You will be met at the airport and escorted to your hotel in Negombo so you can relax after your long journey. Negombo is a busy fishing town located in close proximity to the airport. Its sandy beaches and huge lagoon tempted the Portuguese & Dutch to use it as a fishing port during colonization. There is a 120 km long Dutch canal and lots of churches in the town. A legacy left by the Portuguese during the colonial occupation. The Muthurajawela marshlands nearby has a large number of bird species that remain an attraction to eco-lovers. If you are up and about in the early hours of the morning you will be able to observe the fishing boats arriving ashore. The economy of Negombo is mainly based on tourism and the fishing industry.Your first day in Negombo will be a perfect start as you  look forward to your journey through the Island in the coming days.

Visit the ancient City and man made lakes of Anuradhapura

Sri Lanka's first ancient capital city. Troubled many times by the invading Cholas. This historic city had a thriving civilisation with a succession of more than 100 kings. You will soon discover that this ancient city had a sophisticated science, engineering  & health care system in operation. With the advent of Buddhism was born a highly disciplined spirituality & meditation centre.  A Bo-tree  grown from a branch of the original Bo-tree in "Buddha Gaya" in India remains sacred to the Buddhists of Sri Lanka. This is the sacred Bo'tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. A 42ft statue of the standing buddha carved out of granite still stands today, mighty and colossal. You will be able to view this gigantic figure on your way to Polonnaruwa.

 

A city of monasteries & dagobas

Polonnaruwa, a City of monasteries and Dagobas was the capital of ancient Sri Lanka from the 11th to 13th century. There is a wealth of remarkable information here. Polonnaruwa was a key settlement even during the medieval period. It was King Vijayabahu I who first established Polonnaruwa as the capital of his kingdom in 1055. Visitors who travel to the city from the south to the North will find the following monuments of particular interest: Library Monastery, The Citadel and the palace complex and Vatadage.

Explore The city of the sacred tooth relic

Kandy was once a separate Kingdom until it finally fell to the hands of the British Colonialists in March 1815. This kingdom withstood the failed attempts to capture the city by the invading Portuguese and Dutch prior to the arrival of the British. This is a sacred city with a sacred temple in  which is housed the tooth relic of the Buddha.  It is a picturesque town in a lakeside setting. 

 

 

Enjoy a scenic train to this hilside hamlet.

Take a scenic train ride from Kandy to Ella in the first class observatory. Pass through beautiful landscaped tea plantations and emerald forests. Enjoy the breadth taking views on the way. Pass through the misty mountains and watch the cascading waterfalls. After you disembark you can take a trek to little Adam's peak or cycle through the tea plantations and enjoy the fresh air. 

 

 

Time for a safari at the Yala Wildlife sanctuary

You will be descending from the highlands towards the Southeast of the Island. on the way stop at Buduruwagala, an ancient temple. Here you will be fascinated by the 7 statues carved out of stone. There is a colossal statue called Kiri-vehera meaning milky shrine. Stories of this temple and its shrines are depicted in the ancient buddhist scriptures. This is a place of worship for local buddhists. The following day is one where your adrenaline will keep pumping as you take a safari tour in the wildlife sanctuary. The bumpy jeep ride is worth it as you get to observe wild elephants,  leopard, sloth bear, deer, crocks, and plenty of birdlife.

 

 

Historic Galle Fort & a relaxing beach stay

Travel through the southern coastal belt. The road meanders through beautiful palm fringed beachside properties. Take in the cool sea breeze as you pass through these coastal towns. There are all sorts of accommodation that have sprung up on the seaside. Here you will find luxury resorts, boutique hotels, cabanas and villas. a hub of activity with tourists walking along the little towns and beaches. Whale watching is very popular in the town of Mirissa. Your beach stay will certainly relax your nerves and re-juvenate you for your journey back home.