East Cost Experience

Day 1

Airport – Dambulla

“Ayubowan” On arrival at the recently refurbished Modern and State of the art International Airport, you will be blessed to get your first taste of warm Sri Lankan hospitality; Representative from Gateway Sri Lanka Holidays , will welcome you at the Airport & receive to Dambulla

Dambulla
Dambulla is a vast isolated rock mass 500ft high and a mile around the base. Here is found the famous Rock Temple dating to the First Century BC. The caves of Dambulla sheltered the King Walagamba during his 14 years of exile from Anuradhapura. When he regained the throne he built the most magnificent of Rock Temples to be found on the Island. In the first Cave is a recumbent image of the Buddha 47ft long cut out of the Rock. There are images of deities associated with Buddhism all around. The frescoes on the ceiling date back to the 15th – 18th Centuries. In the Second Cave, the finest and the largest of all, there are 150 life-size statues of Gods from the Buddhist religion along with numerous images of the Buddha himself. The ceiling is also covered with frescoes, which depict great events in the life of the Buddha and landmarks in the history of the Sinhala people.
Overnight stay in Dambulla

Day 2

Dambulla – Sigiriya – Dambulla

After scrumptious breakfast with variety, proceed Sigiriya.

Sigiriya
Sigiriya is home to the 5th Century ‘Fortress in the Sky” which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of the Island. It is also known as Lion Rock because of the huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the fortress. Within it triple-moated defence the huge rock rises almost to a sheer height of 500ft. On its summit are the foundations of what was once a great and sumptuous palace and gardens complete with swimming pool. On one of the stairways the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting survived in the form of frescoes of life sized damsels in all the freshness and delicacy of their original color

Overnight stay in Dambulla

Day 3

Dambulla – Trincomalee

After scrumptious breakfast with variety, Leave for Trincomalee
Located on the East Coast of Sri Lanka, known the world over for its beautiful soft white sand beaches which slope gently into clear shallow seas, the vast Indian Ocean which washes on to the shores of this coastal resort holds a treasure chest of dreams just waiting to be opened.
Overnight stay in Trincomalee

Day 4

Trincomalee – Pigeon Island

After scrumptious Breakfast with Variety Full day Leisure at Hotel.

Pigeon Island is located around 1 km away from the Tricomalee beach. This is consists of two islands, one is small and other one is larger in size. This is one of the best places to see corals.
This island got its name because of the Rock Pigeons live over there. In year 2003 Pigeon Island was designated as a nation park in Sri Lanka. Earlier it was a sanctuary. This island was used by British army as a place for shooting practice in early world war time.
This island can be seen clearly from the breach. There are boat services available from the beach. It took around 15 minutes to reach the Pigeon islands. From the Nilaveli beach you see this as a one island, but actually there are two. One small island and a larger island.

Overnight stay in Trincomalee

Day 5

Trincomalee – Kandy

After scrumptious breakfast with variety leave for Kandy. Enroute visit Spice Garden at Matale check in to the hotel and evening visit the Kandy Temple

Temple of the Tooth Relic
Ever since 4th Century A.D, when the Buddha’s Tooth was brought to Sri Lanka hidden from sacrilegious hands in an Orison princess’ hair, the Relic has grown in repute and holiness in Sri Lanka and throughout the Buddhist world. It is considered Sri Lanka’s most prized possession.

Temple of the Tooth Relic to Buddhist of Sri Lanka and the world, Kandy is one of the most sacred sites as it is the home of the “Dalada Maligawa” – Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha.
Evening witness a Cultural dance performance featuring various dance types of Sri Lanka. Duration. (45 minutes – 01hour)

Overnight stay in Kandy

Day 6

Kandy City Tour

After scrumptious breakfast with variety do a city tour of Kandy including visit to the Upper Lake Drive, Market Square, Arts & Crafts Center.

Kandy
Kandy the hill capital is another “World Heritage Site”. It was the last stronghold of the Sinhalese Kings during the Portuguese, Dutch and British rule and finally ceded to the British in 1815 after an agreement.
To the Buddhists of Sri Lanka and the World, Kandy is one of the most sacred sites as it is the home of the “Dalada Maligawa” – Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. Close by are the remains of the Royal Palace (“Maha Wasala”), “Palle Wasala”- where the Queens stayed-now used for the National Museum, “Meda Wasala” where other close relatives lived, Audience Hall, Natha Devala and Vishnu Devala are situated close by. The Bathing Pavilion (“Ulpenge”) is by the Lake and in the Center of the lake is the Island called “Kiri samudraya” (Milk white ocean) used by the kings as the summerhouse.
Today it is the center of Buddhism, Arts, Crafts, Dancing, Music and Culture.
Visitors can see these Dance & Music at the daily Cultural Performances held at several places in the city.

Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens
147 acres in extent; Started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the Kings of Gampola and Kandy. There are more than 5,000 species of trees, plants and creepers. Some rare and endemic as well as flora from the tropical world are found in the gardens. Spice Garden and Orchid House are popular with tourists.
There are 5 Palm Avenues beautifying the gardens, the earliest and tallest Palm Avenue (Royal Palm Avenue) was planted in 1905 and the Double Coconuts from the Seashells Island, with the largest seed of all plants in the world is one such avenue.

Overnight stay in Kandy

Day 7

Kandy – Colombo

After scrumptious breakfast with variety leave for Colombo

Evening go on a site seeing and a shopping trip around the busy streets of Colombo, Which like many capital cities in rapidly fast developing.
Colombo is the business and commercial center and the new capital is Sri Jayawardhanapura Kotte which is only a few miles away. Colombo was only a small seaport, which came into prominence in the 16th Century with the arrival of the Portuguese in 1505 and the development of it as a major Harbour during the British period and became the capital in 1815 after Kandy was ceded to the British. The remains of the buildings during the period and the Portuguese, Dutch and British rule are found in every area of the city. None of the Portuguese & Dutch fortifications are found today but some of their buildings and churches could be seen in the Fort & Pettah areas. Visit Fort, the former British administrative center and military garrison, Sea Street – the Goldsmith’s quarters in the heart of Pettah, the Bazaar area where there is also a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carvings, the Kaymans Gate with the Belfry at the original gate to enter the Fort, the Dutch Church of Wolfendhaal dating back to 1749, Kelaniya Buddhist Temple and Davatagaha Mosque are some of the sites to be visited. Also visit the BMICH (Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall).
Overnight stay in Colombo

Day 8

Colombo – Airport

After scrumptious breakfast with variety, proceed to the Airport for the Departure Flight.