Sri Lanka Summer Delight

Welcome to Sri Lanka!
On arrival, you will meet your tour guide and he will accompany you to the hotel.

Optional – Silk Route VIP arrival USD 65.00 Per person – Upon arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport you will be met and assisted by a Sri Lankan Airlines staff who will hold a board with your name as you exit the aircraft. You are accompanied through passport control, customs, baggage collection and money changers, all the way to the arrival lounge where the representative will meet you, address any last-minute questions you have about the itinerary and introduce you to your private chauffeur guide.

Overnight stay in Colombo

Start after breakfast and drive to Dambulla, a 4-hour drive. On the itinerary today is a visit to the two famous UNESCO sites: Dambulla Cave Temple and the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Dambulla caves are the most impressive of Sri Lanka’s cave temples. The cave complex houses over 2000 sq. meters of painted walls and ceilings, and over 150 images of the Buddha. The largest cave dates from the 1st – 2nd century B.C. and is quite breathtaking. The 5th century Sigiriya rock fortress is another impressive UNESCO site and a massive monolith of red stone rising 600 feet from the green scrub jungle below. Fifteen centuries ago, this rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70-hectare fortified town and was crowned by the palace of the mad genius King Kasyapa. Though the palace no longer exists, the paws of the great lion which guarded the entrance to the summit are still intact, and a moat, rampart, and extensive gardens, including the renowned water gardens, ring the base of the rock. The world-renowned frescoes of the “Heavenly Maidens” of Sigiriya can be seen in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway. These frescoes are painted in earth pigments on plaster. The evening is at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Overnight stay in Dambulla

After breakfast, proceed to Passikuda, en-route visit Polonnaruwa, another UNESCO site which is around 80 minutes away from Dambulla, and is a well-preserved ancient kingdom. In the 10th century, the Chola Kings of South India made Pollonnaruwa their capital after conquering Anuradhapura. It was recaptured in the 11th century by the Sinhalese king Vijayabahu and flourished until the 13th century. Thereafter transfer to your hotel to relax for the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Overnight stay in Passikuda

Full day at leisure.
Passikudah is a pristine beach stretch located along the Eastern coast of Sri Lanka that offers its travellers a refreshing beach holiday. The unspoilt beauty of the paradisiacal coasts of Passikudah – the white, sandy beaches and the calm, turquoise waters are unrivalled. Since its coastlines are shallow and the currents are comparatively weak, it is considered one of the most perfect and safest spots for sea baths. The best time to visit the east coast is between May and October. One of the latest additions to the local tourist itineraries, it offers accommodation options of all choices ranging from comfortable hotels to star class resorts. A new tourism zone is also being constructed in the area that would be equipped with hotels, a shopping mall, an art gallery, an aquarium, an open-air theatre, cycle path and a golf course.

Overnight stay in Passikuda

Full day at leisure.
Passikudah is a pristine beach stretch located along the Eastern coast of Sri Lanka that offers its travellers a refreshing beach holiday. The unspoilt beauty of the paradisiacal coasts of Passikudah – the white, sandy beaches and the calm, turquoise waters are unrivalled. Since its coastlines are shallow and the currents are comparatively weak, it is considered one of the most perfect and safest spots for sea baths. The best time to visit the east coast is between May and October. One of the latest additions to the local tourist itineraries, it offers accommodation options of all choices ranging from comfortable hotels to star class resorts. A new tourism zone is also being constructed in the area that would be equipped with hotels, a shopping mall, an art gallery, an aquarium, an open-air theatre, cycle path and a golf course.

Overnight stay in Passikuda

Full day at leisure.
Passikudah is a pristine beach stretch located along the Eastern coast of Sri Lanka that offers its travellers a refreshing beach holiday. The unspoilt beauty of the paradisiacal coasts of Passikudah – the white, sandy beaches and the calm, turquoise waters are unrivalled. Since its coastlines are shallow and the currents are comparatively weak, it is considered one of the most perfect and safest spots for sea baths. The best time to visit the east coast is between May and October. One of the latest additions to the local tourist itineraries, it offers accommodation options of all choices ranging from comfortable hotels to star class resorts. A new tourism zone is also being constructed in the area that would be equipped with hotels, a shopping mall, an art gallery, an aquarium, an open-air theatre, cycle path and a golf course.

Overnight stay in Passikuda

The next leg of your trip will take you to the lush green city of Kandy (3 ½ hours away), the island nation’s cultural capital. This was the last kingdom of Sri Lanka. In the afternoon we take you for a stroll around Kandy and its pretty lake. Towards the evening visit Sri Lanka’s most sacred site, the Temple of the Tooth. Tradition relates that a sacred tooth relic of the Lord Buddha was brought to Sri Lanka in 4th Century A.D. and was enshrined within the Dalanda Maligawa, or the Temple of the Tooth. This sacred relic has been the symbol of sovereignty ever since for the Sinhalese kings and always enshrined in great splendour. Kandy’s Dalada Maligawa is a magnificent shrine, with decorative walls, golden roof and fine woodwork. Religious services (pooja) are held daily at dawn, midday, and in the evening and can be viewed by visitors. The services are accompanied by traditional music and drumming. Overnight at the hotel.

Overnight stay in Kandy

After Breakfast, proceed to Colombo with a visit to a tea plantation.

Sri Lankan tea, better known as Ceylon Tea has been world-renowned for centuries for its quality and distinctive taste. It was as far back as in 1842 when the British introduced tea cultivation to Sri Lanka. The perfect alchemy of the land, sun and rain in this emerald isle offered the exact climatic conditions for tea cultivation to flourish on Sri Lankan soil. Since then until now, Sri Lankan tea has been a sought-after name. The island’s tea production varies in taste, quality, character and appearance based on its cultivated region the locally grown varieties can range from the basic strong, black teas to the most expensive such as white tea and silvertip tea that offers a more floral taste. Tea cultivating areas in the country include the hill country zones including Kandy and Nuwaraeliya.
Arrive and check-in to Colombo hotel.

Overnight stay in Colombo

After Breakfast, you explore the city of Colombo.

Colombo-Sri Lanka’s commercial capital and major port – Colombo, is a fine amalgamation of all the hues and cultures within this paradise isle. This chic metropolitan that accommodates skyscrapers, sandy beaches and a collage of markets and gardens, brings together the many facets of this island nation. If you are on a tight schedule, you would definitely appreciate the many opportunities Colombo offers for fine dining and shopping, not to mention the overarching beauty of the city’s rapidly developing landscape; a perfect combination of well-preserved colonial architecture and urbanity. Meanwhile, if you are free to spend a few days in the city you will be amazed by the many cultural and historical wonders located within locales such as Fort and Cinnamon Gardens. The bustling market streets of Pettaha also make up for an interesting place of visit.

Evening at leisure.

Overnight stay in Colombo

The morning is at leisure. Based on the timings of your international flight, our colleague will meet you in the hotel lobby and assist in your transfer to the airport. The drive to Colombo airport takes approx. 3 hrs. This itinerary is just a slice of what the island of Sri Lanka has to offer. To quote the legendry explorer, Marco Polo, “Sri Lanka is the finest island of its size in all the world” and we hope that you will return soon to discover more.