Romantic Sri Lanka 9N/10D (SLRO100040)

AUS-COLOMBO AIRPORT-NEGOMBO On arrival you will be met and welcomed by the representative of BeyondDream Travels, and transferred to nearby Negombo where you'll spend the first night at a beautiful hotel just 30 minutes from the airport. (Travel time - Approx: 30 minutes) Overnight stay at a hotel in Negombo

NEGOMBO-SIGIRIYA Breakfast at Hotel Today morning check out and proceed to Sigiriya. (Travel time: 4 & 1/2Hrs) SIGIRIYA BY AIR (Optional) Take a trip to Sigiriya, where the magnificent “Lion Rock” fortress, one of Sri Lanka’s most visited tourist attractions, stands majestically overlooking lush tropical jungle surroundings. The flight to Sigiriya offer a unique bird’s eye view of this awe-inspiring site studded with beautiful green gardens, ponds, fountains, promenades and pavilions. HIRIWADUNNA VILLAGE TREK The trek begins with an awesome walk along a bund of a Wewa or manmade reservoir. The reservoir itself, the surrounding scrub jungle, marshland and village are a hive of early morning or an evening activity. The amazing birdlife, butterflies and possible sightings of crocodile only add to the charm of seeing the villagers as they go about their early morning tasks of fishing, or washing clothes at the periphery of the lake. Bullock Cart Ride Bullock Cart (Double Ox Cart) which will transport through the next phase of the adventure. The journey continues through dense shrub forests, Paddy lands and other home to many forest birds and other wildlife including monkeys, bear, wild hares, python, Mongose, and even elephants. Sightseeing of the rural village life possible while on the cart ride. Lie back and enjoy the flashes of blue sky through the cover of the trees as the carter expertly guides his animals. Overnight stay at a hotel in Sigiriya/Dambulla

SIGIRIYA (B/-/-) Breakfast at Hotel POLONNARUWA ANCIENT CITY Polonnaruwa, the 2nd most ancient kingdom of Sri Lanka is an interesting mix of Buddhist and Hindu structures that are a testament to the different kings who reigned over this ancient kingdom. Polonnaruwa rose to prominence between the 11th and 13th centuries and thrived during the reign of the famous monarch, King Parakramabahu I, who did much to create a resplendent city. His greatest achievement was the construction of the sea of Parakrama, a huge water reservoir spanning an area of 6280 acres. The ruins at Polonnaruwa are within walking distance and many of them set in tree-shaded areas, a welcome refuge from the tropical sun. This ancient city is one of the best planned archeological relic sites in the country, standing testimony to the discipline and greatness of the Kingdom's first rulers. Duran, Duran used Polonnaruwa as a back drop to their music video 'Save a Prayer' in 1982. WILD SAFARI BY JEEP AT MINNERIYA NATIONAL PARK This National Park 8889 hectares in extent is famous for its large population of Elephants in herds of 100 to 150 roaming in the jungle and seen in the catchment area of the lake. Entrance is at Ambagaswewa about 6 km from Habarana on the main Habarana Polonnaruwa road. Office is by the side of the main road. Elephants, about 300 wild Elephants, Wild Buffaloes, Wild Boar, Spotted Deer, Sloth Bear, Sambhur, Leopards, Crocodiles, Jackals, 9 kinds of amphibians, 25 kinds of reptiles, 160 species of birds, 26 varieties of fishes, 78 varieties of butterflies are recorded from the Minneriya National Park. Overnight stay at a hotel in Sigiriya/Dambulla

SIGIRIYA-KANDY Today morning after breakfast check out and proceed to Kandy. EXCURSIONS: OPTIONAL DAMBULLA GOLDEN CAVE TEMPLE Dambulla cave is a vast isolated rock mass 500 feet high and a mile around the base. Here is found the famous Rock Temple dating to the First Century B.C. The caves of Dambulla sheltered King Walagamba during his 14 years of exile from Anuradhapura. When he regained the throne he built the most magnificent of Rock Temples to be found in the Island. In the first Cave is a recumbent image of the Buddha 47ft long cut out of the Rock. There are images of deities associated with Buddhism all around. The frescoes on the walls and the ceiling are the oldest here but they are over painted in the Kandy period. In the Second Cave, the finest and the largest of all, there are 150 life-size statues of the Buddha in various postures with few statues of Gods and Kings. The ceiling is also covered with frescoes, which depict great events in the life of the Buddha and landmarks in the history of the Sinhalese people. Proceed to Kandy On arrival city tour of Kandy, including Upper Lake Drive, Market Square, Arts & Crafts Centre, Gem Museum. *Kandy - the hill capital, venue of the annual Perahera. The last stronghold of the Sinhala Kings was finally ceded to the British in 1815. Kandy is an example of the Buddhism's influence in Sri Lanka today. Temple's shrines and monasteries keeping alive Buddhist traditions are everywhere. TEMPLE OF THE SACRED TOOTH RELIC Ever since 4th Century A.D, when the Buddha's Tooth was brought to Sri Lanka hidden from sacrilegious hands in an Orissan princess' hair, the Relic has grown in repute and holiness in Sri Lanka and throughout the Buddhist world. It is considered Sri Lanka's most prized possession. CULTURAL SHOW Witness a cultural show featuring various dance groups of Sri Lanka (Excursion will take approx: 2Hrs including 45 minutes cultural dance performance) Overnight stay at hotel in Kandy

