Essence of Sri Lanka
Duration : 10 Days
Destinations Covered : Delhi - Colombo - Mount Lavinia -
Kitulgala - Nuwara Eliya - Horton Plains - Nuwara Eliya - Ella - Yala
National - Park Yala - Colombo
Day
01 : Colombo
Arrival in Colombo. Our people would welcome you and escort you to your
hotel. Take rest in your hotel and have lunch. Rest of day can be enjoyed by
you as you wish.
Day 02 : Mount Lavinia
This day would be devoted to enjoy excursion to Mount Lavinia. Commencing
its career as an imposing weekend abode for a British Governor in 1806,
Mount Lavinia yet retains the old world charm and elegance. In addition it
has all the facilities of a modern resort that any tourist would expect.
Vast stretch of sandy beaches in the vicinity of clear deep blue water. One
can see a glowing sun by day and a silvery moon by night. A sprawling
mansion of Sir Thomas Maitland is also here.
Day 03 : Kitulgala - Nuwara Eliya
Journey through unbelievable natural scenery to Nuwara-Eliya. En route
we would stop at Kitulgala, located on the banks of the Kelani River. It is
an area famous for its rapids. Grade 2 - 3 rapids are found here. Enjoy the
thrilling adventure of rafting on the white water rapid sections of the
Kelani River. The short but thrilling excursion is 'Level 03'. It is
suitable for most people aged between 08 and 60. The adrenaline surge is
experienced while sitting in a 06 or 08 man raft and being completely at the
mercy of the rapids.
Ride to Nuwara Eliya would be continued. With the elevation the vegetation
of the region also changes. Tea Gardens appear on the slopes and waterfalls
of various strengths can be viewed frequently. The road twists and turns all
the way up the mountains. Scenic view of terrace cultivation of tea and
occasionally of Paddy is an impressive sight.
Day 04 : Horton Plains - Nuwara
Eliya
Have breakfast and drive for Hortan Plains. The route is spectacular and
the views on a clear day of the various terrace farms, meadows, and animal
farms are beautiful. We have two options once we reach Horton Plains. The
first one is driving back. If pursuing this option we would stop at Ambewela
farms to enjoy the breathtaking scenes. Pastures and technology makes the
farms interesting. The farms are set in lush green hills and blessed with
cool climes and a pristine environment.
The second option is that some or all members stay back at Horton Plains
for a thrilling 8 Kms trek. Some members can the choose the second and some
first. The trekkers would trek through the forest and, sample edible jungle
berries. The wild, but scenic landscape includes wild orchids, scarlet
rhododendron, sdwarf marsh bamboo, stobilanthes, which bloom once every ten
years, tree ferns, and many rare species of butterflies. Birds include
babblers, magpies, the Ceylon hill muniya, bull-blue flycatcher, pied bush
chat, and the whistling thrush.
Day 05 : Nuwara Eliya
One can indulge in independent activities in morning. You can stroll down
the main bazaar of Nuwara Eliya. Nuwara Eliya is famous for her tea and
coffee especially filter coffee. A fruit market section is also there where
a huge variety of fruits are sold.
Go on a sightseeing tour of Nuwara-Eliya. When the area was under foreign
rule, a few British on a hunting expedition in the hill country spotted the
site where the present day Nuwara Eliya town sits. They set up a health
resort there. It was later converted by Sir Samuel Baker to a holiday resort
with a touch of an English village. This earned it the name 'Little
England'. We tour Hakgala Botanical gardens with exotic trees, shrubs and
herbs known to thrive best in hill country.
Day 06 : Nuwara Eliya - Ella - Yala
National Park
After breakfast visit the famous Pedro Estate Of Nuwara Eliya. See the
entire process of tea making from leaf plucking to curling, roasting,
crushing and packaging. Continue riding to Ella for lunch. The journey
provides contrasting landscapes from rolling grasslands and paddy fields to
vast stretches of tea plants carpeting the mountainside. Ella has stunning
view in Sri Lanka. Descend slowly towards the warmer plains of the South. We
can stop on the way to appreciate the landscape. Tumbling Ravana Fall is
something to see. The landscape alters. There are no more tea terraces as we
drive along paddy, maize and sugarcane fields.
Days
07 - 08 : Yala National Park
Forest excursions in jeeps. Yala has several rocky outcrops, fresh water
tanks, brackish lagoons and impressive dry zone landscape. Yala reserve has
vast open areas and water holes which serve as feeding grounds for animals
such as elephants, leopards, deer, wild buffaloes, wild boar, many varieties
of birds, crocodiles etc. The most important geophysical feature of Yala is
its many areas of outcropping bedrock, some big enough to be mini rocky
ranges. These are breeding grounds to the leopard and the Sri Lankan sloth
bear.
Day 09 : Yala - Colombo (6 Hours)
Leave for Colombo. It is a fascinating drive along Sri Lanka's coastline
and several interesting villages including Hambantota where wooden toy
making is a major craft and you see scores of stores and craftsmen. We ride
past the Fishing community of Wellingama. Here the Stilt fisherman
precariously perched on a stick in the shallow of the ocean with a fishing
chord in his hand is an interesting sight. Reach the hotel in Colombo and
take rest. Spend your evening in leisure. You can try shopping.
Day 10 : Colombo - Delhi
Take breakfast. You would be escorted to the hotel where you would board
the plane for onward journey.