Sri Lanka w/ Panoramic Train

SRI LANKA WITH PANORAMIC TRAIN

Indicative itinerary subject to changes until departure date

Day 1 Colombo / Dambulla / Habarana

Arrival, assistance at the airport and transfer for a visit to Dambulla. The Dambulla Temple was built by King Walagambahu in the I century BC and is considered a World Heritage Site. The complex of 5 caves, with more than 2000 m² of painted walls is the largest area of paintings found in the world and contains more than 150 images of Buddha. Departure to Habarana. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 2 Habarana / Polonnaruwa / Minneriya / Habarana

Breakfast. Departure for a panoramic visit of the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was the capital of Sri Lanka from the XI to XIII centuries and has amazing statues. Visit of the Archaeological Site of Polonnaruwa. Walk along the walls with stupas, resting Buddha statues, irrigation canals and fantastically carved Hindu sculptures. You can observe the relic house - Watadage - which boasts beautiful stone sculptures. You can sit next to Galviharaya and observe the absolute beauty that emanates from every curve of its enormous Buddhist statues. The Council Chamber of Nissankamalla is a stunning beauty with its swaying pillars reminiscent of the aesthetics of a powerful kingdom that rests beside Parakrama Samudraya - the sea of Parakramabahu and masterpiece of irrigation. Continuation to Minneriya National Park. The park is a feeding ground in the dry season for the elephant population living in the forests of Matale, Polonnaruwa and Trincomalee districts. Continuation to Habarana, Sigiriya or Dambulla. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 3 Habarana / Sigiriya / Matale / Kandy

Breakfast. Departure to Sigiriya to climb the "Fortress of the Sky," which is perhaps the most fantastic on the island. Also known as the "Lion Rock," it rises to a height of about 150 meters. A moat, a wall and extensive gardens, including the famous water gardens, surround the base of the rock. The journey continues to Matale, an agricultural area in the Central Province known for tea, rubber, vegetable and spice cultivation. Stop beside a spice garden. Continuation to Kandy, the last stronghold of the kings of Sri Lanka, considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and which is currently an example of the influence of Buddhism in the country due to the temples, shrines and monasteries that keep Buddhist traditions alive. Visit to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic whose reputation and sanctity has been growing since the IV century AD when Buddha's Tooth was taken to the temple. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 4 Kandy / Nuwara Eliya

Breakfast. Departure to Peradeniya railway station to board the panoramic train (journey with approximate time of 4 hours). Train journeys are cultural experiences where the most scenic landscapes are highlighted, especially on this route between Kandy and Nuwara Eliya, which passes through various man-made tunnels, beautiful mountains and tea plantations. The scenery of this train journey is indeed breathtaking. Arrival in Nuwara Eliya. Visit to a tea factory and plantation and panoramic tour of the city (depending on the train's arrival time). Dinner and accommodation.

Day 5 Nuwara Eliya / Ella / Yala / Tissamaharama

Breakfast. Departure from Nuwara Eliya towards Ella. Along the way, passing by the Nine Arch Bridge, which you will visit. It is one of the best examples of British railway constructions and is often compared to the route taken by the fictional Hogwarts Express from the Harry Potter universe. Departure for Yala for a safari in Yala National Park. Here you can find elephants, leopards, spotted deer, crocodiles, mongooses, wild boars and buffaloes, among others. More than 130 bird species are registered, with some being indigenous and others migratory. Departure to Tissamaharama. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 6 Tissamaharama / Galle / Negombo

Breakfast. Transfer to Galle for a city tour. Galle, once the most important port in Ceylon and a city rich in history. It was the center of the Dutch regime in the XVII century and Galle Fort is testimony to this fact. The city of Galle is one of the well-preserved colonial-era cities in Southeast Asia and was declared a World Heritage Site. The Dutch museum and church are two famous tourist attractions in Galle. The city is also known for delicate handmade lace and ebony sculptures. Continuation to Negombo and panoramic visit of the city. A modest beach town located about 10km from Bandaranaike International Airport, filled with hotels and restaurants for all tastes, a friendly local community, a surprising historic center and a pleasant, if somewhat polluted, beach. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 7 Negombo / Colombo

Breakfast. At a time to be arranged locally, transfer to the airport.