Explore Sri Lanka in 9 days/8 nights – private tour with best travel guide in Sri Lanka

Day 1  :  COLOMBO-POLONARUWA-DAMBULLA 15/6
Arrival at  the Colombo international airport ,clients will meet our staff and guide. Reception with flower garlands.
From here we start our journey to explore  Sri Lanka in the  inlands , to what is known as the Cultural Triangle ( Ancient historical cities).
Stop at Kurunagala for refreshing drinks, coffee /tea.
Reception on the arrival of the hotel with flowers and welcome drinks.
In  the afternoon visit to  Polonaruwa – Unesco world heritage . Visit to the   historic- cultural complex  that constitutes  the second capital of Sri Lanka, from the Centuries XI and XII , famous for  its artistic and architectonic settings. Visit to the ruins of the  royal palace  and the statues of Gal Vihara. The monuments of this medieval city are relatively well preserved and are evidence of the glory of Sri Lanka´s past.
Return and dinner at the Cinnamamon Lodge
Day 2  :  DAMBULLA-SIGIRYA-MINERIYA JEEP SAFARI 4X4-DAMBULLA
After breakfast departure visit to SIGIRIYA . We will climb the 5th century Sigiriya rock fortress which is a world heritage site, built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD). The ‘Lion Rock’ is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 metres from the scrub jungle. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town and the wonderful  panoramic view of the jungle. A moat, rampart, and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens ring the base of the rock. Visit the world-renowned frescoes of the ‘Heavenly Maidens’ of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway.
Photographic SAFARI, in Jeep 4×4  to see the natural reserve of
MINERYIA, where we will see hordes of wild  elephants , deers , peacocks, foxes, buffalos, tropical water birds and with some luck also leopards.
Optional activity : Ayurvedic traditional massage
Return and dinner at the Cinnamon Lodge

Day 3  :  DAMBULLA-MATALE-KANDY
Breakfast at the Hotel . visit  to the Temple of Dambulla , 100 ms high overlooking the jungle,  that is considered one of the most important and  beautiful temples in the island. Dambulla rock temple was built by king Walagambahu in the 1st century B.C. and it is a World Heritage Site.  It is the most impressive of Sri Lanka’s cave temples.  The complex of five caves with over 2000 sq. metres of painted walls and ceilings is the largest area of cave paintings found in the world.  It contains over 150 images of the Buddha with  the largest colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of rock and spanning 14 metres.
On the way to KANDY. Visit  to the SPICE GARDENS  in MATALE to see different spices for which Sri Lanka is famous for. Here, clients could see different spices and how some of these spices are grown and processed.
We will experience a head massage with  medical oils and learn about  the Ayurvedic Medicine
We will arrive to Kandy to  visit to a  factory of   hand painted Batiks, (painted in the same method since  the XIII Century).
Kandy is considered the most beautiful  town in the country.
The Hill capital, the last stronghold of the Sinhala kings retains an aurea of grandeur, which time has not affected. Encircled by hills, with a tranquil lake in its center, it is site of the renowed     ” Temple of Tooth Relic ”, the Budha´s preserved sacred tooth.  Place of world wide pilgramage.
In the afternoon we will see a cultural show  of  traditional dances.
Rest and dinner at the Mahaweli Reach
Day 4: KANDY –PERADENIYA BOTANICAL GARDENS -PINNAWELA-KANDY
Visit to the  Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya, one of the most beautiful in the world and the most important in Asia.
Peradeniya botanical garden was first built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala king and was expanded later on by the British.  It is 147 acres in extent and provides an amazing variety of trees, more than 10000 trees, plants and flowers , with more than  4000 different  tropical plants, aromatic plants, Palm trees , and an enormous variety of orchids.
We will continue to  the elephants orphanage   in Pinawella.
The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, established in 1975, located on the banks of the Maha Oya river, commenced with seven orphans. Today some of these orphans enjoy the fortune of seeing their grandchildren born in the same location.
The government created an asylum for small elephants and grown up, found wounded  in the jungle.
The success story of Pinnawela has drawn the attention of scientists from all over the world. A considerable number of books and research articles on Pinnawela have been published in several languages. We will see  how they are taken care and how they enjoy their bathing in the river nearby.
In the afternoon we will visit a manufactory of  Ceylon semi precious stones which are famous in all the world ( The blue sapphire) .
Return, dinner and overnight : Mahaweli Reach

