General

Day 01: London to Colombo

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

Day 02: Arrival Colombo – Negembo

Ayubowan! 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 who will be holding a placard with “WELCOME COBRA HOLIDAYS” on it. He will guide you to the coach and transfer you to your hotel in Negembo

Rest of the day at leisure.

In the evening Indian dinner at the Hotel.

Meals: Dinner                                                                                                                                                    Overnight: Negembo

Day 03:  Negembo – Pinnawala  Elephant Orphanage – Aukana – Sigiriya

This morning after the breakfast drive towards Dambulla. En-route we visit an Elephant Orphanage at Pinnawela to see the daily routine of care for baby elephants and other abandoned elephants. Bottle feeding of the baby elephants is the highlight event of the place.

On our way to Sigiriya we will stop at the Aukkana Buddha, a twelve metre high statue carved out of a large granite rock.

In the afternoon we visit and climb the iconic ‘Lion Rock’ fortress of Sigiriya where King Kasyapa built his palace 1500 years age. Its beauty has awarded it status as a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site, a 370-meter granite rock with a magnificent palace that was built around 475 AD. Once you reach the plateau you are faced with breath taking views of the surrounding area. The complex includes water gardens, moats and the impressive Lion Gate.

We continue our journey to Dambulla. Upon arrival we check-in to our Hotel.

In the evening Indian dinner in the hotel.

Meals:  Breakfast, Dinner                                                                                                                                   Overnight: Sigiriya

Day 04: Sigiriya – Polonnaruwa – Minneriya National Park

After an early breakfast we proceed to visit one of Sri Lanka’s ancient city, Polonnaruwa another “UNESCO World Heritage Site” which was the second capital of Sri Lanka. We will see the Gal Vihara Rock Sculptures and the three giant stones sculptures of the Buddha that were carved in granite by an unknown sculptor in the 12th century.

In the afternoon we will enjoy a game drive in the famous Minneriya National Park and its large herds of elephants. Of course you will get to see various other animals in the park so make sure you do not forget your camera.

After a day of culture and wild life you will head back to the hotel

In the evening Indian dinner in the hotel.

Meals:   Breakfast, Dinner                                                                                                                                  Overnight: Sigiriya

Day 05: Sigiriya –Dambulla – Matale –  Kandy

Today after breakfast we proceed to Kandy. En-route we visit Dambulla Cave Temple a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are 153 Lord Buddha statues, 3 statues of Sri Lankan Kings and 4 statues of Gods and goddesses found here. The latter include those of Hindu Gods Vishnu and Ganesh.

Then, leave for the hill capital of Kandy, en-route visiting a Spice Garden at Matale. Sri Lanka is famous for many different types of spices and you will be shown how some of these spices are grown and processed.

On arrival enjoy a sightseeing tour of Kandy – the last kingdom of the Sinhalese, taking in the sights of Upper Lake Drive, and the Market Square on the way to pay homage to one of the most sacred religious sites in Sri Lanka, The Temple of the Tooth or Dalada Maligawa is believed to house the ‘tooth relic’ of the Lord Buddha.  This is a major shrine where pilgrims have revered Buddha’s tooth since the 16th century.

Note: Dress modestly and respectfully when visiting temples. Shoulders to knees should be covered, especially when entering places of worship. No shorts allowed.

A walk around the town will let you indulge in some souvenir hunting with intricate treasures in wood, copper, silver, brass, ebony, bronze, ceramics, lacquer work, handlooms, batiks, jewellery and reed-ware to choose from.

In the evening round off your day with a visit to the cultural show, where the vibrant costumes and pulsating rhythms of traditional dance, drumming, music and fire walking from centuries old rituals will enthral you.

In the evening Indian dinner in the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner                                                                                                                             Overnight: Kandy

Day 06: Kandy –  Nuwara Eliya – Approx 03 Hrs Drive

After breakfast, we head ‘up country’ to the city of Nuwara Eliya, stopping at the famous

Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya. You’ll find a vast selection of Sri Lanka’s native flora as well as many exotic species and a renowned orchid collection.

Continue our journey towards Nuwara Eliya, also known as the “Little England” of Sri Lanka because of its quaint British type cottages, set amidst verdant hills.

We visit the staggering Ramboda waterfalls and a Tea Factory, where you will have the opportunity to savour a cup of tea from the factory after a live demonstration of the process of tea production.  We also have the opportunity to visit Shree Bhakta Hanuman Kovil & Sita Amman Temple (Time permitting).

Later transfer to your hotel for check-in.

In the evening Indian dinner in the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner                                                                                                                      Overnight: Nuwara Eliya

Day 07: – Nuwara Eliya – Yala – Approx 05 Hours Drive

After breakfast we drive to Yala, Sri Lanka’s most famous and the second largest National Park popular for elephant, leopard, bear, crocodile and wild boar.

This evening we go on a safari and game drive in Yala National Park.

Yala is a haven for Fauna both indigenous and migrant Bird concentrations are by the  Salvers. Here are thousands of flamingos, Assemblies of spotted billed, Spoonbills, Cormorants and various species of Herons. Pheasants, Pea Fowl, Peacocks and the Wild Fowl are found in hundreds.  Wild Buffalo and herds of Wild Elephants are a common sight.

Whether it is birds or animals you have them all at Yala.

In the evening Indian dinner in the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner                                                                                                                                        Overnight: Yala

Day 08:  Yala – Galle – Beruwala

After the breakfast proceed to Beruwala. En-route visit the Heritage city of Galle. For centuries Galle has stood strong against invasions – from colonial powers and nature’s volatile outbursts.  The famous Dutch Fort was first built by the Portuguese, fortified by the Dutch and preserved by the British. Battered daily for over 400 years by the ocean it even survived the onslaught of a tsunami and is enjoyed today by residents and visitors alike. The colonial architecture of the walled city too has resisted the advance of modernity and holds tightly to its past glory.

Afternoon:  continue the journey along the coast to Kalutara / Beruwala, taking in the unique sight of Stilt Fishing along the shores of Ahangama.  An iconic image of Sri Lanka, Stilt Fishing is a skill handed down from one generation to the next: an ancient tradition that is sadly on the decline.

Further along the coast, you will visit the Turtle Hatchery at Kosgoda – a successful conservation effort established to protect Sri Lanka’s turtles from extinction.

On arrival at Beruwala, check-in and settle in your hotel. Rest of the day free time at leisure.

In the evening Indian dinner in the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner                                                                                                                              Overnight: Beruwala

Day 09: Beruwala – Full day at leisure on the beach

Today after breakfast at the hotel, spend rest of the day at leisure on the beach.

In the evening Indian dinner in the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner                                                                                                                              Overnight: Beruwala

Day 10:  Beruwala – Colombo

Today after early breakfast, we proceed to Colombo.

On arrival in Colombo, we drive through the city taking you to the busy commercial areas as well as the tree-lined residential

Visit Fort, the former British administrative Centre 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.  Also visit the BMICH (Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall), see the replica of Avukana Buddha (time permitting) and the Independence Square, later proceed for shopping (if time permits). 

In the evening Indian dinner at an Indian restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner                                                                                                                               Overnight: Colombo

Day 11:  Colombo – London

After breakfast free time at leisure. Later transfer to Bandaranaike International Airport to board your flight for London.

Meals: Breakfast

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

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 evening, you will arrive in U.K. on the next day.

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