Itinerary

DAY 1: ARRIVE KANDALAMA
Upon arrival in Sri Lanka, you will be met and transferred to the Kandalama Hotel. The afternoon and evening are free for you to settle in. If you wish to stretch your legs, the 55-acre forest surrounding the hotel is ripe for exploration. Bird watchers will be especially pleased with the varied feathered friends that inhabit the area. Among the 90 species you may spot are the paradise flycatcher, babbler, and warbler. (D)

DAY 2: POLONNARUWA DAY EXCURSION
After breakfast, set off on a guided day tour to Polonnaruwa, which was the second capital city of Sri Lanka. Built in the 11th and 12th centuries AD, the city is a World Heritage Site. Visit the ruins of the Royal Palace, the four Buddha statues of the Gal Viharaya, the Lotus Bath, and monuments like the Shiva Temple. In the afternoon, climb the Sigiriya rock fortress, which dates from the 5th century. Once the main stronghold of the fortified town, Sigiriya remains a citadel of remarkable beauty. Admire the frescoes and the extensive water gardens of this World Heritage Site before returning to Kandalama in time for dinner. (B,D)

DAY 3: KANDALAMA - KANDY
After breakfast, visit the Dambulla cave temples. The most impressive of Sri Lanka's cave temples, Dambulla is actually a complex of five caves, with over 2,000 square meters of painted walls. After exploring the area, continue on to Kandy. En route, visit a spice garden in Matale to learn how the famous spices of Sri Lanka are grown and processed. Upon arrival in Kandy, settle into the Earl's Regency Hotel for a two-night stay and then set off on a guided city tour. Visit the arts and crafts center, a gem museum and lapidary, and Kandy Lake. In the evening, visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic and enjoy a cultural show featuring traditional Sri Lankan dancing. (B,D)

DAY 4: KANDY
After breakfast, visit the elephant orphanage in Pinnawala. Trained wildlife authorities at this sanctuary care for about 60 elephants, most of which were found abandoned and alone in the wild. The elephants enjoy visits from outsiders, and the best time to observe them is during their feedings (when the babies are bottle-fed) or when they have their daily bath in the nearby river. In the afternoon, visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. First built for the enjoyment of a Sinhala king, it was expanded by the British; an amazing variety of trees, plants, and flowers now cover the 147 acres of the park and there is an exquisite orchid garden. Return to Kandy for dinner. (B,D)

DAY 5: KANDY - NUWARA ELIYA
After breakfast, set out for Nuwara Eliya, once a British hill station. En route, stop at a tea plantation and factory. Arguably the best tea in the world is produced in this area of Sri Lanka, and you will have the opportunity to learn about the manufacturing process and how tea is graded before enjoying a steaming cup of the pure Ceylon brew. Nuwara Eliya is today a popular hill resort that boasts a refreshing climate and beautiful mountain scenery. Sri Lanka's highest mountain, Pidurutalagala, is located in the area. Your next two nights will be at the Hotel Tea Factory, once an actual tea-processing factory that has been renovated into a beautiful hotel. (B,D)

DAY 6: HORTON PLAINS DAY EXCURSION
Today you will explore the Horton Plains, a dramatic expanse of grassland at a high elevation. Interspersed with forest and unusual vegetation, the plains are a misty, windswept area that is unlike anywhere else in Sri Lanka. The "World's End" is the spot where the plains suddenly drop before a 700-meter escarpment, offering what is considered the finest view in Sri Lanka. In the afternoon, visit the Hakgala Botanical Gardens, once a plantation of cinchona (from which quinine is derived) and then a testing ground for acclimatizing non-indigenous plants. The garden is famed for its roses and ferns, and is a lovely spot to spend a few hours. Return to Nuwara Eliya for dinner. (B,D)

DAY 7: NUWARA ELIYA - COLOMBO (VIA KITULGALA)
Today, depart from Nuwara Eliya for Colombo. En route, stop at Kitulgala, where the movie "The Bridge on the River Kwai" was filmed, and see the beautiful St. Claire and Devon waterfalls. Upon arrival in Colombo, take a privately guided city tour. Colombo is a city in flux, with shiny new buildings springing up beside ancient dwellings. Visit the Pettah Bazaar for souvenirs, the 100-year-old clock tower, the old Parliament, and drive through residential areas that showcase the stately homes of the affluent residents of the city. Return to the Colombo Hilton for dinner and your last night in Sri Lanka. (B,D)

DAY 8: DEPART COLOMBO
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your international departure flight. (B)

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