KANDY-ELLA Breakfast at Hotel, Proceed to Ella via 1st Class A/C train SCENIC TRAIN JOURNEY This morning travel to Peradeniya where you will board the train at 12:15pm which will take you up into the tea country. (Travel time approx: 3Hrs) The journey affords spectacular views of the rolling tea country. Subject to availability we will get you tickets in the 1st Class Observation car, which means you can have a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside. Overnight stay at a hotel in Ella

ELLA Breakfast at Hotel At leisure Magnificent views across the valley. Overnight stay at a hotel in Ella

ELLA-BALAPITIYA Today morning after breakfast, you will be transferred to the golden sandy beaches of the south cost of Sri Lanka for next two nights… (Travel time approx: 5 & 1/2Hrs) Arrive at the beach resort and relax at the beach Overnight stay at a hotel in Balapitiya

BALAPITIYA AT LEISURE Breakfast at Hotel At leisure EXCURSION: OPTIONAL WHALE AND DOLPHIN WATCHING – Seasonal Early morning at 5.00am proceed to Mirissa. (Travel time approx: 1/2hr) Whale Watching* has been most popular attraction among the tourists who visit Sri Lanka. Mirissa is the best place to start your whale and dolphin watching tour in Sri Lanka. In warm Indian Ocean you can see Blue whales, Bryde´s whales, Sperm whales, Fin whales, sometimes Killer whales, and Common dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins, Spinner dolphins, Risso's dolphins and Striped dolphins. Sometimes you can see turtles and various fish species, for example Bluefin tuna and flying fish. SHIPWRECK DIVING WITH ISLAND SCUBA (ON DEMAND) – Seasonal Enter the magical world hidden under the Indian Ocean, where gargantuan vessels overshadow you, where diverse marine life reign supreme, and where the peace and tranquility felt beneath the surface is ineffable.Meet your team of experienced instructors as they take you through the essentials of surviving underwater (if you are not a certified diver) – the do’s, the don’ts, and everything in between. You will dive with experienced instructors who not only will guide and assist every step of the way but also make the dive a learning experience with details on plant life, different types of marine life that could be enjoyed up close and which ones to stay away from, history of the shipwrecks, importance of the location etc (of course all this will be explained above water before or after the dive). Regardless of if you are an absolute beginner or a certified diver, an underwater adventure is something to be enjoyed by everyone. Overnight stay at a hotel in Balapitiya

BALAPITIYA-COLOMBO Breakfast at Hotel Check out at and proceed to Colombo. ( EXCURSION: OPTIONAL KOSGODA TURTLE HATCHERY Where you can see five species of turtles-Green Turtles (Cheloniamydas), Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelysimbricata), Loggerhead Turtle (Carettacaretta), Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelyscoriacea) and Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelysolivacea). The eggs collected by the Villagers and Fishermen are purchased by the Kosgoda Hatchery and kept in sandy pens until they are hatched. The newly hatched ones are kept in seawater tanks and released to the sea in the night. This Hatchery alone has released more then 1,750,000 young turtles to the sea. An endowment by the Hasselblad Estate was responsible for the establishment of this hatchery. COLOMBO CITY TOUR BY TUK TUK Picked-up from the branded Suba Gaman Tuk Tuk’s for a English Speaking Guided Tour to visit the oldest protestant church in Sri Laka *Wolvendaal Church, Thereafter driving through the busy Pettah Markets to visit *The Old Town Hall, Which is now a Museum. After enjoying a refreshing *King Coconut make a stop at the Central Bank Currency Museum *The Centre Point. Hidden with-in the city is the actual *Prison Cell of the Last King of Sri Lanka King Sri Vickrama Rajasingha. Your last stop is *The Galle Buck Lighthouse which is one of Colombo’s most picturesque locations. On completion, Shopping in Colombo.......visit *ODEL Unlimited provides ample opportunity indulge, not only in shopping for designer wear apparel for the whole family, but also take taste buds on a voyage of discovery. *BAREFOOT discover yourself at Barefoot - Toys Bags Clothes Handloom Fabric Sarongs Sarees - Household Linen Art Photography Books Furniture Gallery Café: On completion you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight back to Australia. Have a safe flight!!! Overnight stay at a hotel in Colombo

BALAPITIYA-AIRPORT After breakfast depart to airport to connect with the departure flight