Srilanka : Family Programme

Breakfast at the hotel. Proceed on an excursion to Sigiriya – climb the famous rock fortress. Sigiriya… Climb the 5th century Sigiriya Rock fortress which is a world heritage site, built by King Kassyapa (477-495). The spectacular citadel of Sigiriya rises sheer and impregnable out of the denuded plains of the dry zone, sitting atop a huge outcrop of gneiss rock towering 200m above the surrounding countryside. It is the country's most memorable single attraction-a remarkable archeological site made unforgettable by its dramatic setting. The 'Lion Rock' is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200m from the scrub jungle. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town. A moat, rampart and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens ring the base of the rock. Visit the world-renowned frescoes of the 'Heavenly Maidens' of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway. These frescoes of the base of the rock approached by a spiral stairway. These frescoes are painted in earth pigments on plaster.

 After the visit, check-in at Vil Uyana. In the afternoon, relax and unwind. Night at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Habarana where you will embark on an exciting elephant back ride safari. Enjoy a one hour ride around the Habarana Lake on the back of an elephant accompanied by a Mahout who controls the elephant. Discover the variety of the fauna and the flora – from exotic trees and plants to reptiles and birds. At the end of the trail, the elephant will decide to refresh itself in the lake by entering in the water and spraying itself and its passengers from its hose.

 Continue afterwards to Dambulla & visit the cave temples

.Dambulla… It is the largest and best preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. the rock towers 160m over the surrounding plains. There are more than 80 documented caves in the surrounding. Major attractions are spread over 5 caves, which contain statues and paintings. These paintings and statues are related to Lord Buddha and his life. There are a total of 153 Buddha statues, 3 statues of Sri Lankan kings and 4 statues of gods and goddesses. The latter 4 include two statues of Hindu gods, Vishnu and Ganesh. The murals cover an area of 2100m2. Depictions in the walls of the caves include Buddha’s temptation by demon Mara and Buddha’s first sermon.

 Continue towards Kandy – the last kingdom of Sri Lanka. Arrive and check-in at the Mahaweli Reach and relax during the afternoon.

Breakfast at the hotel. Afterwards, transfer to Pinnawela – visit the famous elephant orphanage. The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage is one of Sri Lanka's most popular tourist attractions. The orphanage's population has now mushroomed to around 65, making it the world's largest collection of captive elephants. The elephants here range in age from newborns to elderly matriarchs, and include orphaned and abandoned elephants, as well as those injured in the wild, amongst them famous residents such as the three-legged elephant, Sama and a blind elephant Raja.

 Return to the city and embark on a Kandy City Tour

.Kandy… The city of Kandy lies at an altitude of about 500m above sea level. Its plan developed around two open spaces: an elongated square at the end of which are the administration buildings of the pld capital, and an artificial lake that is quadrangular in form. A public garden adds to the openness of the city’s spatial organization. On the north shore of the lake, which is enclosed by a parapet of white stone dating to the beginning of the 19th century, are the city’s official religious monuments, including the Royal Palace and the Temple of the Tooth, known as the Dalada Maligawa. Reconstructed in the 18th century, the Dalada Maligawa is built on a base of granite that was inspired by the temples of Sri Lanka’s former capital city, Anuradhapura. An array of materials (limestone, marble, sculpted wood, ivory, etc.) contribute to the richness of this temple. Throughout this small hooly city, a number of recent Buddhist monasteries can be found. Return to the hotel. Relax and unwind. Night at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. You could either enjoy a morning refreshing walk at the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens or maybe a quiet walk in the evening. Royal Botanical Garden… Peradeniya is located in close proximity to the city of Kandy in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. It is renowned for the collection the variety of Orchids,and has more than 300 varieties of Orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palms trees attach it is the National Herbarium. Total land mass of the botanical garden is 147 acres, 460 Meters above sea level with a 200 day annual rain fall, it is managed by the Division of National Botanic Gardens of the Department of Agriculture.

 Return to the hotel. At leisure. Night at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Proceed further up into the hill country – drive through Nuwara Eliya where you will find tea plantations and stop at a tea factory and witness the making of Ceylon’s finest tea.

Nuwara Eliya… nestled in a wooded basin at the foot of Mount Pidurutalagala Sri Lanka’s highest peak, this region at 6,183ft above sea-level Has a cool, crisp climate unknown elsewhere in Sri Lanka. A serene retreat from the hustle and bustle of Colombo, the town seems like a piece of the English Lake District. Unusual plants, birds and animals thrive here besides natural feature like waterfalls and caves. Tea, the glistening green leaves of this lovely shrub, along with neat rows of green, cloak ridges and valleys providing a lasting impression of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country. The golf course – one of the most finest and picturesque in Asia – the serene Anglican Church of the Holy Trinity, beautiful parks and well kept lawns and hedges give the place an air of nostalgia.

 Arrive and check-in at The Grand Hotel. Relax and unwind during the afternoon. Dinner and night at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel

. Transfer to Galle – the historical city of Sri Lanka.Galle … the port city, standing on one of the main sea routes in the southern part of the city, it has a unique charm among the many historic places in Sri Lanka. The Dutch built the 1st Protestant church in Sri Lanka here; UNESCO declared World Heritage Site the magnificent Dutch fort is the most popular attraction of the town. 300 year old Dutch atmosphere is still very much alive around the fort and amidst its many historical buildings not invaded by the skyscrapers. The earliest European administrative centre of Sri Lanka was the major port and the largest city until the British shifted the port to Colombo. The City of Galle had been the European administrative centre over 4 centuries After the visit, continue towards Bentota.

 Arrive and check-in at the Bentota Beach Hotel. Night at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Colombo – the capital city of Sri Lanka.Colombo… Sri Lanka’s capital up to recent times, spread along the shore of the Indian Ocean for some miles, where business and commerce begin and end.

 A drive through the city will take you to Colombo’s most fashionable residential district - the Cinnamon Gardens and the Pettah, Colombo’s busiest and most traditional bazaar area. Visits to the Hindu temple with elaborate stone carvings, the Dutch Church at Wolfendhal dating back to 1749, the historic Devatgahaha mosque and the Gangarama Temple. While the city holds less obvious interest than many other parts of the island, it's still a colorful enough place and worth a visit to see what makes Sri Lanka tick. After a city of the city, and some shopping at some famous malls – continue towards the city of Negombo, a few kilometers away from the airport.

 Arrive and check-in at the Galle Face Hotel.