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From trekking through the emerald tea hills to lazing on palm fringed coastlines, spotting wild elephant in the grassy plains to losing yourself in the ancient city ruins, Sri Lanka is a destination just begging to be discovered.
Often overlooked, India’s neighbour to the south, the small island nation of Sri Lanka is an amazing holiday destination that has plenty to offer to every visitors. Known for its tremendous ethnic diversity, as well as a long and distinguished history enriched by centuries of foreign influence. With its endless miles of golden beaches and abundant natural riches, Sri Lanka is one of Asia’s ultimate tropical paradises. From the inviting beaches of Bentota to the rolling green hills of Nuwara Eliya; from the Buddhist stupas in Kandy to the historical monuments in Colombo, Sri Lanka is truly resplendent in every way.
Highlights of the Outing :
1. Visit the Elephant Transit Home
2. The iconic Sigiriya climb
3. Marvel at the cave paintings of Dambulla
4. Most revered Buddhist relic
5. Cultural Dance & Drum show
6. Sip tea in a tea plantation in Nuwara Eliya
7. Street Food Trail on the streets of Bentota
8. Rawana Ella Falls
9. Tea Gardens & many more…
ITINERARY
Day 01: AIRPORT – PINNAWALA – SIGIRIYA
Arrival to the Colombo International Airport, meet and welcome by the Sri Lanka Express Chauffeur guide / National guide at the airport arrival lobby. Transfer directly to the hotel in Sigiriya via Pinnawala. En route visit the Elephant Orphanage. Established in 1975, this 24-acre large elephant orphanage was primarily designed to afford care and protection to many baby elephants found in the jungle without their mothers. It is also a breeding space for elephants and it has the greatest herd of elephants in captivity in the world. Visitors to the park can view many different aspects of the care & daily routine of the elephants such as feeding of elephant calves and bathing in the river. The main attraction is the opportunity to observe the bathing elephants from the river bank as the herd interact socially, bathing & playing.
OPTIONAL: EN ROUTE VISIT DAMBULLA ROCK TEMPLE – US$ 10.00 PER PERSON
Visit the Dambulla Rock Temple which was declared as a UNESCO World heritage site. It is the most Impressive of Sri Lanka’s cave temples. The complex of five caves with over 2000 sq. meters of painted Walls and ceilings is the largest area of Paintings found in the world. Attention – dress code applied (covering shoulders and knees).
Arrival & check-in to the hotel: check-in time – 14h00.
Rest of the day leisure at the hotel (enjoy the hotel facilities).
Day 02 : SIGIRIYA – MATALE – KANDY
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning transfer Sigiriya & visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress.
Explore the island’s most popular historical tourist attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage site, the ruins of the ancient capital, Sigiriya. It is the pride of Sri Lanka and often referred by many as the ‘Eighth wonder of the world’. A visit to Sigiriya Rock Fortress not only reveals ruins & frescoes but vestiges of one of the greatest planned cities in Asia.
Thereafter proceed to Kandy via Matale & en route stop at Matale Spice Garden.
Visit a spice garden in Matale to see different spices for which Sri Lanka is famous for. Here, clients could see different spices and how some of these spices are grown and processed. Witness a Cookery demonstration during the explanations, enjoy a cup of spice tea & learn how to use different spices in the day to day life. A free massage is on offer during the visit.
Continue to Kandy & enjoy a Kandy city tour.
Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is a World Heritage Site. The name “Kandy” conjures visions of splendor and magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. Drive around the Kandy Lake built by the last Sinhala king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798. Visit the Kandy town and bazaar, the arts and crafts center, a gem museum and a lapidary.
In the evening visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic which stands majestically as a symbol of culture, faith and history in the Buddhist believe. Attention – dress code applied (covering shoulders and knees).
Thereafter witness a cultural show featuring the traditional Sri Lankan dancing in many different acts where the show ends with some of the performers walking on the fire and making final act using fire.
Arrival & check-in to the hotel.
Day 03 : KANDY – PERADENIYA – NUWARA ELIYA
Breakfast at the Hotel. In the morning transfer to Peradeniya & visit Peradniya Botanical garden.
Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens which is flanked by Mahaweli, the longest river of Sri Lanka is the largest of botanical gardens of Sri Lanka and the finest of its kind in Asia. It was first built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala king and was expanded by the British. It is 147 acres in extent and provides an amazing variety of trees, plants and flowers.
En route visit a tea plantation & a tea factory in Ramboda.
Going through the fascinating tea clad hillsides, waterfalls and the beautiful sceneries in the mountains you will pass by many of the tea plantations and factories. Pause a moment at a site and experience the process of how the World’s Best Tea is produced. You could have a guided tour at the factory and walk in the plantations at ease. Do not forget to experience a cup of Ceylon Tea before leaving.
Thereafter continue to Nuwara Eliya & enjoy a city tour in Nuwara Eliya City. Nuwara Eliya is Sri Lanka’s most popular hill resort because of its invigorating mountain climate and Scenery. It is at an altitude of 1868 m (6128 feet) and is considered to be the most important location for the tea production in Sri Lanka. The city is overlooked by Pidurutalagala, the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka. Nuwara Eliya (City of Lights), also known as ‘Little’ England’, was the favourite hill station of the British who tried to create Nuwara Eliya into a typical English Village. The old brick Post office, country house like hill club, with its strict formal dinner attire; the 18 whole golf courses, race course etc., all remind you of ‘England’.
Arrival & check-in to the hotel.
Day 04 : NUWARA ELIYA – ELLA
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning transfer to Ella.
En route visit Sita Amman Temple in Seetha Eliya.
The Sita Amman Temple dedicated to Sita, the wife of Lord Rama, situated in the hills of Nuwara Eliya, is treated with enduring devotion by Hindus as it is considered to be the only such temple in the world. It is located five kilometers along the road from Nuwara Eliya to Kandy. Historical evidences states that this is the place where King Ravana held Sita imprisoned. Devotees also believe that the place bears signs of the monkey-god Hanuman’s feet as he rested here after the battle to rescue Sita from Ravana.
Continue to Ella & visit Nine Arches bridge.
The bridge was built in 1921 which is located almost 3100 feet above the sea level, this 99.6ft high bridge is called “Ahas namaye palama” (Nine Arches bridge) in Sinhala. This viaduct was built at Gotuwala between the two railway stations – Ella and Demodara during the British Colonial period. This bridge is also called ‘The Bridge in the sky’ due to the sheer height. This massive bridge is built entirely of solid rocks, bricks and cement without using a single piece of steel.
Arrival & check-in to the hotel. Evening at leisure.
Day 05 : ELLA – KITULGAL – BENTOTA
Breakfast at the hotel. Early in the morning visit Little Adam’s Peak which is a mini hike (02 hours).
Mini Adams peak is the closest and easiest hike in Ella. You will get to the entrance in about 15 min walk from Ella town. Otherwise you can take the bus towards Passara or a tuk tuk. It is 1141 m in height and from the entrance it takes up to 30-45 min for the hike. Views from the summit are incredible. 360 degrees panoramic views with clouds rolling in, is a treat to watch for any traveller. Hike itself is a worthy experience as you walk through lush green tea estates, talking to locals who are plucking and collecting tea leaves, working in the estate.
Thereafter transfer to Bentota for the beach stay via Kitulgala.
OPTIONAL EXCURSION : DO WHITE WATER RAFTING IN KITULGALA – US $ 15.00 PER PERSON
The Kelani River (the broadest river in Sri Lanka) flowing through Kitulgala was the main location where the Oscar winning movie “Bridge on the River Kwai” was filmed. On the hill above this town, a prehistoric cave was discovered containing large middens of shells from some unknown civilization. Kitulgala is also a base for white-water rafting and adventure-based training programs, which starts a few kilometers upstream.
Arrival & check-in to the hotel. Evening at leisure.
Day 06 : BENTOTA – AIRPORT
One can choose to do water sports early morning. Have a peaceful breakfast at the hotel. After late breakfast proceed for the airport. Bid Sri Lanka goodbye.
