14 Days
ITINERARY
DAY 01 -NEGOMBO
On arrival in Sri Lanka, you will be met and assisted by your very own Chauffeur and transfer you to a hotel in Negombo.
Once you check in at your hotel relax and recover from jet lag.
DAY 02 – NEGOMBO
After breakfast enjoy the Sun-kissed beach in Negombo & relax, your chauffeur will introduce you to the sights and sounds of Negombo in the evening.
DAY 3 & 4 – DAMBULLA
Your tour begins with a drive inland towards Dambulla to explore the famous Golden Rock cave temple which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. one of Sri Lanka’s most impressive cave temple dating back to the 1st Century BC, Recognized as a sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, this cave monastery, a vast isolated rock mass with its five caverns is the largest best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka.
The Buddhist mural paintings (covering an area of 2,100 sq. meters) are of particular importance as are the 157 statues including a 47-foot-long statue of the recumbent Buddha.
Afterward leave for Sigiriya. Climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Built by the king Kashapa, this 5th century fortress in the sky was a royal citadel for more than 18 years. Combining baffling architectural feats and sensual artistic values, the lion rock is a UNESCO world heritage site as well as nominated to be the eighth wonder of the world.
Overnight Stay in Dambulla.
DAY 04 – SIGIRIYA / MINNERIYA
Hiriwadunna Village Trek / Polonnaruwa
After breakfast take part in the Hiriwaduna Village Trek. This trek allows you to understand village life as well as experience a bullock cart ride and even a catamaran boat ride.
Then journey continues to one of the ruins of ancient Ceylon – the UNESCO World Heritage City of Polonnaruwa, which was the Capital of Sri Lanka from 11th to 13th century. A well-planned medieval city defended by enclosing walls (around 5 km. which remain), graced by palaces, shrines, monasteries, pavilions, parks, ponds and irrigation lakes. Polonnaruwa is strewn with ruins in a resplendent state of preservation. The “Gal Vihara” which consists of statues of the recumbent, standing and seated Buddha have been cut from a single granite wall and rank among the true masterpieces of Sri Lankan Art.
Overnight Stay in Dambulla
Day 5 & 6 – Kandy
After Breakfast leave for Kandy. En route you will visit a spice garden in Matale. And you will have the opportunity to discover a little more about the varieties grown.
This afternoon we arrive to hill capital Kandy and check to the hotel and relax by the poolside. Thereafter, enjoy a cultural show and later visit the Temple of the Tooth popularly known as the “Dalada Maligawa” Temple of the Tooth Relic – The famous Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy is one of the most venerated places of worship for Buddhists throughout the world.
Overnight Stay in Kandy.
Day 6
PERADENIYA BOTANICAL GARDEN/PINNAWALA ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE/CEYLON TEA MUSEUM
Early breakfast at the hotel and thereafter, will leave the Hotel in the morning and visit the Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya.
ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDEN of Peradeniya which was a pleasure garden of a Kandyan King of the 16th Century, later made it into a Botanical Garden during the British regime. This botanical garden admired as one of the most beautiful gardens in South Asia this tropical paradise houses thousands of varieties of tropical and temperate trees and flowers. A special house for orchids and e cacti is also on display. Visitors will be amazed by the Orchid House which exhibits an outstanding collection of Sri Lankan orchids, the fernery, spice garden, and the many trees planted by distinguished visitors to the Island.
On completion leave for Pinnawala to visit the Elephant orphanage. This orphanage was set up by the government to take care of baby elephants lost or abandoned in the wild. Witness the feeding of the elephants. Thereafter observe them as they take their daily bath in the river nearby, which offer marvellous photo opportunities. Bath time is enjoyed by all elephants, young and old alike and it is a good time to closely observe their tightly knit family structure. Daily feeding times – 9.15 am, 1.15 pm, and 5.00 pm. bathing times – 10.00 am, 2.00 pm, and 4.00 pm.
On our way back we’ll be visiting the Ceylon Tea Museum at Hantane, three kilometres from Kandy city. The museum consists of four floors. The ground floor and the second-floor exhibit very old items of machinery and the first floor consist of a library and an auditorium with facilities for audio visual presentations. The third floor is allocated to tea sales outlets, where a selection of Sri Lanka’s fine tea is available. The entire top floor is a tea cafe. A panoramic view of the Kandy town surrounded by the beautiful Hunasgiriya, Knuckles Range and the Matale range of hills can be viewed through a telescope mounted on the fourth floor. The grounds surrounding the Tea Museum are landscaped with different varieties of teas. Kandy is a mandatory stop virtually on every tourist’s itinerary and the location of the Ceylon Tea Museum at Hantane enhances the attraction of the hill country to visitors. Additionally, its proximity to the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and Loolecondera estate, where tea was first grown commercially in Sri Lanka makes Hantane the perfect location.
Overnight Stay in Kandy
DAY 7 – NUWARAELIYA
Nuwara Eliya
This morning it’s onwards deep into the island’s beautiful Hill Country towards Nuwara Eliya. Visit a local plantation and tea factory where you will learn the skill of tea plucking and discover the process the leaves go through between the plant and your cup. The beautiful town of Nuwara Eliya, set in the heart of Tea country and situated 1890 meters above sea level, is where the British succeeded in creating an English countryside with homes in styles from Georgian to Queen Anne. At your convenience commence a sightseeing tour of the city. Market place, Golf Course, (one of the finest 18 holes Golf courses in Asia) the Hill club, and drive around this hill station viewing Lake Gregory & Sita Temple also enjoy an evening walk in the town.
