Star Classic Deluxe Fully inclusive Festive Tour - 8 days
Air fares fully inclusive from Melbourne
Price includes of:
- Meals-breakfast & dinner
- Air fares fully inclusive with taxes
- Per person twin share basis
- Guaranteed Departures from SYDNEY, MELBOURNE, BRISBANE, ADELAIDE & PERTH
- With a minimum of four passengers on this tour
- We also welcome solo travellers on our group tours
Provide a copy of Passport Bio Page., Your place on tour is confirmed upon payment of AUD300pp deposit. For tour inclusions, price,
full booking terms and conditions please call us: +61 3 59 417 340 or +61 418 402 998
Price includes of:
- Air fares fully inclusive with taxes
- Guaranteed departures from sydney melbourne brisbane adelaide & perth with a minimum of four passengers on this tour
- Meals-breakfast & Dinner
- Per person twin share basis
- Welcome solo travellers
Itinerary
- Day 01 - 10th August 2019:Colombo Airport to Negombo
- Day 02 - 11th August 2019:Anuradhapura
- Day 03 - 12th August 2019:Polonnaruwa
- Day 04 - 13th August 2019:Sigiriya Rock Fortress
- Day 05 - 14th August 2019:Kandy
- Day 06 - 15th August 2019:Koggala
- Day 07 - 16th August 2018:Galle Dutch Fortress
- Day 08 - 17th August 2018:Colombo to Australia
Welcome, meet & greet at the airport on arrival. Proceed to Negombo.
Overnight at, Negombo
After breakfast at the hotel, head to explore Anuradhapura – “The first Capital - 5th Century BC”.
En route Visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage to see the world's largest herd of domestic elephants including babies who are still being fed by bottle thrice a day.
The Elephant orphanage at Pinnawela was established in 1975, commenced with 07 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 it soon became a conservational and education center. With the help of Local & Foreign Elephant experts, Pinnawela started a scientific captive breeding program 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 the world over. An array of books and research articles on Pinnawela has been published in several languages. The members of the Pinnawela herd have been filmed, videoed, and photographed thousands of times by professionals.
Lunch at Restaurant
On arrival embark on a city tour of Anuradhapura.
Visit many sites of the City of archaeological and historical interest including Isurumuniya - the first temple to be built in the island, Sri Maha Bodhi Tree- with an authenticated history of more than 2300 years which has been planted from a sapling from the original tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment , Ruwanveliseya - the largest stupa in the island , Jethawanaramaya and Abhayagiriya - which in their original form have been matching in size to the Great Pyramids in Giza being the tallest brick buildings in the world and have thus been declared as World Heritage Sites , Twin Ponds, Thuparamaya- the first Stupa to be built in Sri Lanka enshrining the left collar bone of the Buddha, the Samadhi Statue - meditating posture etc.
Dinner and Overnight stay at Anuradhapura
This morning after breakfast at the hotel we leave for Polonnaruwa-“The Medieval Capital of Sri Lanka-11th Century AD”
Visit the many sites of archaeological and historical interest in the Sacred City including the Grate Statue, Quadrangle, Royal Palace, Vatadage, Hatadage, Siva Devalaya, Gal Viharaya, Alahana Pirivena Complex, Kumara and Lotus Ponds, Thuparamaya, Rankoth Vehera, Pabalu Vehera, Thiwanka Image House, The Museum etc. some of which depict the influence the Hinduism had on the Buddhist Civilization during that period of history.
Lunch at Thidas Arana Restaurant
Leisure at hotel.
Dinner and Overnight stay at Giritale
After breakfast at the hotel we continue the journey to Sigiriya.
Lunch at Restaurant.
Late afternoon visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress.
