THE BEST OF LANKA Negombo → Sigiriya→ Kandy → Nuwara Eliya → Horton Plains → Yala →Mirissa → Colombo Day 01- Airport → Negombo Arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport where you will be welcomed by our representative and then proceed to Negombo (approx..2hrs). Negombo is a city on the west coast of Sri Lanka, north of the capital, Colombo. Near the waterfront, the remains of the 17th-century Dutch Fort now house a prison. Negombo Lagoon, lined with fishermen’s huts, feeds into the Dutch-era Hamilton Canal. The canal leads south to Colombo. Neoclassical St. Mary’s Church, completed in the 1920s, features a ceiling decorated with vivid religious paintings. Explore Negombo in the evening at leisure and walk along the rustic beaches to have dinner under the stars by the beach. Overnight in Negombo. Day 02- Negombo → Sigiriya After enjoying your breakfast, proceed to the central region of Sigiriya from Negombo (approx. hrs) En-route you will witness the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage (approx. 2.5hrs). Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is an orphanage, nursery and captive breeding ground for wild Asian elephants located at Pinnawala village, 13 km northeast of Kegalle town in Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka. Pinnawala has the largest herd of captive elephants in the world. A breath-taking view and soothing sound of the Maha Oya river is an experience that you will never forget. After visiting Pinnawala enjoy a local lunch and continue to proceed to Sigiriya (approx. 2.5 hrs). Check-in at your accommodation in Sigiriya and relax and unwind before taking on the most iconic landmark that boasts heritage and culture. The Sigiriya rock, or “Lion Rock” is a world-renowned UNESCO heritage site and one of the top spots for foreigners and locals to witness the peak of Sri Lankan history, and of King Kashyapa I’s ruling. history of Sigiriya dates back thousands of years ago. Prior to being home THE BEST OF LANKA Negombo → Sigiriya→ Kandy → Nuwara Eliya → Horton Plains → Yala →Mirissa → Colombo to a kingdom, the rock plateau was once home to Buddhist monastic settlements, and place for meditation. Overnight in Sigiriya. Day 03- Sigiriya → Kandy Enjoy your breakfast and proceed to Kandy from Sigiriya (approx. 02 hrs.). En-route visit the Dambulla Cave Temple. Located in the north central province this UNESCO World Heritage Site which dates back to the 01st century BC, is an amazing complex of 05 caves, first used as a refuge by an ancient king who on regaining his throne, commissioned magnificent carved images within the living rock, Later kings made further improvements and the caves contain over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is a colossal figure spanning 15 meters. Cave inscriptions from the 2nd Century BC are found and on the walls are many paintings most of which belong to the Kandy period (early 19th century). This temple is a perfect location to view evolution of ancient Sri Lankan art and is an important historical site due to the amalgamation of the material from many eras. Make a brief stop in Matale to visit a spice garden, where you will be able to witness a wide range of local spices (approx. 1.5 hrs.) The Island had been famous for its spices since the medieval times and is considered as one of the main reasons for the Europeans to conquer the Island and for the Arabs to trade upon from the 14th century onwards. The most interesting feature would be the opportunity you’ll get to identify the real plants of spices you are so familiar with in your day to day life. A qualified guide will do a conducted tour of the garden and a presentation of its products. Later in the evening sightseeing tour of Kandy, where you will be able to visit the gem museum, batik factory, and local market and including a visit to the temple of the tooth relic. Reach your accommodation in Kandy and spend the rest of the evening relaxing. Kandy was the last capital of Sinhala Kings. The valley of Kandy is surrounded by magnificent hills which made it as the last bastion. Today, Kandy offers its visitors rich collection of art and craft and historical buildings. It includes a collection of ancient temples buildings, handicrafts, souvenirs, bazaar and gem museum. Overnight in Kandy. Report Date 2 THE BEST OF LANKA Negombo → Sigiriya→ Kandy → Nuwara Eliya → Horton Plains → Yala →Mirissa → Colombo Day 04- Kandy → Nuwara Eliya After enjoying a continental breakfast, proceed to the hill country of Nuwara Eliya from Kandy (approx. 