Day 1 Airport/Colombo
On arrival at the Colombo International Airport you will be warmly welcomed by our representative, introduce your guide lecture and proceed to Colombo the commercial capital in Sri Lanka. You will drive through the commercial area of Fort, so named because both the Portuguese and Dutch had a fort at this point. Drive past Pettah, a noisy Oriental bazaar with a mix of humanity, ancient vehicles, bargains, mosques and temples. You will visit a Hindu and Buddhist Temple and the Jumi Ul Alfar Jumma Mosque. You will continue with the tour through the Wolfendhal Dutch Church, Hulftsdorp Law Courts, through the residential area of Cinnamon Gardens, and on to the Independence Square, Bandaranayake Memorial International Conference Hall.
There is plenty of nightlife in Colombo. Many casinos, or otherwise also called clubs here, scream for your attention with flashing neon lights. The clubs offer gamblers roulette, baccarat, poker, blackjack, and other games to try their luck as well as complimentary food and drinks, and sometimes music with live bands playing. Entrance is only for those over 18 years and some clubs offer entrance only for foreigners. Be dressed in smart casual for instant admission.
Furthermore, from chic relaxing cocktail lounges, and modern international restaurants – to lively pubs, tapas bars and sports bars boasting snooker tables and large-screen TV’s, there’s something for everyone. With ever-popular karaoke bars, nightclubs showcasing new musical talent, and pulsating discos - the choice is endless.
You're overnight staying at Colombo.
Day 2 Colombo/Pinnawala/Dambulla
After the breakfast we proceeded 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 highlight of the day.
Then proceed to Dambulla. The name Dambulla derives from Damba – Rock and Ulla – fountain. One sees the incessant drip of water from the fountain within the main image house .This rock cave temple is must for any tourist who visits Sri Lanka. In history, Dambulla back dates to the 1st century BC. It has five caves under a vast overhanging rock, carved with a drip line to keep the interiors dry. The Dambulla cave monastery is still functional and remains the best-preserved ancient edifice in Sri Lanka.
(Optional: 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 Dambulla
Day 3 Dambulla/Matale/Kandy
After the breakfast at hotel, we proceed to Kandy.We can visit Aluvihara cave temple, Nalanda gedige and Sri Muththumari Amman Hindu temple 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. The survey department of Sri Lanka has proved that this location is exactly the middle of the island.
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 Perahera, 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 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
After the breakfast at hotel we proceed to visit another scenic place which is Horton Plains National Park is a protected area in the central highlands of Sri Lanka and is covered by montane grassland and cloud forest. It is an undulating 2000 meters high plateau 29km south of Nuwara Eliya. The grassy plains, which are interspersed with small patches of forest, are home to leopards, sambur, deer, bear, monkeys and a rich array of birds, including some endemic species. The most dramatic feature of the National Park is `World’s End’ where the plateau comes to an abrupt end and drops nearly 1000 meters vertically. The best way to explore the park is on foot.
Leisure at the hotel in the evening
You're overnight staying at Nuwara eliya.
Day 6 Nuwara eliya/Haputale/Demodara/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 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.
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 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/Tissamaharama/Yala
When you finish your breakfast at hotel, we can departure to our next destination. Tissamaharama is one of the most pleasant towns in the southern coast and it visited mainly in view of it being the gateway to the Yala national park. ‘Tissa’ as it is affectionately called, in its own right, is a major cultural and nature attraction.
Three ancient stupas and two ancient irrigation reservoirs make Tissamaharama worth touring. On the northern side, the town is bounded by lovely expanses of paddy fields.
In the middle of the paddy fields is the Santagiri or Sandagiri dagoba, the largest stupa in Tissamaharama.
In the evening we visit Yala national park which is the second largest national park in Sri Lanka, Yala is situated in the Southeast part of the island in the dry, semi-arid climate region, bordering the Indian Ocean. The number of mammals recorded at Yala is as high as 44 while it also boasts of one of the highest leopard densities in the world. None other than the majestic Sri Lankan elephant and the leopard take pride of place at this amazing national park.
(Optional: Katharagama, the domain of God Skanda located in the Deep South of Sri Lanka, adjoining the popular Ruhuna Yala National Park and ancient Sithulpawwa Buddhist Monastery, is a multi-religious sacred city that contains a Buddhist temple, Hindu shrine and Islamic Mosque and the devout perform pilgrimage here before making any plans for the future, even bringing a new vehicle here on its first journey to be blessed. )
You're overnight staying at Tissamaharama
Day 8 Yala/Bentota
Breakfast at hotel. After the breakfast we proceed to Bentota. We can visit Galle en-route. Galle is founded in the 16th century by the Portuguese, Galle reached the height of its development in the 18th century, before the arrival of British. It is the best example of a fortified city built by European in South and South East Asia, showing the interaction between European architectural styles and South Asian tradition.
This Dutch fort is surrounded by the sea in 3 sides and land side by the rampart. They believed that the seaward side was impregnable. Hence did not construct any fortifications on the sea side. The sea wall was an addition made in 1729 to make the city planning for defense purposes complete an all respects.
Other land marks of Galle are Dutch Hospital, Dutch reformed church (Groote Kerk), all saints’ church, Maritime museum.
Leisure at the beach in the evening.
You're overnight staying at Bentota.
Day 9 Bentota
Waking up lately and having breakfast. Then we visit Bentota River. Bentota River Cruise: This exciting river cruise takes you through a 32 km experience in through the Bentota River where you will have the opportunity to see birds, perhaps crocodiles and mangroves. Cruise starts on arrival. Lunch on river boat depend on the time.
Then you can get a fish therapy experience by this river. Different types of fish are put in to tanks, which are floating on the river. Visitors can immerse their feet to these tanks and fish stats biting. You will feel ticklish when they nibble your dead skin on the feet.
Leisure at the beach.
You're overnight staying at Bentota
Day 10 Bentota/Airport
After the breakfast at hotel and we proceed to Airport for your Departure.
This itinerary can be tailored to your specific requirements, budget and tastes.
* Prices are quoted for one person on twin sharing basis.
