ASIA & BEYOND

Sri Lanka & South India
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16 Days

15 Nights

tour itinerary

Day 1 : Arrive Colombo International AirportArrive Colombo International Airport - the entry and exit point for all visitors to Sri Lanka, Colombo is a small capital, divided by parks and wide streets with parliament and other government offices still housed in grand colonial buildings. Downtown Colombo abounds with shops selling crafts, textiles and jewels with plenty of good restaurants available serving an array of Sri Lankan and international cuisines. On arrival check in. Evening is free for leisure. Overnight stay at Colombo.
Day 2 : Tour ColomboAfter breakfast proceed on sightseeing tour of Colombo - the trade and commercial capital has long been the traditional gateway to the Orient. Sri Lanka’s largest city, it is located on the west coast and draws together all the cultures, religions and influences of foreign lands into a pot-pourri of sounds, smells and a kaleidoscope of colour. The original traders and settlers - the Arabs, Portuguese, Dutch and the British have left in their wake churches and monuments, names and religions, costumes and food and smatterings of their languages which have been absorbed into the speech of the Sri Lankan. The main seaport of Sri Lanka is in Colombo & adjoining it, is Pettah, a local bazaar & trading area. Other places of interest are the beautiful Buddhist temples, Hindu temples, mosques, the historic Wolfendhal church, (1749) residential areas where you find the stately homes of the affluent, the Colombo Museum, the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, the New Parliament in Sri Jayewardenepura, the Folk Art Centre, Art Galleries, Parks, Independence Square, the Zoo, the Ceramic Corporation famous for its well-known brand “Noritake” and ODEL the renowned shopping centre. Overnight stay at Colombo.
Day 3 : Drive Colombo - Sigiriya (03 hrs)After breakfast drive to Sigiriya : Sri Lanka’s most recognizable landmark, Sigiriya Rock looms 200 metres above the plains, an ideal position for a fortress. Today only ruins of the palace remain, but features such as the massive Lion’s Paws and radiant frescoes of beautiful damsels give visitors a glimpse of its former splendour. On arrival check in. Evening is free for leisure. Overnight stay at Sigiriya.
Day 4 : Tour SigiriyaThis morning after breakfast, 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 metres from the scrub jungle. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town. A moat, rampart, and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens ring the base of the rock. 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. Also visit Polonnaruwa, which was the 2nd capital city of Sri Lanka built in the 11th and 12th centuries AD, and which is a world heritage site. Here you can see the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya where 4 splendid statues of the Buddha in 'Upright', 'Sedentary' and 'Recumbent' postures carved out of rock could be seen, the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, the statue of king Parakramabahu, and the Parakrama Samudraya - a lake built by King Parakramabahu the great. There are also monuments of famous places of worship such as the Shiva Temple, the Lankathilake, the Watadage, the Galpotha, the Kiri Vehera and the remains of a former Temple of the Tooth Relic. Overnight stay at Sigiriya.
Day 5 : Drive Sigiriya - Kandy (3 hrs)Today we drive to Dambulla - rock temple was built by king Walagambahu in the 1st century B.C. and it is a World Heritage Site. It is the most impressive of Sri Lanka's cave temples. The complex of five caves with over 2000 sq. metres 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 carved out of rock and spanning 14 metres. Transfer from Dambulla to Kandy via Matale. Visit 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. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at Kandy.
Day 6 : Tour KandyAfter breakfast proceed on city tour of Kandy - it was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is a World Heritage Site. The name "Kandy" conjures visions of splendour and magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. 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 centre, a gem museum and a lapidary. In the evening visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy. Thereafter witness a cultural show. Overnight stay at Kandy.
Day 7 : Drive Kandy - Nuwara Eliya (04 hrs)After breakfast drive to Nuwara Eliya - is often referred to by the Srilankan tourist industry as ‘Little England’. And while the toy-town ambience does have something of an English country village to it, it comes with a disorienting surrealist edge. Three-wheelers whiz past red telephone boxes. Nuwara Eliya (City of Lights), also known as 'Little' England', was the favourite hill station of the British who tried to create Nuwara Eliya into a typical English Village. The old brick Post office, country house like hill club, with it's hunting pictures, mounted hunting trophies and fish, and it's strict formal dinner attire; the 18 hole golf course, race course etc., all remind you of 'England. Sri Lanka is one of the world's largest exporters of tea. Since the introduction of tea to Sri Lanka in mid 19the century Nuwara Eliya has been the capital of the tea industry. For many miles prior to reaching Nuwara Eliya from either direction you will find acres and acres of tea plantations, infact nothing but tea estates. There are many factories open for visitor's which also have tea sales outlets. On arrival check in. Overnight stay at Nuwara Eliya.
