Sri Lanka

10 Days / 9 Nights - Colombo, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Yala

Often called the "Pearl of the Indian Ocean", Sri Lanka offers visiters world class beaches, lush forests and vibrant cities.

DAY 1 – Colombo

Transfer to Colombo. Do a city tour of Colombo. Sri Lanka’s chief city and sea-port and until recently its capital, is a blend of old and new, east and west. It is a modern city, which has many reminders of its European colonial past. Bustling bazaars, Buddhist and Hindu Temples and Muslim Mosques contrast with high rises, smart modern Shopping Malls and multi- national chain hotels. Sightseeing highlights include the Colombo National and Dutch period museums, old and new parliament houses, the Dehiwala Zoo, Gangarama Buddhist Temple, Town Hall, and the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall. Apart from excellent shopping, Colombo offers visits to one of the worlds leading tea auctions, an 18 hole Golf Course, seasonal Buddhist and Hindu pageants, international cricket tournaments, plush casinos, enjoyable evening entertainment and excellent restaurants. State-of-the-Art communications and Cyber services are available in the hotels and other outlets. Lodging: Hotel OZO Colombo Sri Lanka

DAY 2 – Colombo, Sigiriya

After breakfast we leave for Dambulla. En route visit at the Elephant Orphanage at Pinnawala.

The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, established in 1975, commenced with seven orphans. The orphanage is home to hundreds of abandoned or injured elephants who are looked after with warmth, love and affection. The elephants at the orphanage are bathed daily in a river located nearby. The original objective of establishing the orphanage was more towards promoting tourism, but soon became a conservation and educational centre. With the help of local and foreign elephant experts, Pinnawela started a scientific captive-breeding programme for elephants. Lodging: Aliya Restort & Spa

DAY 3 -  Sigiriya

Climb the amazing rock of Sigiriya with its impregnable palace fortress built in the fifth century and enjoy the breath-taking views over the once magnificent royal pool, the throne, remains of the majestic palace, walk ways and the gardens. En route visit Dambulla Cave Temple. Like Sigiriya, Dambulla is a vast isolated rock, which houses a rock temple (formerly hermit caves). Some of its frescoes are over 2,000years old – and there is a colossal figure of the recumbent Buddha caved out of the rock, some 14 meters long. In the evening do elephant back safari. Lodging: Aliya Restort & Spa

DAY 4 – Kandy

En route visit spice garden in Matale. Gardens are open to visitors, a delightful place to stroll in fragrant greenery and learn about nutmeg, pepper vines, clove trees and curry, cinnamon and the precious cardamom, a relative of ginger. It grows in the shade of high jungle trees and can only be harvested by hand.Visitors may buy spices, traditional remedies and cosmetics. Do a city of Kandy. Sri Lanka’s hill capital is, perhaps, its most beautiful town on the island. It is 488 meters above sea level, and next to Colombo, Sri Lanka’s most visited place. The focal point of the town is the golden-roofed Dalada Maligawa Temple, where the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha is enshrined. Kandy is an exciting place for shopping, with souvenirs in wood, copper, silver, brass, ebony, and bronze. Ceramics, lacquer work, handlooms, batiks, jewellery and rush and reed-ware can also be found. In the evening we watch a cultural performance by traditional Kandyan Dancers and drummers. Lodging: Mahaweli Reach Hotel

DAY 5 – Nuwara Eliya

Pick up from Nanu Oya station and proceed to Nuwara Eliya. Do a city tour of Nuwara-Eliya. NuwaraEliya. Also known as the “City of Lights” and “Little England”, Nuwara Eliya 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 it’s hunting pictures, mounted hunting trophies and fish, and it’s strict formal dinner attire; the 18 hole golf course, race course etc., all remind you of ‘England’. Blessed a with salubrious climate, breathtaking views of valleys, meadows, mountains and greenery; it’s hard to imagine that Nuwara Eliya is only 180 Km from the hot and humid Colombo. The areas around Nuwara Eliya also provide the main output of tea in Sri Lanka. A trip to the highlands of Sri Lanka is never complete without witnessing the age-old traditional tea plucking and sipping a cup of “Ceylon Tea”. Visitors to Nuwara Eliya can also taste the freshly plucked strawberries and purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. Visit a tea factory and tea plantation. Nuwara Eliya offers many activities for tourists including visits to tea plantations golfing, horse riding, boating, hiking and of course exploring the beauty of the landscaped gardens, waterfalls and plateaus. Lodging: Jetwin St. Andrew's Hotel

DAY 6 - Nuwara Eliya

This is the exotic pleasure garden where King Ravana kept the depressed Sita, insisting that she marries him. It was here where the heartwarming meeting took place between her and Hanuman, who brought her Rama’s ring with the news that Rama was looking for her. Lodging: Jetwin St. Andrew's Hotel

DAY 7 - Yala

Kitulgala where the film ‘Bridge over the River Kwai’ was filmed and you will have the chance to see the St. Clair’s and Devon waterfalls en route. Lodging: Jetwing Yala Hotel

DAY 8 – Hikkaduwa

Visit Yala National Park. Proceed to Hikkaduwa. Lodging: Chaaya Tranz Hotel

DAY 9 – Hikkaduwa

Day at leisure to explore Hikkaduwa and it's beautiful beaches.  Lodging: Chaaya Tranz Hotel

DAY 10 – Colombo

Breakfast at your hotel, followed by a private transfer to the hotel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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