Sri Lanka At It’s Best

Arrive Colombo International Airport

Arrival at the Colombo international airport, a warm welcome by D Raising Tours representative. Transfer to hotel in Colombo.

Colombo - like many capital cities in developing countries Colombo is fast changing its face. Almost overnight, skyscrapers arise from where old buildings once stood, yet in some parts, the old-world charm is retained. A 100-year-old c lock tower and several British built, colonial buildings are still to be seen in the city. The Pettah bazaar – where one can shop for bargains, a Hindu and a Buddhist temple, residential areas where you find the stately homes of the affluent, the Colombo museum, the Bandaranaike memorial international conference hall – an outright gift to Sri Lanka from the people’s republic of china, the new parliament in Sri Jayawardenapura and the folk-art center are some of the places of interest that one can visit to. Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel.

Colombo - Anuradhapura

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Anuradhapura. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel, and after short rest proceed for the sightseeing tour of Anuradhapura.
Anuradhapura - is located in the north central part of the Island, it was the first capital and undoubtedly the grandest city of ancient Sri Lanka. It is the home of two world heritage sites. Many places of historical and archeological interest could be visited. Sri-Mahabodhi (sacred Bo-tree), brought as a sapling of the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment, it is over 2,200 years old and is the oldest historically documented tree in the world. Brazen palace (2nd cent. B. C.) the 1600 stone columns you see are all that is left of a magnificent multi-storied residence for monks. RuwanweliSeya (2nd cent. B.C). This is the most famous of all the Dagobas. It originally depicted the perfect “water-bubble” shape that modern restoration has not been able to accurately reproduce. Samadhi Buddha (3rd cent. b.c.), one of the most famous statues, depicting the Buddha in a state of “Samadhi” or deep meditation. Isurumuniya rock temple (3rd cent. b.c.) Well known for its rock carving of “the lovers”. KuttamPokuna - twin ponds (3rd cent. b.c.) used by the monks of old as a bathing pool. ThuparamaDagoba (3rd cent. b.c.), the oldest Dagoba in the island. It enshrines a relic of the Buddha. Dinner & Overnight stay at the hotel.

Anuradhapura - Sigiriya - Habarana

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning drive to Habarana en route vising rock fortress in Sigiriya.

Sigiriya sometimes also referred to as the eighth wonder of the world dates back from over 7,000 years ago, through Pre-Historic to Proto-Historic to Early Historic times, then as a rock-shelter mountain monastery from about the 3rd century BC, with caves prepared and donated by devotees to the sangha. The garden city and the palace was built by Kasyapa 477 - 495 AD. Continue drive to Habarana, upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Evening leisure at the hotel.Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel.

Habarana - Polonnaruwa - Habarana

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning excursion to Polonnaruwa (approximately 1 hour drive).

Polonnaruwa - is the 2nd capital of Sri Lanka. Built in the 11th and 12th centuries A.D, and is a world heritage site. Here you can see the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya (3 splendid statues of the Buddha in upright, sedentary and recumbent postures carved out of rock). The audience hall, the lotus bath, the Polonnaruwa statue (12th century) and the Parakrama Sam udra tank (lake) built by king Parakramabahu the great. There are also ruins of famous places of worship such as the Shiva temple, the Lankatileka, the Watadage, the Galpotha, the KiriVihare Dag oba and the remains of a former temple of the tooth. Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel

Habarana - Dambulla - Matale – Kandy

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning drive to Kandy, en route visiting rock cave temple in Dambulla.

En route visit a spice garden to see the different spices that Sri Lanka is famous for. You will be introduced to different spices and shown how some of these spices are grown and processed.

Continue drive to Kandy. Kandy, founded in the 14th century, is the southern tip of Sri Lanka's 'Cultural Triangle'. The city became the capital of the kingdom in 1592, during a troubled time when many of the islanders were fleeing to the interior, away from the coastal areas the European powers were fighting over. Although taken several times, the city remained one of the bastions of Sinhalese independence until the British troops entered it on 14 February 1815. From Vimala Dharma Suriya I (1591-1604) to Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe (1798-1815), it was the last seat of royal power. It remains the religious capital of Buddhism and a sacred city for millions of believers. Enshrined in the Dalada Maligawa is the relic of the tooth of Buddha which has long been greatly venerated. Dinner & Overnight stay at the hotel.

In Kandy

Breakfast at the hotel. Day at Leisure and enjoy surroundings. Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel.

Kandy – Nuwara Eliya

After breakfast drive to Nuwara Eliya. En route visiting a Tea factory in Nuwara Eliya.

Tea Plantation - visit a tea plantation and a tea factory where one the best tea in the world is produced. You will be told all about the process of manufacturing tea and also see how tea is graded. Taste a cup of pure C> Continue drive to Nuwara Eliya, upon arrival proceed for the sightseeing tour of Nuwara Eliya.

Nuwara Eliya - is Sri Lanka's premier hill resort with a fine bracing mountain climate. NuwaraEliya is also the heart of Sri Lanka's tea country producing 50% of the world’s best tea. Sri Lanka's highest mountain Pidurutalagala (8282 ft) is located here. Nuwara Eliya is the location for one of the finest 18 hole golf courses in Asia.
Later check-in at the hotel. Dinner & Overnight stay at the hotel.

Nuwara Eliya - Kithulagala - Kalutara

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning drive to Kalutara en route visiting Kithugala.
A visit to Kitulgala is a terrific combination of nature and thrill. It is also one of the wettest places in Sri Lanka. The Kelani River which flows through the town served as a filming location for the Oscar-winning movie ‘The Bridge On the River Kwai’, released in 1957.
Continue drive Kalutara, upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Balance day at Leisure on the beach, Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel.

In Kalutara

Breakfast at the hotel. Day at Leisure on the beach. Meal plan on full board basis. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Kalutara - Colombo International Airport

After breakfast check-out from the hotel. In time transfer to Colombo International airport to board flight for your onward destination.