Ceylan inexploré (7 jours)

Arrive at Colombo International Airport. Here, you will be met by a designated chauffeur guide from Lakpura After the formalities at the airport you will be escorted to your air conditioned vehicle and proceed to Negombo and check in to the hotel and relax.

The ancient city was one of the first kingdoms of Sri Lanka, having been the capital during the 5th century BC. The site was used much later in the 12th century as well, resulting in a mix of ruins from various periods. 

The fortress was built on a giant rock in the style of the Sigiriya rock fortress. However, the architecture of this fortress is completely different from Sigiriya with wide staircases, beautiful stone sculptures and highly detailed carvings on pillars.On your visit you will be able to climb to the fortress and view the ruins of the stupa on the summit of the rock. The stupa has some notable statues and imagery from the Kandyan era that you can peruse. You will be spending a couple of hours at Yapahuwa.

Climb the 5th century AD rock fortress, Sigiriya, where the King Kasyapa ruled. Walk through the entrance framed by the paws of a lion that is quite appropriate for its name, ' the Lion Rock'. View the beautiful unfading murals that brought Sigiriya its fame. Climb the steep staircase to see the terraced gardens and still-working cisterns. Walk through the tunnels leading to the palace as you get a feel for times long past

Enter the historic caves of the Golden Temple of Dambulla, dating back to the 1st century BC. View the ancient murals depicting the life story of Lord Gautama Buddha. Look at the hundreds of figurines of Buddha and other deities scattered throughout the five main caves. Visit the Cave of the Divine King, Cave of the Great King and the Great New Monastery. See the giant golden Buddha Statue just a little distance outside the cave complex.

Here you will be introduced to the community of primitives and will get to see their rustic homes and lifestyles. These tribes feed themselves primarily from hunting, with a little farming added in. The hunters of the tribe will explain their innovative ways of catching prey such as rabbit, deer, and wild boar from the forests that surround the area.

. The Mahiyangana Temple initially began its life a a tiny stupa enshrining a handful of Buddha’s hair, and was the very first stupa of the island. Later in 543 BC an Arahant named Sarabhu brought the Buddha's left collar bone, recovered from his funeral pyre, and enshrined it alongside his hair whilst also enlarging the stupa to 18 feet in height. Subsequent kings continued to enlarge the stupa until it reached its current size. The temple was renovated approximately four decades ago, and continue to be a peaceful and historic sight. You will be visiting this temple and learning more about it.

The woodworking of Embekke is unique and perfectly done and several detailed woodcarving panels decorate the pillars, walls and roof. 

Gadaladeniya Temple was built just before Embekke in the early 14th century. It was the creation of a South Indian architect, and the magnificent giant golden Buddha statue, slightly worn but still visibly detailed sculptures and paintings and the interesting main stupa structure with its four satellite stupas are a historic feast for your eyes.

This temple was built in a cave dug into a large rock. You will get to see the colorful paintings on Buddhism in the Kandyan era, which cover the insides of the temple entirely. 

Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic a UNESCO World Heritage Site which was built in the 16th century as the place of veneration and protection for Lord Buddha’s sacred tooth. Walk through the beautifully embellished passageways and elaborately painted halls, done in red, cream and black. Lounge against delicately carved pillars and get amazed by the beautiful golden statues. Get an unforgettable experience of history and art.

Visit the famous Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya, which were formed in the early 19th century. Walk through the vast area containing over 4000 species of plants. Enjoy the learning more about the orchids, spices and medicinal plants. Wander down avenues shaded by large and rare trees, or bordered by flowering plants. Enjoy seeing the cannonball tree, walking over the wobbly suspension bridge and through the short hedge mazes or even climbing the twisty trees that make wonderful jungle gyms.

The Kandy Cultural Show gives an opportunity to experience some of the traditions of Sri Lanka. Enjoy this hour long extravaganza as some of the most popular art forms of the island take to the stage. Get wowed by fire dancers and sword dancers. Watch the colorful Kandyan dancers take to the air to the thrumming primal beat of the drums.

Start the day early on this day, check out from the hotel and proceed to Kithulgala to go on a hiking tour to visit Belilena Cave Archeological Reserve and go on whitewater rafting in Kelani River. 

Visit historic monuments such as the Old Lighthouse, the Old Parliament, Galle Face Hotel, Galle Face Green and the National Museum and more. Enjoy the malls of Independence Square or the Race Course. Visit boutique shops and designer stores.

Proceed to the airport after spending a memorable time in this island.