Highlights of Sri Lanka (10 Days)

Arrive at Colombo International Airport. Here, you will be met by a designated chauffeur guide from Lakpura Travels. After the formalities at the airport you will be escorted to your air conditioned vehicle and proceed to Dambulla and visit Dambulla Cave Temple.

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.

Thereafter continue to Dambulla and check in to the hotel and relax.

After the breakfast at the hotel visit the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya.

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.

Thereafter proceed to a local village in Sigriya and get an authentic experience in Sri Lankan Village Life.

Get a chance to go on an oxen cart ride, and experience the world from the view of a village farmer. Have a relaxing catamaran safari through a calm lake. Walk through the golden fields ripe with their harvest of paddy. Watch an enjoyable traditional cooking demonstration that teaches you the basics of Sri Lankan cuisine. Delight your taste buds with a home cooked lunch; made over a wood-fire and served on fragrant lotus leaves placed over woven trays. 

Thereafter proceed to Minneriya and go on a Safari in the Minneriya National Park.

This safari takes you on a ride through the Minneriya National Park. Enjoy the sight of over 150 elephants congregating in one place during the famous Great Elephant Gathering, which happens in the dry season between May to October. In addition to elephants, get a chance to also see many mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians in the scrub-lands, forests and other areas.

On completion return to the hotel and relax.

After breakfast at the hotel and proceed to Polonnaruwa and visit Ancient Kingdom. 

Visit the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, which was the second major capital of Sri Lanka. Walk through the ruins of the city that flourished between the 10th to the 13th century AD. View important monuments such as Gal Vihara, Vatadage, the lotus bath, Lankathilaka Temple and the statue of King Parakramabahu whose reign was considered the golden age of Polonnaruwa. Get to know more about Sri Lanka's ancient history. 

On completion return to the hotel and relax.

After the breakfast at the hotel check out and proceed to Matale visit a Spice Garden and a guided tour of a spice and herbal garden, where you learn about spices, such as coriander, chili, cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg; and their uses. 

Euphoria Spice and Herbal is located 12 km away from Matale (The spice capital of Sri Lanka). Enriched with herbs, spice groves and plants with fragrant greenery shading from the tropical trees that enlightens the unique aroma of each spice and herb. We give the opportunity for our visitors to explore and gain knowledge on Sri Lankan spices, herbs and the benefits of Ayurveda. The tropical climate in which our plants and herbs are grown helps them preserve its ancient originality. The educational tour around the garden, which we call “The Spice Tour”, let the visitors feel the sensation of the Sri Lankan spices and herbs which is demonstrated in different foreign languages to suit our customer need.

Thereafter proceed to Kandy and check in to the hotel. Later on proceed to Kandy and go on a tour around this bustling city including stops at the local markets and architectural marvels.

Later in the evening watch the Kandyan Cultural Show with its colorful traditional dances and delightful music.

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.

On completion return back to the hotel and relax.

After a relaxed breakfast at the hotel, visit Trio Temple. 

Get amazed by the wood crafting masterpiece that is the Embekke Temple. Wander through the historic and beautiful Gadaladeniya Temple and view its wonderful paintings and sculptures. Visit the Lankatilaka temple that was quite architecturally advanced for its time. See awe-striking sight of the Degaldoruwa Cave Temple, the inside walls of which are covered in painstakingly restored paintings.

Thereafter proceed to a Peradeniya and visit Royal Botanical Gardens. 

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.

On completion return back to the hotel and relax. 

After breakfast at the hotel check out and proceed to Nuwara Eliya. En-route make a stop at Ramboda Falls and visit Ramboda Falls, which is the 11th tallest in the country, Sri Bhakth Hanuman Temple and a Tea factory and get a guided tour through a Tea Estate and learn more about the varieties, processing methods and qualities of tea. 

Visit a Tea Factory and a plantation where you would see how the world’s famous “Ceylon Tea” is manufactured. In 1824 a tea plant was brought to Ceylon by the British from China and was planted in the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya for non-commercial purposes. James Taylor was a British citizen who introduced commercial tea plantation in Sri Lanka (Ceylon). He arrived to Sri Lanka in 1852 and settled down in Loolecondera estate in Kandy. Today even people who have never heard of Sri Lanka are familiar with Ceylon tea, which is known for its quality.

Thereafter go and explore the scenic city of Nuwara Eliya.

Visit the highland city that was the premium holiday resort town of the British in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Enjoy walking through the streets with their pretty little cottages, quaint villas and beautiful mansions. Make a memory in the old red-bricked post office as you purchase an inexpensive and colorful postcard to take home or send to your friends. Relax at Queen Victoria Park or on the shores of Lake Gregory.

On completion of the day check into the hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

After breakfast at the hotel check out and proceed to Yala and en route make a pause at Ella and explore the marvelous of Ella. 

Explore Ella’s most interesting places. Pass through bright green tea fields, and tough stretches of rock, and get to see the magical views of Little Adam’s Peak. Walk over the history seeped Nine Arches Bridge and listen to the story of its construction. End your hike at the Demodara Railway station with its unique loop-over track design. This tour gives you the chance to see the best sights of Sri Lanka

Thereafter proceed to Yala and check in to the hotel. After that proceed to Yala National Park by 02:30 pm to go on a lovely jeep safari in the National Park.

This amazing Safari offers the opportunity to visit Yala National Park, the second largest in the island based off the Southeastern coast of Sri Lanka. Get a chance to see the famous Sri Lankan leopards, indigenous wild water buffalo, Sri Lankan Sloth Bear and large herds of Sri Lankan Elephants. The park is also home to many other species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates.

On completion return to the hotel and relax.

After breakfast check out of the hotel and proceed to Galle, visit the Colonial City and the Galle Fort.

Discover the city of Galle, where the Portuguese and Dutch made their headquarters, and its secrets. Visit the Galle Fort which is one of the best preserved fortifications in Asia. View the Maritime Museum, Galle National Museum and the lighthouse. Walk through the cobblestoned streets with their Dutch names as you learn more about their histories. 

On completion of the day check into the hotel in Galle.

After breakfast at the hotel and proceed to Koggala and visit the Stilt Fisherman in Koggala.

Hear the stories of how stilt fishing came to Sri Lanka, from the mouths of the fishermen who have practiced the craft for generations. Learn how the stilt fishing is done in detail and marvel at the level of skill that goes into it. Get some amazing photographs of the fishermen silhouetted against the shoreline at sunset.

Thereafter proceed to Rekawa and visit Turtle Hatchery.

Learn more about the five kinds of endangered sea turtles that visit the shores of Sri Lanka and their conservation. Do the night time turtle watch, and have a chance to see turtles come to nest. Have fun volunteering for a few hours at the Rekawa Turtle Hatchery. 

Thereafter return back to the hotel and spend the evening leisurely at Hotel.

After the breakfast check out from the hotel and proceed to airport after spending a memorable time in this island.