CEYLON HORSE RIDING TOUR

CHILAW/ANAWILUNDAWA/SIGIRIYA Morning horseback riding at Anawilundawa - approx. 2 ½ Hours ride After breakfast, transfer to Anawilundawa with your guide. Enjoy horse riding at Anawilundawa. Horseback beginners and old hands alike will enjoy the back-to-nature thrill of communing with nature as nature intended: with sure-footed four-legged transportation that makes you part of the scenery rather than a motorized intruder. Next move to Sigiriya. In the evening check in to the hotel and relax. Overnight stay at a hotel hotel in Sigiriya.

SIGIRIYA Morning horseback riding around Sigiriya - approx. 2 ½ Hours ride After breakfast, start horseback ride from Sigiriya rest house and ride around Sigiriya. In the evening climb Sigiriya rock with your guide. Sigiriya is home to the famous "Fortress in the sky", known as a contender for the eighth wonder of the world, ages back to the 5th century. At its summit are the foundations of what was once a great and sumptuous Palace including a garden complete with a swimming pool. On one of the stairways the only known ancient artwork of Sinhala secular painting is preserved in the form of frescoes of life-sized damsels in all the delicacy of their original color. Then transfer back to the hotel. Overnight stay at a hotel hotel in Sigiriya.

SIGIRIYA/KANDALAMA/DAMBULLA/SIGIRIYA Morning horseback riding to Kandalama - approx. 2 ½ Hours ride Breakfast is at the hotel. This morning, go for horseback ride in nature, towards Kandalama. Walk along the lake and cross the forest to Kaludiya Pokuna, a place of meditation for Buddhist monks. In the evening Visit Dambulla cave temple with your guide. The Dambulla temple has five caves and 157 statues of the Lord Buddha, many paintings on the ceilings and walls that emphasis the artistic talent of ancient days. The history of the caves, rock and temple dates from the 1st century BC. The fascination of these caves is not only the statues but also the many intricate and delicate paintings that cover the ceiling and walls, created with indigenous traditional paints. Because of the history, archaeological and artistic implications, the premises were declared as one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1991. The temple has been in use for over 22 centuries and still holds a sense of benevolence and spirituality. Visitors may climb up steps to the temple and the view from the top of the rock is as inspiring as the temple’s golden interior. On completion, head back to the hotel. Overnight stay at a hotel hotel in Sigiriya.

SIGIRIYA/MATALE/KANDY/DIGANA After breakfast, you can head towards the once capital city of Sri Lanka, the beautiful Kandy while stopping in Matale to visit the world famous Spice Gardens en route. On arrival enjoy city tour of Kandy. Visit Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and local markets. The Sri Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a Buddhist temple located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, which houses the relic of the tooth of the Buddha. Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country. After wards, step in the Kandy City Centre - bundled with latest and world class brands, bazaar, an arts & crafts centre, as well as a gem museum & lapidary. In the evening enjoy cultural dance with drum performance. Afterwards move to the hotel in Digana. Overnight stay at a hotel hotel in Digana.

KANDY/NUWARA ELIYA Morning horseback riding at Victoria golf club - approx. 2 ½ Hours ride After breakfast go for horseback ride in golf club. Victoria Golf & Country Resort is a 500-acre estate on the edge of the vast Victoria reservoir and overlooked by the Knuckles Mountain range. Next, travel to Nuwara Eliya via Ramboda. Learn about the growing and harvesting of tea as you walk through the terraced fields to a Tea Estate & factory to observe the processing of the leaves, how they are graded and packed along with a sampling of many different varieties of “Ceylon” teas. In the evening check in the hotel and relax. Optional: Enjoy high tea at Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya Overnight stay at a hotel hotel in Nuwara Eliya

NUWARA ELIYA/COLOMBO Morning horseback riding in Nuwara Eliya - approx. 2 ½ Hours ride After breakfast, enjoy horseback riding - breathe the fresh cool air of Nuwara Eliya. Next, enjoy city tour in Nuwara Eliya. Misty steep roads, twisting through lush green blankets of tea bushes in a cool climate, remind visitors that they are within the range of the renowned British colonial retreat, Nuwara Eliya. Augmented by an English countryside atmosphere, the city of light - once governed by English & Scottish planters - is still studded with colonial bungalows, hedgerows & one of the finest 18-hole golf courses in the world. A hike through the green grass and red-brick walls should present breathtaking views of a buzzing countryside hamlet. On completion, move to Colombo. On arrival check in the hotel and relax. Overnight stay at a hotel hotel in Colombo.

COLOMBO/AIRPORT After breakfast, enjoy city tour in Colombo. The capital of Sri Lanka, has a long history as a port on ancient east-west trade routes, ruled successively by the Portuguese, Dutch and British. That heritage is reflected in its architecture, mixing colonial buildings with high-rises and shopping malls. The imposing Colombo National Museum, dedicated to Sri Lankan history, borders sprawling Viharamahadevi Park and its giant Buddha. Colombo is still the commercial and entertainment hub with many corporate buildings, restaurants, shopping malls, spas, hotels and nightclubs. If you want to have an active urban nightlife and do a spot of shopping, then Colombo is your place. One thing unique you’re bound to find in the heart of Colombo is the tree-lined main streets adding to the idea that this truly is a tropical paradise. Stand under one of the towering streets in the afternoon sun and you’re bound to cool off. Once done you can head towards the airport for your departure flight back home.