Day 1: Met at the Airport & transferred to Colombo
In the afternoon, do a city tour of Colombo. Colombo like many capital cities in developing countries is fast changing its face. Almost overnight, skyscrapers arise from where old buildings once stood. Yet in some parts, the old world charm is retained. For example, there is a 100-year-old clock tower and several British built colonial buildings. Other places of interest are the Pettah bazaar - where one can shop for bargain, and Hindu and Buddhist temples.
Overnight: Standard Holiday Inn or Superior Colombo Hilton.

Day 2: After breakfast leave for Dambulla
King Walagambahu built Dambulla rock temple in the 1st century B.C. and it is a World Heritage Site. 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 metres.
Overnight: Standard Sigiriya Village or Superior Heritance Kandalama (2 night stay).

Day 3: After breakfast visit Polonnaruwa,
which was the 2nd capital city of Sri Lanka built in the 11th and 12th centuries, and is a world heritage site. Here you can see the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya where 4 splendid statues of the Buddha in 'Upright', 'Sedentary' and 'Recumbent' postures carved out of rock can be seen. In the afternoon climb the 5th century Sigiriya rock fortress that is also a world heritage site. The 'Lion Rock' is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 metres from the scrub jungle. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town. A moat, rampart, and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens ring the base of the rock.

Day 4: After breakfast drive to Kandy via Matale.
En route visit a spice garden in Matale and witness a cookery demonstration. In the afternoon, do a city tour of Kandy. Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is a World Heritage Site. Drive around the Kandy lake built by the last Sinhala king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798. Visit the Kandy town and bazaar, the arts and crafts centre, a gem museum and a lapidary. Also visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy.
Overnight: Standard Hilltop Hotel or Superior Earl’s Regency Hotel (2 night stay).

Day 5: After breakfast leave for Pinnawala & visit the Elephant Orphanage.
The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, established in 1975, commenced with seven
Orphans. The success story of Pinnawela has drawn scientists from all over the world. The members of the Pinnawela herd have been filmed, videoed and
photographed thousands of times by professionals.
In the afternoon visit Peradeniya botanical garden was first built by a Sinhala king. It is 147 acres in extent and provides an amazing variety of trees, plants and flowers.

Day 6: After breakfast drive to Nuwara Eliya.
En route visit a tea plantation and a tea factory, here you could observe all about the  process of manufacturing tea. You can also see how tea is graded and taste a cup of  pure Ceylon tea. Explore Nuwara Eliya town this evening.
Overnight: Standard Galway Forest Lodge or Superior Tea Factory Hotel.

Day 7: After breakfast drive to Yala.
In the evening, do a safari of the Yala National Park by jeep. Yala is the largest National Park in Sri Lanka, which is the home for wild elephants, wild boars, wild
buffaloes, leopards, bears, deters and crocodiles. Large flocks of migratory and  indigenous birds are also found here.
Overnight: Standard or Superior Yala Village Hotel.

Day 8: After breakfast drive to Weligama, famous for 'Stilt Fishermen'.
These fishermen sit on cross bars tied to forked branches of trees planted in the seabed. We then have a city tour of Galle once the chief port of Ceylon now known for its lace making & a World Heritage Site. The tour concludes in Gale but a transfer to a beach  hotel is included, please ask your Travelmood Consultant for details of hotels. Alternatively a transfer back to Colombo can be arranged.

Price Includes

• 7 nights accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis
• Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
• Entrance fees to Colombo Museum, Dambulla Sigiriya Entrance, Polonnaruwa, Kandy Temple, Cultural Show, Elephant Orphanage, Botanical Gardens, Pedro Tea Plantation & Yala National Park
• Cost of Yala Jeep Safari
• Services of English speaking chauffer guide

Price in £ per person, twin share	Standard	Superior
01 May - 31 Oct 08	£409	£476
01 Nov - 15 Dec 08	£389	£460
11 Jan - 31 Oct 09	£399	£489

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