A Warmly meet & greet by a representative of Lion's Paradise Travels and proceed to Anuradhapura. En-route visit Aukana and Mihintale, Afternoon sightseeing tour of Anuradhapura and proceed to Polonnaruwa.

Dinner & Overnight @ The Royal Lotus Hotel, Giritale ***

Aukana - The tallest Buddha statues in Sri Lanka- The rock cut statue which stands 39 feet above its decorated lotus plinth and 10 feet across the shoulders, belongs to the period of King Dhatusena (459-477 AD), the builder of the great reservoir Kalawewa. It has been very well preserved over the years and is a joy for anyone to see and appreciate. It is a unique creation by an unknown sculptor.)

Mihintale- Cradle of Buddhism – it was that the Buddhist doctrine was first preached in Ceylon by the monk ‘Mahinda’ son of Ashoka, (Emperor of India) to King Devanampiyatissa more than 2000 years ago. Mihintale- ‘The Hill of Mahinda’ is approached by a magnificent wide ancient stone stairway of 1840 steps.

Anuradhapura –Is the most celebrated of Sri Lanka’s ancient ruined cities. The cities greatest treasures are it’s Dagabas constructed of small sun- dried bricks and hemispherical in shape. The most notable of these Dagabas are the Ruvanweli which date back to the 2nd century B.C. and is 300ft in diameter, the Jetawanaramaya is 370ft the Thuparama which enshrines the collarbone of the Lord Buddha. The city’s most revered relic is the Bo tree grown from a branch of the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. It was planted 2250 years a go and is the oldest historically authenticated tree in the world.

After breakfast sightseeing tour of Polonnaruwa and proceed to Dambulla. En-route experience complimentary Elephant ride @ Habarana through Jungles, footpaths and crossing lakes etc. Evening climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress.

Dinner & overnight @ Amaya Lake Resort, Dambulla****

Polonnaruwa - Is another “World Heritage Site” was the capital of Sri Lanka from 11th – 13th centuries, contains some splendid spectacular statues. Lankatilaka, Tivanka & Thuparamaya are the most beautiful and largest image houses and Tivanka has the best example of frescos of the Polonnaruwa period. Rankoth Vehera and Kirivehera are well-preserved large stupas, and Galviharaya – a rock shrine, has four Buddha s tatues, two seated, one standing and one reclining and Parakrama Bahu statue are examples of Sinhalese stone carver. The Vatadage is an unique creation of the Sri Lankan artists. Polonnaruwa the medieval capital was fortified with inner & outer moats and inner & outer walls. The Parakrama Samudra - a huge man made lake, is on the western side of the city. Another tall wall enclosed the Royal Palace, Audience Hall and other buildings in the inner city

Sigiriya - Is home to the “5^th century Fortress in the Sky” which is the fantastic single wonder of the Island. t is also known as Lion Rock because of the huge Lion that used to stand at the entrance to the fortress. Within its triple-moated defence the huge rock rises almost to a sheer height of 600ft. On its summit are the foundations of what was once a great and sumptuous palace and gardens complete with swimming pool. On one of the stairways, the only known ancient work of Sinhalese secular painting which has survived in the form of Frescos of life-sized damsels in all the freshness and delicacy of their original colour.

After breakfast visit Cave Temple at Dambulla and proceed to Kandy. En -route visit Nalanda Gedige, spice garden at Matale to see a variety of luscious plants including cinnamon, cardamoms, pepper and etc. You can also purchase locally grown spices, pepper and etc. Also visit a Wood Carving factory to see the art of wood carving which has been flourishing from generation in Sri Lanka and visit Aluviharaya temple, Matale. Evening - Relax at the resort.

Dinner & Overnight @ Hotel Topaz, Kandy. ***

Cave Temple – Is a vast isolated rock mass 500ft high and a mile around the base. Here is found the famous Rock Temple dating to the 1st century B.C. The caves of Dambulla sheltered the King Walagamba during his 14 years of exile from Anuradhapura. When he regained the throne, he built the most magnificent of Rock Temples to be found on the island.

The first cave is a recumbent image of the Buddha, 47ft long cut out of the Rock. There are images of deities associated with Buddhism all around. The frescoes on the ceiling date back to the 15th -18th centuries. In the second cave the finest and the largest of all, there are 150 life-size statues of gods from the Buddhist religion along with numerous images of the Lord Buddha himself. The ceiling is also covered with frescoes, which depict great events in the life of the Buddha and landmarks in the history of the Sinhalese people.

Nalanda Gedige - Is an image house - exhibits a composite style of architecture unique in Sri Lanka, and an extraordinary fusion of Hinduism and Buddhism. To cap it all, this remarkable shrine occupies an extremely picturesque - if not original - location.

