Day
01 : Arrival - Colombo
Our representatives would welcome you and escort you to your car which
would take your to hotel.Transfer to Galle Face Regency Hotel. Take your
dinner and then have rest for the night.
Day 02 : Colombo
Have scrumptious breakfast before leaving on a sightseeing tour of Colombo.
We drive through the commercial centre of the city known as the "Fort",
built by the Portuguese in the 16th century. Tour the bustling and colourful
markets of Pettah. Also go to the National Museum with its fine collection
of lovely antiques. Drive past town hall, Independence square, the B.M.I.C.H
(International Convention Centre) and Cinnamon gardens residential area.
Also travel to the Zoological gardens at Dehiwala. Included in your
itinerary are a Buddhist and a Hindu Temple.
Day 03 : Colombo - Polonnaruwa - Habarana
Leave for Habarana while en route touring Polonnaruwa. Glory of mediaeval
Sri Lanka can be witnessed at Polonnaruwa, the mediaeval capital of the
Island. Sri Lankan kings resided in Polonnaruwa from the 7th century. Within
the contours of the Royal Citadel are the ruins of the King's palace,the
Council Chamber and the Royal Bath. You would also see the Buddha idols at
the Rock Temple. These images are considered the masterpieces of stone
sculpture. Next stop is Parakrama Samudra, a huge irrigation reservoir. Also
visit archaeological museum. Continue drive to Habrana.
Day 04 : Habarana - Sigiriya &
Dambulla- Kandy
This morning we drive to Sigiriya, which is a tribute to the vision of
King Kashyapa who created this 'Palace in the Sky' in the 5th century AD. On
the top of the Sigiriya rock (meaning the 'Lion Rock') that is over 1.5
hectares in extent is the remains of a large palace, the earliest surviving
royal palace in Sri Lanka, with several chambers and a bathing pond. In a
sheltered pocket of the giant rock are the celebrated paintings of 5th
century AD, a few which is remaining from around 500 paintings that once
covered the rock surface. Precisely planned water gardens at the foot of the
rock are the earliest such gardens found in Asia. The boulder gardens are
good examples of landscaping while conserving the environment. The Mirror
Wall, which had been exposed to elements for over fifteen centuries still
has some of the original sheen that has given it the name. This
archaeological site unparalleled in South Asia has been declared a World
Heritage Site.
Later we drive to Dambulla. Upon arrival we tour the Dambulla Rock Temple,
which is a magnificent gallery of Buddha images and wall and ceiling
paintings not seen anywhere else in the Island. It is a complex of five cave
temples with its origin going back to the Anuradhapura period (1st century
BC). However due to additions and restorations done by various rulers over
the past two thousand years what now remains are mostly the works of the
Kandyan period (18th century).
Day 05 : Kandy - Pinnawela - Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast, we proceed on a guided tour of Kandy. The Hill Capital of
Kandy was the last bastion of the Sinhala kings and is a charming city
offering a living record of a magnificent past. Center of attraction in
Kandy is the Dalada Maligawa, the temple housing the sacred Tooth Relic of
the Buddha. Kandy Lake enhances the charm of the City. Kandy is a romantic
city any time of the year. We also visit to the Market Place, an art &
crafts show room. Following this, we drive along the Upper lake road to get
a panoramic view of the Kandy Lake and its environs. We continue driving to
Peradeniya and visit the Botanical Gardens, where you can view a rare
collection of tropical exotic and indigenous flora can be viewed and also
famous Orchid House.
Following the tour of Kandy we drive to Nuwara Eliya en route we visit
Pinnawela
Pinnawela is an interesting and amusing elephant orphanage. Pinnawela is
the home to some 60 or more elephant orphans. A place you will really enjoy
and never forget. Most orphans are accustomed to their curious human
visitors are harmless.
Day 06 : Nuwara Eliya - Horton Plains -
Ratnapura
Early this morning with packed breakfast we drive to Hortan Plains.
Early
this morning a 4WD takes you to Horton Plain. The drive is spectacular and
the views on a clear day of the various terrace farms, meadows, and animal
farms are spectacular. Once we reach Horton Plains we have two options. The
first is driving back. On our way back we would stop at Ambewela farms for a
wander to enjoy the breathtaking scenes. The farm has the finest of
everything from their cattle to their pastures and technology. These Farms
are set in lush green hills and blessed with cool climes and a pristine
environment off Nuwara-Eliya. We would get back to Nuwara Eliya by lunchtime
and have the afternoon at leisure with us for visits to markets or for
nature walks.
This national park is the only one in Sri Lanka where walking is permitted.
You may see sambar deer (more than 3000 live on Horton Plains), and monkeys,
squirrels, wild cats and wild boar.
Sample the famous view at 'World's End' where the escarpment drops 3000 ft.
to the 'Nagrak' tea estate and take a look at Bakers Waterfall.
Later in the afternoon, drive to the town of Ratnapura in the heart of the
island's gem-mining region.Overnight In Ratnapura Hotel
Day 07 - 08 : Ratnapura
These two days are set aside for exploring Sinharaja and other rain forest
sites in the heart of the wet zone. Because our hotel, which is the nearest
suitable accommodation, is some distance away from Sinharaja, we'll need to
make early starts to reach the forest for first light. The park's extensive
birdlist includes all but one of the country's endemics and we have a good
chance of seeing the majority of them, although some are easier to find than
others. The ground-dwelling Sri Lanka Spurfowl require stealth and sharp
eyes, whereas roving flocks of Ashy-headed Laughingthrushes and
Orange-billed Babblers are much more obliging. Sri Lanka Mynas call loudly
and clearly from exposed positions while Sri Lanka Hanging Parrots shriek
past.
The exquisite Sri Lanka Magpie is a real gem, and with luck several will be
seen here, and we'll also be keeping a sharp eye open for Red-faced Malkoha
cavorting around the tangled vines and creepers. White-faced Starling may
appear high up in the trees and the very elusive Chestnut-backed Owlet
haunts the dense canopy. Multicoloured butterflies the size of saucers float
in and out of the warm humid forest, which at times echoes to the excited
calls of mixed-species bird flocks. Sinharaja will undoubtedly be a
rewarding experience and possibly the highlight of the tour. Overnight at
Hotel In Ratnapura
Day 08 : Ratnapura - Colombo - Departure
Following a leisurely breakfast transfer to the airport for your onward
flight back home.
END OF SERVICES
We do hope the flavor of Sri Lanka will remain on your taste buds for all
times to come and hopefully would kindle an indelible fondness for the
country and her people; Thank you for being our guest, and as we say in
India 'Please Come back Soon"
