Enchanting Escapes India and Sri Lanka SL/009/E

Day 1: Airport To Delhi

Upon arrival; after clearing your immigration & customs; you will be met by our airport facilitation staff carrying a placard of your name in the visitor’s arrival hall. You will be greeted and transferred to your hotel with the necessary assistance. (check-in time 1400hrs) Overnight at hotel

Day 2: Delhi To Agra

Following breakfast proceed for the city tour of Old & New Delhi. Old Delhi – visit the Raj Ghat, the simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. Driving past the magnificent Red Fort, built on the banks of River Yamuna by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Walk through the “Chandni Chowk” to experience the ambiance of an oriental bazaar. Enjoy the main hub for Shopping on the cheapest rate. Walk through the narrow lanes of Old Delhi to reach Jama Masjid – The World Heritage Monument - The largest mosque in India completed in 1658 by Shah Jahan who also built the Taj Mahal. New Delhi - Our tour of New Delhi includes drive past visits to the India Gate (war memorial dedicated to the lives of the Indian Soldiers), the President House, Parliament House, and the Secretariate Buildings – an ancient blend of Victorian and 20th Century architecture & Lotus Temple. Later drive to Agra. Upon arrival check into the hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 3: Agra To Jaipur

Following breakfast, visit Agra City: Agra is not only famous for the Taj Mahal but the impressive Mughal Red Fort known as the Agra Fort. This impressive red sandstone fort was built by Akbar between 1565-1573 A.D. Replete with gateways, pillared halls, mosques, marble trellises, and geometric gardens; the Fort represents Mughal architecture at its peak. Taj Mahal: is the medieval city of the famous 17th century masterpiece Taj Mahal, which of course is the most splendid of all buildings - perhaps, the most perfect architectural monument in the world. It was built in the memory of the beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal of one of the greatest kings Shah Jehan of the Mughal Empire. (TAJ MAHAL CLOSED ON FRIDAYS). Later start drive to Jaipur. En-route visit Abhaneri is a village in the Dausa district of Rajasthan state in India. It is situated at a distance of 95 km from Jaipur, on the Jaipur-Agra road. The place is popular for the Chand Baori step well. Continue Drive to Jaipur, upon arrival check into the hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 4: Jaipur

Following breakfast, proceed for an excursion to Amber Fort: the former capital of the royal Rajputs. Few fail to be moved by the dramatic Rajput grandeur of this hilltop fortress-palace 11 km north of Jaipur. Set on the dry wrinkled Aravali Hills, and surrounded by fortified battlements, the palace straddles two sepia-hued tundra hills overlooking Maota Lake, and its sprawling crenellated walls lattice the surrounding hills. Drive past / Photo Stop of Hawa Mahal or Palace of the Winds, a five-storied structure of pink sandstone with semi-octagonal and delicately honeycombed windows overlooking the main street of the old city. It was built in 1799 so that veiled royal woman could peer down unseen by the world through its 593 stone screens. We proceed for a guided tour of the City Palace - The City Palace in the heart of the old city is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. The center of the palace is a seven storied building called Chandra Palace, with fine views over the gardens and the city. Overnight at hotel.

Day 5: Jaipur To Delhi

Following breakfast morning free for shopping; Afternoon proceed for the Delhi upon arrival check in hotel. Overnight at Hotel

Day 6: Delhi To Sri Lanka (Negombo)

Breakfast at the hotel and proceed to the Airport. Please note that you need to be at the airport before 03 hrs prior to the departure. Travel Lanka Connection representatives will be waiting for the guest at the SRILANKA airport along with the paging board. Transferred to the hotel. You can start your ride through some streets from the hotel to the Fish Market Negombo. Negombo Fishing Village Transfer to the port of Negombo and Visit the nearby fishing villages to see day-to-day life and visit the fish market to see the daily catch of fish. Also vegetable market and the traditional fishing catamarans with sails returning to shore. See also the modern-day fishing crafts anchored in the lagoon with the Old Dutch fortress in the background with the boat ride. The canal was at one time an important linking transportation route which supplied the Dutch colonial administration. In the evening, you can get an awesome experience with the local passengers in a local bus. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel - Negombo.

Day 7: Negombo To Dambulla

After that proceed to the Dambulla and en route visit the En route you can visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. Elephant Orphanage – Optional Tour USD 18 Per Person Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is an orphanage, nursery, and captive breeding ground for wild Asian elephants located at Pinnawala village, 13 km northeast of Kegalle town in Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka. Pinnawala has the largest herd of captive elephants in the world. Transferred to the hotel and check in to the hotel. In the evening, visit the Minneriya National Park. Minneriya National Park Minneriya National Park is located between Habarana and Polonnaruwa. Covered an area of 8890 hectares park is an ideal place for elephant and leopard watching. The vegetation of this park is mixed evergreen and scrub areas. The important feature of this park is that 3rd century built Minneriya Tank is located in the park. During the dry season Minneriya tank becomes the ideal place to observe its natural wild life. Minneriya National Park is home to 24 species of mammals,160 species of birds , 75 species of butterflies, 9 species of amphibians, 26 species of fish and 25 species of reptiles. Transfer back to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel - Dambulla.

