The Pinnawella elephant orphanage has not only got the largest captive herd of elephants in the entire world, but it also has become the most successful elephant breeding centre.
Proceed to Kandy
1592 Kandy became the capital city of the last remaining independent kingdom and the name Kandy is a version of Kanda Uda Rata. In Sinhala it is calls Maha Nuvara which means the great City.
Lunch at Hotel in kandy
Visit to Royal Botanical Gardens (2 hours)
Established in 1816, these gardens are located about 6.5km before Kandy on the side of the Colombo-Kandy highway. The Avenue of Royal Palms, Bamboo-fringed riverside drive, Bat drive, Spice garden, Orchid house (over 300 varieties), Cactus house and a Glasshouse of anthuriums, begonias, African Violets and other species and the giant Javan fig tree found on the great lawn attract local tourists as well as visitors from overseas. It covers an area of 1600 sqm and from March to May, numerous flowering trees such as the fiery Poincianan regia, the white Mesua ferrera and the cherry blossom-like Tebebuia burst into bloom and flowering orchids include endemic varieties such as the protected Vanda and Wesak Orchids. A visit to the Royal Botanical Garden Paradeniya will certainly pay rich dividends
Proceed to Dalada Maligawa Temple (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic)
Return to Hotel for dinner and overnight stay
Day 2
Breakfast at Hotel
Depart for Sigiriya (to climb the rock fortress)
Sigiriya is an archeological site in Central Sri Lanka It contains the ruins of an ancient palace complex, built during the reign of King Kasyapa (477 – 495 AD). It is one of the seven World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka and is one of its most popular tourist destinations
Lunch at Sigiriya Thereafter, proceed to Polonnaruwa
Arrive and check-in to Hotel Dinner & Over Night stay in Hotel
Day 3
Breakfast at Hotel
Polonnaruwa City Tour
The second most ancient of Sri Lanka’s kingdoms, Polonnaruwa was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I, who defeated the Chola invaders in 1070 CE to reunite the country once more under a local leader. One of the most striking features in Polonnaruwa is the vast Parakrama Samudra (Sea of Parakramabahu).
Leave for Colombo
Enroute Lunch at Habarana Thereafter proceed to Hikkaduwa or Air Port