Pick up from your Colombo hotel for your early morning drive for the Elephant Orphanage at Pinnawala, the feeding of the baby elephants is at 09.10am hours. Thereafter the elephants are herded to the river for bathing around 10.00am for two hours.

Late afternoon climb Sigiriya, the 5th century A.D. Rock Fortress. Declared by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and indentified as the 8th Wonder of the World by Sir Arthur C Clarke, science fiction writer. The vision of a patricidal king named Kasyapa transformed an awesome monolith into a cloud swept city. The mirror wall which protects a series of exquisite murals (frescoes of celestial maidens using natural pigments) shows a close resemblance to the paintings seen in the Ajanta caves in India. All these features and the Lion’s Paw, the entrance to the ruined palace on the summit are well worth the effort of the ascent.

Overnight: Vil Uyana  
Meal Plan: B

After breakfast leave for Polonnaruwa, a former capital of Sri Lanka 11th to 12th century. A.D., and a UNESCO World heritage site, an obvious South Indian influence on the architecture is noticeable. The Gal Vihare comprises of four colossal statues of the Buddha carved out of the living rock stand testimony to the skill of master craftsmen. Visit also the Tivanka Pilimage with its priceless murals and the vast man made lake that is the Sea of Parakrama – a feat of ancient engineering.

Afternoon undertake a half day safari to the Hurulu Eco Park or the Minneriya National Park to see elephants in the wild (As seen on PBS).

Overnight: Vil Uyana  
Meal Plan: B

Morning, leave for Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the capital of Sri Lanka 3rd century BC. It is the city of stupas and monasteries, steeped in antiquity. Visit Ruwanweliseya and Thuparama Dagobas and the Samadhi Buddha. Visit the oldest historically documented tree in the world. This is a branch from the Original peepul or Bo tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. The tree continues to be venerated today after an unbroken period of 23 centuries. The ruins of the “Brazen Palace”, the twin ponds, the queens’ baths and other relics of a bygone age speak of an ancient grandeur that is almost tangible even today.

Evening return to your hotel.

Overnight: Vil Uyana
Meal Plan: B

Morning leave for Dambulla, a UNESCO World Heritage site to visit the rock cave temple, which is comprised of a series of 5 caverns with ceilings of natural rock covered with intricate paintings. The natural folds of the rock have been skillfully used to given the illusion of cloth. Forty-eight statues of the Buddha and images of the various deities can be seen inside the cave.

Thereafter leave for Kandy enroute visiting the Spice Gardens at Matale.

Kandy was the seat of the Kandyan Kings from the 14th century A.D. and is a repository of Sinhala culture.

Afternoon enjoy a city tour of Kandy – drive around the beautiful lake and the upper lake drive. Visit the Arts and Crafts centre where you can buy Kandyan silver and brass ware, Metal work, Lacquer work, Wood and bone carvings, Pottery and Hand-woven fabrics. Demonstrations of artisans at work.

In the evening, view a Cultural dance performance by Kandyan dancers.

The sacred city of Kandy has been inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage partly due to the Temple of the Tooth or the Dalada Maligawa, which you will visit in the evening.

Overnight: Mowbrey House  
Meal Plan: B

Morning visit the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, a formerly the pleasure gardens of the Sinhala Queens. The gardens contain over 4000 species of plants. The avenue of the Royal Palms, the bamboo fringed Riverside drive, the Bat drive with a vast collection of flying foxes who spend the daylight hours hanging upside down, are some of the special features of this lovely garden. There is also an Orchid house, a Spice garden, an Herb garden and Glass house of Anthuriums, Begonias, African Violets and other greenhouse plants.

In the evening visit the Gadaladeniya, Lankatilaka and the Embekke Temples belonging to the 14th century. Gadaladeniya is built of stone and reminds us of the South Indian influence of the period. Lankatilaka temple is a magnificent brick building in white and in the shrine room is found a superb seated image of the Buddha. Embekke temple is famed for its carved wooden pillars with intricate designs.

Overnight: Mowbrey House  
Meal Plan: B

In the morning leave for Nuwara Eliya in the heart of the tea country, established by the British as a replica of a little English village reminiscent of the Lake District. Even today Tudor and Victorian style houses with trim English gardens speak of a gentler age. An 18 hole golf course and the picturesque lake are a year round attraction. Tour this unusual little city and en route visit a tea factory where you can see the intricacies that go into the manufacture of the world’s best loved brew.

Overnight: Ceylon Tea Bungalows  
Meal Plan: B

Morning leave for Yala.

Evening, enjoy a half day safari at the Yala National Park or the Ruhunu National Park which is a sanctuary for a variety of wild life. The Ceylon elephant roams freely here and close encounters are not uncommon. Leopards, deer, sambhur, wild buffalo, crocodiles and monitor lizards are among the larger mammals that can be observed in their natural habitat. Your safari is by private jeep with a guide.

Overnight: Jetwing Yala
Meal Plan: B

Morning, leave for Galle, the seafarer’s capital to visit the natural harbor and the Dutch Fortress with its towering ramparts and the mediaeval Dutch buildings.

Visit the Galle Maritime Museum (optional as you can visit if open)

Stroll around the Fort with its paved driveway, alleys, shops, restaurants and guest houses. Galle Dutch Fort has a magical feel to it taking you back in time, perhaps 400 years ago.

Then proceed to the beach resort.

Overnight: Aditya
Meal Plan: B

Day at leisure to enjoy the golden sandy beach and the warm water of the Indian Ocean. Explore the local villages on your own or stroll on the beach at sunset.

Overnight: Aditya
Meal Plan: B

Check – out time from beach resort is at 11.00am.

Afternoon leave for Seeduwa (Near International airport).   Enroute stop at the markets and handicrafts shops and craft villages.

Optional: Stop in Colombo if you wish to shop or have an early dinner at one of the specialty restaurants (direct payment).

Overnight: The Taj Gateway Hotel
Meal Plan: B

Check-out time from hotel in Seeduwa is at 11.00am.

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight to USA.