Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) is an island nation south of India in the Indian Ocean. Its diverse landscapes range from rain-forest and arid plains to highlands and sandy beaches. It’s famed for its ancient Buddhist ruins, including the 5th-century citadel Sigiriya, with its palace and frescoes.
This exclusive Sri Lanka trip itinerary offers the best of the island country in Indian Ocean. Start from the beautiful historic city of Sigiriya and takes you to the enlightening city of Kandy. After exploring these two wondrous destinations of Sri Lanka, proceed to the picturesque hill station of Nuwara Eliya, explore wildlife in Yala, the sandy beaches of Bentota & its wild side. Towards the conclusion of this trip, visit the happening city of Colombo.
The plethora of water sports, breathtaking sunsets, sprawling tea gardens, and mouth-watering Sri Lankan food will surely make you fall in love with this gorgeous place.
On arrive in Sri Lanka, you will be welcomed and assisted and you will be then transferred to your hotel Sigiriya.
En route Visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage,
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage – Approx. 55 miles from Colombo, off the Colombo – Kandy road is Pinnawala, where an orphanage was started in 1975 to house the abandoned and the wounded elephants. The number of elephants has increased to more than 65 now; including Baby Elephants brought from various parts, as well as the 23 baby elephants born as a result of the captive breeding program. The best time to visit is the feeding time from 0930-1000 hrs and 1330-1400 hrs and the bathing time from 1000-1030 hrs and 1400-1430 hrs when all the elephants are taken to the river close by.
Check into the Hotel & Rest…Overnight stay at Hotel, Sigiriya
Breakfast at the Hotel
Sigiriya – is a “UNESCO World Heritage Site” and the 5th Century “Fortress in the Sky” which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of the Island. It is also known as Lion Rock because of the huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the Palace on the summit of the 600-foot high rock. On its summit are the foundations of the Royal Palace, Water Tanks to supply water and all other buildings and at the edges the guardhouses. On one of the stairways the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting survived in the form of Frescoes of 21 life sized damsels still shining in their original colors. The Water Gardens, Fountain Garden, Summerhouses, Boulder Gardens and the Caves within the enclosed area should not be missed.
Dambulla Cave Temple (also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla) is a World Heritage Site (1991) in Sri Lanka situated in the central part of the country. This site is situated 148 km east of Colombo and 72 km north of Kandy. It is the largest and best preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. The rock towers 160 m over the surrounding plains. There are more than 80 documented Caves in the surrounding area. These paintings and statues are related to Lord Buddha and his life. There are total of 153 Buddha statues, 3 statues of Sri Lankan kings and 4 statues of gods and goddesses. The murals cover an area of 2,100 square meters. Depictions on the walls of the caves include the temptation by the demon Mara and Buddha’s first sermon.
Overnight stay at Hotel, Sigiriya
Breakfast at the Hotel & then proceed to Kandy, via Matale
Overnight stay at Hotel, Kandy
Breakfast at the Hotel & Proceed to Temple of the Tooth, Gem Museum, Gem Shop & Kandy City tour
Kandy – The hill capital is another “World Heritage Sites”. It was the last stronghold of the Sinhalese Kings during the Portuguese, Dutch and British rule and finally lost to the British in 1815 after an agreement. To the Buddhist of Sri Lanka and the World, Kandy is one of the most sacred sites as it is the home of the “Dalada Maligawa” – Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. The Bathing Pavilion (Ulpenge) is by the Lake and in the Center of the lake is the Island called “Kiri samudraya” (Milk white ocean) used by the kings as the summer house. Today it is the center of Buddhism, Arts, Crafts, Dancing, Music and Culture. Visitors can see these Dance & Music at the daily Cultural Performances held at several places in the city.
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic – Ever since 4th Century A.D, when the Buddha’s Tooth was brought to Sri Lanka hidden from sacrilegious hands in an Orissan princess’ hair, the Relic has grown in repute and holiness in Sri Lanka and throughout the Buddhist world. It is considered Sri Lanka’s most prized possession.
Royal Botanical Gardens – Peradeniya – 147 acres in extent; Started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the Kings of Gampola and Kandy. There are more than 5,000 species of trees, plants and creepers. Some rare and endemic as well as flora from the tropical world are found in the gardens. Spice Garden and Orchid House are popular with tourists.
There are 5 Palm Avenues beautifying the gardens, the earliest and tallest Palm Avenue (Royal Palm Avenue) was planted in 1905 and the Double Coconuts from the Seashells Island, with the largest seed of all plants in the world is one such avenue
We will then proceed with a city tour of the historical city.