Day 8 : Nuwara Eliya - Colombo - Chennai, South IndiaAfter breakfast we transfer to Colombo International airport for your flight to Chennai - India’s fourth largest city and the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu was the site of the East India company’s first settlement founded in 1639 on land given by the Raja of Chandragiri, the last representative of the Vijaynagar rulers of Hampi. Overnight at Chennai.
Day 9 : Tour ChennaiMorning tour the ‘St. Mary’s Church’, built in 1678 - 80, was the first English Church in Chennai. The Saint Thomas Cathedral, built in 1504, then re-built in neo - gothic style in 1893, this Roman Catholic Church is said to house the remains of St. Thomas the Apostle. Also visit the Kapaleeshwarar Temple, an ancient Shiva Temple, constructed in pure Dravidian style. The Sri Parathasarathy Temple, dedicated to Lord Krishna, built in 8th century during the reign of the Pallavas. Other attractions include the National Art Gallery and Museum, which house some beautiful temple friezes, the bronze gallery, archeological section. Drive past the High Court Building, Fort St. George and the famous film studios. Overnight at Chennai.
Day 10 : Drive Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram (03 hrs)Today drive you to Mahabalipuram. Enroute tour Kanchipuram - is the golden city of a thousand temples and one of the seven sacred cities of India. Its many gopurams can be seen while approaching the city from a long way off. Today, it is known not only for its temples but also for its handwoven silk fabrics. Visit Ekambareshwar Temple, Kailashnath Temple, Kamakshi Temple, the Vaikunthaperumal Temple, all built in the 7th and 8th centuries Continue your drive and check in. Overnight at Mahabalipuram.
Day 11 : Tour MahabalipuramAfter breakfast visit Mahablipuram - an ancient coastal port, world famous for its shore temple and was the second capital and sea port of the Pallava Kings of Kanchipuram. The whole of Mahabalipuram is a fabulous open-air museum of sculpture in living rock, Monolithic shrines, scooped out caverns magnificently sculpted within and the world’s biggest, bas relief in rock are truly wondrous examples of the sculptor’s art. Vying with this splendour is a beach. The famous temples of the Rathas, the Penance of Bhagirath, the Shore Temple and the eight Mandapams. (Shallow, rock cut halls). Evening is at leisure. Overnight at Mahabalipuram.
Day 12 : Drive Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry (04 hrs)Today we drive to Pondicherry - formerly a French colony settled early in the 18th century, it became part of the Indian Union in the early 50’s when the French voluntarily relinquished control. On arrival check in. Later visit the Botanical Gardens, Eglise De Sacre Coeur De Jesus, The Promenade, Government Park, Manakula Vinayagar Temple, Roman Rolland Library, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, French Institute and other museums and art galleries. Evening is at leisure. Overnight at Pondicherry.
Day 13 : Drive Pondicherry - Tanjore (04 hrs)After breakfast drive to Tanjore - the capital of the powerful Chola dynasty. Today, it is the little town set amidst the lush green rice fields of the Cauvery delta. Magnificent temples, still bear witness to the splendour of Chola architecture. Enroute visit Nataraj Temple at Chidambaram and also visit the temples at Kumbakonam. Upon arrival check in. Evening is free for leisure. Overnight at Tanjore.
Day 14 : Drive Tanjore - Trichy (02 hrs)Today proceed on a guided tour of Tanjore, visiting Brihadeeswara Temple, the palace, Sangeetha Mahal, Saraswati Mahal, Library, Raja Museum, Temple Museum and Schwarz Church. Later drive to Trichy - situated on the banks of the river Cauvery is the fourth largest city in Tamil Nadu. It was a citadel of the early Cholas which later fell to the Pallavas. Here you will visit the Rock Fort, Sri Jambukeshwara Temple, Tiruvannaikaval, Srirangam & other museums and art galleries. Check in late evening. Overnight at Trichy.
Day 15 : Drive Trichy - Madurai (03 hrs)After breakfast drive to Madurai - one of the oldest cities in South India, has been the centre of learning and pilgrimage for centuries. Upon arrival check in. Later tour of Madurai - the primary interest is the Meenakshi Temple, where Dravidian temple architecture may be considered to be at its best. Its hall of a thousand pillars is fabulous and is filled with worshippers at all hours of the day. The tour also includes a visit to the Thirumalai Nayak Palace & Thiruparangundram temple. In the evening witness temple ceremony at Shree Meenakshi temple. Overnight at Madurai.
Day 16 : DepartureBid farewell. Today we transfer to Madurai airport for your onward flight.