The flight from LHR to CMB takes approximately 10 hours (Via Sri Lankan Airline)

COLOMBO AIRPORT-NEGOMBO
5 Miles Approx 15 Minutes

Relax On Arrival At Negombo
Arrive at the beach resort of Negombo and relax at your hotel or villa after your long flight. The beach at Negombo is wide and long with many fishing catamarans to be seen out at sea.

There are some lovely sunset boat rides that are easily arranged locally on the Negombo Lagoon. The marshes and mangroves on the fringes contain a wealth of wildlife, including ferocious crocodiles!
YOUR CHOICE OF HOTEL:
First Class Hotels :
Jetwing Beach , Negombo

Special Choice :
Villa Hundira , Negombo

COLOMBO – DAMBULLA
94 Miles Approx 4 Hours

Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage
Pinnawela is Sri Lanka’s most visited attraction, and provides a very relaxed place to spend a few hours watching elephants. Set in a pretty riverside location, this is home to about 70 Elephants- the largest group of orphaned Elephants in the world! Most have been found injured or abandoned in the wild. Baby calves, some only a few weeks old are fed by bottle and the whole herd is then bathed in the adjoining river. A tour highlight for many visitors to Sri Lanka.

Bathing And Riding With Elephants At The Millennium Elephant Foundation
A charitable foundation next to the elephant orphanage that looks after the welfare of domesticated elephants in Sri Lanka. There are around 7 elephants here. You have a chance to try an Elephant Ride and even bathe with one of their elephants!
YOUR CHOICE OF HOTEL:
First Class Hotels :
Habarana Village By Cinnamon

Special Choice :
Sigiriya Village , Dambulla

Elephant Back Ride Around The Habarana Lake
One of the most popular activities at Habarana are elephant back rides around the lovely Habarana Lake and adjoining forests. The highlight is when the elephant takes a dip in the lake with you on its back!

By Private Jeep To See ‘The Gathering’ Of Wild Elephants At Minneriya National Park
One of the Great Sights Of The Natural World happens each year when huge herds of Asian Elephants gather by the large lakes of the Cultural Triangle during the Dry Season. Sometimes up to 300 elephants can be seen together – the largest number of wild elephants gathering in one place on the entire planet!

Best Time To Visit: Late July-September. Elephants can be seen in lesser numbers throughout the rest of the year.

DAMBULLA – KANDY
44 Miles Approx 2.5 Hours

The Magnificent Sigiriya Rock Fortress
The amazing rock fortress of Sigiriya is often listed as 8th Wonder Of The Ancient World and is easily the most impressive historic sight in Sri Lanka. You enter through The Royal Pleasure Gardens with a series of ponds and landscaped terraces until the ascent of the rock fortress begins through a series of dramatic staircases.

Hidden half-way is a cave that reveals the Sigiriya Frescoes. This is Sri Lanka’s premier artistic treasure and is a must for all visitors. If you have a head for heights, you can reach the top via the gigantic Lions Paws, which are the remnants of a huge stone lion that used to guard the entrance. There are stunning views of the forested plains below from the top.

PLEASE NOTE: Extreme caution is required if you intend to let your kids climb to the summit as there are no safety rails.
YOUR CHOICE OF HOTEL:
First Class Hotels :
Cinnamon Citadel , Kandy

Special Choice :
Hotel Thilanka , Kandy

Peradeniya Gardens And Its Beautiful Orchid Houses
The gardens at Peradeniya were one of the jewels of colonial era Ceylon. Initially developed to try out introduced tropical crops like rubber in the island, it soon expanded to become one of the great tropical collections of the world.

During WW2, the Supreme Headquarters of Lord Mountbatten Of Burma were hidden inside the gardens. The Orchid House at Peradeniya contains 300 varieties of orchids that are wonderfully displayed.

Temple Of The Buddha’s Tooth
Delightfully located in a valley surrounded by hills, Kandy was the last capital of the ancient kings. The UNESCO protected Old Town area is a lovely place for an afternoon walk along a maze of streets leading to the Temple Of The Buddha’s Tooth and the Kandy Lake, magnificently framed against forest clad hills in the background.

Visit The Temple Of The Buddha’s Tooth in the evening, for the ‘’pooja ceremony’’ that starts around 6:30 pm. At this time crowds gather to offer flowers and prayers to the sacred relic in the inner sanctum and the temple drummers are in full swing – a magical experience.

YOUR CHOICE OF HOTEL:
First Class Hotels :
Cinnamon Citadel , Kandy

Special Choice :
Hotel Thilanka , Kandy

KANDY – HILL COUNTRY
A Train Journey Of Approx 4 Hours

By Train Through The Hill Country
The Highland Queen leaves Kandy Railway Station for a spectacular journey through the Hill Country. There are lovely views of waterfalls and tea estates among the glorious scenery of the Great Western mountain range. Clients are booked on the super luxury Expo or Rajadhani Carriage or the Observation Car when available.

YOUR CHOICE OF HOTEL:
Special Choice :

Mandira Bungalows

Avian Breeze , Nuwara Eliya

HILL COUNTRY – SOUTH WEST COAST
A Journey Of Approx 5 Hours

Devon And St Clair’s Falls
The spectacular descent of the Hill Country towards Sri Lanka’s beaches passes two of the island’s most famous waterfalls, Devon and St Clair’s Falls, which are easily viewed from the roadside.

The Mlesna Tea Centre overlooking St Clair’s Tea Estate has a nice viewing platform and a Tea Museum. A great place to stop for a cup of tea.

Kithulgala
Kithulgala is a very pretty location with tropical rainforest and luxuriant vegetation in the valley of the Kelani River. This is where Sir David Lean’s classic wartime film ‘The Bridge On The River Kwai was filmed.

Sri Lanka’s Beach Resorts
A beach stay on Sri Lanka’s famous palm fringed coastline combined in addition to this tour will make for an excellent 2 week holiday on the island.

Depart Sri Lanka – Daytime flights arrive back in UK the same day