Resplendent Island

Arrive at Colombo International Airport. Welcome and assistance on arrival. Transfer to Negombo Check in to the hotel. Afternoon: You can choose one of these activities Option 01: Negombo Cycling – Fishing Village Exploration (2 – 3 Hours) Option 02: Deep Sea Fishing (03 hours) (Best season: from February to April & October to December) Morning: From 06h00 to 09h00 Evening: From 14h30 to 18h00 Option 03: Bird Watching in Muthurajawela (by boat) – 02h00 Return to the hotel for Dinner & overnight stay

Morning: Breakfast at the hotel. Proceed to Yapahuwa to visit the fortress. Yapahuwa was one of the ephemeral capitals of medieval Sri Lanka. The citadel of Yapahuwa lying midway between Kurunagala and Anuradhapura was built around a huge granite rock rising abruptly almost a hundred meters above the surrounding lowlands. In 1272, King Bhuvenakabahu transferred the capital from Polonnaruwa to Yapahuwa in the face of Dravidian invasions from South India, bringing the Sacred Tooth Relic with him. Following the death of King Bhuvenakabahu in 1284, the Pandyans of South India invaded Sri Lanka once again, and succeeded in capturing Sacred Tooth Relic. Following its capture, Yapahuwa was largely abandoned and inhabited by Buddhist monks and religious ascetics. Proceed to Anuradhapura. Check in to the hotel Evening: Visit the ancient city of Anuradhapura. Anuradhapura is the First Capital of Sri Lanka for over 1400 years since 3rd Century B.C. The highlights of the tour would be the visits to eight most venerated places including Sri Maha Bodhi, which is oldest authenticated tree in the world (2200 years) under which the Buddha himself found enlightenment Return to the hotel for Dinner & overnight stay.

Morning: Breakfast at the hotel. Proceed to Aukana. The Avukana statue is a standing statue of the Buddha near Kekirawa in North Central Sri Lanka. The statue, which has a height of more than 40 feet (12 m), has been carved out of a large granite rock face during the 5th century. It depicts a variation of the Abhaya mudra, and the closely worn robe is elaborately carved. Constructed during the reign of Dhatusena, it may have been made as a result of a competition between a master and a pupil. Avukana statue is one of the best examples of a standing statue constructed in ancient Sri Lanka. It is now a popular tourist attraction in the country. Afternoon: Visit Namal Uyana Namal Uyana in Sri Lanka is the largest ironwood forest and pink quartz mountain in Asia. The Ironwood Tree is endemic to Sri Lanka and the replanted forest is over 260 acres in extent. According to archeological researcher’s findings, the pink quartz in this historical place has a history of more than 550 millions of years. Naamal Uyana is an extremely rare forest replanted with Iron wood trees in the 8th Century AD commenced during the starting from King Devanampiyathissa and ending with king Dappula IV. Namal Uyana had been a sanctuary for Buddhist monks during King Devanampiyatissa’s reign in the 8th century. Later it had been used as a prison camp where the punishment was to plant Na trees. King Dappula period it declared it as a human sanctuary. This unique natural place has been brought forward to the attention of the world almost 15 years before, by a Buddhist monk, Venerable Wanawasi Rahula Thero. Check in to the hotel for Dinner & overnight stay

