Discover the classics of Sri Lanka. The famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites await you on this trip: the Tooth of Buddha in the ancient royal city of Kandy, the mystical cave temple of Dambulla, the cloud girls on the Sigiriya rock and the temple complex of Polonnaruwa. The royal botanical gardens of Peradeniya also await you in Kandy and you can experience an exciting safari in Minneriya National Park. Animal lovers and elephant enthusiasts also have the opportunity to take part in a very special elephant project near Kandy on request.
Day 1: Airport - Kandy (A)
Arrival at the airport or pick-up from your hotel in Negombo or Colombo (if arriving in the afternoon, we recommend an overnight stay in Negombo/Colombo) and welcome by the tour guide, then drive to Kandy. Dinner and overnight stay in Kandy. You can optionally book a visit to the Elephant Freedom Project for this day (1 p.m. to 5 p.m., 25 euros per person). The small family business is a sanctuary for former working elephants, which are cared for and treated here. During your visit, you will have the unique opportunity to help the project's two pachyderms, Kumari and Menike, bathe and experience the animals on an extended, guided walk. The number of participants is limited to 15 people. This is followed by lunch and tea.
Day 2: Kandy - Peradeniya - Kandy (F, A)
After breakfast, you will go on a sightseeing tour of the old royal city of Kandy. The former royal city is located in the central mountains of Sri Lanka and is still very traditional today. The Temple of the Tooth is undoubtedly the city's main attraction. A canine tooth of Buddha is said to be kept here in a golden shrine. The Temple of the Tooth in Kandy is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the country for Buddhists. You then travel to Peradeniya, where you can marvel at the exotic flora in the Royal Botanical Garden, which at 62 hectares is the second largest botanical garden in Asia. Afterwards you will visit a gemstone museum, where you will be shown how the many gemstones found in Sri Lanka are turned into beautiful pieces of jewellery. Dinner and overnight stay in Kandy.
Day 3: Kandy - Matale - Dambulla - Sigiriya (F, A)
After breakfast, drive from Kandy towards Sigiriya, visiting a spice garden and a batik factory in Matale and the small temple complex of Nalanda Gedige on the way. Then visit the temple of Dambulla. The most famous cave temple in Sri Lanka is home to over 150 Buddha statues, some of which date back to the first century BC. In the evening, climb the unique 200 metre high Sigiriya Rock. Halfway up, in a rock niche, are the legendary erotic frescoes of the "Cloud Maidens", which are among the most beautiful works of early Sinhalese high culture. At the top, on the natural platform, King Kassapa I (473 - 491 AD) had his "Castle in the Sky" built. The last part of the ascent leads through two enormous lion's paws and rewards you with a breathtaking panoramic view. Dinner and overnight stay in Sigiriya.
Day 4: Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa - Sigiriya (F, A)
After breakfast, transfer to the archaeological excavation sites in Polonnaruwa. Visit the well-preserved remains of the city, which was the capital of the Sinhalese kings from the 11th to the 13th century. Magnificent statues, impressive dagobas, frescoes, palaces and, last but not least, Gal Vihara - an imposing rock sanctuary with four Buddha figures - are waiting to be discovered. Followed by a safari in Minneriya or Kaudulla National Park, home to many elephants and even leopards. The "Elephant Gathering" is the largest gathering of Asian elephants in the world and a unique event. In the months of August and September, several families join together to form a large herd, which can number up to 400 elephants.dinner and overnight stay in Sigiriya.
Day 5: Sigiriya - Colombo - Airport/Hotel (F)
After breakfast, return to the airport or hotel in Colombo. Return and onward flights are only possible in the afternoon. If you are planning a beach extension on the west coast (best time to travel from December to March) or on the east coast (best time to travel from May to October), clients will be dropped off directly at the beach hotel. No extra transfer from Colombo is necessary.
B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / D = Dinner
Note: Travel in local air-conditioned cars, minivans or buses. Subject to changes that do not affect the overall tour. On public holidays / major events (e.g. cricket tournaments / Perahera) there may be surcharges. For the visits to the national parks and the ascent of Sigiriya Rock, we recommend bringing sturdy shoes. The infrastructure in Sri Lanka is partly poorly developed, travelling takes a lot of time even on short distances (the total travel distance given refers to the pure travel time from place to place - without visits). Services are subject to change without notice.
