As for the beginning of a ten-day stay in Sri Lanka, day one awaits you with a variety of experiences in a wide range. The roof tile factory, as well as the pineapple plantation, speaks for the local industrial and agricultural uniqueness while Pinnawella Elephant Orphanage gifts you with the closest encounter to Sri Lankan wild life. The playful baby elephants are sure to woo your heart, and the adult elephants, especially the Tuskers will enable you to feel the pride of a nation. Also, visitors are invited to observe and assist the baby elephants as they are fed from giant feeding bottles before they plod down to the river for their daily bath.
The Sigiriya Fortress, the palace of late King Kashyapa between 477 to 495 A.D is an exhilarating view and an architectural masterpiece up to this day. Having visited this historic monument, you will be able to enjoy the comfort of a warm meal and spend your night in one of the best hotels in Sigiriya.
This would be one of the days your taste buds will be dying for more, and you will fall in love with the natural delicacies Sri Lanka got to offer you. After breakfast, on your way from Sigiriya to Anuradhapura, stop over to taste a king coconut, freshly cut pineapples, mangoes and a variety of other tropical fruits. The drive is scenic, passing small towns, rural villages and coconut groves which paint a beautiful picture of dry country agriculture and cultivation.
Anuradhapura is one of the ancient cities of Sri Lanka and a World Heritage site. It was the national capital 1300 years ago in the 10th Century AD, and the monuments have survived up to this day, surrounded by the solemn umbrage of trees and old parks. During the tour, you will visit an Archeological museum, The sacred Bo Tree, Brazen Place, Royal Palace, Samadhi Buddha, Kuttam Pokuna, and more.
Polonnaruwa is a historic city that would nourish your souls. The stone statues and palaces boast of skilled craftwork, and the wild life enhances the co-existence of nature and human in the same world. This is also a world Heritage site as it was once the Capital of Sri Lanka from 11th – 13th Centuries.
The city still consists of splendid and spectacular statues, walkways and places among the forestry watched by the wildlife. The Minneriya National Park will give you yet another chance to get closer to local wild life providing you firsthand experience to view rarest species at play. After your visit to sanctuary, you will proceed back to your hotel in Sigiriya
After the morning elephant ride through the jungle, you will start your journey to Kandy, visiting Dambulla Cave Temple, batik factory and spi ce garden in Matale on the way. The Dambulla Cave Temple is yet another standing proof for skilled craftsmanship in Sri Lanka, which is a cave improvised as a place dedicated for religious observances. The batik factory boasts of the colorful Sri Lankan industry while the Spice Garden in Matale speaks for the rich cultivation of the country.
The most outstanding place you will be visiting on the 4th day is the Temple of the Tooth Relic, which is considered as the living place of Lord Buddha. It is popular among tourists as well the locals and teeming with religious observers most of the time of the day. Adding to the variety of the day, the next would be a cultural dancing show that can only be seen in Sri Lanka.
Having stayed at a hotel In Kandy the previous night, on the morning of the fifth day, you will visit the Gadaladeniya Temple, Ambakey Temple and Lanka Thilake Temple on the outskirts of Kandy. These places have a lot to offer in artistry and very popular for their architectural uniqueness.
The first activity for the day will be a visit to Peradeniya Botanical gardens, which is lush with a variety of local and endemic flora. The next destination will be Nuwara Eliya which is supposed to be one of the coolest places on the Island, but it is just like an English spring day, although the temperature does drop at night. All around Nuwara Eliya you will see evidence of the British influence, houses like country cottages or Queen Ann style mansions.
En-route you will get the opportunity of visiting a Sri Lankan tea plantation center and a working tea factory and also experience a self-tea plucking session.
The next day will be spent in the Horton Place National Park in which you will be able to witness both fauna and flora, and in the afternoon you will enjoy the cool breeze of Gregory Lake in the heart of Nuwara Eliya city. The mild climate in Nuwara Eliya would help you to relax and soothe your minds and souls and a warm meal, and with accommodation at one of the finest hotels in the city, you are sure to call it a day well spent.
After breakfast visit Galle Fort in Galle. Galle Fort, in the Bay of Galle on the south east coast of Sri Lanka, was built first in 1588 by the Portuguese, then extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century from 1649 onwards. It is a historical, archaeological and architectural heritage monument, which even after more than 423 years maintains a polished appearance, due to extensive reconstruction work done by Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka.
After this visit the Mask Factory in Ambbalangoda Ambalangoda is very popular village for Mask industry. Masks are very important item for Sri Lanka traditional dances (Kolam,Yaga ) and the Moon Stone Mine in Meetiyagoda Sri Lanka is famous for its precious gems and moonstones, Meetiyagoda is one of the few places where they are found in such high concentrations. It is believed by the villagers that this piece of land, around an acre in extent, is blessed by the moon. The moonstone is grey and feels cool and smooth to the touch when polished and has a glow like that of the moon.
In the afternoon proceed through the costal line back to Negombo. End of tour.
On the 9th day, you will p roceed to Tissamaharama, visiting the Buduruwagalla Buddha standing statue on the way. This is also a famous historical monument that has many mentions in the records of history.This would be followed by an afternoon or morning safari in Yala National Park. This is the second largest sanctuaries in Sri Lanka with a high biodiversity. The safari would offer you breath taking views of wildlife, some of them which can only be seen in Sri Lanka. The day would end with dinner of local cuisine and overnight stay in a hotel in Tissamaharama.
Day ten has much to offer of the Southern Coast of Sri Lanka. After breakfast, you will proceed back to Negombo via the coastal road stopping en route for attractions such as the Dondra Lighthouse, blow hole in Dikwella, Weligama fishing village and the Turtle Hatchery in Unawatuna. While the Dondra Light House is the manmade site, the blow hole is a marvelous creation of nature itself. Weligama would provide you a glimpse of the lives of fishers in the country. The turtle hatchery would be the best event for the day as this is one endeavor you will be the closest to marine life. You will be able to observe a number of turtle species and given that your time is right, you might even be able to participate in the process of releasing the baby turtles to the sea, thus concluding your tour.
