Classical Ceylon Tour
OVERVIEW
04 NIGHTS / 05 DAYS TRIP
19 days of thrilling adventures around the island that focuses on Sri Lanka’s ancient historic wonders, exciting wildlife, and Buddhism inspired culture featuring wonders of the ancient temples in the town of Mihintale.
The world famous Sigiriya Fortress, breathtaking northern hills, a trek to Adam’s peak, adventurous white water rafting through rivers, stopovers at wildlife parks and whale watching in the deep blue ocean down south.
An exciting detailed tour package for tourists, student groups and families interested in the island’s most celebrated locations.
Airport | Negombo
On arrival at the BandaranaikeInternationalAirport, you will get your first taste of warm Sri Lankan hospitality; Representative from Michelle Tours will Welcome you and transfer to Negombo.
Check in to hotel and relax at hotel.
Overnight stay at Hotel in Negombo.
Negombo | Mihinthale | Anuradhapura
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Anuradhapura.
In the evening visit Mihinthale.
Mihintale is where Buddhism was first introduced to Sri Lanka. Mihintale is regarded as the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. The rock is riddled with shrines and rock dwellings. A grand stairway of 1,840 steps made out of granite slabs 15” wide leads to the summit from where one could get a splendid view of the surrounding countryside.
Overnight stay at Hotel in Anuradhapura.
Anuradhapura | Ritigala | Sigiriya | Dambulla
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Sigiriya.
Enroute visit Ritigala.
Visit Ritigala, Which Is A Second Century B.C. Forest Hermitage Site. Beautiful Stoned Paved Meditation Paths and Stone Bridges Wind Across the Wooded Mountains.
Arrive in Sigiriya and visit 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.
Overnight stay at Hotel in Dambulla.
Dambulla | Matale | Kandy
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Kandy.
Enroute visit Dambulla Rock Temple.
Dambulla rock temple has been built by king Walagambahu in the 1st century B.C. and it is a world heritage site. Also, 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.
There after visit Matale Spice Garden.
In the afternoon city tour in Kandy.
Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings which is a World Heritage Site. The name “Kandy” conjures visions of splendor 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 & crafts centre, a gem museum and a lapidary. Also If you are interested in Gems & Jewellery you could visit the gem museum shops in the area which is famous for so many years.
In the evening Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy. Late evening witness the Cultural Show.
Overnight stay at Hotel in Kandy.
Kandy | Pinnawala | Peradeniya | Kandy
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to visit Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage.
The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage
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.
There after visit Peradeniya Royal botanical garden.
This was a pleasure garden of a Kandyan King of the 16th Century and later made in to a Botanical Garden during the British regime. This gardens; one of the best in Asia is a place of beauty and site for bird watchers.
Overnight stay at Hotel in Kandy.
Kithulgala | Rathnapura
Breakfast at the hotel and visit Kithulgala.
Enjoy a session of white water Rafting.
This thrilling adventure on the white water section of the Kelani River is suitable for amateurs as well as professionals alike. During the run, you will experience the thrill of shooting rapids and euphoria of making it through. The river”s clear water is born in the heart of the peak wilderness reserve and tumbles through a rocky george just above Kithulgala. As the river widens, you will pass the scenic location used to film – “Bridge over the river Kwai” which was filmed in 1956, a good place to jump in for a refreshing swim. On a clear day, you may even dive to see the remains of the actual bridge and the carriages used for the film (only for experienced divers with proper equipment).
Transfer to Rathnapura and check in to the hotel.
Overnight stay at Hotel in Rathanapura.
Udawalawe | Ahangama
With packed breakfast visit Udawalawa National Park.
Udawalawe National Park Is Renowned For Its Outstanding Scenic Beauty And Wealth Of Faunal Species, Particularly Mammals And Birds. It Is A Famous Tourist Attraction Throughout The Year For Its Unique Fauna And Flora. The Park Is Situated In The Dry Zone And Conditions Of The Physical Features Are Characterized By An Annual Drought Coinciding With The Southwest Monsoon. The Predominant Ecosystem Of The Park Area Is The Forest Area With Scattered Grasslands And Thorny Shrubs. There Are Herds Of Elephants While Populations Of Sambhar, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Wild Boar And Water Buffalo Are Gradually Re-Establishing Themselves.
There after transfer to Beach stay.
Overnight stay at a Hotel in Ahangama.
Ahangama | Colombo
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Colombo.
Visit Colombo.
Colombo, like many capital cities in developing countries is fast changing its face. Almost overnight, skyscrapers arise from where old buildings once stood. Yet in some parts, the old world charm is retained. For example, there is a 100-year-old clock tower and several British built colonial buildings. Other places of interest are the Pettah bazaar – where one can shop for bargain, a Hindu and a Buddhist temple, residential areas where you find the stately homes of the affluent, the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) – an outright gift to Sri Lanka from the People’s Republic of China.
Overnight stay at a Hotel in Colombo.
Negombo
Breakfast at the hotel
Full day leisure on the beach.
Overnight stay at Hotel in Negombo
Anuradhapura | Aukana | Anuradhapura
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to visit Anuradhapura.
