Arrival at the Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport, Sri Lanka, the tropical paradise, will be met and assisted by representative of Crystal Holidays and transfer to Sigiriya / Dambulla

Lunch at the hotel.

In the evening climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress the world Heritage Site and see the famous decorated its sides with colorful frescoes.

Dinner & overnight stay in Sigiriya / Dambulla

Sigiriya – Home to the 5th century ‘Fortress in the Sky’ which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of the Island. It is also known as Lion Rock because of the huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the fortress. Within its triple-moated defense, the huge rock rises to a sheer height of almost 500 feet. On its summit are the foundations of what was once a great and sumptuous palace and gardens complete with swimming pool. On one of the stairways, the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting survives in the form of frescoes of life-sized damsels in all the freshness and delicacy of their original colours.

Dambulla – Dambulla is famous for the five cave temples on a rock. The first three caves are better, older and larger than the other two. Some caves date back to the 1st century BC. All the five cave walls and ceilings are covered with Buddhist murals and there are more than 130 Buddha statues. Statues of gods and kings are also found here.

After breakfast, excursion to World Heritage Site Polonnaruwa, home to some of medieval Sri Lanka’s finest art and architecture, including the giant Buddha statues of the Gal Vihara.

Visit the wonderful ancient relics at Polonnaruwa

Lunch at a restaurant in Polonnaruwa.

Return to Sigiriya / Dambulla. (Optional – Minneriya National Park by Jeep)

Dinner & overnight stay in Sigiriya / Dambulla

Polonnaruwa – Polonnaruwa was the medieval capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th to the 13th century AD. Great re vival was achieved in the country, politically, economically and socially during the periods of kings Vijayabahu 1, Parakramabahu 1 and Nissankamalla. The monuments here are better preserved than at Anuradhapura – the previous capital. Parakrama statue, royal palaces, audience halls, Vata-da-ge, Thuparama, Rankoth Vehera, Kiri Vehera, Gal Vihara, Lankathilaka and Tivanka Image House are some of the interesting monuments here.

After breakfast, leave for Kandy, the cultural capital of Sri Lanka is a World Heritage Site and has number of tourist attractions.

En route visit Dambulla Rock Cave Temple crammed with Buddhist statues and decorated with Sri Lanka’s finest murals & Spice Garden in Matale to see different Spices for which Sri Lanka is famous

Lunch en-route

Check-in at the hotel

Visit wonderful Buddhist Temple of the Tooth Relic in the evening.

Dinner & overnight stay in Kandy

Kandy – The hill capital; venue of the annual Esala Perahera (Local festival at Kandy); the last stronghold of the Sinhala kings, was finally ceded to the British in 1815. Surrounded by hills, the Mahaweli River and the virgin forest, it is the center of Buddhism, arts, crafts and culture in Sri Lanka. Kandy is an example of Buddhism’s influence in Sri Lanka today. Temples, shrines and monasteries keep Buddhist traditions alive. To 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. One would always return a second time to this beautiful city.

Spice Gardens at Matale – See the luscious cinnamons, cardamoms, pepper plants etc. You can also purchase your requirements of spices. Afterwards visit a Batik factory where you can see the manufacture of beautiful Batik prints and also purchase a wide variety of Batik items.

Temple of the Tooth Relic (Dalada Maligawa) – According to legend, the tooth was taken from the Buddha as he lay on his funeral pyre. It was smuggled to Sri Lanka in 313 AD, hidden in the hair of Princess Hemamali who fled the Hindu armies besieging her father’s kingdom in India. The temple was originally built under Kandyan kings between 1687 and 1707, but later severely damaged during the 18th-century colonial wars against the Portugese and Dutch. After the wars, the original wooden structures were restored in stone.

After breakfast, visit Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya which is a paradise for nature lovers. Thereafter excursion to Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage en-route to watch baby elephants being fed and over 40 elephants being bathed in the nearby river

Thereafter proceed for Beach Stay extension or to Colombo Airport for departure flight.

Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya – Started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the kings of Kandy, 147 acres in extent, it has more than 4,000 species of rare and endemic trees and plants as well as flora from the tropical world. This is a haven not only for scientists but to every nature lover too. The Spice Garden and Orchid House within the Gardens are popular with tourists.

Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage – Off Colombo-Kandy road is Pinnawela, where an orphanage was started in 1975 to house abandoned and wounded elephants. The number of elephants has increased to more than 65 now, including baby elephants brought from various parts of the Island as well as those born as a result of the captive breeding programme. The best times to visit is the feeding time and bathing time – when all the elephants are taken to the river close by.