The Beauty of Ceylon Experience -old

Day
1

Route – Airport / Colombo
Drive Time – Approximately 45 minutes
Accommodation – Cinnamon Lakeside
Meal Basis – Bed and Breakfast

Arrive in Sri Lanka in the style you deserve, greeted by your chauffeur guide and transferred directly to Colombo – the island’s urban center where your journey begins.

On arrival in Colombo take your time to check-in to your hotel and spend some time at leisure. In the evening explore the wonders of Colombo and its unique historical sites.

Day
2

Route – Colombo to Pinnawala, Sigiriya
Drive Time – Colombo to Pinnawala - Approx. 2 hours / Pinnawala to Sigirya - Approx. 2.5 hours
Accommodation – Aliya Resort & Spa
Meal Basis – Half Board

After a good night’s sleep and an early breakfast, set out from the noise and chaos of the capitol and into the quiet green inland to explore Sigiriya and the island’s ancient highlights of the Cultural Triangle. On your way, you’ll stop by the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage to get your first introduction to Sri Lanka’s most celebrated inhabitants.

After your visit to Pinnawela, continue to your hotel in Sigiriya, check-in and enjoy some down time.

Return to the hotel and spend the rest of your evening at leisure.

Day
3

Route – Sigiriya to Polonnaruwa, Minneriya
Drive Time – Polonnaruwa to Minneriya – Approx. 30 minutes /Sigiriya to Polonnaruwa – Approx. 01 hour
Accommodation – Aliya Resort & Spa
Meal Basis – Half Board

Having gotten your first taste of Sri Lanka’s wondrous history in Sigirya, today you will make the short trip to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa for a look at some of the island’s most dazzling ruins.

Shifting from past to present, you will next move on to an unforgettable safari and some of Sri Lanka’s best wild elephant watching at Minneriya National Park.

Return to the hotel and spend the rest of your evening at leisure.

Day
4

Route – Sigiriya to Dambulla, Kandy
Drive Time – Sigirya to Dambulla - Approx. 0.5 hours / Dambulla to Kandy - Approx. 2 hours
Accommodation – Cinnamon Citadel, Kandy
Meal Basis – Half Board

By way of the spectacular cave temples of Dambulla, journey south today out of the arid dry-lands and up into the lush green jungle to Kandy – the Hill Capitol of Sri Lanka and the last stronghold of the Sinhalese Kingdom.

In the evening, tour the Temple of the Tooth and end with an unforgettable show of Traditional Kandyan Dance nearby.

Day
5

Route – Kandy to Nuwara Eliya
Drive Time – Approximately 5 hours
Accommodation – Hertance Tea Factory
Meal Basis – Half Board

After an early breakfast, today you will travel up those verdant green hills that surround Kandy and venture further into Sri Lanka’s most beautiful and magic region – the Hill Country – proceeding to the quiet town of Nuwara Eliya by train.

With its cool air, magnificent waterfalls, and thriving tea culture, the enchanting allure of these hills has to be seen to believe. A ride by local train to Sri Lanka’s “Little England” is a highlight of any trip to Sri Lanka. Your family will clacketty-clack through dark tunnels on winding tracks, past tea bushes trimmed by regular picking that look like green sculptures stretching up and down the misty hills as far as the eye can see. While on board you will encounter food vendors with their offerings of “short eats” and local musicians who will sing at the top of their lungs for a few rupees. Enjoy your journey – this is the complete experience.

Arrive in Nuwara Eliya greeted by your chauffeur guide and continue to your hotel to check-in and enjoy some time of leisure.

The evening is free to visit the Hakgala Botanical Gardens.

Day
6

Route – Nuwara Eliya to Yala
Drive Time – Approximately 4 hours
Accommodation – Jetwing Yala
Meal Basis – Half Board

After a civilized day in the tea country, you may be ready to explore the island’s wild again. Today you will descend the hills and head south to the dry-zone and into Sri Lanka’s most gratifying wildlife reserve, Yala National Park.

Day
7

Route – Yala to Galle
Drive Time – Approximately 4 hours
Accommodation – Approximately 4 hours
Meal Basis – Half Board

After enjoying an early breakfast, with a camera full of wildlife photos, today you will head out of the jungle and into the charming town of Galle, one of Sri Lanka’s most alluring sea-side retreats.

Arrive at your hotel, check-in and spend some time at leisure.  After a busy week of traveling, you’ll enjoy the slow pace of this fort town as you reflect on your last night in Ceylon and watch a last glorious sunset over the Indian Ocean.

Day
8

Route – Galle to Airport
Drive Time – Approximately 2.5 hours

Though it will be difficult to say goodbye, all good things come to an end. Your representative from Jetwing Travels will meet you on time at the hotel lobby to return you by way of a scenic drive to the international airport for your departing flight and a safe journey home.

Sri Lanka Tailor-made