Overnight Stay in Nuwara Eliya
DAY 07
DAY 8 – ELLA via HORTON PLAINS
We have an early start with packed breakfast as we drive up to Horton Plains for our trek to the World’s End and the beautiful Bakers Falls. Horton Plains is the highest plateau in Sri Lanka at an impressive 2200 meters (7200 feet) above sea level in the middle of the central mountain country. The scenery up here is simply stunning with grasslands and mountains, marshes, and trout streams. The dramatic drop-off at the edge of the plateau is particularly well demonstrated at ‘World’s End,’ where there is a 300-meter (1000 foot) precipice. With a cool and bracing climate, this is excellent hiking country, with a distinctive flora, colorful butterflies, and many rare highland birds.
Later we head for Pattipola Railway station, from here we’ll take a scenic train journey to our overnight stay of Ella. Although seats are not reserved, and trains are often crowded it is an amazing experience and a wonderful insight into local culture. Arriving at Ella we check into our overnight accommodation.
Overnight Stay in Ella
DAY 9 – ELLA TO YALA
Ella is surrounded by hills covered with cloud forests and tea plantations. The town has a cooler climate than surrounding lowlands, due to its elevation. The area has a rich biodiversity, dense with numerous varieties of flora and fauna.
The area has a rich biodiversity, dense with numerous varieties of flora and fauna. Ella is surrounded by hills covered with cloud forests and tea plantations. The town has a cooler climate than surrounding lowlands, due to its elevation. The Ella Gap allows views across the southern plains of Sri Lanka. Little Adams Peak. It is 1141 m in height and from the entrance it takes up to 30-45 min for the hike.
The Nine Arches Bridge (is a bridge in Sri Lanka. It is one of the best examples of British railway constructions when Ceylon was a colony of the British Empire. The construction of the bridge is generally attributed to a local Ceylonese builder, P. K. Appuhami, in consultation with British engineers. It is in Demodara, between Ella and Demodara railway stations. The surrounding area has seen a steady increase of tourism due to the bridge’s architectural ingenuity and the profuse greenery in the nearby hillsides.
Ravana waterfalls is in Ella. Ravana falls is a very popular sightseeing attraction place in Sri Lanka, it is currently ranked as the widest fall in the island. This waterfall measures approximately 25 m (82 ft) in height and cascades from an oval-shaped concave rock outcrop. During the local wet season, the waterfall turns into what is said to resemble an areca flower with withering petals.
Little Adams Peak, “Punchi Sri Pada” is another name for this peak. It is 1141 m in height. Little Adam’s Peak attracts many travelers who come to Sri Lanka. Gradually with an easy hike up to the mountain of Little Adams Peak you can consummation a worth panoramic view. You must walk through lush green tea plantations, waterfalls and paddy fields while enjoying the sceneries.
It will be priceless if you could visit the place in the morning when the clouds roll in.
En route you will visit the beautiful, 1000-year-old, rock-cut Buddha figures of Buduruwagala are the region’s biggest attraction. The gigantic standing Buddha (at 15m, it is the tallest on the island) here still bears traces of its original stuccoed robe, and a long streak of orange suggests it was once brightly painted. It’s surrounded by smaller carved figures. This remote site is located 9km south of Wellawaya, accessed by a scenic side road.
Overnight Stay in Yala
DAY 10 – YALA TO BENTOTA
Yala to Bentota
After early breakfast in the morning commence a jeep safari to the incredible Yala National Park, a highlight of the entire tour, it is known locally as leopard country as it plays host to one of the world’s highest densities of leopards. This afternoon’s safari into the park provides you with one of the best chances to see one of these elusive creatures. Other species you may spot include the Sri Lankan elephant, the Sri Lankan sloth bear, and saltwater crocodiles, as well as a wide variety of bird species.
After safari you’ll be checking out and set off on your journey along the south coast to Bentota stopping in beautiful walled city of Galle en route to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Galle fortress. The fortress was first constructed by the Portuguese in 1588, then expanded and extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century.
Overnight Stay in Bentota
DAY 11,12 & 13 – BENTOTA
From today offers the chance to relax and unwind on the beautiful sun kissed beaches of Bentota delightfully located along on the Southwest coast. You’re free to take a stroll along the golden sands and spend the tail ending of your holiday at leisure. On day 12 your chauffeur will introduce you to the sights and sounds of Bentota in the afternoon, you’ll have better chances to visit most famous BAVA GARDENS & some attractions around including Turtle farm. On day 13 you’ll be spending your Freedom Day before you flying home, relaxing on sun-kissed beach & wonderful evening at your fabulous hotel.
Overnight Stay in Bentota.
DAY 14 – AIRPORT
After breakfast, your chauffeur guide will comfortably take you to the Colombo international airport in time for your onward flight. We hope your holiday with us was enjoyable and wish you a safe flight home!
