Easter Getaway Sri Lanka and highlights -14 Nights-30 March 2013

30 March 2013 –Fly to Colombo arriving 01 April

DAY 01: ARRIVAL NEGOMBO

On arrival at Colombo airport meet and greet by our representative and drive to Negombo

Upon arrival at Negombo check in at hotel

Rest of the day at leisure

Overnight at Negombo

DAY 02: NEGOMBO / HABARANA

After breakfast at hotel, check out and drive to Habarana

En-route visits Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage.

This orphanage is the home for about 60 elephants, out of which some are baby elephants found abandoned or orphaned in the wild. They are being cared, fed and trained by the wild life authorities. The best time to visit is during the feeding times, when one will have the opportunity of seeing the baby elephants being bottle-fed. Also could accompany the elephants to a river close-by and see them having their daily bath. Also visit Kandalama lakeside.

After the visit, continue the drive to Habarana. On arrival check in at the hotel

Later visit the Dambulla rock temple. Climb up to the temple, which was donated by king Walagambahu in the 1st century B.C. to Buddhist monks. Dambulla is a world heritage site and is the most impressive of Sri Lanka's cave temples. The complex of five caves, with over 2000 sq. meters of painted walls and the ceiling, is the largest area of paintings found in the world. These caves contain over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is the colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of rock spanning 14 meters.

Overnight at Habarana

DAY 03: HABARANA – Excursion To ANURADHAPURA

After breakfast at hotel proceed for a sightseeing tour Anuradhapura.

It was the first capital and undoubtedly the grandest city of the ancient Sri Lanka. It is the home of two World Heritage sites. Many places of historical and archaeological interest could be visited. Sri Maha Bodhi (Sacred Bo-Tree) was brought as a sapling of the tree under which Prince Siddhartha attained to enlightenment and it is over 2,200 years old and is the oldest historically documented tree in the world. At Brazen Palace (2nd century B.C), the 1600 stone columns you see are all that is left of a magnificent multi-storied residence for monks. Ruwanweliseya (2nd century B.C) is the most famous of all the Dagobas. It originally depicted the perfect ''bubble shape" that modern restoration has not been able to accurately reproduce. ''Samadhi'' Buddha statue (4th century AD) is one of the most famous statues, depicting the Buddha in a state of ''Samadhi'' or deep meditation. Isurumuniya rock temple (3rd century B.C) is well known for its rock carvings of “the Lovers” Kutta.

After the visit drive back to Habarana.Overnight at Habarana

Day 04: HABARANA – Excursion to SIGIRIYA

After breakfast at hotel proceed to visit Sigiriya rock.

Climb Sigiriya and explore the 5th century Sigiriya Rock Fortress which is a world heritage site, built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD). The 'Lion Rock' is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 meters from the scrub jungle. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town. A moat, rampart, and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens ring the base of the rock. Visit the world-renowned frescoes of the 'Heavenly Maidens' of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway. These frescoes are painted in earth pigments on plaster.

Also proceed for sightseeing tour of Polonnaruwa, which was the 2nd capital city of Sri Lanka built in the 11th and 12th centuries AD, and is also a world heritage site. Here you can see the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya where 4 splendid statues of the Buddha in ''Upright'', 'Sedentary'' and ''Recumbent'' postures carved out of rock could be seen, the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, the statue of king Parakramabahu, and the Parakrama Samudraya - a lake built by King Parakramabahu the great. There are also monuments of famous places of worship such as the Shiva Temple, the Lankathilake, the Watadage, the Galpotha, the Kiri Vehera and the remains of a former Temple of the Tooth Relic.

Overnight at Habarana

Day 05: HABARANA / KANDY

After breakfast at hotel check out and drive to Kandy.

En-route visit Matale Spice Garden in Matale to see 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.

On arrival at Kandy check in at the hotel

Rest of the day at leisure

Overnight at Kandy

Day 06: KANDY

After breakfast at hotel proceed on a City tour of Kandy, the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings which is a World Heritage Site. The name "Kandy" conjures visions of splendour and magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. Drive around the Kandy Lake built by the last Sinhala king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798. Visit the Kandy town and Bazaar, the arts and crafts centre, a gem museum and a lapidary.

Also visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. This botanical garden was first built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala king and was expanded by the British. It is 147 acres in extent and provides an amazing variety of trees, plants and flowers.

In the evening visit Dalada Maligawa / the Temple of the Tooth Relic in time for the ‘Pooja’. Thereafter witness a typical Sri Lankan Cultural show featuring traditional Sri Lankan dancing.

Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at Kandy

Day 07: KANDY / NUWARA ELIYA

After breakfast at hotel checkout and drive to Nuwara Eliya

En-route visit tea plantation and a tea factory, where the best tea in the world is produced. You will be told all about the process of manufacturing tea. You can also see how tea is graded. Taste a cup of pure Ceylon tea in the factory.

