Ceylan Express

Overview

Itinerary

• Day
  1

  ARRIVAL – COLOMBO / SIGIRIYA

  Welcome on arrival at the Colombo International Airport by our representative, and transfer to Sigiriya to your hotel. Lunch at the hotel. In the afternoon visit the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Sigiriya Rock Fort. It is a rock fortress / palace built on top of a rock rising up to 200 meters. This rock fortress was built by the parricide King Kasyappa in the 5th century AD. On the ascent to the summit of the rock see some of the marvels of this ruined palace, such as the rock paintings or “frescoes”, the Water garden and boulder gardens. Dinner and night at hotel

• Day
  2

  SIGIRIYA / POLONNARUWA / MINNERIYA / SIGIRIYA

  After breakfast, take the route towards Polonnaruwa, where you can visit the ruins of the second ancient capital of Sri Lanka. Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993. It comprises, besides the Brahmanic monuments built by the Cholas, the monumental ruins of the fabulous garden‐city created by Parakramabahu I in the 12th century. Parakramabahu is the ruler responsible for the largest artificial lake ‘Parakrama Samudra ‘built in Polonaruwa and still feeds the surrounding paddy lands. Visit the ancient sites and ruins of the king’s palace, Watadageya, Thuparamaya, Rankot vehera, Gal viharaya, Hindu temples can be seen during the visit. Have lunch in a restaurant where you can taste the real Sri Lanka rice and curry In the afternoon a safari to visit Minneriya National Park to see the majestic Sri Lankan elephant. The famous “Gathering of the wild elephant” herds are a phenomenon that is documented as the largest known meeting place of Asian Elephants in the world. During the dry season herds up to 300 elephants are seen within a few square kilometers of the vast Minneriya Reservoir. Dinner & night at hotel

• Day
  3

  SIGIRYA / DAMBULLA / MATALE / KANDY

  After breakfast leave for Kandy. En route visit the Dambulla Cave temple – a serene and scenic temple tucked under a rock that is decorated in the interior by wall murals that cover almost 23,000 sqft of rock surface. This is also a World Heritage Site. You can have the lunch at a restaurant on the way. En route visit the Sri Muthumariamman kovil in Matale. Continue your journey to Kandy, the last Singhalese kingdom of Sri Lanka before the island was conquered by the British. Kandy is considered the second hill capital of the country and is located in the central region of the country. In the afternoon visit the Temple of the Tooth, where Buddha’s tooth relic has been stored since the 16th century, as it was a symbol of kingship. Rest of the day at leisure to walk in the city, in the evening see the traditional Kandyan dance show which depicted rituals of ancient Sri Lanka. Dinner & night at hotel

• Day
  4

  KANDY / BENTOTA

  In the morning visit the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya – the gardens have a stunning collection of tropical flora. Leave Kandy for the coastal city of Bentota. Have lunch en route. Dinner and night at hotel

• Day
  5

  BENTOTA

  Free day to enjoy the hotel pool or the beach, Lunch at a restaurant, Dinner & night at hotel.

• Day
  6

  BENTOTA / COLOMBO – End of the Trip

  Transfer to airport. A half day excursion to Galle to visit the ancient Dutch Fort can be arranged (Optional). The Fort has been revived with boutique shops & restaurants. Depending on your scheduled flight time leave for the Colombo International Airport for departure – End of the Trip