The Ultimate Journey across Sri Lanka: Kandy, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Nuwara Eliya, Galle

Arrival in Colombo in the morning or in the afternoon: transfer to the hotel in Negombo (about 45 minutes) and accommodation in the reserved rooms (which will be available anyway from 2.00 pm onwards). Rest of the day available for relaxing by the pool.

Inclusions: Accommodation, Transportation

In the morning departure for Jaffna (about 6 hours). In the afternoon visit of the city, which for centuries was the religious and cultural center of the Hindu-Tamil part of Sri Lanka, particularly during the so-called kingdom of Jaffna, the Tamil dynasty that reigned for four centuries starting from the 13th century. Later conquered by the Portuguese, the Dutch and finally the British, the Jaffna region was the protagonist of some of the saddest pages of the bloody war that ended in 2009.

We will visit the Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil, one of the most important Hindu temples in Sri Lanka (dedicated to Murugan, the brother of Ganesh), the Manthri Manai (ancient palace of a prince then fallen into the hands of the Portuguese) and the Jaffna Public Library.

Inclusions: Accommodation, Breakfast, Dinner, Transportation, Tourist Guide, Entrance fees.
Highlights: Jaffna, Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil, The Manthri Manai, Jaffna Public Library.

In the morning dedicated to the exploration of the surroundings of Jaffna. Immediately out of the city you are projected into a green landscape of palm trees, colorful temples, sacred springs and sunny coasts: you will visit the ruins of Kantarodai, the Keerimalai springs, and the islands of Karaitivu and Velanai (connected to the mainland by panoramic causeways, almost at sea level, with a view on the activities of fishermen).

Inclusions: Accommodation, Breakfast, Dinner, Transportation, Tourist Guide, Entrance fees.
Highlights: Jaffna, Kantarodai, The Keerimalai Springs.

In the morning visit a fishing village outside the city and the picturesque and colorful Chunnakam Market, the local market in Jaffna. After lunch departure for Anuradhapura (about 4 hours and 30 minute): stop along the route at the Elephant Pass, the collection point for elephants from central Sri Lanka, which were then marched up to Kaits and embarked on the ships leaving for India.

Inclusions: Accommodation, Breakfast, Dinner, Transportation, Tourist Guide, Entrance fees.
Highlights: Elephant Pass, Colorful Chunnakam Market.

In the morning visit of Anuradhapura, the first Sinhalese capital, from the 4th century BC to the 10th century.

We will visit Sri Maha Bodhi, the focus tree descending from the original Bodhi tree under which Buddha was meditating when he reached enlightenment. and the Ruvanvelisaya Dagoba, the great white dagoba protected by a wall decorated with a frieze depicting hundreds of elephants; you will pass in front of two other famous reliquaries, the Thuparamaya, the first dagoba to have been built on the island, and the Lankarama, to then continue with the visit of the ruins of a monastic school of the IX century that preserve the most beautiful Moonstone of all Sri Lanka, of the imposing Abhayagiri Dagoba, about 75 meters high, of the Kuttam Pokuna, two beautiful tanks for ritual ablutions, and finally the Jetavanarama Dagoba, whose immense dome, at the time of its construction in the 3rd century, made it the highest stupa in the world.

In the afternoon visit the beautiful temples carved into the caves at Dambulla (they are located on the top of a hill with 400 steps, but you can get up to about half by car / bus, from that point the climb takes about 20'). At the end of the visit, with a short "craft" catamaran ride on Lake Kandalama you will reach a point where one or two elephants (belonging to a private "elephant compound", exclusively open only for Mistral customers) go to take a bath together with their "mahouts": it will be possible to participate in the exciting bathing experience, playing with the elephants in the water and rewarding them in the end with delicious fruit!

Inclusions: Accommodation, Breakfast, Dinner, Transportation, Tourist Guide, Entrance fees.
Highlights: Anuradhapura, Elephant Compound.

Early in the morning (we will leave the hotel around 7.00 am) departure for Sigiriya: visit of the imposing fortress, declared World Heritage by UNESCO, built on rock in the fifth century and about 370 meters high. (The climb will take a couple of hours or so, because there are more than a thousand steps!).

After the descent you will be rewarded for the effort with delicious fresh fruit, then you will visit a local house.