On arrival at Nuwara Eliya, check in at the hotel.

Nuwara Eliya, because of its invigorating mountain climate and scenery, is Sri Lanka’s most popular hill resort. Nuwara Eliya is also the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea country producing a significant share of the world’s best tea. Sri Lanka’s highest mountain Pidurutalagala (8282 feet) is located here. Nuwara-Eliya also has one of the finest 18 hole golf courses in South Asia. The cool calm climate, gorges rolling tea plantation which makes the best “Ceylon tea” and the breathtaking beautiful waterfalls makes Nuwara Eliya one of the most beautiful town in the world. Also visit Sitha Amman Temple.

Overnight at Nuwara Eliya

Day 08: NUWARA ELIYA / BANDARAWELA

After breakfast at hotel check out and drive to Bandarawela. On arrival at Bandarawela check in at the hotel

Rest of the day at leisure

Overnight at Bandarawela

Day 09: BANDARAWELA / TISSAMAHARAMA

After breakfast at hotel check out and drive to Tissamharama. On arrival in at the hotel

Overnight at Tissamaharama

Day 10: TISSAMAHARAMA

Enjoy morning breakfast at hotel.

P. M. do a safari of the Yala National Park by jeep. Yala is the largest National Park in Sri Lanka which is the home for wild elephants, wild boars, wild buffaloes, leopards, bears, deers and crocodiles. Large flocks of migratory and indigenous birds.

Overnight at Tissamaharama

Day 11: TISSAMAHARAMA / BERUWELA

After breakfast leave to Beruwela via Galle. On arrival at Beruwela check in at Hotel

Rest of the day at leisure

Overnight at Beruwela

Day 12: BERUWELA

Enjoy morning breakfast at hotel.

Galle is home to the famous Galle Fort which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Portuguese built the first fort to withstand attack from the Sri Lankan kingdoms to the north. The Dutch entrance to the fort with it VOC with 1669 carved in the inner archway is still in use. Also visit Dutch Museum: For a peep into life in the days of the Dutch East India Company, look into this small museum at 31 Leynbaan Street.

Overnight at Beruwela

Day 13: BERUWELA

Enjoy morning breakfast at hotel.

P M do a Bentota sightseeing, which is a paradise of unlimited sun, sea and sand. The rest of the day is at leisure to indulge in various water sports activities.

Take a picturesque boat trip on the ‘Madhu Ganga’ river. The primitive life style of the inhabitant of the island of the Madu River is only a boat ride away. The boat ride takes us through the thick mangroves and abundant the bird life, to reveal the primitive style of fishing and prawn trapping still practiced by the inhabitants of the islands.

Also visit the town of Ambalangoda along the south coast road is the home of devil dancing and mask making .Visit mask museum & factory. Also visit Moonstone mine. Moonstones are beautiful stones which are white and give a blue shimmer when watched from an angle.

Overnight at Beruwela

Day 14: BERUWELA / COLOMBO

Enjoy morning breakfast at hotel. Checkout and drive to Colombo. On arrival check in at the hotel.

P M proceed on a half day City shopping Tour of Colombo driving through the Commercial area of the “Fort” so named, because both the Portuguese and Dutch had a Fort at this point. Drive passed “Pettah” – a noisy Oriental bazaar with a hotchpotch of Humanity, ancient vehicles, bargains, mosques & temples. You will drive past and view a Hindu temple, Jumi-UL Alfar Jumma Mosque, Wolvendaal Dutch Church, Hultsdorf Law courts, and the residential area of Cinnamon Gardens, Independence Square and Bandaranayke Memorial International Conference Hall. Also shopping tour of Colombo including a visit to a departmental store House of Fashion Recognized “Designer” brands of clothing at reasonable prices, Lakmedura (Antiques) and Majestic City.

Overnight at Beruwela

Day 15: BERUWELA / COLOMBO DEPARTURE

After breakfast at hotel check out drive to Colombo and in time transfer to airport to board flight for onward journey.......

Cost of above tour including all of below but NOT FLIGHTS is only £949.00! If you wish to reserve a place on this trip, please pay a non refundable deposit of £150.00.

Cost Includes:

• Accommodation on Twin sharing basis in three star hotels• All hotels are on Bed & Breakfast basis • All Transfers, sightseeing’s and excursions by Air Condition Transport • Services of an English-speaking Chauffeur / National guide.• Entrance fees for Temple of Tooth Relic, Cultural Show, Royal Botanical Garden, Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, Dambulla Temple, Anuradhapura Temple. Sigiriya Rock, Polonnaruwa, Yala National Park, Madu Ganga Boat Ride• All currently prevailing taxes

VISA REQUIRED FOR SRI LANKA, NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE, ALSO TRAVEL INSURANCE AND INNOCULATIONS