Named after the great Buddhist University at Nalanda in India, it has been said that Nalanda Gedige is “one of those fortunate places that have no history.” The surprising lack of knowledge regarding this shrine, and why it was located at Nalanda thwarts those who wish to delve into its past. Even estimates of its date of construction vary from the 7th to 11th centuries AD. Nalanda is one of a number of remarkable archaeological sites in Sri Lanka that receive few tourists through no limitations of their own. The reasons for this anomaly are various. Sometimes it has to do with geography and ease of access, although this is not the case with Nalanda. Often, however, it is a case of the beaten tourist track prevailing over good sense.

Aluvihara- is one of the most important cultural sites in Sri Lanka, for it was here in the 1st century BC that the Buddhist doctrines -comprising the Tripitikaya or “three baskets of the law,” along with the commentaries - were first transcribed after having been handed down orally for several centuries. This transcription was carried out for fear that the doctrine would be lost during the upheaval caused by repeated South Indian invasions. It is said that 500 scholarly monks congregated at Aluvihare to perform the onerous task of first reciting the doctrines and agreeing on an acceptable version before writing them down. Where they assembled for the work is a puzzle, as the only flat area available does not accommodate so many. No doubt most perched on rock ledges and in rock crevices.

After breakfast visit city tour of Kandy including “Temple of the Tooth Relic”, Upper Lake Drive, Market Square, Gem Museum. Also visit to Ambekke, Gadaladeniya and Royal botanical garden.

Evening witness “Kandy Esala Perahera” in a specially prepared seating gallery.

Dinner & Overnight @ Hotel Topaz, Kandy. ***

Kandy - No visit to Sri Lanka is complete without seeing Kandy, the ancient hill capital and domain of the last king of Sri Lanka. Situated at an elevation of 488m, Kandy is rich in tradition and is the spiritual home of Sri Lanka. Perhaps best known for it's Dalada Maligawa, the temple that houses the tooth relic of Lord Buddha. Kandy is steeped in history and many of Sri Lanka’s arts and craft flourish here, particularly the silver and brass craftsmanship as well as jewelry in traditional design.

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic - Ever since 4th century A.D. when the Lord Buddha's Tooth as brought to Sri Lanka hidden from sacrilegious hands in an Orison princess' hair, the relic has grown in repute and holiness in Sri Lanka and throughout the Buddhist world. It is considered Sri Lanka’s most prized possession

Kandy Perahera - The 'Nuwara Perahara', or pageant of Kandy, is the most colorful processions in the world. About 100 caparisoned elephants and over 1000 dancers, drummers and noblemen, led by the custodian of the temple of the sacred tooth relic, parade past hundreds of thousands of spectators, while they pay homage to the casket of the sacred tooth relic carried by the king of the elephants. The procession moves along the streets for seven consecutive nights and concludes on the day of the August full moon

Ambekke Devale- A Wooden wonder Ambekke Devale, famed for its elaborate woodcarvings, pillars and other structures, nestle in the Udu Nuwara.Enticing Wood carvings - The UNESCO has identified these marvellous but elaborate carvings on wooden pillars to be the finest products of woodcarvings to be found in any part of the world. This Shrine is dedicated to God Kataragama. This temple is famed for its carved wooden pillars with intricate designs. The pillars leap to life with dancers, musicians, wrestlers, legendary beasts and birds.
Nearby are the ruins of an ancient Rest House with similar pillars carved in stone. All the above described monuments belong to the 14th century.

Royal Botanical Garden –147 acres in extent; started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the Kings of Gampola and Kandy. There are more than 500 species of trees, plants and creepers. Some rare and endemic as well as flora from the tropical world are found in the gardens. The Spice Garden and Orchid House are popular with visitors. There are 5 Palm Avenues beautifying the gardens, the earliest and the tallest Palm Avenue (Royal Palm Avenue) was planted in 1905 and the double coconuts from the Seashells Island, with the world’s largest plant seed in one such avenue.

After breakfast proceed to Negombo. En-route visit Elephant orphanage at Pinnawela. Afternoon city tour of Colombo.

Dinner & overnight @ Club Hotel Dolphin, Negombo.****

Elephant Orphanage - This orphanage was established to feed nurse & house young elephants found abandoned by their mothers. Often the young ones fall into pits and ravines in their request for water during drought period. The morning feeding could be observed at 9.15 a.m. where frolicking young ones are bottle-fed milk. Soon after at 10.00 a.m. 65 – 70 Elephants are taken to a nearby river for their morning bath, which is a popular attraction for visitors.

Colombo – A drive through the city will take you to the Fort and Pettah – the commercial area of the city and tree – lined Colombo-07 Cinnamon Gardens. Colombo 3, 4, 5, 8 are the prime residential area of the city. Visit Gangarama temple, Hindu Kovil, Independence Hall, B.M.I.C.H, see the replica of Avukana Buddha statue, National museum and the old Parliament.

Shopping in Colombo - Visit the Mlesna exquisite tea boutique, all sorts of ready-made garments at ARENA, ODEL, and visit “BEVERLY STREET” 24 hours shopping arcade (garments only) at Colombo 03.

After breakfast transfer to air port for departure.

                           ***End of Tour***