Morning: Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Pidurangala. While Sigiriya Rock is rich in history and has some pretty dramatic features such as the lion’s paw and the mirror wall, Pidurangala Rock has a much more natural feel, despite also housing a temple. Pidurangala Rock is adjacent to Sigiriya Rock and is the best viewing spot of Sigiriya Rock as it is only slightly lower. Pidurangala is a popular spot for sunrise as you can enjoy 360-degree views of not only the valleys but also Sigiriya Rock. Afternoon: You can choose one of these activities Option 04: Hiriwadunna Village tour Enjoy a bullock cart ride and Traditional Boat (Oruwa) ride. Bullock cart ride will take visitors through the village of Hiriwadunna, to a banana plantation where ripe bananas can be tasted and savored fresh. Cross a scenic reservoir by Oruwa (traditional boat), its long, narrow shape gliding effortlessly on the water, to visit a Chena cultivation, where in the shade of a tree house of mud and thatched Palm leaves, the village of Hiriwadunna can be surveyed. On the return journey guests can drop by the house of a native and enjoy aromatic Ginger Tea and Jaggery. Option 05: Jeep safari (4×4) in Minneriya National Park Minneriya National Park is a national park in North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The area was designated as a national park on 12 August 1997, having been originally declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1938. The reason for declaring the area as protected is to protect the catchment of Minneriya tank and the wildlife of the surrounding area. The tank is of historical importance, having been built by King Mahasen in third century AD. The park is a dry season feeding ground for the elephant population dwelling in forests of Matale, Polonnaruwa, and Trincomalee districts. The park earned revenue of Rs. 10.7 millions in the six months ending in August 2009. Along with Kaudulla and Girithale, Minneriya forms one of the 70 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) of Sri Lanka. The park is situated 182 kilometers (113 mi) from Colombo. Return to the hotel for Dinner & overnight stay

Morning: Breakfast at the hotel Proceed to Matale. Visit Riverston. Located approximately 30 km from the Matale town, when travelling on Matale – Girandurukotte road, rather windy with quite a few hairpins turns but in good condition, offers great views all around with a mini worlds end, lot less travelled by main stream tourists. Climatic conditions here are very similar to Horton plains with the addition of having two great waterfalls “Sera Ella” and “Bambarakiri Ella”, both of which are a site for sore eyes, don’t forget to relax on the rock seats of “Sera Ella” relishing the cold misty spray of water on your face and Thelgamu Oya offers a great site for a dip in crystal clear but chilly water. Afternoon: Visit Matale Spice Garden for Sri Lankan Spice & Batik. In the 16th century Ceylon, as it was then known, was discovered by Portuguese who soon began trading in cinnamon and other spices. The Dutch and British followed bringing with them their own history and influences, forming a strong Western presence which created a history of food expressed with spices which can be tasted in the dishes today. Also the Spices are use in Ayurveda in Sri Lanka. Visit the Kandy Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of the most venerated places by Buddhist in Sri Lanka, and all over the world. The Dalada Maligawa as it is also known enshrines the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Gautama Buddha. Check in to the hotel for Dinner & overnight stay.

Morning: Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Meemure Meemure is an isolated village in the Central Province of Sri Lanka, located 324m above sea level and hidden amongst the mountains. The only way to reach it is from the ‘Hunnasgiriya’ mountain, which is part of the Knuckles range, approximately 50km from Kandy. It’s a difficult trail of 33km from Hunnasgiriya to Meemure with many tricky spots, though the view along it is excellent. The village itself receives abundant water in the form of waterfalls that have their sources in the evergreen forests of the Knuckles. East of the village lies the pyramid shaped Lakegala mountain; while the west is dominated by the picturesque Knuckles range. The northern boundary of Meemure borders a forest which runs to the ‘Pitawala Pathana’ grassland; and the south is bounded by Heen River. Return to the hotel for Dinner & overnight stay.

