Classical Sri Lanka
An itinerary in tropical Sri Lanka, a pristine and hospitable environment, pervaded by history and a Buddhist soul. 1330 kilometers of coastline and beaches, unforgettable landscapes but also culture. 8 sites are recognized as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. 15 protected national parks make this island the ideal destination for the mind and spirit. Here we will visit the Yala Park.
Day 01: Arrival in Colombo, Colombo / Sigirya (Km. 135 - approx 5)
Arrival in Colombo. Meeting with the staff of our staff for presentations. Transfer to Sigriya and accommodation in the hotel. In the afternoon, possibility to participate in jeep safaris in the Minneriya Park (or Kaudulla or Eco Park, depending on the period).
Day 02: Sigirya / Anuradhapura / Dambulla / Sigirya
After breakfast departure for an excursion to Anuradhapura, a World Heritage Site, one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka. The ancient city, consecrated by the Buddhist world and surrounded by monasteries covering an area of over 40 km², is one of the main archaeological sites in the world. In the afternoon, in Dambulla, excursion to visit the magnificent temples excavated in the caves and which, being on top of a hill, are reached after about thirty minutes of walking. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 03: Sigirya / Polonnaruwa / Sigirya
After breakfast, visit the imposing castle-fortress of Sigiriya (declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco), which King Kasyapa had erected on the rock in the fifth century. It is accessed with a thousand steps a staircase built into the rock a thousand steps). Traditional Sinhalese lunch in a typical local village. In the afternoon, visit of Polonnaruwa (also declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco), an ancient capital between the 11th and 13th centuries AD. and full of well-preserved evidence of the greatness of the first rulers of the kingdom. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 04: Sigirya / Matale / Kandy (Km. 70 – approx 1 hrs)
After breakfast departure for Kandy, with a visit along the way to a spice plantation in Matale. Lunch in a restaurant. In the afternoon, visit of Kandi, whose name means "Land in the mountains", third capital and holiest city of the Sinhalese kingdom, located on the banks of a lake at 465 meters above sea level. Sacred place of Buddhism due to the relic of the tooth of the Buddha preserved in Sri Dalada Maligawa, the suggestive temple on the banks of the lake that will be visited together with the market square. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 05: Kandy / Peradenya / Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast, visit the stunning Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradenya which is also famous for the University which is the second oldest in Sri Lanka with its colonial and Indian style buildings. Departure for Nuwara Eliya. the “little England”, located at 1,896 meters above sea level. On the shores of a lake and whose name means "City of LIGHT". It has been a popular health resort since the English colonial period and at the center of extensive tea plantations which we will visit during the journey to get to the city. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 06: Nuwara Eliya / National Park of Yala (Tissamaharama)
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, transfer to Nanu Oya railway station (10 km from Nuwara Eliya) and departure by train to Ella (about 3 ½ hours): by train you will travel along a particularly beautiful mountain route. Dinner and overnight at the hotel near the Yala Park.
Day 07: National park of Yala / Galle
At dawn jeep safari in the Yala National Park which extends over 1,000 square kilometers. The park is inhabited by crocodiles, Indian buffaloes, elephants, deer, wild boars, monkeys, blue peacocks, Indian and flamingos to name but a few. The park boasts the highest density of leopards in the world visible only to the lucky ones. Dinner and overnight at the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast departure for Galle, the most important city in the southern area of Sri Lanka. Time available to visit the ancient fortified town, a UNESCO heritage site, to admire the interactions between European architectural styles and Asian traditions. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 08: Galle / Colombo
In the morning departure for Colombo. Panoramic tour of the city with the Pettah bazaar, in a district rich in ethnic variety, the Fort district where almost all the sites of historical interest are concentrated, the main districts, government buildings and so on. Transfer to the airport and boarding on the night flight back to Italy.