Sri Lanka: Colombo, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Yala with private driver, private tour

Arrival at Colombo International Airport, meeting and assistance by our representative in Sri Lanka. Then transfer to Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. Enjoy a city tour, visiting several historical sites, religious sites and shopping spots, including the famous and bustling port in Pettah, as well as the elite residential neighborhood in Cinnamon Gardens, Galle Face Green Square, Vihara maha devi Park and more. Dinner and accommodation in Colombo. Note: car with English-speaking driver at the traveler's disposal, tickets and guide service not included.

After breakfast at the hotel, we head to Dambulla with a visit to Silver Temple on the way which is a 2nd century BC Theravada Buddhist shrine located in the village of Ridigama in Kurunegala, Sri Lanka. This temple is located in the Kurunegala district. In the Mahavamsa this place is known as the "Silver Cave". According to legends, King Dutugemunu got silver from this place during the construction of Ruwanweli Seya. Hence it was called the 'Silver Temple'. We continue to Dambulla, in the center of the island, which is known for its impressive caves decorated with frescoes and Buddhist statues. The decoration of the five caves of this monastic complex began more than 2,000 years ago. It contains more than 150 images of Buddha, of which the largest is the 14-meter colossal figure of Buddha carved into the rock. Thanks to these impressive features, the temple is one of eight sites in Sri Lanka that have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. On your way stop at Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage. Transfer to the hotel in Sigiriya or Habarana with the rest of the day at leisure. Dinner and accommodation at your chosen hotel. Note: car with English-speaking driver at the traveler's disposal, tickets and guide service not included.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading to Sigiriya Rock, one of Sri Lanka's most mythical sights. The arrival is impressive, as the rock emerges about 200 meters above the jungle to dominate the horizon. At its top, hides the ruins of a royal citadel dating back to the 5th century. The access will be through a large gate in the form of a lion carved from the rock, and from there comes the name Of Sigiriya, which means 'the lion's rock' in Singhalese. It´s been neglected over time until a British soldier found the rock in 19th Century and its summit had already been devoured by the undergrowth. Admire frescoes like 'heavenly maidens', which are painted with earth pigments on the plaster. We move on this UNESCO World Heritage Site to go to ancient city of Polonnaruwa. You can observe and appreciate the ruins of the Royal Palace and other buildings and structures. Another interesting aspect is Gal Viharaya – with three magnificent Buddha statues in different positions: upright, sedentary and reclining – the Audience Hall, the LotusBath and the statue of King Parakramabahu. There are also monuments of famous places of worship. Transfer to the hotel in Sigiriya or Habarana with the rest of the day at leisure. Dinner and accommodation at your chosen hotel. Note: car with English-speaking driver at the traveler's disposal, tickets and guide service not included.

Have breakfast at the hotel before heading for Matale spice garden. This small town is known for its cozy climate and its fragrating spices. In the garden, we will learn about the intricate processes that make Sri Lanka to produce some of the best spices in the world. Transfer to Kandy city. Tonight we witness a cultural dance show at Kandy (On Availability Only). Dinner and accommodation in Kandy. Note: car with English-speaking driver at the traveler's disposal, tickets and guide service not included.

Breakfast at the hotel followed by a tour of the greatest attractions of the beautiful city of Kandy, on the shores of the lake of the same name. This World Heritage city was the capital of the last Singalese state on the island to fall under foreign rule. We visit the Buddha Tooth Temple. We can also appreciate the palace and gardens that share the complex with the temple and the beautiful artificial lake that is surrounded by much of the city. Transfer from Kandy to a tea plantation and factory. At the plantation, we observe the entire process and manufacture of tea. Afterwards, we enjoy a tasting of authentic Ceylon tea, considered one of the best blends in the world. We pass through green rolling fields full of tea plantations on the way to Nuwara Eliya (meaning 'City of Light' in Sinhalese), a picturesque village on the shores of a lake. The Nuwara Eliya district is known as 'Little England' for its lush atmosphere and colonial appearance. Dinner and accommodation in Nuwara Eliya. Note: car with English-speaking driver at the traveler's disposal, tickets and guide service not included.

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Ella, circulating through the green and beautiful landscapes of the Central Highlands, enjoying views such as the Ravana waterfall. From Ella, we move to Yala National Park. Upon arrival at the park, we visit on a two to three hour safari in a rustic Jeep with no air conditioning. In this national park you will find elephants, wild boars, buffaloes, leopards, deer, bears and crocodiles as well as large flocks of native birds in migration. Transfer to the hotel in Tissamaharama or Yala with the rest of the day off. Dinner and hotel accommodation. Note: car with English-speaking driver at the traveler's disposal, tickets and guide service not included.

Breakfast at the hotel is the prelude to a morning on the road on the Indian coast, heading to Weligama. We stop in this coastal town to watch the fishermen practice their exceptional way of fishing, which involves joining their nets with a stake that protrudes from 20-50 meters out of the sea. We're moving to Galle. The historic city of Galle is in southern Sri Lanka and is the best example of a fortress built by the Portuguese during their 153 years of rule over the country, which they called Ceylon. We visit the fortress of Galle, which occupies an entire peninsula and was built by the Portuguese. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and within its walls we find a series of buildings from t he 140 years of Dutch colonization – which replaced Portuguese rule – including a beautiful church with a typical Dutch facade, the old hospital, the governor's residence and more. After the Dutch, the British came and from their time there are the Anglican Church and the mosque of Meera. Transfer to the hotel in Hikkaduwa or Beruwala. Dinner and hotel accommodation. Note: car with English-speaking driver at the traveler's disposal, tickets and guide service not included.

Breakfast at the hotel before transfering to Colombo Airport. Note: car with English-speaking driver at the traveler's disposal, tickets and guide service not included. Flight to City of origin destination. Night on board.

Arrival. End of the trip and our services.