The ancient city of Sigiriya was designated a cultural World Heritage Site in 1982. It is also proposed that the site should be named the eighth wonder of the world, indicating it is in the same league as other international wonders such as the Grand Canyon and Ancient Pyramids. Translated as ‘Lion Rock' into English, the name of the monument indicates the way in which visitors used to begin their final ascent to the top – through the open jaws and throat (‘giriya') of a lion (‘sinha'). Unfortunately, the only remains of this lion figure are the gigantic paws, sculpted into the side of the rock. The topography of the area is flat except for the massive rock outcrop of the fortress itself (which rises an incredible 600 ft. up from the green scrub jungle). The unusual rock is particularly interesting due to its flat top (nearly 8 acres in size), that was used in its entirety to build King Kasyapa's fortress complex, still evident by the presence of the extensive ruins.
Dinner and Overnight stay at Dambulla
This morning after breakfast at the hotel is dedicated to visit the capital city of the last remaining independent kingdom in Sri Lanka, Kandy-“The Hill Capital”
En route visit Dambulla Cave Temple
Dambulla rock temple was built by King Walagambahu in the 1st century BC., and is also considered as a World heritage site. It is the most impressive of Sri Lanka’s cave temples. The complex consist of five caves with over 2000 sq. meters of painted walls and ceilings, is the largest area of paintings found in the world. It contains over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is the colossal figure of the Buddha out of rock and spanning 14 meters.
Proceed to Kandy and embark on a Kandy city tour.
Also visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy. Thereafter witness a cultural show.
In 1592 Kandy became the capital city of the last remaining independent kingdom in Sri Lanka after the coastal regions had been conquered by the Portuguese. Invasions by the Portuguese and the Dutch (16th, 17th and 18th century) and also by the British (most notably in 1803) were repelled. The last ruling dynasty of Kandy was the Nayaks of Kandy. Kandy preserved its independence until it finally fell to the British in 1815. The British deposed the king, Sri Vikrama Rajasinha, and all claimants to the throne, thus ending the last traditional monarchy of Sri Lanka, and replaced it with their monarchy. As the capital, Kandy had become home to the relic of the tooth of the Buddha which symbolizes a 4th-century tradition that used to be linked to royalty since the protector of the relic was seen fit to rule the land. Thus, the Royal Palace and the Temple of the Tooth were associated with the administrative and religious functions of the capital city. Even after its conquest by the British, Kandy has preserved its function as the religious capital of the Sinhalese and a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists, namely those belonging to the Theravada school. Visit the Kandy town and Bazaar, The arts & crafts centre, a Gem museum and a lapidary.
Lunch at Restaurant
Dinner & Overnight at Kandy.
View the Kandy Esela Perehara from a special viewing gallery.
Watch in awe as decorated elephants and thousands of dancers, drummers, torchbearers and whip-crackers in traditional costumes weave their way through the crowds during Sri Lanka’s biggest and most spectacular festival.
After breakfast at the hotel leave for Koggala.
Lunch at restaurant
Leisure at beach.
Dinner & Overnight at Koggala
As the tour is getting closer for completion, after breakfast at the hotel this morning we continue travelling to Galle Dutch Fortress - a World Heritage Site
Lunch with a Cookery demonstration at Restaurant.
Dinner & Overnight at Koggala
Have breakfast at the hotel and this morning proceed to Colombo - “The Commercial Capital”
Lunch at Restaurant
Embark on a Colombo city tour with shopping.
Undertake a City Tour of Colombo including a National Museum, Buddhist Temple, Dutch Wolvendhal Church, a Hindu Temple, Town Hall, BMICH (Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall) , Cinnamon Gardens - Prime residential area, the Nelum Pokuna – the newly opened Performing Arts Theatre , the recently developed New Parliament Area and shopping - When shopping in Colombo, your options are anything but limiting. From modern, air conditioned malls to the famously buzzing street markets, there's something for everyone. Knowing where to go is the key to getting the best out of Sri Lanka's shopping haven.
Colombo itself has a fair share of shopping malls and department stores. With everything from the latest pair of shoes & designer jewelry to mobile phones and electronic items, Colombo has an exhaustive variety of things to buy.
Dinner and day use room, Mount Lavinia.
Transfer to the Airport for the departure.