Sizzling Sri Lanka

Arrival to BIA Katunayake Sri Lanka, after completing Immigration and airport formalities meet and greet by your local guide at the arrival lobby. The airport lobby is the best locations to buy a local mobile connection and exchange currency. Thereafter proceed to Habarana via Pinnawala. Visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, an institution to look after abandoned and injured wild elephants of all ages, whilst you get to enjoy a close encounter with the gentle giants your contribution as an entrance ticket will add to the fund that manages the location. The bathing time of the herd is the highlight event at the orphanage. After saying bye to the giants proceed to Dambulla.

Reach the hotel, check in, refresh and visit to Sigiriya Rock Fortress. A magnificent fortress now in ruins speaking of an ancient magical kingdom, your guide will explain the advance technology that existed long back taking your imagination to how spectacular the creation could have been to be named the “impenetrable fortress in the sky” and the ever so interesting story behind the creation of this monument. The climb is a little steep at some points and requires some endurance but is a worth with the stunning views of the endless landscapes surrounding at the 660 feet high rock summit.Accommodation with Dinner at the hotel in Dambulla.

Breakfast – No | Lunch – No | Dinner – Yes

Breakfast at the hotel

Morning proceed to Anuradhapura. The first capital of the Sri Lankan kingdom, the city is spread over a large area of land with monuments dating back to 4th century BC. Now in ruins with colossal Buddha statues to well organized towns tell a story a glorious past. The Sacred Bo tree, Samadhi Statue, Isurumuniya, Kuttam Pokuna are some of the interesting locations to visit among the colossal stupas. Lunch at a restaurant at Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura has been made royal capital by the king Pandukabhaya in 380 BC. It remained residence and royal capital for 119 successive Singhalese kings till the year 1000 AD when it was abandoned and the capital moved to Polonnaruwa. You will see some of the most famous as well as the tallest dagoba of Sri Lanka, remains from palaces, temples, monasteries, ceremonial baths and the temple of the holy Bo-tree. This tree was grown from a sapling of the very tree under which more than 2500 years ago the Buddha found enlightenment.

After completion of the site seeing at the city head back to the hotel in Dambulla.

Evening the option to go on a jeep safari at the Minneriya National Park, renowned for its large herds of wild elephants sometimes numbering to 400+, seen frequently near the Minneriya tank is a must to be witnessed as it’s a rare phenomenon with wild elephants only seen in Sri Lanka. The drive through the shrub jungle is a unique experience.Accommodation with Dinner at the hotel in Dambulla.

Breakfast – Yes | Lunch – Yes | Dinner – Yes

Breakfast at the hotel, morning check out and proceed to visit Dambulla Cave Temple, a stunning cave temple complex created back in 01st Century BC on a large boulder with breathtaking views now a UNESCO world heritage site. The amazing paintings and the 157 statues of Buddha stands example to the rich culture of the island.

Up on completion proceed to Matale. Visit a spice garden and see the locally grown spices and there many uses, from ancient times the island has been in the center of the world spice trade, giving the world spices such as cinnamon and pepper – cinnamon has been an endemic plant to the island. Explore the many herbal products made from the spices and a chance to enjoy a local lunch and taste local sweets.

Reach Kandy and check in to the hotel, rest and refresh before commencing site seeing of Kandy, the last capital of the Sri Lankan monarchies and is the home to the sacred temple which is a UNESCO world heritage site that shrines the tooth relic of Lord Buddha. A city where the traditions and customs native to the island has somewhat been preserved and is considered to be a doorway between old and modern Sri Lanka culturally. Witness the the rich culture that created a nation that was in harmony with its nature… Walk along the leisurely streets and the colorful market place that is full of locals during day time and nearly becomes empty at 8 pm taking the city to a serenity of silence a signal to you to return to the hotel.Accommodation with Dinner at Kandy

Breakfast – Yes | Lunch – Yes | Dinner – Yes

Morning breakfast at the hotel, check out from the hotel and proceed to Nuwara Eliya

Also stop by the lovely Ramboda Waterfall by the road, the cascading waterfall adds more to an already scenic drive. Thereafter visit a Ta Factory. Ceylon Tea is known to be the finest tea in the world and you can see the manufacturing process from raw tea leaves to the final product, the aroma at the factory is very unique and inviting to taste a cup of factory fresh tea. The factory will have a sales outlet if you are interested in buying some to take back with you.

Reach the small town in the hills, known for its cool climate, nicely kept gardens and colonial type bungalows. Evening a leisurely walk to explore the city through the colonial buildings, and gardens that resembles a small English town that has earned its name as little England, The Post office, The Grand Hotel, Hill Club and the Golf Grounds, are some of the colonial highlights of the city to visit. Evening visit Sita Amman Temple. A location that has become the most venerated of all Ramayana sites in Sri Lanka, because it is believed to be the place where Sita lived most of the time of her captivity on the island. After she refused to stay in Ravana’s magnificent palace she was believed to have stayed at Ashoka Vatika or Ashoka Vana where she lived under Ashoka trees. It was here that Ravana’s wife Mandodari visited her and that Hanuman met her for the first time, identifying himself with the finger ring of Rama. Sita is said to have bathed in the nearby stream. There are remarkable holes in the rocks at the river bank believed to be the footprints of Lord Hanuman. Up on completion return to the hotel.The Gregory’s Lake recreation area is a favorite location for many to spend the evening.Accommodation and overnight at Nuwara Eliya.

