Culture & Heritage

Arrival, welcome by a representative of Lanka Sportreizen and transfer to Hotel in Negombo.
Relax
Undertake a City Tour of Negombo including a Fishing Village, Old Dutch Fortress from 1678 converted to prison, the Hamilton Canal which was built by the Dutch for the transportation of Cinnamon; the Old Dutch Cemetery and naturally the Negombo Fish Market.
Overnight stay at Negombo

After breakfast leave for Anuradhapura – “The first Capital - 5th Century BC”.
En route visit Yapahuwa Rock-Where the majestic gateway remains to be seen as the proof to the grandeur that this former capital enjoyed and any other place of interest Afterwards continue to Anuradhapura
Visit many sites of the City of archaeological and historical interest including Isurumuniya - the first temple to be built in the island, Sri Maha Bodhi Tree- with an authenticated history of more than 2300 years which has been planted from a sapling from the original tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment , Ruwanveliseya - the largest stupa in the island , Jethawanaramaya and Abhayagiriya - which in their original form have been matching in size to the Great Pyramids in Giza being the tallest brick buildings in the world and have thus been declared as World Heritage Sites , Twin Ponds, Thuparamaya- the first Stupa to be built in Sri Lanka enshrining the left collar bone of the Buddha, the Samadhi Statue - meditating posture etc.
Overnight stay at Anuradhapura

After breakfast leave for Giritale
En route Climb the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya, a Royal Citadel for 20 years in the 5th Century AD built by King Kasyapa, contemporary with the paintings of Ajanta and Ellora Caves in India, highlights being the Frescoes, Mirror Wall and the Lion's Paw, considered as the 8th Wonder of the modern world, thought to be equivalent to the "Alakamanda" - Celestial Palace of God Kuvera.
Continue to Giritale
En route in the evening visit the Minneriya National Park to undertake a Jeep Safari to see wild life
Overnight stay at Giritale

After breakfast leave for Passikudah
En route visit Polonnaruwa -“The Medieval Capital of Sri Lanka-11th Century AD”
Visit the many sites of archaeological and historical interest in the Sacred City including the Grate Statue, Quadrangle, Royal Palace, Vatadage, Hatadage, Siva Devalaya, Gal Viharaya, Alahana Pirivena Complex, Kumara and Lotus Ponds, Thuparamaya, Rankoth Vehera, Pabalu Vehera, Thiwanka Image House, The Museum etc some of which depict the influence the Hinduism had on the Buddhist Civilization during that period of history.
Continue to Passikudah
Overnight stay at Passikudah

Breakfast at Hotel
Relax
Overnight stay at Passikudah

After breakfast leave for Ampara
En route visit the Dutch Portuguese Fort in Batticaloa and Kattankudy –“Longest town in the Island”
Overnight stay at Ampara

After breakfast leave for Ella
En route visit Buddhangala Monastery
In the evening visit the Galoya National Park to undertake a Boat Safari
Overnight stay at Ella

After breakfast leave for the Horton Plains-a part of newly declared World Heritage Site of Central Highland of Sri Lanka, which is the island’s most isolated plateau, situated 1860 meters above sea level
Start hiking to visit the World’s End – a sheer drop of 1,050 meters, lucky if you can have a clear vision and proceed to visit the Baker’s Water Falls, named after the person who discovered it.
Overnight stay at Nuwara Eliya

After breakfast leave for Kandy -“The Hill Capital”
En route visit a Tea Factory and a Plantation to witness the manufacturing process of world famous "Ceylon Tea" and to taste a pure unblended cup of factory fresh tea before being sent to the Tea Auctions in Colombo leading to Export.
Sightseeing in the city- the important places being the Victoria Park, Gregory Lake, Golf CourseM and Market etc
Overnight stay at Kandy

Breakfast at Hotel
Undertake a City Tour including -the Upper Lake Drive - a place where one could have a bird's eye view of the city below, the Royal Botanical Gardens - one of the best of its kind in Asia with more than 5000 species of different varieties of flora which incidentally was the Headquarters of Lord Louise Mountbatten - the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces during the 2nd World War, a Gem Museum - to see how the valuable gems that you see on a shop shelf are turned out from a raw stone with the back ground history.
In the evening watch a Cultural Performance by traditional Kandyan Dancers and Drummers including devotional "Fire Walking" and walk across in the star lit night to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha –By far the most important place of worship for Buddhist world over.
Overnight stay at Kandy

After breakfast leave for Colombo -“The Commercial Capital”
En route Visit the Elephant Orphanage to see the world's largest herd of domestic elephants including babies who are still being fed by bottle thrice a day. Continue to Negombo
Undertake a City Tour of Colombo including a Buddhist Temple, Dutch Wolvendhal Church, a Hindu Temple, Town Hall, BMICH (Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall) , Cinnamon Gardens - Prime residential area, the Nelum Pokuna – the newly opened Performing Arts Theatre , the recently developed New Parliament Area and shopping etc.
Afterwards proceed to Negombo
Overnight stay at Negombo

Breakfast at Hotel
Relax
Overnight stay at Negombo

Transfer to the Airport for departure