Sri Lanka Heritage Tour

Today, travel by surface to Dambulla, en route visit Anuradhapura. The greatest city in Sri Lankan history, packed with monuments from over a thousand years of the island’s past. Visit the ancient capital of the Kingdom in the 4th century: Anuradhapura. Abandoned in the 10th century, this city was rediscovered in 1817. Visit temples, stupas, palaces and The sacred Sri Maha Bodhi.
Later, drive to Dambulla,  enroute visit 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.  Upon arrival check in at hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Proceed for a village safari in Hiriwaduna Village. Trek begins with an awesome walk along a bund of a Wewa or manmade reservoir. The reservoir itself, the surrounding scrub jungle, marshland and village are a hive of early morning or an evening activity. The amazing birdlife, butterflies and possible sightings of crocodiles only add to the charm of seeing the villagers as they go about their early morning tasks of fishing or washing clothes at the periphery of the lake.
Evening enjoy Jeep safari in Minneriya national Park. Later return to hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.  Proceed towards Kandy. En route visit a spice garden to see the different spices that Sri Lanka is famous for. You will be introduced to different spices and shown how some of these spices are grown and processed.
Kandy, founded in the 14th century, is the southern tip of Sri Lanka's 'Cultural Triangle'. The city became the capital of the kingdom in 1592, during a troubled time when many of the islanders were fleeing to the interior, away from the coastal areas the European powers were fighting over. Although taken several times, the city remained one of the bastions of Sinhalese independence until the British troops entered it on 14 February 1815. From Vimala Dharma Suriya I (1591-1604) to Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe (1798-1815), it was the last seat of royal power. It remains the religious capital of Buddhism and a sacred city for millions of believers. Enshrined in the Dalada Maligawa is the relic of the tooth of Buddha which has long been greatly venerated.

Breakfast at hotel and proceed to Nuwara Eliya. En route visit a Tea factory in Nuwara Eliya.
Tea Plantation - visit a tea plantation and a tea factory where one of the best tea in the world is produced. You will be told all about the process of manufacturing tea and also see how tea is graded. Upon arrival in Nuawara Eliya check-in to the hotel. Later proceed for the sightseeing tour of Nuwara Eliya.
Nuwara Eliya - is 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 50% of the world’s best tea. Sri Lanka's highest mountain Pidurutalagala (8282 ft) is located here. Nuwara Eliya is the location for one of the finest 18-hole golf courses in Asia.

Breakfast at hotel and proceed to Yala.
Enjoy Safari in Yala National Park.
Yala - Situated 309 kms south of Colombo, Yala is approximately 1259 kms in extent and is located in the southeastern corner of the Island. The terrain is varied, flat plains alternating with rocky out crops. The vegetation ranges from open parkland to dense jungle. The specialty here is the large numbers of Elephants. Yala is the largest national park in Sri Lanka and is the home of wild elephants, wild boar, wild buffalo, leopard, bear, deer and crocodiles. Visitors can also see large flocks of migratory and indigenous birds.

Breakfast at hotel and proceed to Beruwala.
Enroute visit the Dutch Fort of Galle. The Galle Fort, also known as the Dutch Fort or the "Ramparts of Galle", withstood the Boxing Day tsunami which damaged part of coastal area Galle town. It has been since restored. The Galle Fort also houses the elite Amangalla resort hotel, located near the Dutch Reformed Church. It was originally built in 1684 to house the Dutch Governor and his staff. It was then converted into a hotel and named then as the New Oriental Hotel in 1865, which catered to the European passengers traveling between Europe and Galle Port in the 19th century.

Today, transfer by surface to Colombo, En-route visit Turtle Hatchery at Kosgoda “Kosgoda is famous for its turtle hatchery- operated by the Wild Life Protection Society of Sri Lanka. It was established in 1981 to protect Sri Lanka's turtles from extinction. Arrival Colombo & take 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, the Bazaar area, where is also a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carvings and the Dutch Church of Wolfen dhal dating back to 1749. Also visit the BMICH, see the replica of Avukana Buddha and Independence Square.

Shopping- visit Mlesna exquisite tea boutique, cashew nut shop, ready made garments and all sorts at Majestic City. Visit the Lanka Ceramics Centre, a place where you can buy “NORITAKE SET” or other ceramic items, visit the ‘ODEL SHOP’  at Lipton Place. Visit ’BAREFOOT’, ’HOUSE OF FASHION’ and 'BEVERLY STREET' – 24 hours shopping arcade (garments only) at Kollupitya.Thereafter transfer to Airport to connect the departure flight.