Wonders of the East Coast 10 Days
Tour overview:
Explore the wonders of the East Coast of Sri Lanka. Wander the ruins of Polonnaruwa and visit the famous ‘Lion Rock’. Take a jeep safari in Minneriya National Park looking for elephants. This trip is filled with wildlife, Sri Lankan culture and heritage, and palm fringed beaches.
Day 1 - Arrive Colombo
Upon arrival in Sri Lanka you will be met and assisted by our Airport Representative, who will direct you to your very own Chauffeur. Then transfer to your hotel in Colombo.
Day 2 - Kurunegala / Geragama / Kandy
After breakfast check out from the hotel and leave for Kandy. En route visit Millennium Elephant Foundation for a personal Safari where you walk behind the elephant around a 15 acre coconut estate accompanied by an educated guide learning about the behaviors of the elephant and the work of Millennium elephant foundation. Supporting responsible tourism and improving the welfare of domesticated elephants throughout the country. This experience is the most up close, personal and ethical way to see domestic elephants in Sri Lanka and unique to Millennium Elephant Foundation. It is an alternative to riding option. Allowing the elephant’s maximum freedom whilst in captivity and giving them the opportunity to act as they would in the wild. The walk includes a tour of their museum, bathing the same elephant in the river and optional shower whilst standing next to elephant.
Afterwards stop to visit a Tea Factory and a Tea Plantation where the best tea in the world is being produced. At the tea plantation take a closer look on how the tea pickers pick the tea leaves, then you can join them to pick the tea leaves, then visit the factory with a staff member who will explain the process of fermentation, rolling, drying, cutting, sieving and grading of tea. There are machines for almost every part of the process except of course the all important tea tasting at the end of the process to determine the quality of the tea.
(It’s usually dusty and noisy and inside the factory and its usually closed on weekends.)
Continue to Kandy, the bustling hill country capital is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is famous for the pink painted Temple and the Kandy Lake built in 1807 which is an attractive centerpiece to the town. Check in to the hotel, rest of the day at leisure.
Day 3 - Kandy
After breakfast visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens where a rare collection of tropical exotic and indigenous flora including the famous Orchid House could be viewed. Surrounded on three sides by the Mahaweli River, these botanical gardens were founded in 1824 and are still home to one of world’s largest collections of plants and trees. Giant ficus trees, palms, an orchid house and a vast array of trees such as ebony, teak, satinwood, mahogany and tamarind can be seen here. The garden once reserved only for royalty and also served as a headquarters during the Second World War.
Afterwards visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic, locally known as Sri Dalada Maligawa, the most sacred temple in the whole of Sri Lanka. It is the prime monument, the supreme edifice not only of the Sinhalese Buddhist populace of Sri Lanka but also of the Buddhists all over the world. It is within this magnificent temple that the sacred Tooth relic of Buddha (Danta Dhatu), the palladium of the Sinhalese nation & Buddhist faith is enshrined. This important shrine boasts intricate carvings and beautiful Sri Lankan art.
(Please dress appropriately when visiting The Temple of the Tooth Relic, with shoulders and knees covered. Have an extra pair of socks to wear to prevent from the ground heat since you have to walk barefoot.)
In the late afternoon, commence a city tour of Kandy. Start with a drive up the hill to the south of the lake to a special vista point, where you can get a bird’s eye view of this remarkable city. The famous Kandy Lake was built in 1807 and forms an attractive center-piece for the town. Return to the city center, a stroll along the famous shopping streets and to points of interest such as the central market and the historic railway station.
Day 4 - Matale / Dambulla
After breakfast check out from the hotel and leave for Dambulla. En route stop at a Spice Garden in Matale. Spices are distinguished from herbs, which are the leaves, flowers, or stems of plants used for flavoring or as a garnish. Spices are also used in medicine, religious rituals, cosmetics or perfume production. Visit the peaceful green garden, where you can see how herbs are grown in their natural environment then learn how you can use them to enhance the taste of meals. These spices will reveal to you the secret of traditional Sri Lankan dishes, which have great nutritional value as well as being delicious.
Continue to Dambulla and explore the famous Golden Rock cave temple, date back to the 1st Century BC which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, this cave monastery, a vast isolated rock mass with its five caverns is the largest best preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. The Buddhist mural paintings (covering an area of 2,100 sq. meters) are of particular importance as are the 157 statues including a 47 foot long statue of the recumbent Buddha. This amazing complex was first used as a refuge by an ancient king who upon regaining his throne, commissioned magnificent images to be carved from the rock. Later kings made further improvements and the caves contain over 150 images of the Buddha painted upon the walls of which the largest is a colossal figure spanning 15 metres. The hike up to the caves is short but steep. At the top you can explore the caves and enjoy spectacular far-reaching views over the surrounding countryside.