Visit Anuradhapura. It was the first capital and undoubtedly the grandest city of the ancient Sri Lanka. It is the home of two World Heritage sites. Many places of historical and archaeological interest could be visited. Sri Maha Bodhi (Sacred Bo-Tree) was brought as a sapling of the tree under which Prince Siddhartha attained to enlightenment and it is over 2,200 years old and is the oldest historically documented tree in the world. At Brazen Palace (2nd century B.C), the 1600 stone columns you see are all that is left of a magnificent multi-storied residence for monks. Ruwanweliseya (2nd century B.C) is the most famous of all the Dagobas. It originally depicted the perfect ‘bubble shape” that modern restoration has not been able to accurately reproduce. ‘Samadhi’ Buddha statue (4th century AD) is one of the most famous statues, depicting the Buddha in a state of ‘Samadhi’ or deep meditation. Isurumuniya rock temple (3rd century B.C) is well known for its rock carvings.
There after visit Aukana.
The Aukana Buddha statue beyond doubt is the most magnificent, undamaged statue in Sri Lanka. It was built in the reign of King Dhatusena in the 5th century and is 39 ft (12 metres) high. The Name “Aukana” means “Sun-eating”.
Overnight stay at Hotel in Anuradhapura.
Dambulla | Habarana | Hiriwadunna | Polonnaruwa | Dambulla
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Habarana.
Do Tracking at Hiriwaduna with village Lunch.
Take a ride in a bullock cart swaying from side to side on an unpaved trail, enjoy a nature walk through a scrub jungle, wade through a local stream with low hanging branches, cross a lake in an ‘oruwa’, the traditional mode of over water transport, spend time with a farmer harvesting crops under his guidance and taste authentic village cuisine prepared by the framer’s family with freshly picked produce and local herbs cooked in clay pots over an open hearth fuelled by firewood. Visitors to Habarana are afforded the opportunity of experiencing Sri Lanka’s dry zone and village life in the region through a trek to the Hiriwaduna hamlet that showcases the ecological setting of the area and provides a snapshot of village life as it unfolds. An excellent way to catch bits of village life as the inhabitants go about their daily chores, it also throws light on traditional methods of farming and life in a farming community such as the tree house where the farmer spends his nights to protect his crops from elephants and other nocturnal marauders.
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. On your way back to hotel you could also wines a wood carving shop where you will be shown all the types of timber and hardwood available in Sri lanka and all the creative furniture made by our master craftsmen.
Overnight stay at Hotel in Dambulla.
Kandy | Ella
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Ella.
Enjoy a Scenic Train Ride to Ella. (OPTIONAL)
Enroute visit Tea Plantation and Tea Factory in Nuwara Eliya.
Check-in to the hotel and relax.
Overnight stay at Hotel in Ella
Ella | Maskeliya | Adam’s Peak
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Maskeliya.
Check-in to the hotel and relax.
Start to climb Adams Peak. Adams Peak is known locally as Sri Pada and is Sri Lanka’s fourth highest mountain at 2,243 metres. It is one of the island’s most important pilgrimage sites and is situated in the Ratnapura district. The giant footprint at the top is the attraction and is sacred to Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims. The conical shaped mountain is worth the climb for the views and spiritual experience regardless of your belief.
Overnight stay at Hotel in Maskeliya.
Adam’s Peak | Kithulgala
Climb down from Adams Peak and transfer to Kithulgala.
Check-in to the hotel and relax.
Overnight stay at Hotel in Kithulgala.
Rathnapura | Sinharaja | Udawalawe
“World Heritage Site” Rain Forest in Sri Lanka, with a very high rate of bio-diversity. The vegetation is tropical wet evergreen forest and the area under the reserve is 11,187 hectares. Out of the 331 woody trees and lianas identified 192 (60%) are endemic at Sinharaja. Regarding Fauna 141 bird species recorded here and about 28 are endemic (34 for the entire country), Butterflies 65 species (01 endemic), Fishes 10 (07 endemic), Amphibians 19 (08 endemic), Reptiles & Snakes 29 (14 endemic), and Mammals 40 (07 endemic). Sinharaja is the only relatively undisturbed rain forest of any considerable size and many of the plants are very rare and are represented by only one individual of its kind in a large area.There after transfer to Udawalawa.
Overnight stay at a Camping site in Udawalawa.
Ahangama | Mirissa | Ahangama
With packed breakfast transfer to enjoy Whale Watching session in Mirissa (Possible during the Winter season only)
Return back to Hotel. Enroute visit Galle.
Galle was once the chief port of Sri Lanka. It is still well known for hand-made lace. You can also visit the Galle Fort (spanning 90acres) which was originally built by the Portuguese and later extended by the Dutch in 1663. This is also a World Heritage Site.
Overnight stay at a Hotel in Ahangama.
Ahangama
Breakfast at the hotel and day spent at leisure.
Overnight stay at a Hotel in Ahangama.
Colombo | Airport
Breakfast at hotel and transfer to Airport for the Departure Flight.