlife Jeep Safari before returning back to our resort to freshen up before dinner.

Overnight Sigiriya: Aliya Resort & Spa

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

An early start we head to the spiritual city of Kandy, stopping en-route at the extraordinarily colourful and ornate Sri Muthumariamman Hindu Temple. While still in Matale we also visit the Baba and Island Batik Factory to see true quality design, artistry and workmanship of batik. We then get to experience the traditional spices that Sri Lanka is renowned for at the Ranweli Spice Garden. After lunch at the Ranweli Spice Garden we continue our journey down into the cultural city of Kandy. We stroll past beautiful Kandy Lake on our way to the Temple of the Tooth, the most important shrine in the country. Later in the afternoon we check into our hotel before dinner.

Overnight Kandy: Grand Kandyan Hotel

Meals - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

This morning we take a guided stroll through the colourful lush Royal Botanical Gardens of Peredeniya which were established in 1821 and cover 140 acres alongside the Mahaweli River, the longest river in Sri Lanka. We then take a stroll through the Kandy Markets before enjoying lunch at the historic Queens Hotel. Following lunch we visit the E.W Balasuriya and Co Gem Factory, which provides a wonderful insight into the history and mining of gemstones in Sri Lanka including the blue sapphire, one of the most celebrated gem varieties in the world. After our audio visual and museum tour we have a chance to check out the beautiful stones and set jewellery pieces in the showroom. Late afternoon we enjoy a Cultural Kandyan Fire and Dance Show before travelling back to our hotel for dinner.

Overnight Kandy: Grand Kandyan Hotel

Meals - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast we depart Kandy and proceed to Nuwara Eliya via the stunning Ramboda Falls and Damro Labookellie Tea Centre. Our drive to Nuwara Eliya is a picturesque journey through the mountains and Sri Lanka’s tea growing centre, where we will relish the endless views of tea carpeted valleys and the bright flash of the “tea pluckers” in their pimento, fuchsia and cerise coloured saris. We stop for lunch at the picturesque Ramboda Falls before continuing our scenic drive through the tea county. We arrive at the Damro Labookellie Tea Factory and Tea Lounge for a short factory tour and cuppa in the Tea Lounge. In the delightful township of Nuwara Eliya we view the stunning English styled country homes and gardens. After check in we will have time to take a stroll across to the Grand Hotel where we are able to admire the beautiful gardens surrounding the Elizabethan-era style hotel.

Overnight Nuwara Eliya: Araliya Green Hills Hotel

Meals - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

From Nuwara Eliya we descend down through the panoramic hills country via Ella and into the jungles of Yala. Our route takes us through some stunning countryside that is littered with valleys of colourful houses, terraced veggie gardens, glorious waterfalls and amazing gorges. In the small village of Ella we enjoy stunning views of Ella Gap and Adams Peak before a comfort stop at the Ella Mountain Heaven Hotel. Ravana Falls provides another photo stop before reaching Yala for a late lunch at our hotel, Jetwing Yala. Mid-afternoon we visit one of the foremost places to visit in Sri Lanka, the Yala National Park which has one of the highest densities of leopards in the world. While there, we can also spot the Sloth Bear, Crocodiles and the Asian Elephant. With “good luck” we may witness all these creatures and more on our Jeep Safari. After our safari its back to Jetwing Yala to refresh before a relaxing dinner while looking out across the blue waters of the Indian Ocean.

Overnight Yala: Jetwing Yala

Meals - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

AAfter a leisurely breakfast and check out we head up to the historic seaport of Galle travelling via Matara, the most important settlement on the south coast. On arrival into Galle we proceed pass the marina, small fresh fish markets and then onto the ‘World Heritage Site’ Galle Fort precinct, one of the most well preserved colonial-era cities in Southeast Asia. We take a look a through the Dutch Museum and Dutch Church before taking a leisurely walking tour along the cobbled stone pathways within of the fort, After lunch we proceed further up the coast stopping at the Tsunami Monument before an emotional visit to the Tsunami Photo Museum. On the 26th of December 2004 the tsunami hit different countries across the Indian Ocean with Sri Lanka also in its destructive path. It is impossible to tell all the tsunami stories, but by telling some the realisation of what took place on and after this devastating event will become evident. Later in the afternoon we arrive in Bentota for check in at Centara Ceysands Resort and Spa with plenty of time to relax and take a walk along the beach before dinner.

Overnight Bentota: Centara Ceysands Resort & Spa

Meals - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After a leisurely start to our morning at the beautiful beach-side resort we head off after lunch to visit the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery, where several species of turtles, especially the endangered hawksbill are hatched, raised and released back into the sea. We then head back to the resort to relax for the rest of the day, maybe head to the SPA Cenvaree for a Thai Massage enjoy before meeting up for dinner.

Overnight Bentota: Centara Ceysands Resort & Spa

Meals - Breakfast & Dinner

After a leisurely breakfast and checkout, we head up along the main Galle/Colombo coastal road to the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo. Our first stop in Colombo is the Cricket Club Cafe for lunch and to admire the cricketing collection on show, including an impressive display of Sir Donald Bradman’s memorabilia, numerous newspaper cuttings dating back to the 1930’s, and action photographs of cricket’s all time greats adding a touch of nostalgia to the experience. This afternoon we call by the historic Galle Face Hotel and Museum, one of the oldest hotels east of the Suez. The hotel embraces its rich history and legendary traditions, and utilizing them to create engaging experiences that resonate with old and new generations of travellers alike. Our hotel historian takes us on a hotel history tour, pointing out various architectural highlights as well as relating various stories and legends of years past. We then take a walk through memory lane inside the museum of famous faces and artefacts, which have been set out with loving care and attention to detail. Mid-afternoon we check into our hotel where we have time to relax or enjoy a swim prior to our final dinner in Sri Lanka.

Overnight Colombo: Movenpick Colombo

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

This morning on our tour we enjoy the major highlights of the city and the old Colombo area, which includes the old Town Hall, Red Mosque, Lighthouse Clock Tower, Galle Face Promenade and Beira Lake, the amazing Nelum Pokuna Theatre, Viharamahadevi Park, and a stop at the Handicrafts Emporium plus many more wonderful sights. The remainder of our day is at leisure where we can relax at our luxury hotel, enjoy a spa treatment, swim or hit the shops. We have a late evening check out and are transferred to the Colombo International airport for check in and a safe return flight back home.

Meals - Breakfast

After our overnight flight, we arrive back in to Australia after our wonderful highlights tour of Sri Lanka with Trade Travel.

Flight Details: Colombo to Homeport - Via Singapore (flight times to be advised)