Authentic Sri Lanka

Authentic Sri Lanka

Duration: 14 Days

Day 01: COLOMBO - EMBOGAMA / Day 02: EMBOGAMA / Day 03: EMBOGAMA - ANURADHAPURA / Day 04: ANURADHAPURA - TRINCOMALEE
Day 05: TRINCOMALEE / Day 06: TRINCOMALEE - PASSIKUDAH / Day 07: PASSIKUDAH - POLONNARUWA - SIGIRIYA / Day 08: SIGIRIYA
Day 09: SIGIRIYA - DAMBULLA - KNUCKLES RANGE / Day 10: KNUCKLES RANGE / Day 11: KNUCKLES RANGE - KANDY / Day 12: KANDY - NANU OYA - NUWARA ELIYA
Day 13: NUWARA ELIYA - YALA / Day 14: YALA - GALLE - COLOMBO

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DAY 1: COLOMBO - EMBOGAMA

On the way to the amazing Ulpotha stop for a delicious Tambili (King Coconut) to quench your thirst and rehydrate after a long flight. On Route: Discover Arankele – a 6th century archeological site that is famous for its ancient walking meditation platforms& meditation caves set in a magical forested hillside. Arrive in time for a delicious home cooked Organic Vegetarian Rice & Curry and retire to your mud hut for a seriously good nights sleep.

DAY 2: EMBOGAMA

Day at your own leisure. Free and easy.

DAY 3: EMBOGAMA - ANURADHAPURA

Off to Anuradhapura! On route: Stop off at Hastekuchi - an amazing ancient forest hermitage - well worth a visit. See the 5th century B.C Aukana Buddha. The most magnificent& most well preserved ancient image in Sri Lanka. Visit our most extensive& important ancient city of Anuradhapura from 4th century B.C.

DAY 4: ANURADHAPURA - TRINCOMALEE

Set off to Mihintale - It is believed by Sri Lankans to be the site of a meeting between the Buddhist monk Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa which inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. It is now a pilgrimage site, and the site of several religious monuments and abandoned structures. A must see. Lunch time! Enjoy some local delights at the Green Park Beach Hotel. A local hang in Trinco for NGO’s, travellers and officials. Head up to Fort Frederick - First used by the Portuguese in 1624 and later by the Dutch, in 1803 it was named by the British in honour of Frederick, Duke of York. British fortifications over a century old can be found around the grounds of the Fort. At the northern tip of Fort Frederick is a cliff known as “Swami Rock” which drops around 110 meters directly into the sea below. Take in the magnificent views of the Indian Ocean. On the topmost pinnacle is the Tirukonesvaram Kovil. Colourful “Poojas” are conducted here at dusk.

DAY 5: TRINCOMALEE

Fancy an early start then there is nothing quite like watching the sun rise over the Indian Ocean. Set off for the morning to Pigeon Island for some wonderful snorkeling and relaxation on white sandy beaches. Pack a picnic lunch and play Robinson Crusoe – and if you believe it takes two to tango, take along your Girl Friday – the choice is yours. Velgam Vihara - situated about 10 km north west of Trinco, this Buddhist temple and ancient ruins dates back to the 2nd century AD and is a rare example of a Buddhist temple used by Tamils. Maintained by subsequent Chola Kings, the ruins of the ancient dagoba, image house and ancient inscriptions still remain.

DAY 6: TRINCOMALEE - PASSIKUDAH

Visit Sri Lanka’s largest British World War II cemetery. Kept in pristine conditions its well worth stopping off for a quick look or if you are particularly interested in WW2 cemeteries and history then there's enough to keep you occupied here for a while. Arrive to what are said to be the best beaches in Sri Lanka. Miles and miles of untouched pristine beaches where very little development has taken place and the entire place has been stuck in a time warp due to civil conflict. Finally peace has prevailed and the east coast is set to take off. For an evening of adventure no better than to stay at this hidden secret – The Ceylon Coconut Cultivation Board’s Bungalow. With ocean views you will have a truly local and authentic experience.

DAY 7: PASSIKUDAH - POLONNARUWA - SIGIRIYA

Polonnaruwa is a UN World Heritage Site and was the Capital of Sri Lanka from 11th - 13th Centuries. It contains some splendid and spectacular statues. Click here for more information Suggest stopping for a light lunch at the Polonnawura Rest House. It is superbly located on Sri Lanka’s largest man made lake and is famous for hosting Britain’s Queen Elizabeth in 1954. Take a bicycle and your very own guide and cycle through the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. A great way to see it! Medirigiriya – 7th century Vatadage temple a top a rocky point.

DAY 8: SIGIRIYA

Climb to the top of the UN World Heritage Site of Sigiriya at 7am. An ancient rock fortress from the 5th Century. Amazing views of the Cultural Triangle! Visit the local village temple and get an inside into Buddhism from the head monk. Feel like royalty and take an elephant ride through the jungle and along lake trails.

DAY 9: SIGIRIYA - DAMBULLA - KNUCKLES RANGE

Discover the Dambulla Caves Rock Temple dated from First Century B.C. For more information click here Rice& Curry lunch at Corbets View – welcome to the Knuckles. One of our favourite locations that is less frequented by travellers coming to Sri Lanka. Time for a lot of fresh air and to stretch your legs on some of Sri Lanka’s best hikes.

DAY 10: KNUCKLES RANGE

Get your walking boots on – its time to trek! Kobonilla- Loolwatta- Corbet’s gap- Hettiya Wanguwa (13km) by motor vehicle. Trek from Hettiyawanguwa to Kumbukgolla (4km) Na-ela (3km) – Nitre cave (1km steep climb) An adventurous mountain trek, panoramic views of rocky hills, traditional villages, dense semi evergreen forest, rock formations, wild flowers, bird life, butterflies and a 10 meter high 15 meter wide cave where potassium nitrate was excavated to be used as gunpowder during the colonial times. Enjoy a picnic lunch after a stream bath at Na-ela and return in the evening.

DAY 11: KNUCKLES RANGE - KANDY

Arrive into the last stronghold of Sinhala Kings & UN World Heritage Site – the Hill Country capital of Kandy. Explore the city’s Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. For more information click here Wander around the lake and the streets of Kandy getting a feel for this wonderful city. For those interested in shopping for gems, antiques, clothes and leather use our shopping guide and explore the local markets and shops. For anyone interested in wonderful architecture we recommend you visit The Trinity College Chapel – a Kandyan pavilion open on three sides featuring murals painted by renowned Ceylon artist David Paynter. It is the only church (built circa 1800) with no walls.

DAY 12: KANDY - NANU OYA - NUWARA ELIYA

Train journeys in Sri Lanka are an absolute must. A fabulous way to see Sri Lanka’s hill villages and see the daily lives of the local people. Your driver will take your luggage and meet you at Nanu Oya and take you to your overnight hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

DAY 13: NUWARA ELIYA - YALA

Take a scenic drive down to Yala.

DAY 14: YALA - GALLE - COLOMBO

After enjoying an early morning safari of Yala National Park, drive along the southern coast to Colombo, visiting Galle on route.

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Our package tour prices are inclusive of transfers and tours as mentioned with English speaking guide, baggage handling, entrance fees, accommodation with breakfast, service charges and Taxes. Not included are other meals than mentioned in the program, optional tours, expenditures of personal nature

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