Kandy + Sigiriya - 1 night / 2 days

DAY 1 – AIRPORT – KANDY

Arrival and welcome at the airport by a company representative Ceylon Best Holidays. Transfer to Kandy. On the way, visit the elephant orphanage in Pinnawala as well as a tea plantation and tea factory in the Pilimathalawa district.

Elephant orphanage in Pinnawala Elephants play an important role in the life of Sri Lanka. Therefore, a state-run elephant orphanage was founded in the town of Pinnawala in 1975. Young animals that have lost their parents or were injured by poachers are brought here. In the orphanage, the elephant calves receive basic “upbringing,” after which some of them are sent to zoos worldwide, while others are used for heavy labor in Ceylon. Currently, over 90 elephants live here. The best time for a visit is during feeding and bathing. Tourists have the unique opportunity to observe these animals up close and, with a bit of luck, see the smallest baby elephants being fed with a milk bottle.

Tea plantation In the central highlands are the plantations of the world-famous Ceylon tea, which is considered the best in the world. The humid, cool, and slightly rainy climate of this area creates ideal conditions for growing tea with a fine taste and exquisite aroma. We highly recommend visiting a tea plantation and a factory to enjoy a cup of real, freshly brewed Ceylon tea.

After lunch – city tour of Kandy: Visit the Center for Handicrafts and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha.

Kandy – the last capital of the Sinhalese kings, which withstood the colonization of the island and only lost its status in 1815 after being conquered by the British. It is one of the oldest cities in the country. Situated amidst hills, Kandy captivates with its picturesque location on the Mahaweli River and an artificial lake in the city center.

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha Since 311 AD, the Sacred Tooth has been a symbol of state sovereignty. In 1590, the relic came to Kandy, and King Vimala Dharma Suriya I built a two-story temple on the grounds of the royal palace. The temple is decorated with wood carvings, painted ceilings, and doors adorned with silver and ivory. One of the most magnificent processions in the East is associated with the relic – Esala Perahera, which takes place annually before the full moon in August.

Dinner and overnight stay in Kandy Hotel 3* / 4* / 5*

DAY 2 – KANDY – SIGIRIYA – COLOMBO

After breakfast – visit the Royal Botanical Garden and the Gem Museum.

Royal Botanical Garden – one of the best in Asia. It was founded in 1821 and is located in a loop of the Mahaweli River. The garden impresses with its variety of tropical flora, a collection of over 750 species of indoor plants, and about 100 species of orchids. It is also famous for its 175 species of palm trees and the avenue of memorial trees planted by prominent figures.

Gem Museum Since ancient times, Sri Lanka has been known as “Ratnadvipa” (Land of Gems). The stones mined here are highly valued worldwide. Most of the famous sapphires and other gemstones in the world’s crown jewels come from this island.

Continue journey to Sigiriya. On the way, visit the Spice Garden, the Cave Temple of Dambulla and climb the mountain Sigiriya.

Spice Garden – Here you can see how cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, and other spices grow. These are used in culinary arts, medicine, and cosmetics. Tourists can view the plants, hear explanations about their use, and purchase them directly on site.

Cave Temple of Dambulla – also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla (UNESCO World Heritage Site). It is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. In five main caves, there are 153 Buddha statues, statues of Sri Lankan kings, as well as statues of gods (including Vishnu and Ganesha). The frescoes cover an area of 2,100 square meters.

Sigiriya – the Lion Rock (180 m) with the legendary “fortress in the sky”. A staircase leads to the summit, carved into the rock between the paws of a gigantic lion. Sigiriya is known for its frescoes of semi-nude dancers and inscriptions from the 8th century. The monument is under UNESCO protection.

Return journey to Colombo. ⚠️ If a subsequent beach holiday in the south, southwest, or northwest is planned, an additional charge for the transfer is required.

TOUR DETAILS

Included in the price: