Day 1 - Arrival: Your wonderful adventure will start once your plane lands at Colombo International Airport. You will be welcomed by a friendly guide who will escort you in an air conditioned vehicle to your hotel in Anuradhapura. Once you have checked-in, you will be free to relax and make the most of the hotel’s facilities.
Day 2 - Willpattu & Anuradhapura: Get ready for a wild adventure today as you travel to Willpattu National Park for an exciting game drive. The Park boasts nearly sixty lakes known as Willu, which explains its name. It is also one of the largest and oldest national parks in Sri Lanka and is home to elephants, leopards, sloth bear, water buffalo, spotted deer and painted storks to name a few. Keep your eyes peeled as you are also bound to see the serpent eagles, great racket tail Drongo, Malabar pied hornbills, crested hawk eagles and the Sri Lanka junglefowls. Both water monitors and mugger crocodiles can be seen, so be sure to have your camera ready as you explore this fascinating place.
After your safari, you will travel to Anuradhapura for a sightseeing tour. This was the first real home of Buddhism and boasts the ‘Sri Maha Bodhi tree’ which was planted from a cutting from the original “Bo Tree” under which the Buddha received enlightenment. You will also have the chance to see the pillars of the palace, which once had nine stories, and the image of the Samadhi Buddha, which is one of the finest pieces of Buddhists sculpture. Be sure to have your camera ready to snap photos of monuments such as Ruwanveli Seya Dagoba, with its famous elephant wall from the 2nd Century B.C, and the Thuparama Dagoba, which dates back from the 3rd Century B.C. Finally, you will end the day with a bit of fun as you cycle around the ancient city, before returning to your hotel to relax.
Day 3 - Anuradhapura: Be sure to wear comfortable shoes today, as you embark on a trip to see the famous Avukana Buddha Statue. You will be wowed as you see the Avukana Buddha statue, which is 46-feet high and rests on a fine lotus stone pedestal. You will be impressed by the ancient landmark, which is over 2000 years old. Among the largest such standing Buddha statues is this famed Aukana Buddha statue lying amidst Raja Rata. It is carved out of a rock boulder and lies close to the serene Kala Weva tank built by King Dhatusena of the 5th century AD. Next, you will proceed to the village of Hiriwadunna to see how locals live.
The tour through the village includes an excursion through the countryside, along mud-thatched village huts, flourishing paddy fields, streamlets, and rivers. You will also see the banana plantations and the scenic reservoir. You will also go in an ‘Oruwa Boat Ride’ where you can enjoy interacting with the local community. After such an exciting start to the day, you will be able to unwind when you will be served lunch at a local’s house in the village. Next, you will visit the Matale Spice Garden to view the spices that have stirred the interests of many nations, since time immemorial. Here, you will discover the spices that are used for cooking and medicinal use. Best of all, you will also enjoy a complementary 15 minutes head and shoulder massage and sip on herbal tea. Finally, you will travel to Kandy and check into your new hotel.
Day 4 - Kandy: Escape to the heart of mother nature, with a trip to the Udawattakele Sanctuary. The lush forest has a long history dating back to many centuries. It was declared the forbidden forest by the Sinhala kings who ascended the throne when Kandy became the capital city. This is because it was a royal forest reserve where no one was allowed to venture. Today, you will adore exploring this verdant jungle, which is home to ancient trees, creepers, ferns, and grasses. As you explore, you are bound to hear the shrill call of a bird or a croak of a frog. Keep your eyes peeled as you are also bound to spot a monitor lizard swimming and a blue kingfisher catching fish. After a morning among greenery, you will spend the afternoon sightseeing around Kandy. The main highlight will be a trip to visit to the Temple of the Tooth to witness the traditional blessing known “Thewawa”. After the ceremony, you will be able to explore the Temple of the Tooth Relic, which is located in the royal palace complex. The palace temple stands surrounded by a moat. You will be wowed by its golden roof, which gleams in the sunlight. Later, you will also visit a Batik factory. The locals believe traders who visited Sri Lanka hundreds of years ago traveling along the Silk route introduced Batik to Sri Lanka. Today, Batik is a thriving industry in Kandy.
After such an eventful day, you will have the chance to unwind by watching a traditional cultural show of Kandyan dances. Sit back and be amazed as you watch the performance, which dramatically depicts the movements of birds, and animals. You will finally return to your hotel, where you can unwind.
Day 5 - Kandy, Kammala: Start the day in the sweetest way, by visit the famous Pineapple Garden to see pineapple production. You will see how common varieties are grown here including ‘Mauritius’, which has spiny leaves, and a golden fruit. Then you will proceed to the most relaxing part of your holiday - a beach resort in Kammala.
Once you arrive at Suriya Resort & Spa, you will be welcomed with delicious fruit platter. Feel the weight of the world lift from off your showers as you sink your toes into the sand of a nearby beach and enjoy a relaxing stroll. You will be free to unwind as you wish, before enjoying an overnight stay.
Day 6 to 9 - Beach stay: Spend the next 3-days unwinding and doing as little or as much as your heart desires. Your hotel is the perfect place to experience the joys of Sri Lanka as it is just steps from the beach. Just imagine waking up to sweeping sea views from your modern room. It also has an outdoor pool, which is the perfect place to soak up the sunshine. Free wi-fi is also available, which is great for anyone who loves to post holiday selfies online. The air-conditioned rooms also are fitted with a flat-screen TV and have a large balcony with outdoor seating which will no doubt become your favourite spot to watch the sunrise or sunset. If you want to relax, then head to the spa and enjoy a massage or beauty treatments Best of all, you will get a 20 per cent discount on spa treatments at Suriya Resort, so there is no excuse not to treat yourself. If you love adventure, then you can also enjoy a range of water sports in the ocean. What better way to have fun than to feel the sun on your skin and the sea breeze in your hair.
Day 10 - Departure: After breakfast, you will be transferred to Colombo Airport to catch your flight back home. As you jet off, you will be accompanied with many happy memories of the tropical isle. If you would like to extend your stay or travel in a premium class, then please speak with our Travel Specialist who will be happy to assist you.
