Tour Description

Essential Sri Lanka is 8 Days jam-packed with unique experiences.
Local foods, pristine mountain scenery, ancient temples, wildlife and white sandy beaches in the south.

*Please note, Pink Lotus Tours use 4 Star Deluxe accommodation as standard for this tour however other budgets are available upon request.

3 Star Standard please enquire

4 Star Deluxe USD1760
Single supplement applies USD500

5 Star Luxury please enquire

Dinner Package - included
Min 2 person to operate on any dates.

Tour Highlights

Elephant Orphanage
Ethugala Temple
Polonnaruwa - The Medieval Capital
Rock Fortress of Sigiriya
Kandy -The City in the Hills
Dambulla Cave Temple
Tour a local Spice Garden
Experience Kandyan Cultural Show
Temple of the Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha
Sip Ceylon Tea at a working plantation
Visit to picturesque Nuwara Eliya
Relax at Bentota Beach
Visit St Clare and Devon waterfalls
Explore Colombo - The Commercial Capital

Day 1: Arrival Day Colombo

Arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo
Welcome to Sri Lanka
A representative of Pink Lotus Tours will meet and assist you with arrival procedure.
Please note: Entry visa must be obtained online prior to arrival.
Today we will visit the Elephant Orphanage to see the world's largest herd of domestic Elephants including babies who are still being fed by bottle thrice a day
The Elephant Orphanage was established in 1975 as an effort towards education and conservation by way of scientific captive breeding. Located on the banks of the Maha Oya, the Elephant Orphanage provides shelter to house young elephants who find themselves displaced and lost from their natural habitats.
Visit Ethugala Raja Maha Viharaya Temple in Kurunagela.
At this crypt temple you could see paintings on the roof and display of the “ Sathsatiya” and in the smaller temple there are similar historic Buddhist stories painted on the walls.
Overnight stay at Dambulla

Day 2: Polonnaruwa to Sigiriya Rock Fortress

After breakfast leave for Polonnaruwa – “The Medieval Capital of Sri Lanka- 11th Century AD”

Polonnaruwa is commonly known as the island’s Medieval Capital (11th – 13th Centuries AD)
The city was fortified with three concentric walls, beautified with parks and gardens and sanctified by many shrines. A unique Irrigation complex watered the city as well as the surrounding plains helping in agriculture which made the island "the Granary of the East" .
Polonnaruwa is home to two magnificent World Heritage Sites and numerous other sites of archaeological and historical interest , some of which depict the influence that Hinduism had on the Buddhist Civilization during that period of history.
In Polonnaruwa, visit the many sites of archaeological and historical interest in the Sacred City including the Royal Palace of King Parakumba (1153-1186 ) was constructed as seven story building, but now remains only parts of 3 floors.

OPTIONAL VISIT Afternoon climb the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya, a UNESCO Heritage site , a Royal Citadel for 20 years in the 5th Century AD built by King Kasyapa ,contemporary with the paintings of Ajantha and Ellora Caves in India , highlights being the Frescoes , Mirror Wall and the Lion's Paw, considered as the 8th Wonder of the modern world , thought to be equivalent to the "Alakamanda" - Celestial Palace of God Kuvera.

Sigiriya… a Royal Citadel for 20 years in the 5th Century AD - stark and forbidding, haunted by an epic story of murder and betrayal is attributed to King Kasyapa who found hiding here after killing his father.
This unique Rock Fortress or "castle in the sky" - a massive monolith of red stone that rises 600ft above ground , derived the name "Lion Rock" as the entrance to the climb to the summit is reached between the paws of a lion .

(Sigiriya Rock Fortress – USD 30 - approx. OPTIONAL

Overnight stay at the Dambulla
Breakfast is included

Day 3: Dambulla Cave to Kandy

This morning we visit the Dambulla Cave Temple considered to be the largest painted caves in the world with more than 22,000 sq ft of painted surfaces with many paintings , sculptures, statues of Lord Buddha, his disciples, Kings and Gods

Dambulla... a collection of five caves of different sizes declared a World Heritage Site. Initial authorship is attributed to King Valagambahu who took refuge here after being driven out of Anuradhapura by invading armies, although the works span over all periods since then to the late Kandy Period in the 18th Century

