Sri Lanka is a tourist's paradise. Marco Polo described it as "the finest island of its size in the world". Wonderful pristine beaches, lush-green hills, majestic waterfalls, corals, wild life, heritage sites, pilgrimage sites, exotic cuisine-Sri Lanka has everything that a tourist can imagine. The Sri Lankans are gentle, serene people as beautiful on the outside as on the on the inside. This is an ideal spot to learn about and experience the Buddha mentality and culture at its finest.

Day 1 -- USA
Depart the USA on any regularly scheduled flight to Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Day 2 -- COLOMBO
Arrive Colombo International Airport where you will be met my our representative and transferred to the Colombo Hilton Hotel. Colombo is a fascinating city with a charming mix of the past and present. It is the commercial centre of the country. The original trading settlers - the Portuguese, Dutch and British - have all left in their wake their churches and monuments, names and religions, costumes, food and smatterings of their languages, which have been absorbed into the speech of the Sri Lankans. Overnight at the Colombo Hilton.
Day 3 --  COLOMBO
After breakfast we embark on a city tour of Colombo including a visit to Jana Kala Kendra Folk Art Centre Complex. This is not merely eye-candy, but a sensory journey into Sri Lanka’s past, where age-old traditions are maintained, just as they were and still are in remote villages scattered around this tropical island. Sri Lankan handicrafts display regional specialization based largely on locally available raw material as well as historical factors, such as royal patronage or in-demand patterns. ‘Shilpa’ is a Folk Art Centre where one might experience a coming together of all these specialized skills. Lunch is included at the Water Edge Golf Club. Remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. This evening dinner is at Gallery Café, one of Colombo’s most elegant restaurants. This address was the former office of Mr. Geoffrey Bawa, a world-renowned architect and, albeit quiet, gay man. Overnight Colombo Hilton.

Day 4 -- COLOMBO - DAMBULLA
After breakfast we leave for Dambulla, en route visiting Dambulla Rock Caves Temple. Dambulla, the greatest of Sri Lanka's cave temples, dates from the first century BC and contains over 150 Buddha images. Actually a series of five caves, the temple is called Raja Maha Vihara by locals, but known simply as Dambulla to visitors. The entrance is marked by a large white dagoba (a stupa alleged to contain relic of the Buddha) along a long sloping rock face, from where there are views of the rock fortress of Sigiriya, about 20km away. Most of the caves were carved out by hand and some of the amazing array of Buddha statues are still attached to the wall. Check-in to Kandalama Hotel. Lunch is at the hotel. After lunch take an exciting elephant back safari through the jungles of Habarana. This is an unique excursion on the back on an elephant to witness rural life.Overnight Kandalama Hotel.

Day 5 -- DAMBULLA - SIGIRYA
After breakfast we depart the hotel in in 4 x 4 decorated safari jeeps to Sigiriya. The spectacular rock fortress of Sigiriya is an impregnable fortress, a monastic retreat, and a rock art gallery. Built in the 5th century AD to fend off a feared invasion, it is situated atop a 200m (656ft) high rock, and at the height of its glory must have been akin to a European chateau plunked on top of Uluru. There are water gardens, 5th-century rock paintings of well endowed damsels, a 1000-year-old graffiti wall recording visitors impressions of the pin-ups, a couple of enormous stone lion paws and tremendous views. Afterwards transfer by jeeps to a near-by jungle for a BBQ lunch overlooking a lake. Continue to Polonaruwa, the island's medieval capital, which rose to fame after the decline of Anuradhapura. There is the largest of the man made reservoirs, the huge Parakrama Samudra. See also the ruins of the King's Council Chamber, the Royal Citadel, the Kumara Pokuna, Royal Pavilion, the Vatadage Relic House, Kiri Vehera - the best preserved of all Sri Lanka's unrestored dagabas. Gal Vihare - the most impressive sculptures - are the colossal Buddha images. You may opt to sightsee in this area by bicycle. Return to Habarana. Overnight at Kandalama Hotel.

