You will meet your driver/guide at the airport, afterwards you will check in at your hotel in Negombo before you start your tour programme on that day.

Muthurajawela Boat Tour
The Muthurajawela Marshes are situated just south of Negombo and cover an area of approximately 6,000 hectares inclusive of the Negombo lagoon. The daily high tide brings in seawater from the ocean into the wetland. Continuous mixing of these two waters for thousands of years has led to a brackish, integrated coastal ecosystem that is biologically diverse and teeming with life. A variety of mangroves and other types of flora including medicinal plants are found alongside numerous types of birds, butterflies and fish, some of which are endemic. Crocodiles, monitor lizards, and Sri Lanka's largest snake, the Python, are also native here.

Negombo Fish Market & City Tour
The Negombo Fish Market is the second largest and most spectacular fish market in Sri Lanka . The local people call it Llelama. The fish market is situated near the Old Dutch Fort Gate and is held every day except on Sundays. You should not miss this impressive sight.

A city tour to the most impressive sights of the town including the picturesque harbour will complete the day before you return to your hotel for a walk along the beach and a refreshing dinner.

Overnight stay : Negombo

After breakfast you will visit the Sigiriya and Pidurangala Rock and the Minneriya National Park .

The Sigiriya Rock Fortress of Sri Lanka is situated in the district of Matale near Dambulla. It can be reached following the Colombo - Habarana highway turning east from Inamaluwa, then proceeding about 10 km from Inamaluwa, and passing Kimbissa township one arrives at Sigiriya. Before Sigiriya became a Kingdom, the Sigiriya Rock base and places such as Pidurangala (where you will find many caves and a temple) were dwelling places of Buddhist monks from about the 3rd century BC onward.

Pidurangala Rock
Pidurangala is a massive rock formation located a few kilometres north of Sigiriya. It has an interesting history closely related to that of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Being less grand and at the same time far more difficult to climb it is often overlooked by tourists but should not be missed by more adventurous minded visitors.

Minneriya National Park
Minneriya National Park is situated in the north-central plains of Sri Lanka , 20 kilometers from Polonnaruwa. Even though it is one of the smallest national parks in the country, covering just about 9000 hectares, it is a paradise with many natural wonders.

Overnight stay : Sigiriya

Namal Uyana
The national forest reserve Namal Uyana in Galkiriyagama presents the largest rose quartz mountain in South Asia comprising about 1000 hectares and includes several ayurveda wells to be reached on foot by those ready for a bit of hiking. This National Forest Reserve was opened in 2005.

Matale Hindu Kovil
Matale is a small town encircled by hills, a historic place during the last rebellious uprising against British rulers in 1848. This beautiful Hindu temple Sri Muthumariamman Thevasthanam in the centre of the lively town surprises with its countless colorful figures decorating the outside of the building.
The Rock Temple of Dambulla, called Jumbukola Vihara in the Mahavamsa, the principal Pali Chronicle of Sri Lanka, is situated about forty-seven miles north west of Kandy, the last capital of the Singhalese kings, on the main road to Anuradhapura. The shortest way from Colombo to Dambulla leads via Kurunegala, one of the capitals of the medieval Singhalese kings. The other rock temple of equal fame, Aluvihare, where according to tradition the Buddhist scriptures were first written down at about the first century B.C., is situated about twenty-six miles to the south on the Kandy Dambulla road. And the famous fortress of Sigiriya with its beautiful frescoes rises aloft like a gigantic cylinder at a distance of about twelve miles to the north-east of Dambulla.
The Sacred Tooth Relic (D?lada) of the Buddha is the most venerated object of worship for Buddhists in Sri Lanka . The Temple of the Tooth Relic (D?ladaM?lig?wa) in Kandy is even considered the foremost sacred place of worship in the Buddhist world.

Overnight stay: Kandy

If you have not had time enough to visit the Tooth Temple on the day before you might do so this morning before you start for the Knuckles tour.

