“Ayubowan” on arrival at the recently refurbished modern and State of the art International Airport, you will be blessed to get your first taste of warm Sri Lankan hospitality; Representative from Wonder Isle Holidays will welcome you at the Airport & transfer clients to Sigiriya.

Proceed to Sigiriya.

Later afternoon start the journey to CLIMB THE SIGIRIYA ROCK FORTRESS.

Sigiriya Rock Fortress Buddhist monastic settlements were established during the 3rd century BCE in the western and northern slopes of the boulder-strewn hills surrounding the Sigiriya rock. Several rock shelters or caves were created during this period. These shelters were made under large boulders, with carved drip ledges around the cave mouths. Rock inscriptions are carved near the drip ledges on many of the shelters, recording the donation of the shelters to the Buddhist monastic order as residences. These were made in the period between the 3rd century BCE and the 1st century CE.

Overnight stay at Sigiriya.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Proceed to Polonnaruwa

CITY TOUR AT POLONNARUWA.

Visit Polonnaruwa ancient city

Polonnaruwa is another “World Heritage Site” was the Capital of Sri Lanka from 11th – 13th Centuries, contains some splendid and spectacular statues. Lankatilake, Tivanka and Thuparama are the most beautiful and largest Image Houses and Tivanka has the best examples of frescoes of the Polonnaruwa period. RankothVehera and Kirivehera are well preserved large stupas, and Gal Vihare – a rock shrine, has four Buddha statues, two seated, one standing and one reclining and Parakrama Bahu statue are examples of Sinhalese stone carver. The Vata-da-ge is a unique creation of the Sri Lankan artists. The medieval capital, Polonnaruwa was fortified with inner & outer moats and inner & outer walls. The Parakrama Samudra is on the western side of the city. The Royal Palace, Audience Hall and other buildings in the inner city were enclosed by another tall wall.

Later afternoons proceed for a JEEP SAFARI AT MINNERIYA NATIONAL PARK

This is sitting in the centre of the cultural triangle, Minneriya is a good alternative to the busier parks in the south and it’s easy to weave in a day here between visiting the ancient cities. The dry season, preferably from June to September, is the best time to visit the 8,890 hectare park when the ancient tank, the lake that dominates the area, dries out and the grasses and shoots push through. During this time it is possible to see herds of up to 150 elephants feeding and washing, as well as toque macaques, sambar deer and leopards. The hungry bird flocks include cormorants and painted storks. Minneriya, closest by car to the ancient city Polonnaruwa, was upgraded from a nature reserve to a national park because of the increased number of tourists coming to see the elephants.

Proceed again to Sigiriya

Overnight stay at Sigiriya

Breakfast at the hotel.

After proceed to visit DAMBULLA CAVE TEMPLE.

Temple of Dambulla ,100 ms high overlooking the jungle, that is considered one of the most important and beautiful temples in the island. 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 cave paintings found in the world. It contains over 150 images of the Buddha with the largest colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of rock and spanning 14 metres.

After proceed to Kandy.

On the way to Kandy, visit to the SPICE GARDENS MATALE.

Witness the different spices for which Sri Lanka is famous for. Here, clients could see different spices and how some of these spices are grown and processed. We will experience a head massage with medical oils and learn about the Ayurvedic Medicine.

Proceed to Kandy.

Later evening visit to a factory of hand painted Batiks, (painted in the same method since the XIII Century).

Overnight stay at Kandy.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Proceed to Pinnawala.

visit PINNAWALA ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE.

Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage – set amongst the verdant hills of Kegalle is a unique orphanage, where the tiny tots weigh 60 kg or more. This is the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, the world’s first and only elephant orphanage established to feed, nurse and house young elephants lost or abandoned by their mothers. Other occupants are elephants displaced from their natural environs by development projects or those found wounded. Visitors could see the baby elephants being fed milk from gigantic feeding bottles or bathed in the river which flows nearby – an unforgettable sight! Established in 1975, by the Wildlife Department and National Zoological gardens which subsequently led to a breeding programme through which more than twenty-five elephants have been born since 1984.

Proceed back to Kandy.

Later afternoon city tour of Kandy including visits to the Temple of the Tooth Relic, Market Square and Upper Lake Drive.

Visit DALADA MALIGAWA or the Temple of the sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy is the most venerated place of worship for Buddhists throughout the world. Built in the 16th century this temple houses the sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha brought to Sri Lanka from the Kalinga province in ancient India in the 4th century AD. Several buildings have been added to the temple complex by successive rulers, the latest being the Golden Canopy over the inner shrine where the Tooth Relic is placed. Originally the Temple was within the King’s palace complex as it was the symbol of Royal Authority.

In the evening visit a manufactory of Ceylon semi precious stones which are famous in all the world ( The blue sapphire).

Overnight stay at Kandy.

Breakfast at the hotel.

After proceed to visit ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS – PERADENIYA.

This was laid out in 1821 by the British colonial rulers. Prior to that it was the Royal Pleasure Garden of the Kandyan Kings. It is located in a beautiful setting with the longest river of Sri Lanka, Mahaveli bordering on one side. This attractively laid out garden displays many varieties of floral and green plants. Special features are the Orchid House which displays a fine collection of Sri Lankan orchids, the fernery, spice garden, and the trees planted by distinguished visitors to the Island.

After transfer to Nuwara Eliya.

Departure to Nuwara Eliya district in the mountains , through the Tea Route. Unique panoramic views of the mountains and plantations of the famous Tea of Ceylon. The tea plantations on the hills create a beautiful image of dark green velved carpets. The tea plantations are interspersed with gushing streams and tumbling waterfalls. Climb to 1885 ms above the sea level to take a look at the extensive plantations of tea.

En route visit to a TEA FACTORY.

Tea Factory and Tea Plantation, where the best tea in the world is produced. Here you could observe all about the process of selection and manufacturing of tea. You can also learn how tea is graded. We will enjoy an unique opportunity to have a tea time and drink this tea in this special place.

Proceed to Nuwara Eliya.

Evening at relax.

Overnight stay at Nuwara Eliya.

Breakfast at the hotel

After city tour at Nuwara Eliya.

Nuwara Eliya is nicknamed “Little England” because It was established by the British in the 1840s as a as a base for the colonialists and still retains some of the British quirks, like the famous red post box.

Visit around Gregory lake. Gregory Lake was build under the period of British Governor Sir William Gregory in 1873. This is the most prominent attraction in Nuwara Eliya and all the vistors used to come here and spent some time by the lake and relax. This was used as a place for water sports and for re-recreational activities during the British time.

Later afternoon proceed to Bentota.

Evening relax on the beach.

Overnight stay at Bentota.