Sri Lanka- Explore Sri Lanka with Explore Vacations- 09 Days/ 08 Nights Tour

• Explore Vacations Representative will  assisted to the Coach Park to begin your journey as per the itinerary.
• Proceed to Negombo  

With a wide sandy beach, big hotels and handy proximity to Colombo, Negombo is one of Sri Lanka’s most popular resorts. Beyond its sands lies an interesting mix: a colonial-built canal and crumbled fort; a lively fish market, traditional fishing communities, and a wildlife-rich lagoon.

• Visit Fishing Village, Fishing Markets
• Dutch Canal-The Dutch Canal is a 14.5 km canal connecting Puttalam to Colombo, passing through Negombo in Sri Lanka. The canal was constructed by the British in 1802 and completed in 1804. It was designed to drain salt water out of the Muthurajawela wetlands.

Check in to a Hotel for overnight stay.

• After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Chilaw.

Chilaw a delightful seaside town located on the west coast of Sri Lanka, with a wide sandy beach, big hotels, Chilaw is Sri Lanka’s most popular destination. Beyond its sands lies an interesting mix: a colonial-built canal and crumbled fort; a lively fish market, traditional fishing communities, and a wildlife-rich lagoon. 

• Visit Munneshwaram and Mannavari temple-Munneswaram temple is an important regional Hindu temple complex in Sri Lanka. The temple complex is a collection of five temples, including a Buddhist temple. The temples are dedicated to Shiva, Ganesha, Aiyanar and Kali.  
• Arrive in Anuradhapura.

This sacred city was established around a cutting from the 'tree of enlightenment', the Buddha's fig tree, brought there in the 3rd century B.C. by Sanghamitta, the founder of an order of Buddhist nuns. Anuradhapura, a Ceylonese political and religious capital that flourished for 1,300 years, was abandoned after an invasion in 993. Hidden away in dense jungle for many years, the splendid site, with its palaces, monasteries and monuments, is now accessible once again.

• Visit, Ruwanweli Maha Seya
• Sri Maha Bodhi
• Isurumuniya Rajamaha Viharaya
• Thuparamaya Dagaba
• Abhayagiri Vihara
• Jetavanaramaya

Proceed to Habarana.

Check in to a hotel for overnight stay.

• After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Sigiriya

Sigiriya is one of the most popular tourist attraction. This ruined, 5th century city has some extraordinary features, including moat and wall fortifications, elaborately landscaped gardens, and a monastery. It is an ancient rock fortress and palace built by King Kashyapa. It considered to be one of the most valuable historical monuments in Sri Lanka, has long been renowned as an architectural wonder of urban planning and engineering, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982.

• Climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Halfway up this rock are the world famous frescoes of the ‘heavenly maidens of Sigiriya’ remnants of a gallery of frescoes. 
• Proceed to Polonnaruwa.

Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993. It comprises, besides the Brahmanic monuments built by the Cholas, the monumental ruins of the fabulous garden-city created by Parakramabahu I in the 12th century. 

• Buddha Figures at Gal Vihara: The Gal Vihara, and known originally as the Uttararama, is a rock temple of the Buddha situated in the ancient city Polonnaruwa.
• Lankatilaka Temple
• Kiri ViharaRankoth Vihara
• Shiva Devale No. 2: This Siva Devalaya is the oldest Hindu shrine found in the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka. It was built by king Raja Raja I (985 – 1014 A.D). According to an inscription found, this place has been dedicated to the consort of the King.
• Nissanka Latha Mandapaya
• Royal Palace Of King Parakramabahu
• Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

• After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Dambulla.

Dambulla is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. The retreat chosen by King Vatta Gamini Abhaya when he was driven away from Anuradhapura by the Tamil in the 1st Century. This mass of rock and the caves therein were turned into a temple later by the same King. The rock towers 160 m over the surrounding plains. There are more than 80 documented caves in the surrounding area. Major attractions are spread over five caves, which contain statues and paintings. These paintings and statues are related to Gautama Buddha and his life. Some of the frescoes in these caves are over 2000 years old.  There are a total of 153 Buddha statues, three statues of Sri Lankan kings and four statues of gods and goddesses. The latter include Vishnu and the Gan.