Breakfast – Yes | Lunch – Yes | Dinner – Yes

Morning breakfast at the hotel, checkout and proceed to Yala via Ella and Buduruwagala.

Ella, a location that offers stunning views of an endless horizon… is a picture postcard location and a moment to enjoy the serenity will be a memory to cherish.. Also stop at Rawana Falls, a waterfall believed to be used by King Ravana a powerful king believed to have ruled the island more than 5000 years ago. There-after proceed to Yala.

On your way stop to visit Buduruwagala ancient temple complex, another archeological site that is worth a visit, the temple complex now in ruins believed to be built during the 10th century comprises of 7 statues of one reaching over 51 feet.

Reach Tissa in the afternoon and check in to your hotel. Time to rest and refresh and then proceed to Yala National Park for a jeep Safari. The park consists over 130’000 hectares divided in to 5 blocks of which 2 are opened for Visitors. Research has shown that Yala Park is home to 44 verities of Mammals and 215 bird spices among many other reptilians and insects and holds the record to have the highest leopard density in the world. Leopard being the highlight, Elephants, water buffalo, the Sloth Bear and the Crocodile been considered to be the big five at the park. up on completion return to the hotel.Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel at Yala.

Breakfast – Yes | Lunch – Yes | Dinner – Yes

Breakfast at the hotel, morning check out and proceed to the beach hotel

Drive along the coastal drive to the beach hotel. Also stop at the Galle fort, built by the Dutch the fort has the distinction of being the best-preserved sea fort in South Asia. A living heritage site, this 90 hectare (222 acre) attraction is a superb blend of architecture, with fortifications that resemble those in the coastal areas of Portugal. The fall of Galle to the Dutch in 1640 saw its fortifications consolidated further along the lines of the fortified cities of Europe. The Dutch and the English colonial styles are evident in the deep verandahs of houses supported by timber or masonry pillars. Originally established by the Portuguese in the 16th Century, it reached its zenith under Dutch rule in the 18th Century, providing spacious housing, wide roads and all necessary facilities within its walls including an intricate sewage system that was ahead of its time. The fort is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Reach the beach hotel and check in. Sri Lanka being an island nation, stunning beach locations are plentiful. The serenity of the uncrowded beaches with the warm waters of the Indian Ocean is inviting to any sand and the sun lover. The palm trees and the breeze with the sound of the breaking of the waves, a perfect combination for a relaxing beach stay. One have to be careful sea bathing and check if life guards are available at resort locations as warning signs are not displayed at all locations.

The beach resorts offer a serine environment for those who seek a peaceful relaxed holiday as well for those who wants to be active. Cycle rides, watersports, fishing or just a walk around the locality is an ideal way to spend the day…… and for those who seek more adventure, para motoring, whale watching and pro carting are options to look at. Accommodation with Dinner at the Beach Hotel.

Breakfast – Yes | Lunch – Yes | Dinner – Yes

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning check out and proceed to visit a Turtle Conservation center, where turtle eggs are paid for and bought from the local fisherman who otherwise gather them to be sold at the local markets, given the opportunity of life at these facilities the eggs are looked after and hatched. The young turtles are cared for till they are old enough to be released in to the ocean once again helping to rebuild the population of turtles of which some are threatened of extinction. There after proceed to Kelaniya to visit the Buddhist temple.

Kelaniya temple is believed to be a location visited by the Buddha while visiting Sri Lanka and also is a location that has a link to the epic Ramayana. Within the temple premises there is Hindu shrine that is dedicated to Lord Vibhishana who was the younger brother of Ravana. After Ravana’s death Vibhishana was appointed as the new king of Lanka at this location. Ravana and Vibhishana is venerated by the locals as they believe him to be one of the main protectors of the island.

There after proceed to Colombo for lunch and do a city tour of the commercial capital of the island. Though a busy city it has its own charm with colonial era buildings to modern era sky scrapers that will tell you the city is developing fast. The outer harbor city is one of the major projects to ever take place in the island and one can see the work in progress of this project from the Galle Face greens. Drive along a city with Colonial buildings, gardens, and busy markets. Galle Face green, the old parliament building, a Hindu temple, The Town Hall, Queens Park, Independence square is must visits. Sri Lanka is the manufacturing hub for the famous Noritake Porcelain Products and the outlet provides good bargain prices, and ODEL, Barefoot are boutiques with a Sri Lankan touch to visit. Option for Dinner at outside Indian restaurant in Colombo and then proceed to the airport in time for the check in for the departure flight

Breakfast – Yes | Lunch – Yes | Dinner – No