7D/6N Best of Sri Lanka

Day 1

ARRIVE BANDARANAIKE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, COLOMBO – NEGOMBO
Upon arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport Colombo, you will be welcomed by our representative and transferred to Negombo.

After check in, free at own leisure for the rest of the day.

Day 2

NEGOMBO - KANDY (B)
After breakfast, we will drive to the sacred city of Kandy, a UNESCO World Heritage site. En route, stopby Spice Garden in Matale to see different type of spices which are famous in Sri Lanka. Upon arrival at Kandy, visit the Upper Lake Drive, Market Square, Art & Crafts Centre, Gem Museum, and the Royal Botanical Gardens which was started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the King of Kandy.

Next, visit the Holy Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) - the most sacred shrine in Buddhism. It is within this magnificent temple that the sacred Tooth relic of Buddha is enshrined.

In the evening, have an opportunity to witness a cultural show featuring various dance types of Sri Lanka.

Day 3

KANDY - NUWARA ELIYA (B)
After breakfast we proceed to Nuwara Eliya, (City of Lights), also known as 'Little' England', was the favourite hill station of the British who tried to create Nuwara Eliya into a typical English Village. All around Nuwara Eliya you will see evidence of the British influence. Houses are like country cottages or Queen Ann style mansions.

Also, be awed by the breathtaking views of greenery, meadows, valleys, waterfalls and mountains.

On the next stop, visit Seetha Eliya Kovil where a quaint little devala is found by the side of the road at a slightly lower elevation by the stream.

In the evening, free at leisure where you can explore the scenic surrounding of this hill station.

Day 4

NUWARA ELIYA – KATARAGAMA (B)
After breakfast, proceed to Kataragama, a popular pilgrimage destination frequented by adherents of all religions in Sri Lanka. The main shrine, which is devoted to Skanda, is popularly described in the eulogies as a God with six faces and twelve arms. The history of the shrine dates back to 2nd century of BC.

The Temple complex consists of Ul-Khizr that houses the tombs of Muslim saints from Kyrgyzstan & India. It is a beautiful small mosque with coloured tile work and wooden lintels. Next to the Muslim Ul- Khizar, is a Hindu temple of God Shiva. We continue our journey up to the main avenue, passing by a string of minor shrines, before reaching the main shrine, the Maha Devale.

After which, the rest of the day is free at own leisure for you to explore the town.

Day 5

KATARAGAMA - GALLE - BERUWELA - BENTOTA (B)
After breakfast we proceed to Bentota, and en route we visit Galle, where in 1663, the Dutch built the 36-hectare Fort, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Galle is the best example of a fortified city built by Europeans in South and South-East Asia, showing the interaction between European architectural styles and South Asian traditions. This Dutch fort is the most popular attraction of the town. The 300-year old Dutch atmosphere is still very much alive around the fort.

Upon arrival in Bentota, a popular beach resort you would have the opportunity to relax or enjoy a cup of tea and soak in the ambience. Proceed to Bentota for overnight.

Day 6

BENTOTA - COLOMBO (B)
After breakfast, we return to Colombo.We take a drive through the city with a visit to the Fort, originally a fort during the Portuguese and Dutch periods but now a major commercial center of the country and housing major offices, big hotels, shops and restaurants. Adjacent to the Fort is Pettah - Colombo's leading bazaar district. It has narrow cobbled streets lined with shops and street stalls that offer the most fantastic bargains and the most unimaginable range of goods. Probably the most famous street in Pettah is the mile long Sea Street which contains the capital's goldsmith workshops and gold markets. Next we visit the Dutch Church of Wolfendhal dating back to 1749. Then we visit the Bandaranaike Memorial International Convention Hall or BMICH. Later to Aukana and look up at the Buddha statue, 12 metres high, carved from living rock and finally to Independence Square.

In the afternoon we visit an exquisite Mlesna tea boutique. Mlesna tea is synonymous with ceylon tea with its innovative packaging. We then go to Majestic City for some bargain hunting. We visit the Lanka Ceramic Centre, a place where you can buy noritake wares or other ceramic items. Then, indulge yourself in a shopping spree at ODEL shop, Barefoot, House of Fashion and Beverly Hills

We return to the hotel and rest of the day free at leisure.

Day 7

DEPART COLOMBO (B)
After breakfast, free at own leisure till transfer to airport for your flight back home.