7D5N Culture of Sri Lanka (SRL7CT) Private tour – GV2 to go

Day 1 Singapore Q Colombo – Negombo (-/-/-) Upon arrival at the airport, meet our guide & transfer to Negombo for check in. Day 2 Negombo – Pinnawela – Dambulla (Approx 4 hrs) (B/L/D) Today, visit Pinnawela Elephant Orphange, established in 1975 to house the abandoned and the wounded elephants. Thereafter, proceed to Dambulla and explore Dambulla Cave Temple, which dates back to 100BC, located on a vast isolated rock mass that is 500 feet high and 5280 feet wide at the base. There are images of deities associated with Buddhism all around. The frescoes on the walls and the ceiling are the oldest here but they are over painted in the Kandy period. Day 3 Dambulla – Polonnaruwa – Minneriya – Dambulla (B/L/D) After breakfast, proceed to Polonnaruwa – is another “World Heritage Site”was the Capital of Sri Lanka from 11th-13th centuries, contains some splendid and spectacular statues. Lankatilake, Tivanka and Thuparama are the most beautiful and largest image houses and Tivanka has the best example of frescoes of the Polonnaruwa period. Next, procced for Jeep Safari at Minneriya National Park which have 8889 hectares in the extent is famous for it large population of elephants in herds of 100 – 150 roaming in the jungle and seen in the catchment area of the lake. Wild elephants, wild buffaloes, wild boar, spotted deer, sloth bear, Sambhur, leopards, crocodiles, jackals, 9 kind of amphibians, 25 kind of reptiles, 160 species of birds, 26 varieties of fishes, 78 varieties of butterflies are recorded from the Minneriya National Park.

Highlights: Pinnawela : Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage Dambulla : Dambulla Cave Temple Polonnaruwa : Jeep Safari in Minneriya National Park Sigiriya : Sigiriya Rock Fortress Kandy : Spice Garden, Upper Lake Drive, Market Square, Kandyan Arts and Crafts Centre, Gem Museum Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Cultural Show, Royal Botanical Gardens Nuwara Eliya : Tea Plantation and Factory, Nuwara Eliya Colombo : Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo Fort, Hindu Temple, Dutch Church, Replica of Avukana, ODEL, Independence Square, Barefoot

Day 4 Sigiriya – Matale – Kandy (Approx 2 hrs) (B/L/D) Today, head to Sigiriya Rock Fortress – is home to the 5th century “Fortress in the Sky” which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of the island. It is also known as Lion Rock because of the huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the fortress. Next, proceed to Kandy. En route visit Spice Garden in Matale to see the different spices, where you can see lush spice plants such as cinnamon, cardamom and pepper and purchase some spices if you like. In the afternoon, embark on a city tour of Kandy, including Upper Lake Drive, Market Square, Arts & Crafts Centre and Gem Museum. Then, visit Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic – ever since 4th Century A.D when the Buddha’s tooth was brought to Sri Lanka hidden from sacrilegious hands in an Orissan princess’ hair, the Relic has grown in repute and holiness in Sri Lanka and throughout the Buddhist world. It is considered Sri Lanka’s most prized possession. In the evening, catch a cultural show featuring various dances of Sri Lanka. Day 5 Kandy – Nuwara Eliya (Approx 2 hrs) (B/L/D) Today, visit Royal Botanical Gardens – Peradeniya – 147 acres in the extent, started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the Kings of Gampola and Kandy. There are more then 5000 species of trees, plants and creepers. Next, proceed to Nuwara Eliya, known as Sri Lanka’s “Little England”. It is set against beautiful backdrops of mountains, valleys, waterfalls and tea plantations. It is one of the coldest places in Sri Lanka, and the weather is reminiscent of springtime in England. Thereafter, visit The Victoria Park – in the middle of the town, is a lovely place for a stroll or a picnic and is also good for birding as you get some rare birds in this Park. Season may be absent elsewhere in Sri Lanka, but here you can read them by the flowers, which bloom in the spring (March to May) and the fall (August to September). Then, visit tea plantation and factory where you can see how tea leaves are being processed into the famous Ceylon tea. Day 6 Nuwara Eliya - Colombo Q Singapore (Approx 4.5 hrs) (B/L/D) After breakfast, embark on a picturesque ride while journeying back to Colombo. Upon arrival, embark on your city tour in Colombo. Drive through the city and pass Cinnamon Gardens, a tree-lined residential area,before arriving at Colombo Fort and Pettah, the city’s commercial area where you can do some shopping. Visit the Hindu Temple situated along Sea Street, a thouroughfare that is lined with goldsmith shops, and the Dutch Church at Wolvendaal that dates back to 1749. Also visit the BMICH, see the replica of Avukana Buddha & the Independence Square. Next, you may enjoy your shopping at ODEL and Barefoot at the Old Dutch Hospital, a shopping and dining precinct. At stated time, transfer to airport for your homeward flight, with wonderful memories and superb sourvenirs from your Sri Lanka vacation with CTC Travel ! Day 7 Arrive Singapore Home sweet home.