Sri Lanka
Mystical land of Sri Lanka
DAY 01: Arrive in Colombo- Negombo
Assistance on arrival at Colombo airport and transfer to the hotel.
We will visit the city of Negombo, located 12km north of the airport. A peaceful and charming fishing town with more than 120,000 inhabitants. The city exhibits a way of life reminiscent of hundreds of years ago, bright and endearing. Near the promenade, you can find the remains of the 17th-century Dutch fort, which now houses a prison. The Hamilton Canal feeds the Negombo Lagoon, filled with fishermen’s huts. The neoclassical St. Mary’s Church features a ceiling decorated with beautiful paintings.
Dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 02: Negombo- Dambulla-Sigriya
Breakfast. Transfer to Sigiriya.
We will visit the Dambulla Temple. This cave temple is carved into a rocky mound and contains an extraordinary number of images, statues, carvings, and paintings. The reclining Buddha statue is truly splendid, measuring 14 meters in length and carved into the rock. These cave temples date back to the 1st century B.C., and some of the paintings are ancient, while others date from the 19th century. In addition to the numerous statues of Buddha, there are also images of Vishnu and Saman. Many of the statues representing Buddha are in meditative positions. In total, there are five caves, and some of them feature very suggestive murals on the walls and ceiling.
Dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 03: Sigriya- Polonnaruwa - Sigiriya
After breakfast. We will visit the Sigiriya Rock and climb the Lion Rock, known for the frescoes of the Golden Maidens. We will visit the Royal Gardens of Leisure, believed to be one of the first landscaped gardens in Asia. The Mirror Wall, another distinctive feature of Sigiriya, is located right next to the paintings. The surface of this wall is polished and covered with writings known as “Sigiri graffiti” in the form of poems. The Lion Staircase, which leads to the top, has a special feature of enormous Lion’s Paws sculpted at the beginning of the ascent.
In the afternoon, we will visit the city of Polonnaruwa. This city is located southeast of Anuradhapura, in an area of ponds-built centuries ago by the kings of Sri Lanka. Incredibly, these ponds continue to function to this day. Notable is the impressive, fortified complex of Parakrama Sam udra, which occupies about 2,400
hectares. At the beginning of the 11th century, the Indian invaders were drawn to it. Next, we will visit the impressive ruins of Polonnaruwa, the medieval jewel and the second capital of Sri Lanka during the 11th and 12th centuries. Situated southeast of Anuradhapura, in an area of ponds-built centuries ago by the kings of Sri Lanka. Famous for its artistic beauty, here we will see, among other things, the four giant statues carved into the rock of Gal Vihara, one of the greatest kings of Polonnaruwa, Parakramabahu.
Dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 04: Sigiriya - Anuradhapura - Sigiriya
Breakfast. Transfer to Anuradhapura. This important historical city was the first capital of Sri Lanka, originally founded around the 4th century B.C. by a minister of a king named Anuradha. The leading historical site in Anuradhapura is the sacred Bo tree – Sri Maha Bodhi. The city also contains magnificent dagobas (stupas) such as Abhayagiri, Ruwanwelisaya, Thuparamaya, Jetavanaramaya, Lankaramaya, and Mirisawetiya. Isurumuniya is a temple in Anuradhapura famous for its beautiful stone carvings, and the Samadhi Buddha statue is an outstanding example of sculpture work.
Dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 05: Sigiriya - Matale - Kandy
Breakfast. Transfer to Kandy. En route, we will visit a spice garden in Matale, famous for its spices. From ancient times, Sri Lanka has been known as the “isle of spice”. Most spices are used to enhance the flavor of curry and are sometimes also used as herbal medicine. Many spices have a pleasant fragrance that enhances interest in food.
Kandy – The most sacred city of Sri Lanka, where the precious relic of the Buddha’s Tooth is permanently preserved. First established in Anuradhapura, then in Polonnaruwa, and finally in the beautiful, unforgettable, and endearing Kandy. Here, the grandest spectacle of the Perahera festival takes place in July-August. In 1590, the rulers of Kotte made Kandy their capital. For over two centuries, Kandy was an independent kingdom, resisting both the Portuguese and Dutch, and eventually succumbing to the British in 1815 in the so-called “hill country”.
Temple of the Tooth – Built between 1678 and 1782, during the reign of various monarchs. There is a beautiful octagonal building, constructed during the time of Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, which houses an impressive library. Every afternoon, people gather eagerly in the temple halls, awaiting the moment to parade and view the precious relic, accompanied by the bold rhythm of traditional Kandyan drums and trumpets that announce the eagerly awaited moment of religious contemplation. Dinner and overnight stay.
Visit to the Stone Museum.
Dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 06: Kandy – Nuwara Eliya
Breakfast. Transfer to Nuwara Eliya. We will take an unforgettable walk through the tea plantations and surrounding mountains. The town is situated at about 1,900 meters above sea level. Afternoon free to explore the town center, the typical market, or visit a tea factory. The designation of origin “Ceylon Tea” is unquestionably known for its quality. Its cultivation in tropical or subtropical areas enhances the result, but the ideal quality touch comes from the high altitude, as in the case of the world’s best tea from the plantations in this area of Sri Lanka.
Dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 07: Nuwara Eliya - Yala
Breakfast. Transfer to Yala. In the afternoon, safari in Yala National Park. Birds, diverse animals, beautiful landscapes, bungalows in the wilderness, and beautiful herds of deer. The park covers an area of 100,000 hectares. You can observe around 100 species of birds. The vegetation in the western area of Yala consists of jungle, brackish lagoons, and rocky areas. The best time to spot leopards in Yala is usually early morning and evening.
Dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 08: Yala - Galle
Breakfast. Transfer to Galle. Visit the city of Galle.
Galle – Galle is one of those charming and endearing places that leave an indelible mark on visitors. The Portuguese arrived in Galle in 1505 and fortified the port, which was the most important on the island until the construction of Colombo’s port. The Dutch took over the city in the 17th century, and in the 19th century, it passed into the hands of the British. Remnants of these three nationalities can still be seen, adding to the charm of the city. The fortress built by the Dutch in 1663 covers 63 hectares.
Dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 09: Galle - Colombo
Breakfast. Transfer to Colombo.
The commercial capital of the country, Colombo is rapidly changing like many capitals in developing countries. It was an important commercial settlement for the Portuguese in the early 17th century, later used by the Dutch for a century and a half before they had to cede it to the British in 1796. Although some parts still retain the charm of the old world. For example, there is a 100-year-old clock tower and several colonial buildings built by the British. Other places of interest include Pettah Bazaar where you can bargain for goods, a Hindu temple, a Buddhist temple, and residential areas where you can find the majestic homes of the affluent class.
Dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 10: Colombo – Aeropuerto de Colombo
Breakfast. Transfer to Colombo Airport.