Sri Lanka Essence

Arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport and welcome by your private guide who will be waiting for you at the exit door after passing the immigration control and collecting the luggage. Presentation of the guide, accommodation in the vehicle and start of the tour, transferring us to Dambulla (140 km, about 3 hours). Depending on the arrival time and how tired you get on the flight, you can stop or not to refresh, eat and whatever you need. Arrival in Dambulla and check in at hotel. We will visit the Temple in the caves of Dambulla (10 km, approx. 15 min), built by King Walagambahu in the 1st century BC. Dambulla is heritage and the most impressive temple-cave of Sri Lanka. The complex of five caves of over 2000 m2 of murals and painted ceilings is the largest area of paintings of this type found in the world. At sunset, we will enjoy a full-body Ayurvedic massage (approx. 45 min), which will help us recover from the fatigue that we have accumulated while we load energy to get into the Buddhist culture.  

Breakfast at the hotel and city tour in Anuradhapura.

Anuradhapura (205Km from Colombo) was the first and largest capital city in Ceylon. It is known for its well-preserved ruins. It is currently protected by UNESCO as a world heritage site, for its archaeological and historical interest. Founded in the century IV B. C. was the capital of the United of Anuradhapura until the start of the IX. Century. During this period it was one of the most stable and lasting centers of political power in South Asia. Today, this ancient city, sacred to Buddhism, whose surrounding monasteries covers an area of more than 40 Km2, is one of the largest archaeological sites in the world.

Afternoon: visit to Mihintale

We will get to know about the city of Mihintale, cradle of the Buddhism in Sri Lanka in the year 247 B. C. Since then it has become a place of great religious and historical significance that annually attracts thousands of pilgrims, mostly in the time of the full moon in June, to mark the official introduction of Buddhism in the country. Legend says that the Mihintale sacred mountain, located 13 km east of Anuradhapura, was sanctified by Buddha. It is considered one of the 16 sacred sites of Sri Lanka. You can enjoy a breathtaking landscape and immerse yourself in this culture. The area includes a monastic complex, stupas, dagobas and a hospital. While some of the buildings are in almost perfect condition, others are in ruins. Return to the hotel in Habarana. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Por la mañana: Visita a la Fortaleza de la Roca de Sigiriya

Desayuno en el hotel y salida hacia Sigiriya. Ascenderemos a la impresionante Fortaleza de la Roca de Sigiriya, uno de los puntos arqueológicos más importantes de Asia, Patrimonio de la Humanidad. , Construida por el Rey Kashyapa (477-495 DC) en un gran monolito de piedra roja a 180m de altura sobre la jungla, es una ciudadela de belleza extraordinaria que se levanta a 200 metros de la selva. La roca era la más recóndita fortaleza de una ciudad de 70 hectáreas. Hay un foso, una muralla y enormes jardines incluyendo el célebre sistema de riego que rodea la base de la roca. Visitaremos los famosos frescos de las “Divinas Damas” de Sigiriya que se encuentran en un recoveco protegido de la roca, al que se accede por una escalera de espiral. Considerada una de las ocho maravillas del mundo antiguo, hay suficientes restos como para impresionar al visitante con una arrebatadora visión del ingenio y creatividad de los constructores.

Por la tarde: Visita a Polonnaruwa

Tour por la ciudad de Polonnaruwa. Capital medieval de Sri Lanka desde el siglo XI al XIII d.C., la antigua ciudad es considerada la “Joya Renacentista” de la arquitectura Sinhala. Actualmente protegida por la Unesco como patrimonio de la humanidad por su interés arqueológico e histórico. Se encuentran grandes monumentos dispersos en la jungla a orillas de un inmenso pantano, tales como la colosal figura esculpida en roca del Rey Parakramabahu, el Palacio Real, los Salones de Audencias, el formidable Templo de Imágenes de Thuparama, etc. Visitaremos las fabulosas estatuas del Gal Vihara, son tres grandes budas esculpidos en una pared de roca caliza. Finalmente veremos el Nuevo Museo donde se encuentran restos de todos los lugares de la zona. Regreso al hotel de Habarana. Cena y alojamiento en el hotel

