Sri Lanka East Coast Holidays
OVERVIEW
11 NIGHTS / 12 DAYS TRIP
The ideal package to visit and explore the East Coast in Sri Lanka with your family in the Summer season. Trincomalee is a famous harbour since ancient times which is also known for its magnificent beach area that attracts a lot of visitors during May – October. Trincomalee is well known for its natural Hot Water springs and Dolphin watching during the season and you can even visit the Pigeon Island by boat which is nominated as a National Park. You can enjoy your holiday with your loved ones exploring Sri Lanka with leisure and activities during the Trip. Duration The package is originally designed for 11 nights/12 days. But we are always happy to cater to our valuable clients’ requirements and therefore, it can be customized for different durations as per request
Arrival | Colombo
As you arrive at the Bandaranaike International Airport to witness one of the most exciting east coast Sri Lanka holidays, you will get your first taste of warm one of our representatives who will warmly welcome you and transfer you to Colombo.
In the afternoon do the city tour of 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 Hotel in Colombo.
Anuradhapura | Trincomalee
Breakfast at the hotel and visit Anuradhapura.
Anuradhapura is the capital of Sri Lanka from the 05th Century B.C. to the end of the 10th Century A.D. was the most celebrated of Sri Lanka’s ancient ruined cities. The city’s greatest treasures are its Dagobas constructed of bricks and are hemispherical in shape. The most notable of these Dagobas are the Ruvanveliseya dating back to the 2nd Century B.C. and is 300 feet in diameter, the Jetawanarama is 370 feet and the Thuparama Dagoba is enshrined with the collarbone of the Buddha. The city’s most renowned relic is the sacred Bo Tree, which is said to have grown from a branch of the tree under which the Buddha gained Enlightenment. It was planted 2250 years ago and is the oldest historically authenticated tree in the world. Also visit Isurumuniya Temple.
Proceed to Trincomalee and check-in to the hotel.
Overnight stay at Hotel in Trincomalee.
Trincomalee | Polonnaruwa | Habarana
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to visit Polonnaruwa.
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. On your way back to hotel you could also witness 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.
Proceed to Habrana and Check-in to the hotel and relax.
Overnight stay at Hotel in Habarana.
Habarana | Dambulla | Matale | Kandy
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Kandy. En route visit Dambulla Rock Temple.
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 meters.
Thereafter visit a Spice Garden in Matale.
Continue the journey to Kandy and do the city tour of 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 Bazaar area, Arts & crafts centre, a Gem museum and a lapidary etc
In the evening visit Temple of the Tooth Relic. Late evening witness the Cultural Show.
Overnight stay at Hotel in Kandy.
Kandy | Nuwara Eliya
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Nuwara Eliya.
Enroute visit Tea Plantation and Tea Factory.
Nuwara Eliya, because of its invigorating mountain climate and scenery, is Sri Lanka s most popular hill resort. Nuwara Eliya is also the heart of Sri Lanka s tea country producing a significant share of the world best tea. Sri Lanka s highest mountain Pidurutalagala (8282 feet) is located here. Nuwara-Eliya also has one of the finest 18 hole golf courses in South Asia.
Overnight stay at Hotel in Nuwara Eliya.
Negombo | Airport
Breakfast at the hotel and proceed to Airport for the Departure flight.
Colombo | Mihinthale | Anuradhapura
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Anuradhapura.
Check in to the hotel and relax.
In the evening visit Mihinthale.
Mihintale 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.
Trincomalee
Breakfast at the hotel and do the sightseeing tour in Trincomalee.
Value Added: Excursion for Dolphin Watching tour.
Excursion to visit Pigeon Island by boat (Optional)
Pigeon Island is a great place for Diving, Snorkeling and sea bathing.
Overnight stay at Hotel in Trincomalee.
Trincomalee
Breakfast at the hotel and day spent at leisure.Enjoy your day on the beach with your loved ones.
Overnight stay at Hotel in Trincomalee.
Habarana | Sigiriya | Minneriya | Habarana
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress.
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. 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 go for a jeep safari at Minneriya National Park.
The extent of the Minneriya National Park is about 8,889 hectares. There are wet-lands in this National Park, which have international importance, animal and plant species, which are plenty in dry zone are found in this park. Wild elephants, various amphibians, local and immigrant bird species are plenty in this park. About 160 species of birds, 09 amphibians, 25 reptile species, 26 fish species and more than 78 butterfly species have been found in this area. There are bamboo trees which are rare in other parks and wild elephants can be seen conveniently. The significant feature is that these elephants can be seen going closer to them.
Overnight stay at Hotel in Habarana.
Kandy | Pinnawela | Peradeniya | Kandy
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage.
The Pinnawala 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, Pinnawala 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 Pinnawala was born.
The success story of Pinnawala has drawn the attention of scientists from all over the world. A considerable number of books and research articles on Pinnawala have been published in several languages. The members of the Pinnawala herd have been filmed, videoed and photographed thousands of times by professionals.
In the afternoon visit Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden
This botanical garden was first built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala king and was expanded by the British. It is 147 acres in extent and provides an amazing variety of trees, plants and flowers.
Overnight stay at Hotel in Kandy.
Nuwara Eliya | Kithulgala | Negombo
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Negombo.
Enruote visit Kitulgala.
The Kelani River (the broadest river in Sri Lanka) flowing through Kitulgala was the main location where the Oscar winning movie “Bridge on the River Kwai” was filmed. On the hill above this town, a prehistoric cave was recently discovered containing large middens of shells from some unknown civilization.
Enjoy a session of white water rafting.(Optional)
Proceed to Negombo and check-in to the hotel.
Overnight stay at Hotel in Negombo.