Knuckles Mountain Range
The Knuckles Massif or the Knuckles Mountain Range is part of the Hill Country of Sri Lanka which is above 3000 Ft or 915 Mts. from sea level and covers an area of about 234 Sq.Km of land. This is also called Knuckles Range or Knuckles Peaks or simply Knuckles. The reason to call it Knuckles is because there is a mountain with five peaks in itself that looks like the knuckles of a clenched fist when seen from the Kandy direction ( or from the SW direction of a mountain named Knuckles with a height of 6112 Feet ). The Sri Lankan name for this mountainous area is " DumbaraMitiyawatha " which means " The Misty Valley." Since this inner mountainous area is off the motoring roads, it remains an unspoilt nature reserve even today.
You will enjoy the cool climate in that special elevated mountainous world and the woods which will remind you of European pine trees.

Overnight stay : Kandy

After breakfast we will visit Kandy local market, the Peradeniya Botanical Garden , outside of Kandy three different kinds of temples, Gadaladeniya, Embekke, Lankathilake, and during the second half of the day you will visit a tea factory and tea plantation.

Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens
Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens, the finest of its kind in Asia, the largest botanical garden of Sri Lanka , could not be better located. In the Mediterranean climate of Kandy, the gateway to the Central Highlands, the gardens, at an elevation of 500 meters above sea level, are tightly bound on three sides by a loop of the river Mahaweli (great sandy river), the largest river of Sri Lanka.

Gadaladeniya Rajamaha Viharaya
Gadaladeniya Rajamaha Viharaya with an ancient monastery is found on the flat rock at Diggala in the district of Kandy. According to an inscription there this temple was built by King Buwanekabahu IV in the year 1344 AD. The chief architect of this temple has been a south Indian called Ganesvarachari. Therefore this temple is essentially of south Indian design.

Embekke Temple
Embekke Devale, famous for its elaborate woodcarvings, pillars and other structures, nestles in the Udu Nuwara. It lies close to Daulagala about eight miles from Kandy . Because of its enticing wood carvings the UNESCO has identified these marvelous and elaborate carvings on wooden pillars to be the finest products of woodcarving to be found in any part of the world.

Lankathila Viharaya
Lankathila Viharaya is a Gedige type large image house built by king Parakramabahu the Great ( 1153- 1186 AD). The speciality in this building are the two pylons at the entrance and the giant Buddha statue inside. This statue is 42 feet in height and the building walls are 53 feet high.

Overnight stay : Nuwara Eliya

In the early morning we will proceed to Horton Plains and World`s End and during the afternoon you will do the train journey from Nanuoya to Ella.

Horton Plains
Horton Plains is a beautiful, silent, strange world with the chance of an excellent hiking tour in the shadows of Sri Lanka's second- and third-highest mountains, Kirigalpotta (2395m) and Totapola (2359m). The 'plains' themselves form an undulating plateau over 2000m high, covered by wild grasslands and interspersed with patches of thick forest, rocky outcrops, filigree waterfalls and misty lakes. The surprising diversity of the landscape is matched by the wide variety of wildlife.

World's End
World's End is located in Horton Plains National Park of Nuwara Eliya. It is a sheer cliff, with a drop of about 4,000 feet (1,200 m). It is one of the most visited parts of Horton Plains National Park and a key tourist attraction in Sri Lanka , but you must not miss visiting it in spite of numerous tourists you might meet there.

Train Trip
A Kandy to Ella train trip is considered one of the most scenic train journeys in the world. Therefore we facilitate our clients to book observation deck, a luxury air conditioned compartment, 1st class AC compartment or 2nd class non AC reserved seats - just choose what you would like best. The train starts from Colombo Fort Railway station and it takes about 3 hours approximately to reach Kandy/Peradeniya Railway station where the scenic trip begins.