Breakfast in the hotel. Departure for Kandy (70 km, approx. 2 hours), visiting en route the garden of spices from Matale*, where you can enjoy a small massage in your neck (10 min.) with the ancient Ayurvedic techniques and buy spices and seasonings.*** These visit is optional and free. In the afternoon we will ride a tuk tuk through the city of Kandy. Kandy was the last capital of the Kings of Sri Lanka and is heritage. The name “Kandy” conjures up visions of splendor and magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still alive in this city. We will pass around Kandy Lake built by the last Sinhalese King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798. You can also visit the Bazaar, a crafts Center, a Museum of precious stones, etc.  * * These visits are optional and free. At sunset we will visit the Dalada Maligawa, Temple of the holy tooth of Buddha. About 19.00 h we will attend the ceremony Pooja, religious tradition which is performed daily by the Maligawa. Finally, we will visit Raja Wasala, complex of the Royal Palace, whose wooden pillars hall dates from the year 1784. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Kandy.

Breakfast in the hotel. We will visit the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden. This Botanical Garden was originally built as a garden of enjoyment by a Sinhalese King and was extended  by the British. Its extension is almost a 60-hectare, offering an incredible variety of trees, plants and flowers, around 4000 species. In the middle of the garden, we find one of the largest collections of orchids in the world. Transfer by car to the train station to catch the train towards Nuwara Eliya. The guide will accompany you to the platform to continue the route by road with your luggage and wait for you again at the platform of the Nanu Oya train station to visit the Nuwara Eliya tea plantations. Nuwara Eliya, due to its healthy climate of mountain and landscape, is the most famous place in Sri Lanka for a mountain holiday. Nuwara Eliya is also the heart of Sri Lanka tea production; a green mantle completely covers these mountains. You can taste a cup of tea from the very heart of Sri Lanka. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Nuwara Eliya.  

Morning: Breakfast and departure towards Kataragama

Breakfast in the hotel and departure to Kataragama. En route we will contemplate the Ravana falls (8 meters). The falls take their name from a former King who, according to legend, ruled Sri Lanka. On our route to the south we will visit Buduruwagala where you can see a group of 7 colossal Buddhist figures facing the cliff; standing in the middle of the thick jungle, carved into the rock between the 8th and 10th B.c.. Its central figure is 16 meters. Registration at the Kataragama hotel.

In the afternoon: Safari in the National Park of Yala (Ruhuna)

At about 15.00 depart on jeep to enjoy a safari in the National Park of Yala (Ruhuna). Yala is the best preserved natural park of Sri Lanka. There you can see all the flora and fauna of the place, the only place where you can see leopards. There are several families of leopards, large numbers of elephants, wild boar, crocodiles, hippos and a great variety of birds. The peculiarity of its coastal geography makes this park a special place, combining all the uniqueness of the jungle with kilometers and kilometers of uninhabited coastline. The safari will last throughout the afternoon, enabling us to see plenty of animals and wonderful landscapes. Back to the hotel from Kataragama. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.  

In the morning: visit Weligama and Galle

Along the way, you can visit Weligama and observe these famous fishermen’s arts. You can also visit the Portuguese Fort of Galle, a city located in the southwest of Sri Lanka, 119 km far from Colombo. It is believed that the present city of Galle was the port of ancient Tharsis, where the Hebrew King Solomon used to send people so that they could get the ivory and peacocks the Bible talks about. The city of Galle was known as Gimhathiththa (previously called Qali) before the arrival of the Portuguese in the 16th century, when it was the main port of the island of Ceylon. Galle had its apogee in the 18th century, before the arrival of the British, who enhanced the development of Colombo.

In the afternoon: the journey will continue to Unawatuna.

Registration at the selected hotel in Unawatuna. You will have the afternoon free to enjoy the beaches of southern Sri Lanka. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

In the morning: relaxing on the beaches of southern Sri Lanka

Morning free to enjoy the beaches of southern Sri Lanka.

Afternoon: departure to Colombo

Tour of the city of Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Colombo.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to Colombo airport according to the departure flight (30 km, 45 minutes approx).