General

Day 01: Departure London – Colombo

Depart from London Heathrow Airport, on your scheduled flight to Colombo. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your journey.

Day 02: Colombo – Negembo

Welcome to Sri Lanka. Upon arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, clear immigration, collect your luggage and follow exit sign. You will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel in Negembo.

Rest of the day at leisure or go shopping.

 Meals: Dinner                                                                                        Overnight – Negembo

 Day 03: Negombo – Dambulla

After breakfast proceed to Dambulla, En-route visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage.

Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage – App. 55 miles from Colombo, off the Colombo – Kandy road is Pinnawela, where an orphanage was started in 1975 to house the abandoned and the wounded elephants.

In the afternoon proceed to climb the Sigiriya Rock.

Sigiriya – is a “World Heritage Site” and the 5th Century “Fortress in the Sky” which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of the Island. It is also known as Lion Rock because of the huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the Palace on the summit of the 600-foot high rock. Thereafter proceed to Dambulla Cave Temple, Dambulla.

Dambulla Cave Temple is a vast isolated rock mass 500 feet high and a mile around the base. Here is found the famous Rock Temple dating to the First Century B.C.

On arrival check in to hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner                                                                     Overnight – Dambulla

Day 04: Dambulla – Kandy

 This morning after breakfast proceed to Kandy, En- route we visit Spice Gardens and Batik Factory.

Spice Gardens at Matale – You will see many spice gardens at Matale and in Mawanella on the Colombo-Kandy road where Cinnamon, Cardamom, Pepper Creepers and all other spice trees, plants and creepers are planted for visitors to see them.

Then visit a Batik Factory where you can see the manufacture of beautiful Batik prints.

In the afternoon commence city tour of Kandy including the Kandy Market Place and Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya and Temple of the Tooth Relic.

*Kandy is surrounded by hills, the Mahaweli River and the Virgin Forest, Kandy was well protected and was the last refuge of the Sri Lankan Kings.

*Royal Botanical Gardens – Peradeniya – 147 acres in extent; Started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the Kings of Gampola and Kandy.

*Temple of the Tooth – To Buddhists of Sri Lanka and the world, Kandy is one of the most sacred sites as it is the home of the “Dalada Maligawa” – Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha.

Evening witness the cultural show featuring various types of dances.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner                                                                      Overnight – Bentota

Day 05: Kandy – Sita Temple – Nuwara Eliya

 Today after breakfast proceed to Nuwara Eliya, En-route visit tea factory & tea plantation.

In the afternoon we proceed for city tour of Nuwara Eliya including visit to Sita Amman Temple.

Later Check- in at the hotel. Return to hotel.

*Tea Plantation – Tea was first planted in Sri Lanka in 1824 at the Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, when a few plants were brought from China.

*Nuwara Eliya – Appx. 3 hrs and 50 miles from Kandy, Nuweraeliya lies 6200ft. above sea level. In 1826 some British Officers erected a road constructed over the ridge at Ramboda Pass and a station for convalescent Soldiers was established.

*SIta Amman Temple, Seetha Eliya – The stream that runs from the hill, catered to the needs of Sitadevi during her stay at Ashoka Vatika. She said to have bathed in this stream. Now there is temple for Lord Rama, Sitadevi, Luxshmana and Hanuman by the side of this stream. It is interesting to note that foot prints akin to Lord Hamunams are found by this river and some are small in size and some are of large size. On every full moon day special prayers and Poojas are conducted and witnessed by thousands of devotees. The image of Lord Hanuman here is 16 feet.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner                                                          Overnight – Nuwara Eliya

Day 06: Nuwara Eliya – Beruwala

After breakfast proceed to Beruwala via Kitulgala.