In the afternoon, visit of Polonnaruwa (also declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO), the second ancient capital of the Sinhalese kingdom between the 11th and 13th centuries AD, whose temples and sculptures are among the best preserved in the country. We will visit the Parakramabahu Royal Palace group, with the audience chamber and the ablution basin, the area of ​​the Quadrilateral with the Vatadage, probably originally built to contain the relic of the sacred tooth of Buddha then transferred to Kandy, the Tuparama Gedige, a Buddhist temple with strong Hindu influences, and the Hatadage, an ancient reliquary also used to contain the relic of the tooth of the Buddha.

Finally visit of the beautiful sculptural group of the Gal Vihara, which, with its four statues of Buddha probably marks the highest point of the Sinhalese rock sculpture. The ancient reliquary also used to contain the relic of the tooth of the Buddha. 

Inclusions: Accommodation, Breakfast, Dinner, Transportation, Tourist Guide, Entrance fees.
Highlights: Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla Cave Temple.

In the morning leave for Kandy. Along the way there will be a stop at a spice plantation at Matale with a demonstration of local cuisine. In the afternoon, visit the most sacred city of Sri Lanka, as well as the third capital of the Sinhalese kingdom: the Temple of the Sacred Tooth (Dalada Maligawa), the lake, the market square.

Inclusions: Accommodation, Breakfast, Dinner, Transportation, Tourist Guide, Entrance fees.
Highlights: Kandy, Spice Plantation, The Temple of the Sacred Tooth(Dalada Maligawa), The Lake, The Market Square.

In the morning proceed to Nuwara Eliya, a picturesque mountain station already known at the time of the British colony (1889 meters above sea level): along the way, stop and visit a tea factory and some fascinating natural glimpses.

Inclusions: Accommodation, Breakfast, Dinner, Transportation, Tourist Guide, Entrance fees.
Highlights: Nuwara Eliya, Tea Factory.

In the morning transfer to the Nanu Oya train station (10 km from Nuwara Eliya) and departure by train to Ella (about 3 ½ hours): the train allows you to take one of the most evocative journeys of the country, enjoying the wonderful mountain landscapes from a different perspective than the traditional "road". Upon arrival, continue to Yala Park.

Inclusions: Accommodation, Breakfast, Dinner, Transportation, Tourist Guide, Entrance fees.
Highlights: Train Ride.

In the morning visit of the beautiful complex of Buduruwegala, composed of seven statues dating back to the 10th century, carved in a single rock, in the middle of the jungle. The statue of the Buddha is the highest on the island (about 15 mt) and still preserves traces of the original color applied to the garments. Departure for Galle, a Portuguese, Dutch and finally English colony: visit of the fascinating colonial town upon arrival.

Inclusions: Accommodation, Breakfast, Dinner, Transportation, Tourist Guide, Entrance fees.
Highlights: Buduruwegala, Galle Fort.

Morning at leisure to stroll in the ancient and charming quarter of the Fort. In the early afternoon return to Colombo where you'll take a panoramic tour of the capital: you will pass in front of the New Parliament, the Bandaranaike Memorial International congress center, the replica of the Buddha statue whose original is located in Aukana and a then take a stop at Independence Memorial Hall, the building that celebrates independence from English rule in 1948.

We will continue passing in front of the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theater, with its suggestive lotus flower shape, and in front of the Municipality of Colombo, then we will visit the Gangaramaya Temple (Buddhist temple which houses a bizarre museum, consisting of a very heterogeneous collection of gifts offered by the faithful) and the Seema Malaka Temple, a beautiful temple on the water built by the famous Sinhalese architect Geoffrey Bawa, located above three floating platforms connected to each other by wooden walkways.

You will then pass through the Fort area with its evocative combination of ancient buildings from the colonial era and modern structures such as the skyscrapers of the World Trade Center, the recently renovated Dutch Hospital complex, the Galle Face Green, the green area of ​​Colombo overlooking the sea, a favorite place for families and couples of lovers who frequent it especially at sunset and Pettah bazaar. The tour will end with a stop at the historic Galle Face Hotel to savor the last cup of tea before departure.

Inclusions: Accommodation, Breakfast, Dinner, Transportation, Tourist Guide, Entrance fees.
Highlights: Colombo, Dutch Hospital, Colombo Commercial Areas, Pettah Bazaar.

Transfer to the airport in time for the return flight back to your home land.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Transportation.