Day 5    :    KANDY- RAMBODA WATERFALLS -NUWARA ELIYA
After the breakfast at the hotel, departure to Nuwara  Eliya district  in the mountains , through the Tea Route.  Unique panoramic views of the mountains  and plantations of the famous Tea of Ceylon. The tea plantations on the hills create a beautiful  image  of  dark green velved carpets. The tea plantations are interspersed with  gushing streams and tumbling waterfalls.
We will climb to 1885 ms above the sea level to take a look at the extensive plantations of tea.  En route visit to a tea plantation and a tea factory, where the best tea in the world is produced. Here you could observe all about the process of  selection and manufacturing of tea. You can also learn how tea is graded.
We will enjoy an unique opportunity to have a tea time and drink this tea in this special place.
Visit to the city of Nuwara Eliya and appreciate  its British colonial  past  and the splendors of Victorian times. This was the chosen place  for the british to escape from the heat of the island during the colonial
Nuwara Eliya, because of its invigorating mountain climate and scenery, is Sri Lankas most popular hill resort.
Nuwara Eliya is also the heart of Sri Lankas tea country producing a significant share of the world ´s best tea.  Sri Lanka s highest mountain Pidurutalagala (2.900mts) is located here.
Nuwara Eliya also has one of the finest 18 hole golf courses in South Asia.
In the afternoon we will walk in the town, it market place and special  bazaars.
Dinner and rest in the Grand Hotel

Day 6  :  NUWARA ELIYA –BENTOTA
After breakfast we will proceed our trip to the  South beaches .
Bentota Beach. Leisure at the Beach.
Overnight and dinner –Eden Hotel
Day 7  : BENTOTA- SAFARI AT THE MADU-GANGA RIVER- MOUNT LAVINIA
Breakfast at the hotel. Leisure after breakfast at the beach. In the morning  we leave for Balapitiya and proceed by boats on the Madu-Ganga river. Here you could see the villagers taking part in their day to day activities , the river,  its islands.  In this beautiful trip  you will be able to see riverside, tropical birds, crocodiles, black monkeys, Cormoranes, Pelicans, Large Iguanas and water Monitors. The fisherman, the peculiar boats and net fishing of jumbo  prawns.
visit to Turtle Hatchery – ecological program to protect the sea turtles
Dinner & overnight – Eden Hotel
Day 8: COLOMBO -
In the afternoon we will proceed to Colombo –
Dinner and night in Galadari

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
1-   Personal assistance at the airport  (arrival and departure) by members of the tour company.
2-   Flower garlands
3-   English speaking guide tour manager during the trip.
4-   Transport in comfortable   air conditioning special bus during all the tour.
5-   Half board meals during the trip  in the mentioned  hotels.
6-   Hotel welcome with drinks.
7-   Ayurvedic traditional head massage at Exotic spice garden
8-   The tickets to all the specified visit places.
9-   Jeep 4X4 Safari  in Minneryia natural reserve.
10-Tea delight in the Tea Route – a special place.
11-Visit to the Temple in Kandy
12-National dances show night.
13-Boat Safari in Madu-Ganga River
14-Visit to Turtle hatchery.
15-Applicable government tax
ACTIVITIES NOT INCLUDED:
1-   Visit to places and activities  not mentioned in the tour program.
2-   Soft drinks beverages during the meals and during the trip.
3-   Tips in the hotels, driver and guide.
4-   Insurance

5.flight ticket