• En route Dambulla, visit a Spice Garden, where you can get the experience of Sri Lankan lush spice and herbal garden feature and many important herbs such as Sandalwood, Margosa, Cocoa, Citronella, Almond, Jasmine and Coconut. 
• Visit Golden Cave Temple Dambulla 
• Proceed to Kandy.
• Arrive in Kandy.
• Check in to a hotel.
• Witness the Cultural Dance show including fire walking.
• Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

• Breakfast at the hotel.

Kandy: The city is known for being the last capital of the ancient Sri Lankan era of Kings. It is the religious as well as administrative city of Sri Lanka. It's set on a plateau surrounded by mountains, which are home to tea plantations and biodiverse rainforest. It is known as a pilgrimage destination for the Temple of the Tooth Relic (a sacred tooth of the Buddha), a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kandy is a sacred city, due to the importance and spiritual significance of this temple.

• Participate for pooja ceremony at Temple of Tooth Relic, which safe keeps the Lord Buddha’s Tooth Relic venerated by the Buddhists all over the world.
• Proceed to Nuwara Eliya through mountains and lush green tea plantations. 

Nuwara Eliya is a city in the hill country of the Central Province, Sri Lanka. Its name means "city on the plain (table land)" or "city of light".  Nuwara Eliya is well known as the “Little England” located at an altitude of 1868m with a picturesque landscape and temperate climate. Nuwara Eliya's European-style environment is a result of the city once being a retreat for colonial planters and high-society.

• En route, visit shri Bhakta Hanuman Hindu Temple Ramboda 
• Witness Ramboda Waterfall
• Arrive in Nuwara Elilya.
• Check in to a hotel.
• In the evening visit fruit and vegetable market in Nuwara Eliya.
• Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

• After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Ella

Laid-back Ella draws travellers to Sri Lanka's highlands with its mountain forests, tea plantations, and relatively cool climate. The wildlife-rich region is also home to caves, cascades, and secluded temples.

• Enjoy your beautiful train ride from Nuwara Eliya to Ella - 

The train ride from Nuwara Eliya to Ella powers down through Sri Lanka’s southern hill country, crossing the tea plantations before it winds up and disappears into the clouds, weaving in and out of the many mountain tunnels as it finally descends to Ella. It’s indeed spectacular and definitely the most beautiful train ride in Sri Lanka, if not in the world! The total train journey from Nuwara Eliya to Ella takes around 4 to 4.5 hours.

• Nine Arches Bridge - The Nine Arches Bridge also called the Bridge in the Sky, is a viaduct bridge in Sri Lanka. It is one of the best examples of colonial-era railway construction in the country.
• Witness  Ravana Waterfalls

Check in to a hotel for overnight stay.

• After breakfast at the hotel, Check out from the hotel. 
• Visit little Adam’s peak.

The Little Adam`s Peak, 1141 m high, is fairly easy to climb, with a good path all the way up. The climb will take roughly 2 - 3 hours. The beginning of the path goes through beautiful lush green tea plantations full of tea picking ladies.

• Proceed to Tissamahara.
• Arrive in Tissamaharama and check in to a hotel.
• In the evening, visit Yala National Park - 

Yala National Park is Sri Lanka’s most popular wildlife park due to the presence of many leopards. Sri Lanka is one of the few countries in the world where the population lives side-by-side with free-roaming animals. It isn’t uncommon to see elephants crossing roads or sneaking into a hotel lobby – a unique and beautiful way of living. 

• Return to the hotel for overnight stay

• After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Galle

Galle is famous for its Portuguese architectural buildings and the Galle Fort which is a world heritage site and the many amazing places to visit in Galle

• Galle Dutch Fort - The old town of Galle was once used as a trading port for spices and other goods for over 200 years. 
• The National Museum of Galle - The Galle National Museum is established in the oldest Dutch building of the Galle fort. Galle National Museum displays a wide range of archaeological and anthropological objects inherited in Southern region. 
• Galle Lighthouse - The Galle Lighthouse (also known as the Pointe de Galle Light) is Sri Lanka's oldest light station, dating back to the mid-19th  century and situated within the walls of the Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Galle Fort Clock Tower - The Clock Tower is a popular landmark and overlooks the central Moon Bastion, on the site of the former guard room
• Proceed to Colombo.
• Arrive in Colombo.

Check in to a hotel for overnight stay.

• After breakfast at the hotel, check out and proceed to Airport.
• Good bye from Explore Vacations until we meet again.

“Leaving Sri Lanka with Unforgettable Memories”