Stunning Sri Lanka

Breakfast at the hotel. Today morning we checked out & visited Dambulla Cave Temple. Dambulla cave is a vast isolated rock mass 500 feet high and a mile around the base. Here is found the famous Rock Temple dating to the First Century B.C. The caves of Dambulla sheltered King Walagamba during his 14 years of exile from Anuradhapura. When he regained the throne he built the most magnificent of Rock Temples to be found in the Island. In the first Cave is a recumbent image of the Buddha 47ft long cut out of the Rock. There are images of deities associated with Buddhism all around. The frescoes on the walls and the ceiling are the oldest here but they are over painted in the Kandy period. In the Second Cave, the finest and the largest of all, there are 150 life-size statues of the Buddha in various postures with a few statues of Gods and Kings. The ceiling is also covered with frescoes, which depict great events in the life of the Buddha and landmarks in the history of the Sinhalese people. (The excursion will take approx: 1 & 1/2hrs for the climb and descent). En route to Kandy, we visit Matale Spice Garden which offers visitors a fascinating insight into the cultivation of various spices and herbs that are used in Sri Lankan cuisine and traditional medicine. On arrival in Kandy, we will visit. Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic: Ever since the 4th Century A.D, when the Buddha's Tooth was brought to Sri Lanka hidden from sacrilegious hands in an Orissan princess' hair, the Relic has grown in repute and holiness in Sri Lanka and throughout the Buddhist world. It is considered Sri Lanka's most prized possession. Kandy Cultural Show:  One of the highlights for visitors to Kandy is the cultural show, which showcases traditional Sri Lankan dance, music, and other forms of cultural expression. 

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Visit Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden - 147 acres in extent; Started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the Kings of Gampola and Kandy.  There are more than 4,000 species of trees, plants, and creepers. Some rare and endemic as well as flora from the tropical world are found in the gardens. We will also visit the Ramboda Hanumanji Temple, also known as the Sri Bhakta Hanuman Temple, which is a significant Hindu temple located in the Ramboda area of Sri Lanka. It is believed that the area around Ramboda is where Hanuman first set foot in Sri Lanka while searching for Sita. Proceed to Nuwara Eliya, Nuwara Eliya - The ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, which is set against beautiful backdrops of Mountains, Valleys, Waterfalls, and Tea Plantations. It is supposed to be one of the coolest places on the Island, but it is just like an English spring day, although the temperature does drop at night. All around Nuwara Eliya, you will see evidence of the British influence, houses like country cottages or Queen Ann-style mansions. 

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Today morning we proceeded to Bentota. En route, we stop to witness St Clairs Falls & Devon Falls. St. Clair's Falls, often referred to as the "Little Niagara of Sri Lanka," is one of the most beautiful and well-known waterfalls in the country. Devon Falls, also known as the "Veil of the Valley," is another spectacular waterfall located in the central highlands of Sri Lanka. En route to Bentota, guests can opt for the (optional) activity of White-Water Rafting at Kitulgala which is best known for white-water rafting on the Kelani River, which attracts adventure enthusiasts from all over. The river offers rapids of varying difficulty, suitable for both beginners and experienced rafters. On arrival in Bentota, check-in at the hotel & relax or enjoy the beautiful beaches of Bentota.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Proceed to Kosgoda to visit Turtle Hatchery. Kosgoda is famous for its sea turtle conservation project operated by the Wild Life Protection Society of Sri Lanka. Although October to April is the main laying season, some eggs (mostly green turtles) can be found at Kosgoda throughout the year. The hatchery buries the eggs in sand, and when they hatch around 50 days later the baby turtles are released into the sea at night. Only about one in 1,000 turtles survive to maturity. Later we proceeded to enjoy a boat ride on the Madu River. A boat trip is a wonderful way of seeing some of the hundreds of species of plants and animals – monkeys eat the fruit in the trees, a water monitor lizard glides slowly through the water, and cormorants, egrets, and kingfishers wait patiently on the banks, eyeing the water for prey. There are around 64 islands in the river and lagoon, from a speck housing a deserted shrine to one housing 250 families connected to the mainland with a very long footbridge. Later in the day, we head to Bentota Beach to enjoy water sports such as Jet Ski, Banana Ride & Tube Ride. 

Breakfast at the Hotel & Proceed to Colombo. Colombo - a drive through the city taking you to the busy commercial areas as well as the tree-lined residential, Cinnamon Gardens. Visit Fort, the former British administrative center and military garrison, Sea Street – the Goldsmith’s quarters in the heart of Pettah. In this Bazaar area, there is also a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carvings, and the Dutch Church of Wolfendhal dating back to 1749. Also, visit the BMICH, and see the replica of Avukana Buddha & the Independence Square.

After enjoying your breakfast, proceed to the airport for your return flight. We hope you had a great holiday and hope to see you again soon.