Day 02
After breakfast proceeds to Anuradhapura, the first capital, one of the biggest archeological sites in the world and the city of 113 kings was never forgotten to the people of Sri Lanka. Still the memory of the Kings of ancient Sri Lanka is kept alive in legend and folk history. The Sacred Bodhi Tree, under which the Buddha himself attained enlightenment, is still alive, tended by its hereditary guardians and worshipped by millions of Buddhists, who walk around with clasped hands to show gratitude. Today, Anuradhapura boasts of the remnants of 113 Kingdoms. Do a city tour of Anuradhapura, visiting Ruvanveliseya (92 M), the Abhayagiriya Dagabe (113 M), the Jetawana Stupa (122 M), the guard stones, the moon stones (depicting the life cycle of man), stone bridges, pleasure gardens, and also the colossal man-made reservoirs. On completion proceed to the Kandalama Hotel to spend an evening of leisure and overnight stay at the Kandalama Hotel.
Day 03
After breakfast proceed to visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, an ancient capital of immense historical value. Visible ruins of buildings indicate that a very advanced civilization thrived in Polonnaruwa. The tour of the ruined city will tell us a story of great history that is written behind the ruins of polonnaruwa. Also, visit the ruins of the Council Hall, the palace, the temple of Shiva, the watadage (a circular image house), the sathmahal prasadhaya (a seven storied edifice), the rock inscription of Nissankamalla and the Gal Vihare where three sculptured statues of Lord Buddha are found. Furthermore, many other interesting sites such as the PolonnaruwaStatue, the Ocean of Parakrama Lake, the ruins of the library will also be visited. Polonnaruwa boasts of tanks and waterways, some of which to this day are in use, were constructed to cater to the public need, like the picturesque Minneriya tank built in the fourth century by King Mahasena. On completion proceed to Sigiriya and explore the rock fortress of Kashyapa, which dates back to the 5th century AD. See the ruins of Kashyapa's palace on the summit of the gigantic rock Sigiriya, a collection of ancient frescoes, the pleasure gardens and also explore the fortress. Proceed to the enchanting Kandalama Hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 04
After breakfast, proceed to Kandy visiting en route the historic Dambulla caves, which dates back to the 1st century BC. The walls of this cave are covered with ancient frescoes and some of the oldest statues of Buddha are also found here. The next stop would be at a spice garden to see and sample wide variety of spices and aromatics such as cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, cardamom, citronella which grow abundantly in the wet zone low lands and hills. Also en route visit a batik factory and learn the art of batik painting and reach Kandy. Kandy, the last stronghold of the Sinhala Kings, was finally handed over to the British after resisting the Portuguese and the Dutch for many centuries. It is surrounded by hills and offers a very pleasant cooling climate. Check-in at the Earl's Regency hotel for an afternoon of leisure. In the evening visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic and also witness a cultural show. Return to Earl's Regency Hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 05
After breakfast do a further city tour of Kandy visiting the Kandy Bazaar, the Kandy lake, drop in to a handicraft center to see kandyan antiques, an array of beautiful and intricately designed statues, silver jewellery, masks, copper pots, pottery, curios and of course; furniture, a gem house/lapidary and also the PeradeniyaBotanical Gardens which was originally the pleasure gardens of the royalty. Many varieties of trees, both tropical and temperate grow here and from March to May. Numerous flowering trees such as the fiery regia, white mesua ferrea, pink tabebuia rosea and many exquisite orchids such as the rare endemic species, the pink-mauve vesak, primroses, daffodils and many more local and foreign species and nearly 4000 species of plants are found, covering an area of about 150 acres. Spend the afternoon at leisure and stay overnight at the Earl's Regency Hotel and experience the up-country life with a feel of the aromatic tea estates in a backdrop of a mountain range.
Day 06
After breakfast the next day, proceed to the central highlands on the mountainous winding roads and enjoy nature at its best enroute Sri Lanka's tea estates as we know unfold over the misty hill side like a carpet of green. Visit a tea estate / factory to study the world-renowned process of tea manufacture and the factory will provide visitors with a varied choice of teas and souvenirs. The route to the highlands offers the travelers some of the finest views of the hill country in Sri Lanka. In the afternoon explore the hill town of Nuwara Eliya and spend an overnight at the Tea Factory Hotel and enjoy a breathtaking view of the scenery.
Day 07
After breakfast proceed to Colombo and check-in at the Taj Samudra Hotel. In the afternoon do a city tour of Colombo visiting, the Pettah Bazaar- full of activities of street vendors, a variety of small shops selling everything from garments to bags, shoes, spices, food items, fruits to suit any budget, the Fort area, a residential area, a Buddhist and a Hindu temple to experience the different cultural and religious places of worship, zoological gardens and the city park. Return to Taj Samudra Hotel for an overnight stay with a stunning view of the Colombo city, with rooms facing the sea front.
Day 08
After an enjoyable holiday in this tropical paradise, depart for transfer to the Airport.