After breakfast check-out and proceed to Sigiriya. En route visit Millennium Elephant Foundation

MILLENNIUM ELEPHANT FOUNDATION 

Millennium Elephant Foundation, which has been home to the Samarasinghe family and their elephants for many generations, was first opened to the public as the Club Concept Elephant Bath in 1979 by Sam Samarasinghe (1931-1991), a dedicated animal lover. After Samarasinghe’s death in August 1999, MEF was founded in his memory with the assistance of the World Society for the Protection of Animals (Now known as World Animal Protection), and unveiled as a sanctuary possessing proper caretaking facilities and medical services for captive elephants. MEF strives to improve the care and treatment of Sri Lankan elephants whilst increasing awareness about the crippling conditions many of them face throughout the country. The foundation remains the only certified non-profit organization working with captive elephants in Sri Lanka today.

Tourists can observe and walk with the elephants at MEF as well as assist with their daily washing in the Kuda Oya River that runs through the grounds. The funds generated from both visitors and volunteers is used to maintain the elephants well-being, and to enable the care and rescue of more captive elephants. MEF ensures that it strictly abides by the guidelines set by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. 

Evening climb the Sigiriya rock fortress

 SIGIRIYA

Sigiriya is the stunning 5th century rock fortress hideaway of fugitive king. This citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 meters from the scrub jungle was the innermost stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town. A moat, rampart and extensive gardens including the water garden, a UNESCO world heritage site , ring the base of the rock and the world- renowned frescoes of the “Heavenly Maidens” still glowing with colour can be reached by a spiral staircase.

 Check-in at hotel and relax

 Dinner & overnight stay in Dambulla  

After breakfast check-out and transfer to Kandy. En-route visit the ancient Cave Temple in Dambulla. There after visit the Matale Ayurvedic Spice Garden, Batik Factory and gem Museum. In the evening visit to the Temple of the Tooth.

DAMBULLA

Dambulla Rock Temple was built by King Walagamba in the 1st Century BC and it is a world Heritage site. It is the most impressive of Sri Lanka’s cave Temples. The complex of five caves with over 2000 sq metres of painted walls and ceilings is the largest area of paintings found in the world. It contains over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is the Colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of Rock and spanning 14 meters

 SPICE GARDEN

Visit the Spice Garden in Matala, where you can see the different types of spices growing in Sri Lanka. Here you can observe the growth of spices and learn a lot of interesting information about the process of processing and further manufacture of Ayurveda products.

 Check-in at hotel and relax

 Dinner & overnight stay in Kandy  

After breakfast commence city tour of Kandy, including Upper Lake Drive, Market Square, Arts and craft Centre and the Royal Botanical Garden at Peradeniya.

KANDY

Kandy is the last capital of the Lankan Kings and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in a mountain range at an altitude of 488 m above sea level, the city is very picturesque. The name “Kandy” is a splendor and splendor. A lot of legends, traditions and folklore are still carefully preserved by the inhabitants of the city. Kandy and to this day is the cultural capital of the country. In the center of the city, near the lake, is the temple of Dalada Maligawa, where the main relic of the country – the Holy Tooth of the Buddha. Once a year, during the colorful festival of Esala Perahera, which takes place in late July – early August, the shrine resting on the back of the main elephant of the temple is displayed for public viewing. In the procession, passing through the streets of the city, dozens of elephants, covered with bright cloths with bells and illuminations, hundreds of dancers, acrobats participate. Visiting the Temple of the Tooth of the Buddha.

 TOOTH RELIC TEMPLE

The hill capital is another “World Heritage Site”. It was the last stronghold of the Sinhalese Kings during the Portuguese, Dutch and British rule and finally ceded to the British in 1815 after an agreement. To the 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. Close by are the remains of the Royal Palace (“Maha Wasala”), “Palle Wasala”- where the Queens stayed-now used for the National Museum, “Meda Wasala” where other close relatives lived, Audience Hall, Natha Devala and Vishnu Devala are situated close by. The Bathing Pavilion (“Ulpenge”) is by the Lake and in the Center of the lake is the Island called “Kiri samudraya” (Milk white ocean) used by the kings as the summerhouse. Today it is the center of Buddhism, Arts, Crafts, Dancing, Music and Culture. Visitors can see these Dance & Music at the daily Cultural Performances held at several places in the city.

ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS

147 acres in extent; Started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the Kings of Gampola and Kandy.  There are more than 4,000 species of trees, plants and creepers. Some rare and endemic as well as flora from the tropical world are found in the gardens.  Spice Garden and Orchid House are popular with tourists. There are 5 Palm Avenues beautifying the gardens, the earliest and tallest Palm Avenue (Royal Palm Avenue) was planted in 1905 and the Double Coconuts from the Seashells Island, with the largest seed of all plants in the world is one such avenue.

 On completion transfer to the selected beach hotel in down south or east coast.

 PLEASE DO BOOK YOUR BEACH STAY FROM OUR BEACH STAY SECTION