Morning : Breakfast at the hôtel Proceed to Kandy Railway Station to take the train to Nawalapitiya. (The Train will leave from Kandy station at 08.40Hrs & it twill reach to Nawalapitiya station at 09.40) The train has to cross a lot of mountain ranges passing through tea plantations, eucalyptus forests, mountains, villages and more tea plantations. Much of the track snakes it way along the edge of the mountains overlooking huge valleys of firstly tea plantations and small villages, then forests and waterfalls, before crossing to the other side of the range and being greeted with more valleys of tea plantations and small villages. Proceed to Kitulgala. (You can choose one of these activities Option 06: Enjoy White Water rafting at Kitulgala (01 – 02 hours) Whitewater rafting is at once a challenging recreational activity and an exhilarating water sport. Yet contrary to the general public perception, Whitewater rafting is not a sport that demands great physical strength. Dexterity with an ore in the hands, an average level of physical fitness and an unruffled temperament would do. Whitewater Rafting, generally enjoyed in the White-waters as well as in other turbulent waters, brings about enthralling experience to the water sport enthusiasts. Option 07: Jungle Trekking (02 – 03 hours) Option 08: Canoe (02 – 03 hours) Proceed to Nuwara Eliya Visit Tea Plantation & Tea Factory. Tea production in Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon, is of high importance to the Sri Lankan economy and the world market. The country is the world’s third largest producer of tea and the industry is one of the country’s main sources of foreign exchange and a significant source of income for laborers, with tea accounting for 15% of the GDP, generating roughly $700 million annually. In 1995, Sri Lanka was the world’s leading exporter of tea, (rather than producer) with 23% of the total world export, but it has since been surpassed by Kenya. The tea sector employs, directly or indirectly over 1 million people in Sri Lanka and in 1995 directly employed 215,338 on tea plantations and estates. The humidity, cool temperatures, and rainfall in the country’s central highlands provide a climate that favors the production of high quality tea. The industry was introduced to the country in 1867 by James Taylor, the British planter who arrived in 1852. Check in to the hotel for Dinner & overnight stay.

Morning: Breakfast at the hotel Proceed to Ella. Visit the Little Adam’s Peak. “Punchi Sri Pada” another name for this peak. is 1141 m in height. Little Adam’s Peak attracts many travelers who come to Sri Lanka. With an easy hike up to the mountain of Little Adams Peak you can witness panoramic view, walk through lush green tea plantations, waterfalls and paddy fields while enjoying the sceneries Afternoon: Visit the Nine Arches Bridge in Sri Lanka. It is one of the best examples of British railway constructions when Ceylon was a colony of the British Empire. The construction of the bridge is generally attributed to a local Ceylonese builder, P. K. Appuhami, in consultation with British engineers. The chief designer and project manager of the ‘upcountry railway line of Ceylon’ project was D. J. Wimalasurendra, a distinguished Ceylonese engineer and inventor. The designer of the viaduct was Harold Cuthbert Marwood of Railway Construction Department of Ceylon Government Railway. Return to the hotel for Dinner & overnight stay.

Morning: Breakfast at the hotel Proceed to Sinharaja via Ratnapura Ratnapura is an important city in Sri Lanka. It is the capital of Sabaragamuwa province, as well as the district of Ratnapura, and is a traditional center for Sri Lanka jewel trade. It is located on the Kalu Ganga (Black River) in south-central Sri Lanka, some 101 km south of the country’s capital, Colombo. Ratnapura is also spelled as Ratnapura. The inhabitants of the city depend on the trade of precious stones. Gem pits common site in the surrounding area. Most large-scale gypsy businessmen from Sri Lanka operate from Ratnapura. Visit the precious stones mine Check in to the hotel. Afternoon: Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a national park and a biodiversity hotspot in Sri Lanka. It is of international significance and has been designated a Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The hilly virgin rainforest, part of the Sri Lanka lowland rain forests Eco region, was saved from the worst of commercial logging by its inaccessibility, and was designated a World Biosphere Reserve in 1978 and a World Heritage Site in 1988. The reserve’s name translates as Lion Kingdom. Return to the for Dinner & overnight stay

Morning: Breakfast at the hotel Proceed to Bentota Cycling in Bentota Countryside Enjoy cycling in Bentota countryside (03h00 – 04h00) During this visit, you will visit the Buddhist Kanda Viharaya Temple, Cinnamon Garden, Rice Fields, rubber plantations and nature; modern Bentota fishing village and also you can have experience of the basic process of local alcohol Evening: Check in to the hotel. Leisure at the beach Dinner & overnight stay

Morning: Breakfast at the hotel Proceed to the Airport for Departure