Sri Lanka Holiday Package Culture, Hills & Wildlife

Tour Plan

• Day 01

  Airport / Colombo

  On Arrival at Colombo International airport you will be welcomed by our Chauffer guide. Upon completion of arrival formalities leave for your chosen hotel in Colombo. Check into the hotel in Colombo. Evening spend the day at leisure. Overnight stay at Colombo.

• Day 02

  Colombo

  Breakfast at the Hotel. City tour in Colombo including National Museum, Gangaramaya Temple, Fort, Pettah, Old Parliament, Townhall, BMICH Overnight stay at Colombo.

• Day 03

  Colombo

  The commercial capital of Sri Lanka and the true hub of all activity in the island, Colombo is a buzzing hotpot of cosmopolitan life. In this throbbing city, a heady mix of cultures thrives. Here, contrasting landmarks - ancient sites, colonial masterpieces and ultra - modern skyscrapers sit side by side. Quaint old shops and wayside stalls lie under the shadows of glittering stores and sprawling shopping malls. Similarly, lifestyles and traditions old and new continue, making Colombo a unique and exciting city. Its history dates far back: the port of Colombo was influential as early as the 5th century when ships from Rome, Arabia, and China traded with Sinhalese kings for food supplies, spices and jewels. Overnight stay at Colombo.

• Day 04

  Colombo/ Pinnawela / Habarana

  After Breakfast proceed to Habarana En route to Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage - Pinnawela Elphant Orphanage USD 18 per person Proceed to Sigiriya. Before the scorching heat of the sun, get ready to climb the 600 foot ‘Sigiriya Rock Fortress’ which King Kassapa selected to place his palace on. The landscaping surrounding the rock with several ponds along with the ancient engineering and hydraulic system used as far as the 5th century AD is one to marvel. The view from the top is simply breathtaking. - Sigiriya USD 30 per person Optional Elephant Ride in Habarana. - Elephant Ride in Habarana USD 25 per person Back to the Hotel and spend the day at leisure in the Hotel. Overnight stay at Sigirya.

• Day 05

  Habarana / Minneriya / Polonnaruwa / Sigiriya

  With a picnic breakfast proceed to a morning jeep safari In Minneriya National Park. Minneriya National Park is located in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka which is one of the richest areas for culture and archaeology. The ancient cities of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla and Sigiriya are all within half a day’s journey of the park, and the town of Habarana is also not too far off. The Minneriya National Park encompasses the ancient Minneriya Tank which was built in the 3rd century AD by King Mahasen. Today, the ancient reservoir fills during the North Eastern monsoon, but gradually shrinks as the dry season approaches. During this time herds of majestic Asian Elephants, sometimes over 300 in number, converge onto the receding shores of the Minneriya tank to forage on the surrounding greenery. - Jeep Safari to Minneriya National Park USD 50 per jeep / Entrance Fees to Minneriya Jeep USD 25 per person In the evening proceed to explore the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. Polonnaruwa archeological sites to see some of the ancient ruins which currently undergoing a major development project is known as the ‘Reawakening of Polonnaruwa’. Also enjoy the scenery of Parakrama Samudraya (Parakrama’s sea) which is a shallow reservoir built by King Parakramabahu. - Polonnaruwa USD 25 per person Back to the Hotel. Overnight stay at Sigirya.

