Memorable days in Sri Lanka- 08 Days/ 07 Nights

• Upon arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, please clear immigration & visa formalities, collect your baggage and proceed to the arrival lounge through the green channel if you do not have goods to be declared to customs.
• Explore Vacations Representative will page you by your name. Thereafter you will be 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 Hamilton 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. The canal was named after Gavin Hamilton, the Government Agent of Revenue and Commerce.

• Check in to a Hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

• After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Habarana.
• En route, Visit the silent giants at the Pinnawala Elephant Breeding Centre.

It is known as an orphanage, nursery and captive breeding ground for Wild Asian elephants located at Pinnawala Village. Pinnawala has the largest herd of captive elephants in the world. In 2023, there were 71 elephants, including 30 males and 41 females from 3 generations, living in Pinnawala.

• Arrive in Habarana.
• Check in to a Hotel.
• Enjoy the Village tour in Sigiriya.

Village tour offers a unique opportunity for comfortable cultural immersion. You travel to places where the way of life has not changed and where everything is still built by hand, made by hand and created by hand. Visit people untouched by western ideals, computers or modern "necessities". 

Village tour allows tourists to take part in many village activities that shape everyday life, such as bullock cart ride, catamaran riding, and field walking.

• Return to the hotel for overnight stay at hotel.

• 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. 
• Check out from the hotel, proceed to Kandy via Matara.
• En route, 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. 
• 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. 

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.
• Enjoy City tour of Kandy including a stopover at a Gem Museum & lapidary.
• 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.

• En route, visit Sri Bhakta Hanuman Hindu Temple Ramboda 
• Witness Ramboda Waterfall
• Arrive in Nuwara Eliya 
• Check in to the hotel.
• If time permit visit fruit and vegetable market. 
• Overnight stay at the hotel. 

• 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 Nanu oya to Ella- 

The train ride from Nanu oya 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 dinner and 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

• Participate Cooking Class in Galle.

In this cooking class you can learn appropriate terminology that will help you to better read and understand recipe preparations. Basic Skills-A few of the basic skills you can learn in the kitchen are knife skills, basic cooking methods, such as searing and braising, menu development, and meal preparations. In here you can learn few traditional Sri Lankan recipes. 

• 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 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 Beruwala.

Check in to a hotel for overnight stay at hotel.

• After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Colombo.
• En route, Visit Turtle Hatchery in Kosgoda

Learn about Sri Lankan sea turtles. Here you will find lots of information about Sri Lanka's pioneering sea turtle conservation project - why Sri Lanka (and the village of Kosgoda in particular) is a prime turtle nesting site, why the conservation project is needed and how the project is operated by local people with the help of international volunteers.

• Arrive in Colombo.

Sri Lanka's capital city of Colombo seamlessly combines the incredible culture and history of the island with modern tourist attractions and amenities. The city's unique colonial history (Portuguese, Dutch, and British) adds additional layers to the mix. As the country's capital city, it's also filled with museums and places to visit that illustrate Sri Lanka's rich history.

• Visit, Gangaramaya Temple: Gangaramaya Temple is one of the most important temples in Colombo, Sri Lanka, being a mix of modern architecture and cultural essence
• Green Path, Colombo
• Viharamahadevi Park: The Park is the oldest and the biggest park in the port city of Colombo in Sri Lanka
• Independence Square: Built to commemorate the significant event of Sri Lanka gaining independence from the British Empire in 1948, the present-day Independence Square includes a memorial hall, ponds and surrounding gardens.
• Galle Face Green & Old Parliament Building 
• Fort Colombo: Colombo Fort is the cultural, financial and economic hub of the city and is home to many important buildings and offices
• Enjoy shopping in Colombo.

Check in to a hotel for overnight stay.

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Check out and proceed to Airport.
• Good bye from Explore Vacation.

“Leaving Sri Lanka with Unforgettable Memories”