Herbaciana Sri Lanka

1. DAY. Collection of participants at the airport in Warsaw. Direct flight to Sri Lanka.
2. DAY. PINNAWALA Arrival in Sri Lanka. Transfer to the town of PINNAWALA. It is the first elephant farm and orphanage in the world to draw the world's attention to the problem of the declining population of these beautiful animals. The possibility of observing the bathing ritual in the nearby Ma Oya River and feeding. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation, dinner and overnight.
3. DAY. SIGIRIYA - ANURADHAPURA Drive to one of the most interesting points of the program, the ruins of the SIGIRIYA rock fortress. The dazzling beauty of the fortress, another monument on the UNESCO list, is situated on a huge rock and despite the passage of time, it still delights with its Mirror Wall, Water Gardens and frescoes more than 1,500 years old. A short climb to the fort. Return to the hotel for breakfast. A visit to the Aukana Buddha statue - undoubtedly the most magnificent ancient statue on the island, 13 m high. Next Drive to ANURADHAPURA - the former capital of Ceylon, which in its heyday had over 2 million inhabitants. The city was made famous not only for its size, but above all for its magnificent architecture. To this day, the temples of Anuradhapura delight visitors. Sightseeing: Sri Maha Bodhi's sacred tree, derived from the strain of the tree under which the Buddha meditated when he was enlightened. It is the oldest documented tree in the world, over 2,200 years old. Then the program includes the impressive ruins of the Bronze Palace from the 2nd century BCE, the monumental Ruwanweliseya stupa and the statue of Buddha from the 4th century CE, which is one of the most sacred representations of a meditating Buddha in Ceylon. The last point of the visit is the rock temple of Isurumuniya from the 3rd century BC. with famous rock carvings. Return to the hotel, dinner, overnight.
4. DAY. POLONNARUWA - HABARANA - P.N. MINNERIYA Breakfast. Transfer to the town of POLONNARUWA, the medieval capital of Ceylon. The entire area of the archaeological park is on the UNESCO list. Visiting the majestic ruins during a bicycle trip: the royal palace, audience hall, baths, Hindu temples and the Atadage Temple, i.e. the Temple of the Tooth. Transfer to HABARANA, a small village picturesquely situated among untouched nature. This visit is a unique opportunity to get to know the everyday life of Sri Lanka. Horse-drawn ox carts, a cruise on Lake Hiriwadunna and a visit to a traditional farmhouse. Transfer to one of the largest and most interesting national parks in Sri Lanka - MINNERIYA, where there are vast wetlands inhabited by various species of animals: wild elephants, exotic birds (over 160 species), reptiles and beautiful butterflies. Afternoon safari in the park - a great adventure close to nature, where wildlife is at your fingertips. Return to the hotel, dinner, overnight.
5. DAY. DAMBULLA - MATALE Breakfast. Check out from the hotel. Transfer to the town of DAMBULLA. Visiting the complex of rock temples, entered on the UNESCO World Heritage List. They are some of the most beautiful temples in Sri Lanka. On an area of over 2,000 m², there are 150 wall paintings from the 18th century and one of the world's largest representations of the Buddha, which is carved into the rock. Transfer to MATALE and a visit to the Spice Garden. Transfer to a hotel in the Kandy area. Check-in at the hotel, dinner and overnight.
6. DAY. ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDEN - KANDY Breakfast. A visit to the ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDEN - a botanical garden, where over 60 hectares of land you can find over 4,000 plant species of Sri Lanka, Asia and other exotic countries. A visit to the Precious Stones Museum. The possibility of shopping. Visiting KANDA, the last capital of ancient Ceylon, treasury, culture, arts and crafts. Visiting the temple where the relic of Buddhists - Buddha's tooth - and a visit to the local bazaar are kept. In the evening, a show of traditional dances. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.
7. DAY. AMBULUWAWA - NUWARA ELIYA Breakfast. Check out from the hotel. Transfer to the city of Gampola, the former capital of Sri Lanka from the 14th century, where on the AMBULUWAWA hill (1087 m above sea level) there is a multi-religious sanctuary with a Hindu kovil, a Muslim mosque, a Christian chapel and several Buddhist temples. The hallmark of the hill is a 48-meter tower, modeled on Buddhist stupas, with a winding and narrow staircase leading to the top. For volunteers: ascent to the top of the Ambuluwawa tower. Then a ride in motoriksha, the so-called tuk-tukami, which are the primary means of communication in Sri Lanka. Transfer to the train station, from where you will begin your half-hour train ride through the amazing landscapes of the jungle and mountains. On its way, the train passes the villages scattered among the fields. It is a unique opportunity to get to know the daily, difficult life of Sri Lanka. Next, a coach ride to the village of NUWARA ELIYA, the most visited mountain resort of Sri Lanka. The route passes through hundreds of terraced tea plantations, the island's main export. Walk through the beautiful countryside and a charming colonial-style town with visible British influences. A stop at one of the tea plantations. Check in at a hotel near Nuwara Eliya, dinner, overnight.
8. DAY. KITULGALA - KOLOMBO Breakfast. Check out from the hotel. Drive to KITULGALA, where the Oscar-winning film "The Bridge on the River Kwai" was filmed. Free time or participation in an optional excursion (for an extra charge on site): exciting rafting on the Kelani River. Transfer to the center of KOLOMBO, the largest city which was the capital of Sri Lanka until 1982. Panoramic ride through Colombo: shopping districts, Cinnamon Gardens. Visiting the fort, the former British administrative center and military garrison. The bazaar district, home to a Hindu temple with wonderful carvings, and the Dutch Wolfendhal Church. It is worth buying the local tea, cashew nuts and local ceramics for unique souvenirs. A visit to the replica of the Aukana Buddha statue and to Independence Square. Free time or participation in an optional trip (for an additional fee on site): entry to the 350-meter high Lotus Tower, from which you can see the panorama of the city. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation, dinner and overnight.
9. DAY. Breakfast. Check out from the hotel. Transfer to the airport in Colombo and direct flight to Poland. For people who extend their stay for recreation: transfer to the airport, transfer to the selected hotel.

BENEFITS: 7 nights in hotels ***: 1 in Colombo, 3 in Dambulla, 2 in Kandy, 1 in the Nuwara Eliya area; 2-person rooms (1 extra bed available) with bathrooms • food: 7 breakfasts, 7 dinners • flight • coach transfer • pilot care • medical treatment and accident insurance

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