Heritage & Beaches of Sri Lanka 08 N / 09 D

After breakfast proceed to Giritale and check-in at the hotel.

Giritale

Giritale is a small city in the Polonnaruwa District of Sri Lanka. The location has tourist attraction due its nature and close link with Polonnaruwa, an ancient capital of Sri Lanka. Giritale has some mid-range and up hotels. It is situated on the main road from Colombo to Polonnaruwa and Batticaloa.
Giritale tank (GiritaleWewa) has historical background that connect with king Pandukhabaya's birth (437-367 BC) and other stories. Giritale shares a sanctuary with Minneriya, and it is known as Giritale-Minneriya sanctuary.

Giritalewewa Reservoir

The history of this reservoir of which a magnificent view can be got from Giritale Hotel, runs back to the pre-Buddhist era, to the reign of king Pandukhabaya (437-367 BC).
GiritaleWewa does not aspire to No. 1 and No. 2 nor (may be) to subsequent reservoirs, by way of the area covered, leaving those priority places to reservoirs as Minneriya Wewa and Parakrama Samudra but if one were to give it a priority place by way of fabled history that could turn out to be factual too, GiritaleWewa comes somewhere among the top. A very careful planning of this reservoir is apparent as not only rain water but water that cascades down the mountain too fills it.

Giritale- Minneriya Sanctuary

Minneriya Giritale Sanctuary is a reserve and is located in North Central, Sri Lanka. The Minneriya National Park circles a lake, or tank, created almost 2,000 years ago. The park is part of an elephant corridor that also includes Kaudulla and Wasgomuwa parks. Each year in August and September, over 300 elephants converge to enjoy the tank as its water level recedes and uncovers especially tasty fodder.
Overnight stay in a hotel at Giritale

After breakfast visit heritage sites at Polonnaruwa. Evening relax at the hotel.

Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa is the main town of Polonnaruwa District in North Central Province, Sri Lanka. Polonnaruwa New Town and the other part of Polonnaruwa remains as the royal ancient city of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa. The second most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms, Polonnaruwa was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I, who defeated Chola invaders in 1070 to reunite the country once more under a local leader.

The Vatadage

The Polonnaruwa Vatadage is an ancient structure dating back to the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa of Sri Lanka. It is believed to have been built during the reign of Parakramabahu I to hold the Relic of the tooth of the Buddha or during the reign of NissankaMalla of Polonnaruwa to hold the alms bowl used by the Buddha. Both these venerated relics would have given the structure a great significance and importance at the time. Located within the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, it is the best preserved example of a vatadage in the country, and has been described as the "ultimate development" of this type of architecture. Abandoned for several centuries, excavation work at the Polonnaruwa Vatadage began in 1903.
Overnight stay in a hotel at Giritale.

After breakfast check-out from Giritale hotel and proceed to Nuwara Eliya.
Enroute visit Sigiriya.

Sigiriya

Sigiriya or Sinhagiri is an ancient rock fortress located in the northern Matale District near the town of Dambulla in the Central Province, Sri Lanka. The name refers to a site of historical and archaeological significance that is dominated by a massive column of rock nearly 200 metres (660 ft) high. According to the ancient Sri Lankan chronicle the Culavamsa, this site was selected by King Kasyapa (477 – 495 CE) for his new capital. He built his palace on the top of this rock and decorated its sides with colorful frescoes. On a small plateau about halfway up the side of this rock he built a gateway in the form of an enormous lion.

Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya is a city in the hill country of the Central Province, Sri Lanka. Its name means "city on the plain" or "city of light". The city is the administrative capital of Nuwara Eliya District, with a picturesque landscape and temperate climate. It is at an altitude of 1,868 m (6,128 ft) and is considered to be the most important location for tea production in Sri Lanka. The city is overlooked by Pidurutalagala, the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka. Nuwara Eliya is known for its temperate, cool climate — the coolest area in Sri Lanka.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

After breakfast check-out from Nuwara Eliya hotel and proceed to Bentota hotel.
Relax at the hotel.

Bentota

Bentota is a coastal town in Sri Lanka, located in the Galle District of the Southern Province, governed by an Urban Council. It is approximately 65 kilometres (40 mi) south of Colombo and 56 kilometres (35 mi) north of Galle. Bentota is situated on the southern bank of the Bentota River mouth, at an elevation of 3 metres (9.8 ft) above the sea level. The name of the town is derived from a mythical story which claims a demon named 'Bem' ruled the tota or river bank.
Overnight stay at a Bentota hotel.

After breakfast city tour in Bentota.

Fish Market

Bentota fish market gives guest the experience of, how a typical Sri Lanka fish market operates and how bargains happen. Active from 5.30 am to 8.00 am daily, except on Poya days. A word of caution that noise levels can be deafening.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Bentota.

After breakfast city tour in Bentota

Bentota beach

Variety of water sport activities can be done at Bentota beaches. Water skiing mono skiing, wake boarding, banana boat rides, wind surfing and cannoning are available.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Bentota.

Kosgoda turtle hatchery

Dudley Perera's project has been underway since 1988. The main aim of the project is to monitor local sea turtle activity and conserve the local nesting sites. The hatchery program is designed to maximise the number of hatchlings reaching the sea and surviving through the critical stages of their early life. Only a few hatchlings from each batch will ever make it to adulthood. Therefore every nest-ground, every egg, every hatchling and every turtle is crucial to the survival of the species. Unfortunately, sea turtles face many dangers.
Overnight stay at a Bentota hotel.

AFTER BREAKFAST CHECK OUT AND PROCEED TO AIRPORT & TOUR ENDS.