Day 01 : Arrival - Colombo
Our representatives would welcome you at the airport. You would be escorted
to your hotel in Negombo. You can have your dinner and have rest in the
hotel.
Day 02 : Negombo
Get up in the morning any time you wish. Spend the day in independent
leisure activities. Probably most of you would like to go to beach, the most
popular natural attractions in Sri Lanka. Major beach resort on the West
Coast is Negombo. Long stretches of sandy beaches and the sea are premiere
attractions of Negombo, a conventional fishing town. Alongwith the beach,
the fish market is also worth visiting. You can savour delicious fish here.
Pass the night at your hotel in Negombo
Day 03 : Negombo - Sigiriya - Giritale
Have your breakfast. Now drive to Giritale slicing through beautiful
countryside. Visit Sigiriya enroute. King Kashyapa had built 'Palace in the
Sky' here in the 5th century AD. On the summit of the Sigiriya rock (which
can be translated as the 'Lion Rock') are the remnants of a large palace,
the earliest surviving royal palace in Sri Lanka. Celebrated paintings of
5th century AD find refuge in a sheltered pocket of the giant rock. Once
around 500 paintings covered the rock surface, but now, few of those
survice. Late afternoon tour the Minneriya Giritale National Park or the
Kaudulla National Park on a jeep safari.
Day 04 : Giritale - Polonnaruwa -
Giritale
We go on an excursion to Polonnaruwa. Witness the glory of medieaval
Sri Lanka at Polonnaruwa. Polonnaruwa used by the Sri Lankan kings as a
'country residence' from the 7th century became the Island's capital in the
11th century AD. Within the ramparts of the Royal Citadel are the ruins of
the King's palace,the Council Chamber and the Royal Bath. The Buddha images
at the Gal Vihara or the Rock Temple are masterpieces of stone sculpture.
Parakrama Samudra or the Sea of Parakrama is a giant man made irrigation
reservoir. A visit to Polonnaruwa is incomplete without visiting the new
archaeological museum opened by the Central Cultural Fund where the ancient
glory of the city has been recreated in scale models.
Afternoon, we drive back to Giritale. Rest of the day is at leisure for
your independent activities. Of course, the car & driver would be at
your disposal to visit the local markets. Overnight at Hotel in Giritale.
Day 05 : Giritale - Dambulla - Kandy
Following breakfast we drive to Kandy en route we visit Dambulla. Upon
arrival we visit 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).
During our journey out of Dambulla we will also have a chance to visit the
wholesale vegetable market just outside the town. The hustle and bustle here
would be a fascinating sight as traders and retailers bargain over prices
and quality. We will also have an opportunity to stop at a fruit farm where
you may taste farm fresh fruit juices - mango, Pineapple, avocado etc.
Following the tour we drive to Kandy. On our way, we would have an
opportunity to witness typical Sri Lankan crafts. The art of batik printing
can be seen as we visit a batik factory. Woodcarving is also a major art of
Sri lanka and we would witness the performance of this art in our visit to a
wood carving center.
Day
06 : Kandy - Pinnawela - Nuwara Eliya
This morning after breakfast we drive to Nuwara Eliya en route we visit
Pinnawela 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.
Sri Lanka is the only country in the world to open elephant orphanages to
protect the destitute young wild elephants. Young elephants left in the
jungle without care are brought to this orphanage and tendered till they
reach maturity. Interesting time to visit the orphanage is at the bathing
time when the herd is brought to a river flowing close by or at feeding time
to see the babies being bottle-fed.
From here we ride through incredible natural scenery to Nuwara-Eliya. As we
gain elevation the vegetation of the region too changes as also the driving.
Tea Gardens begin to appear on the slopes and waterfalls of various
strengths appear frequently. The road to clings to the mountains as it
twists and turn climbing all the way. The scenes of Terrace cultivation of
tea and occasionally of Paddy are a very fascinating sight.
Day 07 : Nuwara Eliya - Bentota
This morning we commence on a sightseeing tour of Nuwara-Eliya. In 1819,
during the British colonial era, a few British on a hunting expedition in
the hill country spotted the site where the present day Nuwara Eliya town
stands 1890 metres above sea level and decided to set up a health resort for
their use. It was Sir Samuel Baker who later converted it to a holiday
resort with a touch of an English village, which earned it the name 'Little
England'. We visit Hakgala Botanical gardens with exotic trees, shrubs and
herbs known to thrive best in hill country. It has an excellent and rare
collection of roses, orchids, and a carefully tended fernery. It would be
interesting to walk along the gardens exploring and enjoying the natural
beauty of the region.
Day 08 : Bentota - Beruwala - Wadduwa
Following a leisurely breakfast an hour's drive from Colombo along the
south coast will take us to Beruwala that marks the beginning of the South
Coast Beach Resort. Beruwala is considered to be the first Muslim settlement
in the Island established by the Arab traders as far back as the 8th
century. There is a famous Muslim mosque at the beachhead close to which is
a lighthouse one of several erected along the Sri Lankan.
Continue to the Siddhalepa Ayurveda Health Resort. Set on the waterfront
where woodland and meadow give way to golden beach this resort is a perfect
place to relax and unwind in ideal surroundings. You may also enjoy a
rejuvenating Ayurvedic massage under the specialized eye of trained
physicians. Overnight at Ayurvedic Resort
Day 09 : Colombo - Departure
Following breakfast we proceed on a sightseeing tour of Colombo. We drive
through the commercial and city centre area known as the "Fort",
built by the Portuguese in the 16th century. A highlight would be a visit to
the bustling and colourful markets and bazaars of Pettah; the National
Museum with its fine collection of lovely antiques and art of Sri Lan ka.
Drive past town hall, Independence square, the B.M.I.C.H (International
Convention Centre) and Cinnamon gardens residential area. We also visit the
Zoological gardens at Dehiwala and enroute to your hotel visit a Buddhist
and a Hindu Temple.
Following the tour of Colombo 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"