Visit to gem and lapidary museum in Kandy. Evening visit Cultural show in Kandy
Overnight stay at Hotel, Kandy
Breakfast at the Hotel & then proceed to Nuwara Eliya, En route visit Tea Factory & Tea Gardens
The Tea Factories found on most tea estates play a vital role in the final value of the manufactured tea. Regardless of how carefully the leaf has been grown and plucked, if the processes at the factory are not carried out properly the end result will be of a poor quality. A tea factory is a multi-storied building, almost always sited on the tea estates to ensure that the time between plucking and processing tea is kept to a minimum. Once the tea leaves arrive at the factory they are spread across the upper floors of the building in troughs – a process known as withering. Withering removes all excess moisture in the leaf to make it pliable.
Check into Hotel & Rest…Overnight stay at Hotel, Nuwara Eliya
Breakfast at the Hotel & then proceed to commence Sitha Amman Temple, Gregory Lake, Hakgala Botanical Garden, Victoria Park & Nuwara Eliya City tour
Nuwara Eliya – The ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, is set against beautiful backdrops of Mountains, Valleys, Waterfalls and Tea Plantations. It is supposed to be one of the coolest places in the Island, but it is really just like an English spring day, although the temperature does drop at night. All around Nuwara Eliya you will see evidence of the British influence, houses like country cottages or Queen Ann style mansions. The Victoria Park, in the middle of the town, is a lovely place for a stroll or a picnic. Seasons may be absent elsewhere in Sri Lanka, but here you can read them by the flowers, which bloom in the spring (March to May) and the fall (August and September). These are the “seasons” when low-country folk flock to Nuwara Eliya to escape the sea level heat and humidity. Overnight stay at Hotel, Nuwara Eliya
After Breakfast proceed to Yala,
En route visit Ravana Caves, Ravana Falls & Ella City tour
Ravana Ella Falls – a breathtaking waterfall, 1080 feet high (cascades into several falls) close to the road from Ella to Wellawaya about 6 Km south from Ella. The stream, a tributary of Kirindi Oya plunges with a foaming spray over a series of ledges into the valley close to a bend in the road. The waters rise from Wewatenna highland above the rocks. In general the rocky underground of the waterfalls in Sri Lanka consists of hard gneiss or granite, but here the material is khondalite, a kind of limestone which undergoes decay faster. This has resulted in many caves being formed near the falls. King Ravana of Ramayana legend is said to have lived in one of the caves above the waterfalls.
Ravana Cave
These tunnels prove beyond doubt the architectural brilliance of King Rawana. These tunnels served as a quick means of transport through the hills and also as a secret passage. These tunnels networked all the important cities, airport and dairy farms. A close look at these tunnels indicates that they are man-made and not natural formations.
Proceed to Yala & Check into the Hotel…Overnight stay at Hotel, Yala
With Packed Breakfast/After Breakfast commence Yala National Park,
Yala (Ruhuna) National Park– the Ruhuna National Park covers 126,786 hectares including the Strict Natural Reserve (Block II). The most familiar is Block I (14,101 hectares) and this block was established in 1938. Yala is famous for its big herds and large number of Elephants, Leopards, Spotted Deer, Sambhur, Crocodiles, Mongoose, Wild Boar, Wild Buffalo, and many other animals. More than 130 bird species are recorded which includes the resident and winter visitors.
Overnight stay at Hotel, Yala
After Breakfast proceed to Bentota,
Drop & Rest…overnight stay at Hotel, Bentota
Breakfast at the Hotel
Bentota
Facing the Indian Ocean, a tropical lagoon and a major river Bentota offers water Sports possibilities nowhere else to be found. Apart from swimming, body-surfing or diving in the sea, you can jet-ski, windsurf, parasail or enjoy a romantic river safari on the river and lagoon. Safe swimming conditions combined with fun water sport and exciting excursions are providing for the ideal background for a relaxed holiday in Sri Lanka. Being one of the most established beach resorts in Sri Lanka, Bentota is known for its professional touristic infrastructure.
Visit Turtle Farm Hatchery and Mangrove Boat Ride
Overnight stay at Hotel, Bentota
Breakfast at the Hotel, will then proceed to Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka.
Colombo – is the business and commercial center and the new capital is Sri Jayawardhanapura Kotte, which is only a few miles away. The remains of the buildings during the period and the Portuguese, Dutch and British rule are found in every area of the city. None of the Portuguese & Dutch fortifications are found today but some of their buildings and churches could be seen in the Fort & Pettah areas. Visit Fort, the former British administrative center and military garrison, Sea Street – the old smith’s quarters in the heart of Pettah, the Bazaar area where there is also a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carvings, the Kaymans Gate with the Belfry at the original gate to enter the Fort, the Dutch Church of Wolfendhaal dating back to 1749, Kelaniya Buddhist Temple, Davatagaha Mosque. Also visit the BMICH (Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall), see the replica of Avukana Buddha and the Independence Square.
PM shopping…overnight stay at Hotel, Colombo
Breakfast at the Hotel, thereafter transfer to airport to connect with the departure flight.