Day 8: Dambulla

After having a delightful breakfast at the hotel, proceed to visit the Sigiriya. Sigiriya Sigiriya This UNESCO World Heritage Site, a spectacular Rock Fortress, is one of Sri Lanka’s major attractions. The most impressive facets of the unique complex are the Water Gardens, the Frescoes of beautiful maidens, the Mirror Wall with ancient graffiti, the Lion platform, and the Summit of 1.6 hectares, which was completely covered by buildings during the period of Sigiriya’s glory. Built by King Kashyapa (477-495 A.D), the “Lion Rock” is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200m from the scrub jungle. Village Trek Trek through this archetypal Sri Lankan village. The trek begins with a scenic walk along a bund of a Wewa (man-made reservoir). The amazing birdlife, butterflies, and possible sightings of crocodiles only add to the charm of the trek. Sight the villagers as they go about their early morning tasks of fishing or washing clothes at the periphery of the lake. Initially one wades through a shallow stream and thereafter crosses a wider tributary in a catamaran of an obliging farmer to inspect Chena cultivation (slash and burn agriculture) Enjoy the farmer's humble hospitality. With the guidance of the farmer, pick some fresh vegetables from the plot. Transfer back to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel-Dambulla.

Day 9: Dambulla To Kandy

After having a delightful breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Kandy and en route, you can visit the Dambulla Cave Temple and the Spice Garden. Dambulla Cave Temple Located in the north-central province this UNESCO World Heritage Site which dates back to the 01st century BC, is an amazing complex of 05 caves, first used as a refuge by an ancient king who on regaining his throne, commissioned magnificent carved images within the living rock, Later kings made further improvements and the caves contain over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is a colossal figure spanning 15 meters. Cave inscriptions from the 2nd Century BC are found and on the walls are many paintings most of which belong to the Kandy period (early 19th century). After completing the visit, proceed to the Kandy and en route visit the Matale Spice Garden. Spice Garden The Island had been famous for its spices since the medieval times and is considered as one of the main reasons for the Europeans to conquer the Island and for the Arabs to trade upon from the 14th century onwards. The most interesting feature would be the opportunity you’ll get to identify the real plants of spices you are so familiar with in your day-to-day life. A qualified guide will do a conducted tour of the garden and a presentation of its products. Enjoy a special head and shoulder massage at the spice garden. Check in to the hotel. In the evening you can have a tuk-tuk ride and do the city tour of Kandy. Visit a Batik Factory, a Gem Museum, and a visit to the Kandy “Tooth Relic Temple’’. Temple of Tooth Relic A lovely exotic city, the Hill Capital and last stronghold of the Sinhala Kings is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which retains an aura of grandeur, time has not affected. Encircled by hills, with a tranquil lake in its center, it is the site of the renowned temple that enshrines the Tooth Relic of the Buddha and the Royal Botanical Gardens – home to one of the world’s best collections of Orchids. You can see the Cultural dance at Kandy. Dinner & overnight stay at the Hotel - Kandy

Day 10: Kandy To Nuwara Eliya

After a fresh breakfast Proceed to the Nuwara Eliya where you’ll be able to see tea pluckers at work in the tea plantations. you can visit the Tea Plantation and get an experience of walking among the mushy tea plants and talking to the tea pluckers. Tea Factory Sri Lanka is one of the world's largest exporters of tea with a roaring tea industry that dominates the island's central highlands. Introduced to the country by British tea planter James Taylor in 1867, tea irreversibly changed the topography, and even the demography of the country. You can get an experience of tea plucking with the rural tea plucking ladies except the Sundays. PLEASE NOTE: The factories are closed on Sundays and full moon days. On Mondays, the activities are partial, the picking is not being done on Sundays, because it takes an intermediate day for the collection of the tea leaves. Check in to the hotel. In the evening, you can have a sightseeing tour of Nuwara Eliya including Victoria Park, the Pink Post office, and the St.Claire Waterfall. Gregory Lake boat ride Named after Sir William Gregory in 1873, this is a prominent attraction used for water sports and recreational activities. Lake Park and Boat Rides are available. Can be reached by seaplane which takes only 30 minutes from Colombo. At the southern end of the town is Gregory Lake where the holidaymakers can enjoy a leisurely walk on the paved walkways, with swan-shaped paddle boats for the more adventurous. There are pony rides around the lake for the kids and even adults, with plenty of fast food stalls located in a separate area where one can enjoy a meal or a snack. Transfer back to the hotel. Dinner & overnight stay at the Hotel – Nuwara Eliya

Day 11: Nuwara Eliya To Yala

After having breakfast at the hotel, proceed to the Yala and en route visit the Ravana waterfall. Check in to the Hotel - Yala In the evening get the wild experience of Yala National Park by 4 x 4 jeeps. Yala National Park Yala National Park is a huge area of forest, grassland, and lagoons bordering the Indian Ocean, in southeast Sri Lanka. It’s home to wildlife such as leopards, elephants, and crocodiles, as well as hundreds of bird species., Magul Maha Viharaya also has ancient Buddhist ruins. Both are pilgrimage sites. Transfer back to the hotel. Dinner & Overnight stay at the hotel – Yala.

Day 12: Yala To Galle

After Breakfast at the hotel proceed to the Galle and en route make a visit to the Kataragama Temple. Proceed to the Galle and you can have a visit to the Turtle Hatchery. Turtle Hatchery The Turtle Hatchery Project at Bentota Beach is another important attraction. Up to five endangered species of turtles have been frequenting a stretch on this undisturbed beach for a long time now. The turtles are allowed to hatch and thrive in a protected area before being set free. Check into the hotel- Galle. In the evening, you can have a walk around the Galle Fort. Galle Fort Galle Fort in the Bay of Galle on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, was built first in 1588 by the Portuguese, then extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century from 1649 onwards. It is a historical, archaeological, and architectural heritage monument, which even after more than 432 years maintains a polished appearance, due to extensive reconstruction work done by the Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka. Dinner & overnight stay at the Hotel - Galle.

Day 13: Galle To Airport

After Breakfast proceed to the airport. Please note that you need to be at the airport before 03 hrs prior to the departure.