(Please dress appropriately when visiting Dambulla temple, with shoulders and knees covered. It is a steep uphill walk to the temple approx. 15-40 mins depending on route taken and on your fitness. Have an extra pair of socks to wear to prevent from the ground heat since you have to walk barefoot.)
On completion check in to the hotel.
Day 5 - Sirigiya / Minneriya
Set off this morning for Sigiriya, also known as the ‘Lion Rock’, one of Sri Lanka’s major attractions. This 5th Century ""Fortress in the Sky"" is a UNESCO World Heritage built by King Kassapa which was a Royal Citadel for more than 18 years. The spectacular pillar of rock rise 200 meters from the scrub jungle and the base of the rock is ringed by a moat and rampart and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens. The majestic Lion’s Paw picturesquely guards the stairway of the palace on the summit.
You might like to start with a visit to the Sigiriya Museum to learn more about the site before wandering through the vast landscaped gardens to the base of the rock. The climb to the top is steep with many steps and there are some sections where the path or staircase is very narrow with steep drops protected by fences. You will pass the famous frescoes of the “Heavenly maidens” of Sigiriya in a sheltered pocket of the rock and the 10 foot high Mirror Wall before arriving at the massive stone lion’s paws. The old stairway to the top led through the mouth of a crouching lion but today only the huge paws remain giving an indication of the massive proportions of the head. The summit, covering an area of 1.6 hectares, was originally completely covered by buildings, but only remains of the royal citadel can be seen today.
(We do not recommend this for those without a head for heights or the less mobile. The hike up and down again will take 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on your fitness.)
In the afternoon leave for Minneriya for a Jeep Safari. Minneriya National Park is about 8889 hectares in extent and is an ideal eco-tourism location in Sri Lanka. It is home to Sri Lanka’s favorites such as spotted deer, Sambar and wild Asian elephants, particularly numerous in August and September when they migrate along a corridor from neighboring parks to feed on the fresh grass on the lake bed - an annual event known as ""The Gathering"".
(Please be prepared for some rough and dusty road. National park can be crowded especially over weekends and festivals.)
Day 6 - Polonnaruwa / Trincomalee
After breakfast check out from the hotel and leave for the second ancient capital Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World Heritage and a well-planned medieval city defended by enclosing walls, graced by palaces, shrines, monasteries, pavilions, parks, ponds and irrigation lakes. Polonnaruwa was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I, who defeated the Chola invaders in 1070 AD to reunite the country once more under a local leader. Over the following three centuries Polonnaruwa became a thriving commercial and religious centre, reaching its zenith under King Parakramabahu I in the 12th Century.
Polonnaruwa is strewn with ruins in a resplendent state of preservation. Start with a visit to the Polonnaruwa Museum where you can learn about the site in more detail, before heading out to the ‘Gal Vihara’ which consists of statues of the recumbent, standing and seated Buddha have been cut from a single granite wall and rank among the true masterpieces of Sri Lankan Art. Other stops include Nissanka Latha Mandapaya which boasts well-preserved stone columns, the impressive Lankathilaka Temple and the ruined stone walls of the Royal Palace.
(Please dress appropriately when visiting Polonnaruwa ruins, with shoulders and knees covered. Have an extra pair of socks to wear to prevent from the ground heat since you have to walk barefoot.)
Afterwards leave for Trincomalee, dearly addressed as 'Trinco', located on the East Coast of the Island. The city of Trincomalee is built on a peninsula, which divides the inner and outer harbor. With clear and inviting aquamarine waters and beautiful white beaches it is an ideal location for Swimming, Wind Surfing, Scuba Diving, Fishing and Whale watching.
Day 7 - Trincomalee
Spend the day at leisure.
Optional Activities : Whale Watching / Snorkeling
Day 8 - Trincomalee
Spend the day at leisure.
Optional Activities : Whale Watching / Snorkeling
Day 9 - Negombo
After breakfast check out from the hotel and leave for Negombo, once a trading port for the Dutch and British now has been developed into a bustling modern town with a handful of reminders of its colonial past. Situated close to the international airport, it makes a convenient rest stop before heading inland to explore. The wide golden sand beach is dotted with fishing boats and the inland resort road offers a selection of restaurants and bars. Check in to the hotel, rest of the day at leisure.
Day 10 - Depart
Now that you are at the end of your journey with us, your chauffeur will comfortably take you to the international airport in time for your departure flight.