Day 1 Sigiriya/Pinnawala
On arrival at the Colombo International Airport you will be warmly welcomed by our representative, introduce your guide lecture and proceed to Kandy. Visit the pinnawala elephant orphanage en-route. This orphanage for baby elephants was established to feed, nurse & house young elephants found abandoned by their mothers. The feeding and bathing times are the highlights of the day.
The Sigiriya site consists of a 200 meter tall granite rock; all sides are so steep that at some points the
top overhangs the base. Ruins of an ancient palace complex, stairways and pools can be seen at the top
of this rock. There is a stone stairway leading from the base to the top of the mountain. About half way
to the top, there is a giant pair of lions paws which is in fact are the remains of a huge head of a lion
whose open mouth served as the entrance to the royal palace. Surrounding the palace complex are the
ruins of a garden complex consisting of two moats and various pools, some with water fountains still
functioning after 1500 years. Sigiriya is world famous for its frescoes. It is believed that there were
paintings all over the rock which were later destroyed, only 22 still remaining. The frescoes are the only
non-religious old painting in Sri Lanka. Sigiriya is one of the 7 world heritage sites in Sri Lanka and it is
one of most popular tourist destinations.
You’re overnight staying at Sigiriya.
Day 2 Sigiriya
After the breakfast at hotel we will departure to Climb Sigiriya rock. It will take 3 to 4 hours.
Evening relax at the hotel or either one of, visit a rural village or Namal uyana (The Jathika Namal Uyana in Sri Lanka is the largest ironwood forest and pink quartz mountain in Asia.)
You're overnight staying at Sigiriya.
Day 3 Sigiriya/Kandy
After breakfast at the hotel we proceed to Kandy. Visit the famous Aluvihara cave temple on the Kandy-Dambulla road is having a great historic importance. The history of Aluvihara is traced back to the 3rd Century B.C. in the reign of King Devanampiyatissa. Aluvihara is one of the most important cultural site in Sri Lanka. It was believed to be, Buddhist doctrines were first recorded on Ola leaves after passing through orally, here in the first century BC, during the reign of King Vattagamini Abaya. This Dhamma record is known as 'Thripitakaya' and today it is concern as main guiding Dhamma book of Theravada Buddhism. Aluvihara is significant for the huge rocks which lead to classified it as a rock temple.
Visit Sri Muththumari Amman Hindu Temple and Nalanda gedige en—route. Sri Muththumari Amman temple was made by Indian people 100 years ago. Story of the Nalanda Gedige belongs to King Ravana Era. There is an unidentified statue found in Nalanda gedige by archaeology department of Sri Lanka and according to the appearance it has no similarity with a human being but it shows more similarities to an extra terrestrial being. In very old days it was kind of a centre where ancient Sinhalese had used it to acknowledge the time throughout the island. The survey department of Sri Lanka has proved that this location is exactly the middle of the island. From ancient times it has been used to acknowledge the period of sun setting. The meaning of ‘gedige’ in English ‘stands for house of bell’. So we can conclude that those days there was a bell which had been used to acknowledge the people the hours of day.
Then we reached to Kandy, the last royal capital of Sri Lanka is a major tourist destination. The city established in the 15th century was the last royal capital where 2500 years of royal rule ended. (465 meters above mean sea level). Famous for the Temple of the Tooth and many other temples the city could be called the cultural capital of the island. Kandy Procession, the pageant of the temple of tooth where Buddha’s tooth is kept is held either in July or August each year to parade the golden caskets is a must see itinerary if one is visiting Sri Lanka during these months. The final night procession is the most spectacular event of the country. More than 50 elephants parade the city accompanied by the drummers, dancers and chieftains.
We visit temple of tooth relic, Kandy city tour.
Evening enjoy a typical Sri Lankan Cultural show of drumming dancing music and walking on fire.
You're overnight staying at Kandy.
Day 4 Kandy/Nuwara eliya
After the breakfast at the hotel proceed to Nuwara Eliya or 'City of Light' is the tea capital of Sri Lanka at an altitude of 1889 meters and is the most visited hill station of the island.
No wonder, since it means a break from the oppressive heat and humidity that surrounds the rest of Sri Lanka. Nuwara Eliya also called as ‘Little England’ has a pleasant climate. The average temperature is 15°c (60°f). February and March has much cooler temperature where it could drop up to 8°c (46°f).
Nuwara Eliya was built entirely during the 19th century and its architecture mimics that of an English country town, with red-brick walls, country house like hill club and mock-Tudor half-timbering, Colonial villas, Rose gardens, 18 holes golf course and country-club-styled hotels are the perfect background for an unforgettable stay. We can visit very beautiful waterfalls en-route. There are so many attractions around the Nuwara eliya city. Hakgala Botanical garden, Victoria queens park, Gregory Lake, Horton plains, Nuwara eliya golf club are the main scenic places.
You're overnight staying at Nuwara eliya.