*Kitulagala – is situated between Nuwara Eliya and Colombo and it is 56 miles away from the city. It is a small town on the bank of the Kelani River and is in the low elevation rain forest and is a small path of rain forest left on the south bank of the river. This is a beautiful area selected in 1957 for the award winning film ” Bridge on the River Kwai”

On arrival check in at the hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner                                                          Overnight – Beruwala

Day 07: Beruwala – Free time at leisure

Today after breakfast free time at leisure, enjoy the beach and facilities offered by the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner                                                          Overnight – Beruwala

Day 08: Beruwala –  Colombo

This morning after breakfast we proceed to Colombo.

In the afternoon we commence the city tour of Colombo including shopping.

Drive through the city taking you to the busy commercial areas as well as the tree-lined residential, Cinnamon Gardens. Visit Fort, the former British administrative center and military garrison, Sea Street – the Goldsmith’s quarters in the heart of Pettah, the Bazaar area, where is also a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carvings, and the Dutch Church of  Wolfendhal dating back to 1749. The historic Dawatagaha Mosque and the former Eye Hospital are two buildings in Cinnamon Gardens worth looking at. Also visit the BMICH, see the replica of Avukana Buddha and the Independence Square.

Visit the Mlesna exquisite tea boutique, cashew nut shop, readymade garments and all sorts at Majestic City. Visit the Lanka Ceramics Centre, a place where you can buy “NORITAKE SET” or other ceramic items, visit the Odel shop at Lipton place and’ House of Fashion’

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner                                                          Overnight – Colombo

 Day 09: Colombo –  Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram)

After breakfast free time at leisure. Later we proceed to Colombo airport to board our flight for Trivandrum.

On arrival at Trivandrum airport, clear immigration, collect baggage & follow sign for exit.   Watch out for our representative, who will be holding a placard with ‘Welcome Cobra Holidays’ on it.

You will be welcomed at the airport and transferred to your Hotel in Trivandrum. Check-in at your hotel. Rooms allocated on twin share basis.

In the afternoon proceed for a sightseeing tour of Trivandrum where you will visit the famous Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Rebuilt in 1733, it is an excellent example of South Indian architecture etc.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner                                                          Overnight – Trivandrum

Day 10: Trivendrum – Kottayam 

Today we depart for KOTTAYAM. On arrival proceed to enjoy a Backwater Boat Cruise

through the world famous backwaters of KERALA. Dinner & Overnight in Hotel.

 Meals: Breakfast, Dinner                                                          Overnight – Kottayam

 Day 11: Kettuvalam – Thekkady 

After breakfast we depart for Thekkady (3hrs), set in the heart of the Cardamom Hills of Kerala is the Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve, offering a rare opportunity to enjoy south India’s wildlife. Enjoy a boat cruise on Periyar Lake to view the varied wildlife of this region. If time permits we will visit the Kumilly market for spice shopping.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner                                                          Overnight – Thekkady

 Day 12: Thekkady – Munnar  

This morning after breakfast depart for Munnar (3hrs) one of southern India’s most popular hill stations. On arrival in Munnar, transfer to your hotel.

Later visit “Rajmala View Point” (the highest point in Kerala), enjoy Athakkadu waterfalls and Blossom Garden.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner                                                          Overnight – Thekkady

 Day 13: Munnar                     

After breakfast, proceed on a sightseeing tour of the picturesque Medupatty Dam and Tata Tea Gardens. After lunch, continue your tour to visit Echo Point.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner                                                          Overnight – Munnar

Day 14: Munnar – Cochin      

Today after breakfast, proceed for Cochin. On arrival in Cochin transfer to your hotel and check in.

This afternoon proceed for sightseeing tour to visit Jewish Synagogue, Dutch Palace, and Chinese Fishing Nets.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner                                                 Overnight – Cochin

DAY 15: Cochin – London      

This morning we proceed to Cochin airport to board your flight for London.

On arrival at London Heathrow, follow sign for arrival/baggage claim. Clear immigration, collect baggage and follow sign for exit.

Note:

• Return flight – If your flight departs in the morning, you will arrive in U.K. on the same day.
• Return flight – If your flight departs in the afternoon /evening, you will arrive in U.K. on the next day.

** Your tour ends, leaving you with many pleasant memories of a wonderful holiday. **