Arrive at the Airport

Meet & Assistance on arrival by a representative of Connaissance de Ceylan.
(Approx. 40mins drive from Airport to Negombo)

Check in the hotel

Evening proceed to enjoy a boat ride in Muthurajawela Wetlands

(Approx. 30mins drive from Hotel to Muthurajawela)

Muthurajawela, a marsh found in the lagoon of Negombo, is home to many amazing species of flora and fauna. Numerically 192 floras and 209 faunas, excluding 102 bird species have been sighted here. Various endemic flora and fauna have also been found in the wetlands which are best visited by boat. Visitors can see waterfowl such as herons and abundant egrets in the lagoon and marsh feeding on the 40 different fish species, of which 15 belong to the native wildlife category.

Advice: We recommend a morning/late afternoon visit to beat the heat and to have best opportunity to bird-watch.
Attire: We recommend bringing a hat for shade

Overnight stay at the hotel

Dinner & Overnight Stay at Vila Hundira

• 4*
• Deluxe

After breakfast proceed to visit the local fish market

(Approx. 15 mins drive from Hotel to Fish Market)

Take an early morning visit to the bustling Negombo fish market. One of the country’s most important fish markets, expect a cacophony of smells and sounds as the mongers try to sell their catch. Stop and discover dry fish stalls where you’ll get introduce to one of the Sri Lankan’s favourite delicacies.

Visit the hotels community Arts & Crafts centre to make your own creation

A visit to the thimble Arts & Crafts workshop situated in the property is a must. In an effort to empower the women of nearby fishing villages, Indira, the proprietress of villa Hundira launched the workshop that handcrafts a range of wall hangings, tapestries, cushions and stuffed toys that are flamboyant and distinct in style. The kids can join in and create and colour their own little soft toy elephants with the helpful of the team at Thimble.

Return to hotel

After breakfast proceed to Sigiriya

(Approx. 4 Hours’ drive from Hotel to Sigiriya)

Arrive & Check in to the hotel

To unwind from your journey, enjoy an ayurvedic therapy at the hotel while the children do some simple kids yoga.

Enjoy a complementary couple or single 45-minute Ayurvedic massage to unwind from the long journey from Negombo. We highly recommend extending your treatment to include a steam bath which is an herbal steam given in a wooden box.

The hotels experienced Yoga instructor will be happy to teach the children a few simple Yoga postures. You are more than welcome to join.

Overnight stay at the hotel

Dinner & Overnight Stay at Aliya Resort & Spa, Sigiriya

• 4*
• Deluxe

After breakfast visit a paper recycling factory, make your papier-mâché Elephant and paint it yourself

Late morning proceeds to Dambulla Market to buy vegetables for the cooking demonstration

Enjoy a cooking experience with a local cuisine

Evening proceed to visit Minneriya National Park

(Approx. 40 mins drive from Hotel to Minneriya)

Minneriya National park is one of the best places in the country to see wild elephants. Dominated by the ancient Minneriya Tank, the park has plenty of scrub, forest and wetlands in its 88.9 sq. km to provide shelter for toque macaques, sambar deer, buffalo, crocodiles, leopards and abundant birdlife as well. The dry season, from May to September, is reckoned to be the best time to Elephants, which can number 200 or more, come to feed and bathe during what is known as ‘the Gathering’. However, it’s also possible to see large numbers of elephants here at other times of year too.

Dinner & Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast proceed to visit Polonnaruwa medieval capital and Monkey Kingdom

(Approx. 1 Hour drive from Hotel to Polonnaruwa).

Polonnaruwa was established as Sri Lanka’s medieval capital after the fall and destruction of Anuradhapura at the hands of the Cholan invaders from India. Polonnaruwa contains various masterpieces of Buddhist sculpture and architecture, as well as, remarkable feats of engineering that are widely regarded as ahead of their time. The most famous of these masterpieces is the Gal Vihara, with its famous rock carvings of Lord Buddha; The Sacred Quadrangle, which includes the Vatadage, used to hold the Tooth of Lord Buddha; and the Parakrama Samudra, or the sea of Parakrama in English, is man-made reservoir (or tank) stretching over 23 kilometres which is prime example of the advanced engineering of that time.

Best time to visit – To beat the heat, visit in the Morning or Evening.
– To avoid large crowds, avoid visiting on Poya (full moon) days.
Attire – As a holy Buddhist site, you are required you to cover your shoulders, knees and take of your shoes. Please dress accordingly or bring a shall/sarong also bring a pair of old socks as the floor can be hot.
– It can get hot, so bring sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen.

Dinner & Overnight stay at the hotel.

