Srilanka New Year

Departure from Beirut with Qatar airways flight QR419 at 01:05 (late night of 25/12) Arrival to Colombo on board flight QR654 at 16:30, meet and assist our Representative and transfer to your hotel (Approximately 45 Min) Check in and rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight Stay at Heritance Negombo 5* 

Breakfast at the Hotel, and proceed to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage (Approx. 02 ½ hours).  The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, established in 1975, commenced with seven orphans. Today some of these orphans enjoy the fortune of seeing their grandchildren born in the same location. The original objective of establishing the orphanage inclined more towards tourism, but is soon became a conservation and educational center. With the help of local and foreign elephant experts, Pinnawela started a scientific captive-breeding programme for elephants. The free movement of the herd enhanced the chances for respective individuals of both sexes to get together and mate. The nearby river played a dominant role in this regard, and in 1984, the first baby of Pinnawela was born. The success story of Pinnawela has drawn the attention of scientists from all over the world. A considerable number of books and research articles on Pinnawela have been published in several languages. The members of the Pinnawela herd have been filmed, videoed and photographed thousands of times by professionals.

On completion proceed to Kandy (Approx. 01 ½  hours), Check-in to the hotel.

Overnight stay at Grand Kandyan Hotel

Breakfast at the hotel and proceed to Peradeniya Botanical Gardens.

This Botanical Garden was first built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala king and was expanded by the British.  It is 147 acres in extent and provides an amazing variety of trees, plants and flowers.

On completion do a city tour of Kandy.

Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings which is a World Heritage Site. The name "Kandy" conjures visions of splendor and magnificence. Drive around the Kandy Lake built by the last Sinhala king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798.  Visit the Kandy town and Bazaar, the arts and crafts center, a gem museum and a lapidary. Also visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy.

Overnight stay at Grand Kandyan Hotel

Breakfast at the Hotel and proceed to Dambulla via Matale (Approx. 03 hours).                  

En-route visiting a spice garden in Matale to see different spices for which Sri Lanka is famous for. Here, clients could see different spices and how some of these spices are grown and processed. Witness a Cookery demonstration.

On completion proceed to Dambulla (Approx. 01 hour) and check-in to the hotel.

Overnight stay at Jetwing Lake

Breakfast at the Hotel and proceed to Sigiriya (Approx. 01 hour).

Climb the 5th century Sigiriya rock fortress which is a world heritage site, built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD). The 'Lion Rock' is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 meters from the scrub jungle. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70-hectare fortified town. Visit the world-renowned frescoes of the 'Heavenly Maidens' of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway. These frescoes are painted in earth pigments on plaster.

On completion proceed to Minneriya National Park (Approx. 30 Min).

Do a safari of the Minneriya National Park by jeep.The extent of the Minneriya National Park is about 8,889 hectares. Dry zone plant and animal species are common and elephants are in plenty. Unlike in other national parks, elephants could be spotted at a very close range. About 160 species of birds, 09 amphibians, 25 reptile species, 26 fish species and more than 78 butterfly species have been found in this area. There are also rare bamboo trees in this park which are not found in other parks.

Thereafter proceed to Habarana Cultural Center to witness a cultural show

Return to the hotel. Overnight stay at Jetwing Lake

Breakfast at the hotel and proceed to Colombo (Approx. 03 ½ hours).

On arrival do a city tour of Colombo.

Colombo like many capital cities in developing countries is fast changing its face.  Almost overnight, skyscrapers arise from where old buildings once stood.  Yet in some parts, the old-world charm is retained.  For example, there is a 100-year-old clock tower and several British built colonial buildings.  Other places of interest are the Pettah bazaar - where one can shop for bargain, a Hindu and a Buddhist temple, residential areas - where you find stately homes of the affluent and the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH)- an outright gift to Sri Lanka from the People's Republic of China.

Thereafter continue to the hotel & check-in.

Overnight stay at Cinnamon Lakeside

Breakfast at the hotel and free day for a shopping tour in Colombo.

Colombo offers an exciting and diverse shopping experience that caters to a wide range of tastes and preferences. From traditional markets to modern malls, Colombo has it all, making it a shopper's paradise in South Asia. There are several world-class shopping malls, such as Crescat Boulevard, Liberty Plaza, Odel and One Galle Face Mall. These modern complexes house a plethora of international and local brands, luxury boutiques, electronics stores, and restaurants. It's the perfect place to find the latest fashion trends, gadgets, and culinary delights.

For a taste of authentic Sri Lankan shopping, head to the bustling street markets. Pettah Market is a highlight, where you can find everything from spices, textiles, and jewelry to electronics and street food. It's a vibrant, chaotic, and sensory-rich experience that immerses you in local culture.

For those looking to take home a piece of Sri Lanka's rich culture, there are numerous shops and stalls selling handicrafts, traditional fabrics, and souvenirs. Laksala and Barefoot are two popular spots where you can find beautifully crafted items like handwoven textiles, woodwork, and local artwork.

Overnight stay at Cinnamon Lakeside

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Colombo Airport (approximately 4 hours) for final departure at 10:15 arrival to Beirut at 18:05