3 hrs.) En-route visit a tea factory, strawberry farms and even a fun boat ride in Gregory Lake. Sri Lanka's premier hill resort with a fine bracing mountain climate, Nuwara Eliya is also the heart of Sri Lanka's tea country, producing some of the world’s best tea. The mountain slopes and valleys are a carpet of velvety green tea plantations, interspersed with gushing streams and tumbling waterfalls. Red or green roofed plantation bungalows, English country style homes and hotels with lovely flower gardens, a fine 18-hole golf course and a racecourse gives Nuwara Eliya a decidedly British character. Check-in at your accommodation in Nuwara Eliya and spend the rest of the day at leisure, overlooking the breathtaking, lush greenery of the town while sipping on a fresh cup of Ceylon tea, brewed from tea leaves plucked from right where you are! Overnight in Nuwara Eliya for 02 nights. Day 05- Nuwara Eliya After breakfast, you'll be leaving for the Horton Plains National Park and hike to the World’s End and witness Bakers Falls mid-hike. Horton Plains National Park is capped by mountainous grassland and cloud forests on Sri Lanka’s highest elevation over 2100m above sea level. This destination is a peculiar and peaceful region with an eye-popping diversity of landscape. Explore the thick grasslands and marshes, experience the feeling of washing your face from the natural chilly streams, lakes and breathtaking waterfalls. Check out the most panoramic view from ‘Worlds End’ and the beautiful Bakers Falls which looks a lot like a bride's veil. There is a great chance of witnessing some mammals, including Sambhur, Bear Monkey, Barking Deer, Giant Squirrel, Fishing Cat, Wild Boar, Hare and even a few very rare sightings of Leopard are recorded. Horton Plains National Park is definitely the perfect location for hiking and cycling with wonderful trails and cold climate. Return to your accommodation and spend the rest of the evening resting and unwinding. Overnight in Nuwara Eliya for 01 night. Report Date 3 THE BEST OF LANKA Negombo → Sigiriya→ Kandy → Nuwara Eliya → Horton Plains → Yala →Mirissa → Colombo Day 06- Nuwara Eliya → Yala After enjoying your breakfast, proceed to Yala from Nuwara Eliya (approx. 05 hrs.) Check-in at your accommodation in Yala during the afternoon hours and enjoy a brief rest, before preparing to embark on the popular Yala wildlife jeep safari tour. Yala reveals the beauty of the Sri Lankan wildlife in its unblemished and natural form. Overflowing with birdlife and wildlife, the Yala national park is unquestionably the best in Asia, the best place in the world to spot leopards, sloth bears, elephants and a huge diversity of wonderful birds. The place itself is 1,570-square-kilometres and is essentially an open parkland, with an estimated 35 leopards and 400 elephants! Upon completion of the safari, return to your hotel and get ready for dinner. Return to your accommodation and spend the rest of the evening at leisure. Overnight in Tissamaharama / Yala. Day 07- Yala → Mirissa Enjoy your breakfast and prepare to proceed from Yala to the coastal area of Mirissa (approx. 6hrs). Mirissa is well known to be one of the top surfing spots in the island, but more importantly, dolphin and whale watching is the most sought-after experience in this secluded town. The best season to go whale watching is between the months of November till February. Once you reach the hotel in Mirissa, spend the rest of the evening at leisure by the beach, hydrating with a freshly plucked coconut. Overnight in Mirissa for 02 nights. Day 08- Mirissa With a packed breakfast, proceed to the harbor at 0600 am to leave on a whale watching expedition! Leaving the harbor at 0630 am, you will travel out towards the drop off where the whales feed. These are some of the Mirissa whales - Blue Whales, Orcas, Sperm whales, Byrd’s Whales and Pygmy Killer Whales. Moreover, Spinner, Bottled Nose and Riso Dolphins may also make an appearance. If you are remarkably blessed and lucky, you may spot a whale shark as well! Witness these amazing sea mammals, breathing under the blue waters of the Indian Ocean. Most times, the whales can be seen pretty close to shore. However, on some days, you may require going out distant as they can leave for the deeper waters to feed. Overnight in Mirissa for 01 night. Report Date 4 THE BEST OF LANKA Negombo → Sigiriya→ Kandy → Nuwara Eliya → Horton Plains → Yala →Mirissa → Colombo Day 09- Mirissa → Colombo After enjoying your breakfast, proceed to the city of Colombo (approx. 2.5 hrs.) Colombo, the city which never sleeps, a town that has lived for over 2000 years, is now a trendy megalopolis dotted with many colonial-era buildings amongst the skyscrapers and shopping malls. This city flaunts a rich colonial heritage, highlighting a softening pot of races, religions and lifestyles. Colombo is the best place to shop for all your souvenirs! Visit the bustling street markets filled with aromatic spices, multicolored silks, kinds of cotton and fresh fruit and greens.