Day 6  -- DAMBULLA
This morning we embark on a bullock cart ride to a remote village where we will get the opportunity to experience rural life. Return to the hotel approximately around noon and enjoy a delicious buffet lunch. This afternoon, relax by the pool. Approximately 4 o'clock, transfer to Minneriya Wild Life Park for a 4 x4 jeep safari. It is possible to see herds of up to 150 elephants feeding and washing, as well as toque macaques, sambar deer and leopards. The hungry bird flocks include cormorants and painted storks. Dinner is at the hotel this evening. Overnight Kandalama Hotel
Day 7 -- DAMBULLA - KANDY
After breakfast we drive to Kandy visiting a Spice Garden in Matale en route where spices grow in their natural habitat. Learn about spices and their use in Sri Lankan cuisine. In the Spice Garden, we are treated to an herbal head or foot massage. A typical Sri Lankan rice & curry lunch is arranged at a local farm. After lunch visit a Batik workshop to watch Sri Lankan girls at the complicated and time-consuming home industry of hand made batik.
Kandy, Sri Lanka's hill capital, stronghold of the Sinhala Kings, is Sri Lanka's most beautiful town. The focal point of the town is, without doubt, the golden roofed Dalada Maligawa. Visit Kalapuraya in the beautiful Dumbara valley with its many shrines and temples, where we see rare paintings, frescoes, wood and stone carvings. Check-in to Earl’s Regency Hotel. Depart later this afternoon to Kandy Temple in decorated tuk tuks. Dalada Maligawa or Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy is the most venerated place of worship for Buddhists throughout the world. Built in the 16th century, this temple houses the sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha brought to Sri Lanka from the Kalinga province in ancient India in the 4th century AD. Several buildings have been added to the temple complex by successive rulers, the latest being the Golden Canopy over the inner shrine where the Tooth Relic is placed. Originally the Temple was within the King's palace complex as it was the symbol of Royal Authority. Overnight at Earl’s Regency Hotel. Dinner is at a prestigious restaurant , overlooking the Mahaweli River/

Day 8 -- KANDY - PINNAWELA
After breakfast visit the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage in time for the bathing and bottle feeding of the baby elephants. Among the green hills of Kegalle, a herd of about 60 elephants roams free in the Pinnewela Elephant Orphanage. This popular attraction, established as a sanctuary covering 25 acres of lush forest by the Sri Lankan Government in 1975, is unique. Its purpose is to feed, nurse and house young elephants lost or abandoned by their mothers. Recently the sanctuary has also started a breeding programme. Visitors are invited to observe and assist the baby elephants as they are fed from giant feeding bottles, before the pachyderms plod down to the river for their daily bath. Continue to the Royal Botanical Gardens. The Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya was laid out in 1821 by the British colonial rulers. Prior to that it was the Royal Pleasure Garden of the Kandyan Kings. It is located in a beautiful setting with the longest river of Sri Lanka, Mahaveli bordering on one side. Special features are the Orchid House which displays a fine collection of Sri Lankan orchids, the fernery, spice garden, and the trees planted by distinguished visitors to the Island. Lunch is at the Botanical Gardens. Overnight Earl’s Regency Hotel.
Day 9 -- KANDY - NUWARA ELIYA
After breakfast leave for Nuwara Eliya by coach visiting a tea factory/plantation and beautiful water falls, where stop for a simple lunch. Nuwara Eliya is the heart of Sri Lankan hill country. It is the home of the famous Ceylon Tea and the rolling mountains are a carpet of velvety green tea plantations, interspersed with gushing streams and tumbling waterfalls. The salubrious climate, misty glens and the decidedly British character make Nuwara Eliya a must on any Sri Lankan travel itinerary. Check-in to Tea Factory Hotel, Nuwara Eliya. Afternoon sightseeing of Nuwara Eliya includes free time in the Nuwara Eliya market and high tea at the famous Hill Club Hotel in Nuwara Eliya. Dinner is at the hotel. Overnight at the Tea Factory Hotel.
Day 10 -- NUWARA ELIYA
Breakfast. at the hotel. Horton Plains is Sri Lanka's highest and most isolated plateau . This wide patna grass covered plain is teeming with wildlife. Bridle paths through the plains lead to the precipice known as World's End. From the edge of this cliff is a sheer dropped of 1050 meters. To experience the amazing view it is wise to lie on ones stomach and peek over. Lunch will be at a typical Tea Planter's Bungalow. The afternoon is at leisure. Overnight Tea Factory Hotel.
Day 11 -- NUWARA ELIYA - RATHGAMA (GALLE)
After an early breakfast we start off on a 6 hour journey to Rathgama through the Sri Lankan countryside. Arrive Rathgama and check-in to Aditya Hotel. Remainder of day and evening are at leisure. Overnight at Aditya Hotel.
Day 12 & 13 – RATHGAMA (GALLE)
We spend these blissful days at leisure in this paradise locale. Optional activities will be offered for those who want additional sightseeing. On Day 13 enjoy lunch at the famous Light House Hotel. Transfer in the evening to the airport in Colombo for return flights to the USA Overnights at Aditya Hotel.
Day 14 -- USA
Arrive the USA.