• Day 06

  Sigiriya / Dambulla / Kandy – approx. : 02 ½ Hours

  After Breakfast proceed to Kandy en route visiting the Dambulla Rock Cave Temple. The largest and the best preserved cave monastery in the island, Dambulla is a sacred pilgrimage site for followers of Buddhism for no less than 22 centuries. A cave complex comprising five sanctuaries, they were already established as important monasteries as far back as the 3rd century BC. At first, the caves were a refuge for King Valagambahu in 1st century BC. Returning from exile to his throne at Anuradhapura, he turned the caves into a magnificent temple for the monks who sheltered him. - Dambulla Cave Temple USD 10 per person. En route to Kandy visit to the Spice Garden in Matale. (There will be 20 minutes Head massage for the clients who will be visiting the Spice Garden) Proceed to Kandy. The cultural epicenter and the hill capital of the island, Kandy is Sri Lanka’s second city and home to the Temple of the Tooth - the country’s most important religious shrine, and the traditional pageant the Esala Perahera. Although modernity and urban sprawl has changed the face of this once quaint hill station, it still carries a regal atmosphere with graceful Kandyan style architecture mingling with colonial buildings set around a tranquil lake surrounded by green hills. The kingdom of Kandy was the last stronghold of the Sinhalese, clinging to its sovereignty long after the island had fallen to the Portuguese and Dutch and the English, preserving its own unique customs and culture until the very last. Check into the Hotel. Evening visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic - Temple of the tooth Relic USD 10 per person Overnight stay at Kandy.

• Day 07

  Kandy / Peradeniya / Nuwaraeliya

  After Breakfast visit to the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. - Royal Botanical Gardens USD 10 per person Proceed to Nuwara Eliya visiting the Tea Factory Plantation en route. Hidden away high in the central mountains at an altitude of over 6000 feet, Nuwara Eliya is the resort capital of the hills – and a world away from the hot tropical beach atmosphere of the coast, not just in climate but in its character too. The British planters who flocked to the region to grow tea in the mid-19th century developed Nuwara Eliya as their summer retreat. Created as an exact replica of an English town it is often called ‘Little England’; and with its primarily colonial architecture, the stately Victoria Park, golf course, racing track, boating lake and grand period style hotels – and the cold, frequent showers of rain adding to the illusion, you could well be in an old English country town. This is the heart of the tea country, and is also a good base for excursions to discover other attractions of the hills. Visit to the Seetha Amman Temple. Located in a town called Sita Eliya, the Sita Amman Kovil is just 1km from the Hakgala Botanical Gardens and a short distance from Nuwara Eliya. This colourful Hindu place of worship is deep seated in legend. The Kovil is said to be built upon the site where King Ravana supposedly held Sita captive in the epic story of the Ramayana. Back to the hotel and spend the day at leisure. Overnight stay at a Hotel Nuwaraeliya.

• Day 08

  Nuwaraeliya / Horton Plains / Nuwaraeliya – approx.: 01 ½ Hours

  After breakfast proceed to Horton Plains National Park. (Kindly note the Trekking will be 04 per way) A truly unique natural wonder, Horton Plains National Park is a protected reserve of montane grassland and cloud forest in the central highlands at an altitude of 2,100–2,300 metres (6,900–7,500 ft), located around 28km from Nuwara Eliya in the central hills. The highest plateau in Sri Lanka it ends dramatically with a sheer drop of 870 m (2,854 ft) called World’s End, which offers most spectacular views on a clear day. The reserve is a biodiversity hotspot with many endemics; myriad bird species, herds of Sambur deer, bear monkeys and the elusive leopard. Back to the Hotel and spend the day at leisure - Horton Plains Jeep USD 50/Horton Plains Entrance Fees USD 25 per person Back to Nuwaraeliya you can visit to the Hakggala Botanical Gardens. Overnight stay in Nuwaraeliya.

• Day 09

  Nuwaraeliya / Ella / Yala – approx. : 03 - 04 Hours – Kindly let us know if you want to do the train ride and we can get it booked for you well in advance.