Take a relaxing walk in to a Spice Garden and take part in a conducted tour to get some knowledge about the growth and use of spices in the day to day life.
Visit Muthu Mari Amman Hindu Temple
The main Hindu temple in Matale is dedicated to Muthumariamman. The goddess Mariamman (speak “Muri-um-man”) is very popular among Tamils in India and Sri Lanka. The name suggests that this deity was originally an ancient Tamil fertility goddess.
Arrive in Kandy -
Kandy is literally the "City on the Hills" so named as it was protected by the nature - water, rocks and jungles.
Kandy is famous for is arts and crafts and the golden roofed Temple of the Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha .
In the evening watch a Cultural Performance by traditional Kandyan Dancers and Drummers including devotional “Fire Walking”.
Then walk across in the star lit night to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha - by far the most important place of worship for Buddhists world over.
Overnight stay at the Kandy
Breakfast is included

Day 4: Nuwara Eliya and Tea Plantation

After breakfast leave for Nuwara Eliya -”Little England" surrounded by "Green Carpets"- hills covered with Tea and cascading Water Falls amidst breathtakingly beautiful landscapes

En route visit a Tea Factory and a Plantation to witness the manufacturing process of world famous "Ceylon Tea" and to taste a pure unblended cup of factory fresh tea before being sent to the Tea Auctions in Colombo leading to Export.
Nuwara Eliya… nestled in a wooded basin at the foot of Mount Pidurutalagala Sri Lanka’s highest peak, this region at 6,183ft above sea-level Has a cool, crisp climate unknown elsewhere in Sri Lanka. A serene retreat from the hustle and bustle of Colombo, the town seems like a piece of the English Lake District.

Unusual plants, birds and animals thrive here besides natural feature like waterfalls and caves. Tea, the glistening green leaves of this lovely shrub, along with neat rows of green, cloak ridges and valleys providing a lasting impression of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country.

The Golf Course – one of the finest and picturesque in Asia – the serene Anglican Church of the Holy Trinity, beautiful parks and well-kept lawns and hedges give the place an air of nostalgia.

Nuwara Eliya -
Sight Seeing in the city- the important places being the Victoria Park , Gregory Lake , Golf Course, Market etc.
Overnight stay at Nuwara Eliya
Breakfast Included

Day 5: Nuwara Eliya to Bentota Beach

After breakfast leave for Bentota Beach on South Coast
Enjoy the natural beauty on this mountainous route passing the two Water Falls - Devon and St. Claires.
Arrive at hotel and check-in, free afternoon to relax on the beach
Overnight stay at Bentota
Breakfast is included

Day 6: Bentota Beach

Relax on the Beach and enjoy the beautiful white sand beaches and engage in water sports facilities or just soaking the sun.
Overnight stay at Bentota
Breakfast is included

Day 7: Colombo Sightseeing

Enjoy an early morning swim or leisurley breakfast, then we will checkout and drive to Colombo

Colombo is a fascinating city, not only for its comfortable blend of East and West, but also for its balanced mixture of the past and the present.

The capital - COLOMBO - is an excellent finish to your Sri Lankan adventure.

City Tour of Colombo including

• Famous Buddhist Temple in city by the lake

• Dutch Wolvendhal Church

• Famous Hindu Temple in city

• Town Hall - (similar structure of the White House)

• BMICH(Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall)

• Cinnamon Gardens ( Beverly Hills of Sri Lanka) - Prime residential area

• The Nelum Pokuna – the newly opened Performing Arts Theatre with its modern architecture

• The recently developed New Parliament Area

Overnight stay at Colombo

Breakfast is included

Day 8: Departure Day Columbo

After breakast our Pink Lotus Tours representative will meet and assit with your transfer to Colombo International Airport
It is recommended to arrival at airport 3 hours prior to your flight.

Breakfast is included

Package Includes

Arrival/Departure assistance at airport
7 Nights accommodation
4 Star Deluxe hotels
Breakfast each day
Entrance fees to all sites listed
English speaking driver

Package Excludes

International Airfare and Travel Insurance
Entry Visa - must be obtained prior to arrival
Optional tours
Pre or post tour accommodation
Drinks of any kind
Meals not listed in itinerary (Dinner packages available)
Phone calls, mini-bar, room service, laundry, personal expenses
Tipping of any kind