Day 5 Nuwara eliya/Haputale/Demodara Bridge/Ella
After breakfast we proceed to Ella. We can visit Adhisham bungalow and Demodara bridge en-route
The Adisham bungalow was built in 1931 by an English planter by the name of Sir Thomas Villiers who was the former Chairman of the George Stuart Company.
Today this bungalow has been converted to a monastery where it is maintained by the Congregation of St Sylvester. This early bungalow rich with history and olden stories is established in the Haputale city in Bandarawela.
Adisham bungalow is made up in a typical British architecture with worn brick illustrating the house from the outside. The sophisticated staircase is ornamented with portraits of Sir Thomas’s. The garden gives the multi-colored refined add-on to the property with its chic British layout. The lawns are terraced, flowerbeds outlining the borders of the house and orchards. The drawing-room, study, library, dining rooms and bedrooms all over look soaring mountain ranges that stretch between 1800 to 2100 meters above mean sea level. This scope of mountainous land, engrave the skyline forming a mysterious outline known as the Sleeping Warrior.
Next location is Demodara nine arches Bridge. This beautiful and amazing bridge was built between the two railway stations Ella and Demodara during the British colonial period. This name is used since the bridge contains of 9 arches. It is also known as “Ahas Nawaya Palama” (9 Skies Bridge) and this bridge is 300 feet long and 25 feet wide. Located almost 3100 feet above mean the sea level. The bridge connects with two high lands and has been made of large cubic stones. This massive bridge is built entirely of solid rocks, bricks and cement without using a single piece of steel.
Then we visit Demodara Railway loop. This railway loop was designed and built during the British colonial period in the shape of turban; this railroad loop is a unique feature in the hill country. The rail track goes around the mountain in a loop and through a tunnel beneath the Demodara railway station.
You're overnight staying at Ella
Day 6 Ella
Get the breakfast from the hotel and we entertaining by visit around Ella or participating some Adventure activities.
Ella Gap; where the southern mountain range falls away in a scenic drop of 3,000 feet to the southern plains. Rugged peaks wrapped in the morning mist, the soothing sounds of streams and waterfalls, endless views of rolling hills covered with tea gardens and the cool, mild climate all together is what makes Ella a memorable experience. Away from the busy tourist towns, yet never too far from them, it’s definitely a place for those who just want to soak in the views, relax and explore the charms of the hill country of Sri Lanka.
Ella is one of the most scenic venues for a vacation of adventure. Ella offers a choice of sports and activities for the adventurous. From Paragliding, canoeing, hiking and trekking to bird watching, the list is very long. Some of the other activities are camping, rock climbing, fishing, mountain biking, caving, train tours and wildlife safaris. Camping is available in either jungle or riverside locations with BBQ and campfires. Let us know like to have an adrenalin rush, and we can plan some adventure activities in Ella for your tour.
You're overnight staying at Ella.
Day 7 Ella/ Lipton seat/Gem mining/ Colombo
After the breakfast we leave from the hotel to Colombo. It is a long tour. We visit Lipton seat and Gem mining en-route.
Lipton is a world-famous brand of Tea, named after Sir Thomas Lipton who pioneered tea making. This great man’s favorite lookout point was a certain spot located in the Poonagala Hills, now known as Lipton’s seat. To get to this famous location, you will have to trek approximately 4km towards Poonagala to reach Dambatenna, and a further 1km uphill across a lovely Tea plantation. On your way you will be treated to stunning views from all sides making it a most unforgettable experience.
Visit Rthanapura. The people of the town depend on the Gem trade. Gem pits common site in the surrounding area. Most of large scale gem businessman of Sri Lanka operates from Rathnapura. We can visit gem pit and gem museum.
Reach to the Colombo and direct checking to hotel for rest after long journey.
You're overnight staying at Colombo.
Day 8 Colombo
The city of Colombo offers historical monuments, colonial architecture, festivals and events, beaches, fine dining, and shopping. With so much to see, do, and experience in Colombo, Galle face green, Independence square, Nelum pokuna, Gangarama Temple, Diyatha uyana, Colombo harbor, BMICH, Light house, Colombo fort clock tower, Khan clock tower, Buildings of colonial era(Dutch, Portuguese, English), are the scenic places around Colombo city.
Shopping in evening
You're overnight staying at Colombo.
Day 9 Colombo/Airport
We departure to Airport after breakfast, Visit Muthurajawela Marshes by boat on the time you have to flight.
The Muthurajawela Marshes are situated just south of Negombo and covers an area of approximately 6,000 hectares inclusive of the Negombo lagoon. The daily high tide brings in seawater from the ocean into the wetland. Continuous mixing of these two waters over thousands of years, has led to a brackish, integrated coastal ecosystem that is biologically diverse and teeming with life. A variety of mangroves and other types of flora including medicinal plants are found alongside numerous types of birds, butterflies and fish, some of which are endemic. Crocodiles, monitor lizards, and Sri Lanka’s largest snake, the Python, are also native.
This itinerary can be tailored to your specific requirements, budget and tastes.
* Prices are quoted for one person on twin sharing basis.