  After Breakfast Proceed to Yala. Optional Train Journey from Nanu Oya Railway Station to Ella enjoying the misty mountains from Nuwaraeliya to Ella Train Ride. (Train journey can be arranged 22 days prior to the date taking place.) Train Ticket USD 10 per person Proceed to Ella. One of the hill country’s most appealing destinations best known for some of the finest views in Sri Lanka, Ella is a small town of a pleasantly temperate climate surrounded by idyllic green hills. The main attraction of Ella is the breath-taking view from the ‘Ella Gap’ – looking out between the towering bulk of Ella Rock on the right and through a gap in the hills to the plains far, far below. Visit the Sita Cave. Travelling from Ella on the Wellawaya road, a little sign board marks the turn off to the Sita Cave, thought-about to be the abode of the princess in the Ramayana. The legend of the epic battle between Rama and Ravana goes that the Lankan King took his royal captive and fled to the Uva region from his capital of Ravana Kotte believed to be somewhere close to modern-day Nuwara Eliya, once Rama invaded the island alongside his army. Bambarakanda Falls At 240m, the Bambarakanda Falls are the highest in Sri Lanka. March and April are the most effective months for viewing the falls, however any visit after significant rainfall ought to be worthy. At different times the water could also be reduced to a dissatisfactory trickle. From close to the falls a challenging four-hour path runs to Horton Plains. The falls are about 11km from Belihul Oya towards Haputale, close to Kalupahana Proceed to Yala and check into the Hotel and at leisure in the Hotel. Situated in the arid South East region of Sri Lanka, Yala National Park is home to the greatest variety of the nation’s wildlife and therefore, its most popular wildlife destination. Declared a Game Reserve in 1938, Yala comprises five blocks covering an area of 151,778 hectares. The park comprises several major habitat types - dunes, scrub forest, riverine forests, rocky out-crops, secondary forests and coastal lagoons with mangrove forests which are home to a wide variety of wildlife. The 44 mammal species found here includes the endangered leopard sub-species Panthera pardus kotiya, which found only in Sri Lanka. Yala is also known to contain the highest Leopard concentration in the world. Overnight stay at Yala.

• Day 10

  Yala/ Galle / Hikkaduwa /Bentota

  With packed Breakfast early Morning jeep Safari to Yala National Park. - Yala Jeep Safari USD 50 per person/Entrance fees to Yala National Park USD 25 per person Proceed to Galle Fort in Galle visiting National Maritime archeological museum. The new hub of ‘cool’ and creative activity in Sri Lanka, the Southern capital of Galle is enjoying a great comeback. Galle and its outskirts have now become a favored hotspot for travelers looking for an all-round holiday. The main attraction of Galle is the 17C Dutch Fort, a UNESCO protected World Heritage site. Historically, Galle was a location of paramount importance due to its strategic location on the South coast as well as its natural harbor. The center of ancient trade in gems, pearls, spices and more Galle was the port of call for many seekers of tropical treasure. In 1505, the Portuguese fleet of Lorenzo de Almeida steered off course and landed there by accident – the rest is indeed history, as this marked the end of an era for the nation. Optional Glass Bottom Boat Ride in Hikkaduwa. Check into the Hotel in Bentota. Evening spend the day at leisure by the Beach.

• Day 11

  Bentota / Balapitiya / Kosgoda / Bentota

  Breakfast at the Hotel. Boat Ride to Madu River in Balapitiya - Madu River Boat Safari in Balapitiya USD 50 per Boat Balapitiya is a picturesque coastal town, located in the Southern Province in Sri Lanka. It is an approximate two-hour drive (or less if travelling on the southern highway) from the capital Colombo. It is the nearest town to the infamous Madu River. If you are looking for a quiet and relaxed beach holiday away from the more popular and crowded resorts of Bentota and Hikkaduwa, Balapitiya is the place to be. There after visit to the Turtle Hachery in Kosgoda. Turtle Hachery USD 05 per person. Back to the Hotel in Bentota. Evening water sports in Bentota. Breakfast at the Hotel. Relax in the Beach, you can have a Ayuruvedic Massage in a Spa. Over night stay in Bentota.

• Day 12

  Bentota / Colombo

  After breakfast proceed to Colombo. Free shopping in Colombo, you can buy good and branded things too (Majestic City, Crescat Boulevard, Liberty Plaza, The Mango, Dutch Hospital, The Pettah Market, Odel Department Store, Laksala. Back to the Hotel. Open Night Life. Over night stay in Colombo.

• Day 13

  Colombo / Airport

  Spend the day at leisure in the Hotel. Departure transfer to the airport. (Depending on the Departure Time)

Location

Gallery