Full day leisure at the hotel

After breakfast proceed & visit Dambulla rock cave temples

(Approx. 30 mins’ drive from Hotel to Dambulla)

The Dambulla temple, also known as the Golden Temple, was founded in the 1st century AD by King Valagamba who is said to have fled to the caves during an invasion from South India. This UNESCO World Heritage site is filled with various sculptures and paintings of Lord Buddha and his devotees, various Hindu divinities and gods as well as Sri Lankan Kings. Spread out over 5 caves, each cave depicts statutes and paintings from a different period of Sri Lanka’s rich history thus showcasing the evolution of Sri Lankan artistic style.

Best time to visit- To beat the heat, visit in the Morning or Evening.
– During Poya (full moon) days, many local piligrims many flock to the site.
– Attire- As a holy Buddhist site, you are required you to cover your shoulders, knees and take of your shoes. Please dress accordingly or bring a shall/sarong also bring a pair of old socks as the floor can be hot.
– Guided- The visit will be guided by your guide or chauffer guide. If you choose not to travel with a guide or chauffer guide a site guide can be arranged. However, when the demand is high it is hard to guarantee the quality of English and knowledge of site guides

Good to know- Watch out for monkeys! They are usually well behaved but not feed them, watch your belongings and avoid bringing fruits.
– Flash photography may not be allowed inside the temple.
– Please respect Buddhist customs by not taking pictures with your back to Lord Buddha.

Proceed to Kandy

En-route visit a Batik Factory.
(Approx. 2 ½ Hours’ drive from Hotel to Kandy).
Batik is an old artistic technique used to turn cloth and clothing into pieces of art by wax-resist dying them. Sri Lanka is one of the world’s leading exponents of this technique. The exhibition area and factory provide examples of plain and simple to complex and colourful masterpieces of batik.

Visit Ena De Silva’s factory to discover the different stages of making a batik. She is one of the pioneers of Sri Lankan batik and is known for her great design, bright colours and thoughtful innovation.

Overnight stay at the hotel

Dinner & Overnight Stay at Mountbatten Bungalow, Kandy

• Boutique Bungalow
• Deluxe

After breakfast proceed to experience a Kandyan Dancing school

(Approx. 15 mins’ drive from Hotel to Dancing School).

Sri Lanka has a rich and diverse culture of dance dating back thousands of years. To the untrained eye the dances may seem similar however they all represent a region of the country. Each dance has great historical and cultural significance. Join the dancing school to learn about the history. The students, aged 10 and above, will then perform to traditional Sri Lankan drums, played by the talented drummers. After the performance, join in and learn to dance with the assistance of the talented and experienced dancing masters.

Return to the hotel and relax till the late afternoon.

Proceed to visit the Temple of the Tooth

(Approx. 30 mins’ drive from Hotel to Temple of Tooth).

Known as the Temple of the Tooth, this temple houses the famous relic of Lord Buddha’s tooth and is without a doubt the city’s most important landmark. The temple holds daily ceremonies called Puja’s (Thevava) every morning and night to honour the relic. Visitors get to see the Golden casing where the relic is kept during the ceremony where the rooms gates are opened. The ritualistic ceremony which includes traditional drums is a must for all those visiting the holy city of Kandy.

Return to the hotel

After breakfast proceed to visit Weligama

(Approx. 4 Hours’ and 45 mins’ drive from Hotel to Weligama)

Return to the hotel

En route visit Millennium Elephant foundation

The foundation is located near Pinnawala and aims to help in the conservation of Elephants, a species threatened with extinction. The elephants on site are well fed, nursed and washed regularly by the team of veterinarians. They are brought to the foundation in order to cure them from certain diseases free of charge. One can visit a small museum which hosts several photos, stories and articles of elephants as well the elephant poo paper factory. You can help the team wash and scrub the elephants by joining them in a stream, so please don’t forget to bring a change of clothes!

Important Information: Bring a change of clothes to bathe the elephants.

Overnight stay at the hotel

Dinner & Overnight Stay at Marriott Weligama

• 5*
• Deluxe

Full day leisure at the hotel

Driver & the vehicle not available

Enjoy complimentary Surf Lessons for the family

Weligama bay is quickly rising as Sri Lanka’s best beginner surf beach. Weligama, which translates to the sandy village has one of the countries longest sandy shallow beaches with gentle waves ideal for your first surf lesson!

Your amazing holiday in Sri Lanka has reached to the final day

After Breakfast, proceed to the Airport for the departure.
(Approx. 2 ½ Hours’ drive from Hotel to the Airport)

We wish you a safe flight back home

Ayubowan!