Overnight stay: Haputale

Lipton's Seat
Lipton's Seat is a most remarkable view point in the Badulla district and a popular visiting place close to Haputale. It is an observation point and at least seven districts and sights like Land's End or Adam's Peak can be rediscovered from up there.
On the way to Lipton's Seat there is a popular tea factory called Dambethanna Tea Factory which is the largest tea factory of the Badulla district. Arriving at Lipton's seat before 10:00 for a good view is recommended, therefore the tour on that day starts very early.

Ratnapura
The gem-mining centre Ratnapura is also a major crossroad between the southern plains and the hill country to the east, a bustling market city servicing most of the surrounding small towns. Many of the prominent gem dealers in Sri Lanka operate from Ratnapura, it is literally the City of Gems and it has been known as such throughout the history of the island and has been referred to in ancient texts. Gem mining is widespread throughout the region and you will see pits dug in low lying areas like valley floors, riverbeds, paddy fields and other very damp places. Anything worth investigating is usually found in a gravel bed and extracted using primitive methods. A unique feature of the occurrence and distribution of gemstones in Sri Lanka is that a variety of different stones are invariably found together at one site. The stones that have made the region world famous are various spinels, aquamarines, tourmalines, topaz, garnets, amethyst, cat's eyes, zircons and moonstones.
The mining operation is virtually the same since the days of the Alexander the Great or perhaps the Pharaohs` times except for the modern addition of the water pumps to drain the pits. The supports for the excavations are still mostly logs. Labour is provided as a share to the earnings as well as the equipment materials and the daily expenses for food are contributed as a share. You will have the chance to experience mining for some time to get an impression of the harsh reality of a mining life.

Overnight stay: Ratnapura

The Sinharaja Forest Reserve, the best-known rainforest in Sri Lanka , is well worth a visit for anyone who is interested in the natural resources of this country. It has been declared a World Heritage Site because of its unique and impressive biodiversity. Sinharaja is also a Biosphere Forest Reserve, and a large proportion of the flora in this forest is endemic to the country. Some species are endemic to the Sinharaja Forest itself. Sinharaja also has many endemic species among its fauna.
Situated in the south-west lowland wet zone of Sri Lanka and falling into the Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces, Sinharaja is surrounded by Napola Dola, Koskulana Ganga (north), Maha Dola, Gin Ganga (south-west), the Kalukandawa Ela, Kudawa Ganga (west), Beverley Tea Estate and Denuwa Kanda (east). As a rainforest with its rich and complex diversity of vegetation, Sinharaja provides habitats for a variety of animals. Although dependent on plants for food, animals also carry out certain functions vital to the growth of some plants. Pollination and seed dispersal are two of these.

Overnight stay: Sinharaja

Kataragama
Kataragama is a place of pilgrimage for a variety of religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam and is located in the south-eastern corner of Sri Lanka . Therefore it is a multi-religious sacred city. Kataragama is one of the few places in Sri Lanka where religious people worship together. According to the Buddhists, Kataragama is one of the 16 places visited by Buddha (solos mahastana) during his 3 visits to Sri Lanka .

Yala Safari
The second largest national park in Sri Lanka , Yala, is situated in the southeastern part of the island in the dry, semi-arid climate region, bordering the Indian Ocean . The number of mammals recorded at Yala is as high as 44 while it also boasts of one of the highest leopard densities in the world. None other than the majestic Sri Lankan elephant and the leopard are the proud heads of this amazing national park.

Just finish this day with a nice and entertaining walk along the beach of Tissamaharma .

Overnight stay : Tissamaharama

After breakfast proceed back to Negombo via the beautiful southern costal road, visiting the Dondra lighthouse, the blow hole in Dickwella, the Weligama fishing village and the turtle hatchary in Unawatuna.
You might add some days at a beach hotel in the South or even in Negombo to avoid the final long journey to Colombo airport before you return home. In case you fly back directly after the tour programme you may enjoy some sightseeing in Colombo if your flight starts late at night, and you should then stroll through Colombo's Pettah quarter which will offer you a final impression of the typical colorful Asian bazaar atmosphere. Just ask your driver/guide for advice as how to organize best your final day before the return flight.