Sri Lanka Highlights Tour

Tour Information

This 4 night tour gives you a taste of what Sri Lanka has to offer and includes a visit to Sigiriya, Dambulla, Pinnawela and Kandy.

Transportation is by air-conditioned vehicle with an English speaking chaffeur guide and entrance fees to Sigirya, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla, Elephant Orphange, Cultural Show and Kandy Temple are all included.

Tour Summary:
2nts Kandalama, 2nts Kandy

Day 1

Departure flight from the UK to Colombo, Sri Lanka

Day 2

On arrival in Sri Lanka, you will be met and transferred to Kandalama
Rest of the day at leisure
Overnight stay at Heritance Kandalama.

Day 3

After breakfast at Heritance Kandalama, proceed to Sigiriya

Climb the 5th century Sigiriya rock fortress which is a world heritage site, built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD). The ’Lion Rock’ is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 metres from the scrub jungle. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town. A moat, rampart, and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens ring the base of the rock. Visit the world-renowned frescoes of the ’Heavenly Maidens’ of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway. These frescoes are painted in earth pigments on plaster.

In the afternoon visit Polonnaruwa, which was the 2nd capital city of Sri Lanka built in the 11th and 12th centuries AD, and which is a world heritage site. Here you can see the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya where 4 splendid statues of the Buddha in ’Upright’, ’Sedentary’ and ’Recumbent’ postures carved out of rock could be seen, the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, the statue of king Parakramabahu, and the Parakrama Samudraya - a lake built by King Parakramabahu the great. There are also monuments of famous places of worship such as the Shiva Temple, the Lankathilake, the Watadage, the Galpotha, the Kiri Vehera and the remains of a former Temple of the Tooth Relic.

Overnight stay at Heritance Kandalama.

Day 4

Breakfast at Heritance Kandalama.
After breakfast, visit Dambulla.

Dambulla rock temple was built by king Walagambahu in the 1st century B.C. and it is a World Heritage Site. It is the most impressive of Sri Lanka’s cave temples. The complex of five caves with over 2000 sq. metres of painted walls and ceilings, is the largest area of paintings found in the world. It contains over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is the colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of rock and spanning 14 metres.

Transfer from Dambulla to Kandy via Matale.

En route visit a spice garden in Matale to see different spices for which Sri Lanka is famous for. Here you can see different spices and how some of these spices are grown and processed. Witness a Cookery demonstration.

Overnight stay at Earl’s Regency Hotel.

Day 5

After breakfast at Earl’s Regency Hotel, proceed to Pinnawela

The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, established in 1975, commenced with seven orphans. Today some of these orphans enjoy the fortune of seeing their grandchildren born in the same location. The original objective of establishing the orphanage inclined more towards tourism, but is soon became a conservation and educational centre. With the help of local and foreign elephant experts, Pinnawela started a scientific captive-breeding programme for elephants. The free movement of the herd enhanced the chances for respective individuals of both sexes to get together and mate. The nearby river played a dominant role in this regard, and in 1984, the first baby of Pinnawela was born.
The success story of Pinnawela has drawn the attention of scientists from all over the world. A considerable number of books and research articles on Pinnawela have been published in several languages. The members of the Pinnawela herd have been filmed, videoed and photographed thousands of times by professionals.

Afternoon do a Kandy city tour

Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is a World Heritage Site. The name "Kandy" conjures visions of splendour and magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. Drive around the Kandy Lake built by the last Sinhala king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798. Visit the Kandy town and bazaar, the arts and crafts centre, a gem museum and a lapidary. Also visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy. Thereafter witness a cultural show.

Overnight stay at Earl’s Regency Hotel.

Day 6

Breakfast at Earl’s Regency Hotel, then you will be transferred back to the airport for your departure flight back to the UK.

Day 7

Arrival back to the UK.

If you would like to extend your stay at one of our beach resorts then please give us a call for prices.

Please note that if your tour includes a stay in Kandy during the period 19-29 August there will be a supplement payable.