Colombo, Kandy and Bentota ( 4 nights / 5 days )


Day 01- Colombo
Arrive at the Bandaranaike International airport, Katunayake. You will be met and assisted on arrival by our airport staff and transferred to Colombo, the commercial capital of the country.Colombo, check in at the hotel. Afternoon commence a sightseeing tour of the city of Colombo. Drive through the commercial and city centre area known as the “Fort”, built by the Portuguese in the 16th century where grand colonial era buildings stand alongside modern office structures. See the busy markets and noisy bazaars of Pettah, the National Museum with its fine collection of lovely antiques and art of Sri Lanka. Drive past the Town Hall, Independence Square, the B.M.I.C.H (International Convention Centre) and Cinnamon Gardens residential area and visit a Buddhist temple and a Hindu Kovil to experience the diversity of religion, ethnicity and customs of the people. Overnight stay at a hotel in Colombo.

Day 02-Colombo/Kandy
After breakfast leave for Kandy (116 km – approx. 3½ hour drive). On arrival in Kandy, check in at hotel and after a short break, commence a sightseeing tour of the city. This bustling hill country capital is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the pink painted famous Temple of the Tooth which houses the most sacred religious relic, the tooth of the Buddha. Drive past the picturesque premises of the University of Peradeniya and visit the Market Place, and an Arts &Crafts show room. Then drive along the Upper Lake road to get a panoramic view of the Kandy Lake built in 1807 which is an attractive centerpiece to the town.  Also visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, where a rare collection of tropical exotic and indigenous flora including the famous Orchid House could be viewed. Kandy is also popular because of the annual festival known as the Esala Perahera where the inner casket covering the tooth relic of the Buddha is taken in a grand procession through the streets of the city held annually in the month of July or August. Late evening enjoy the Kandyan Cultural show at the Kandyan Arts & Cultural Centre. The show features the graceful and rhythmic dancers and drummers culminating in an impressive fire walking display. Overnight stay at a hotel in Kandy.

Day 03- Kandy / Pinnawela/Bentota
After breakfast proceed to Pinnawala and visit the Elephant Orphanage (50 km, approx. 2 hour drive). This orphanage was set up by the government to take care of baby elephants lost or abandoned in the wild. Witness the feeding of the elephants. The baby elephants being bottle fed with milk is a heartwarming sight. Thereafter observe them as they take their daily bath in the river nearby, which affords marvelous photo opportunities. Bath time is enjoyed by all elephants, young and old alike and it is a good time to closely observe their tightly knit family structure. The young elephants are protected and cared for, by the older ones in the group and the leader of the group is respected by all. (Open from 8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.  Daily feeding times- 9.15 a.m., 1.15 p.m. 5.00 p.m. Bathing times – 10.00 a.m., 2.00 p.m., 4.00 p.m.).  Thereafter, leave for Bentota, a tourist resort in the south with the most beautiful, wide and sandy beaches (175 km, approx. 4 ½ hour drive).
Overnight stay at a hotel in Bentota.

Day 04 - Bentota
Breakfast at hotel. Full day at leisure on the beach. Overnight stay at a hotel in Bentota.

Day 05-Departure
After breakfast leave to the airport for the departure flight. (96 km, approx. 2 ½ hour drive).