| DAY 01 ARRIVE COLOMBO – KANDY |
Arrive at Colombo’s Bandaranaike International airport by flight.
Colombo – It is the largest and profit-making capital of Sri Lanka. It is a busy and spirited place which is a mixture of modern lifestyle too. Till 1982, Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte was the legislative capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is also known for its colonial and 2,000 years ancient buildings and historic landmarks. In 1505, Portuguese introduced the name “Colombo” which is derived from Sinhales (Colombian language). Since 1505, Sri Lanka was ruled by three eras ‘ Portuguese, Dutch and British eras. They got independence in 1948. During the month of May, Lord Buddha’s birthday is celebrated. The city is decorated with special lights and lanterns.
Meet & Assist: You will be met our representative in the arrival area of the airport after you clear all immigration and customs formalities. Later, you will be transferred to Kandy covering a distance of 100 kms in approx 2.5 hrs.
Off Colombo-Kandy road is Pinnewala (approx. 90km away from Colombo), where an orphanage was started in 1975 to house the abandoned and the wounded elephants. The number of elephants has increased now, including baby elephants brought from various parts, as well as the babies born, as a result of the captive breeding programs. The best time to visit is the feeding time from 0930-1000 hrs. and 1330-1400 hrs. and the bathing time from 1000-1030 hrs. and 1400-1430 hrs. when all the elephants are taken to the river close by.
Check-in at your hotel for 2 nights.
Overnight at hotel
| DAY 02 KANDY |
Kandy – the hill capital is another “World Heritage Site”. It was the last stronghold of the Sinhalese Kings during the Portuguese, Dutch and British rule and finally ceded to the British in 1815 after an agreement.
To the Buddhists of Sri Lanka and the World, Kandy is one of the most sacred sites as it is the home of the “Dalada Maligawa” – Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha.
Close by are the remains of the Royal Palace (“Maha Wasala”), “Palle Wasala”- where the Queens stayed-now used for the National Museum, “Meda Wasala” where other close relatives lived, Audience Hall, Natha Devala and Vishnu Devala are situated close by. The Bathing Pavilion (“Ulpenge”) is by the Lake and in the Center of the lake is the Island called “Kiri Samudraya” (Milk White Ocean) used by the kings as the summerhouse.
Today it is the center of Buddhism, Arts, Crafts, Dancing, Music and Culture. Visitors can see these Dance & Music at the daily Cultural Performances held at several places in the complex.
Peradeniya – Royal Botanical Gardens: 147 acres in extent; Started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the Kings of Gampola and Kandy. There are more than 5,000 species of trees, plants and creepers. Some rare and endemic as well as flora from the tropical world are found in the gardens. Spice Garden and Orchid House are popular with tourists. There are 5 Palm Avenues beautifying the gardens, the earliest and tallest Palm Avenue (Royal Palm Avenue) was planted in 1905 and the Double Coconuts from the Seashells Island, with the largest seed of all plants in the world is one such avenue.
Kandy – Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Dalada Maligawa): When King Wimaladharmasuriya I (1592-1604 A.D.) became King in Kandy; he searched for the Tooth Relic and the bowl Relic of the Buddha and found that it was kept at the Delgomuwa Buddhist Temple at Kuruwita, for more than 44 years, hidden in a grinding stone. The King had gone there personally and brought the Sacred Tooth Relic to Kandy in a procession accompanied by the King. The first Temple of the Tooth Relic was constructed by Wimaladharmasooriya I to house it next to the Royal Palace. The last King of Kandy Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe added the Pattirippuwa or the Octagon and it was not a a part of the Temple, but a resting place for the King.
Kandy – Cultural Dancing: Kandyan dance takes its name from Kandy, the last royal capital of Sri Lanka, which is situated about 120 kilometers from the modern capital at Colombo. This genre is today considered the classical dance of Sri Lanka. In Sanskrit terminology it is considered pure dance (nrtta); it features a highly developed system of “tala” (rhythm), provided by cymbals called “thalampataa”. There are five distinct types; the ves, naiyandi, uddekki, pantheru, and vannams. The three classical dance forms differ in their styles of body- movements and gestures, in the costumes worn by the performers, and in the shape and size of the drums used to provide rhythmic sound patterns to accompany the dancing.
Return to the hotel after above visits.
Overnight at hotel
| DAY 03 KANDY – NUWARA ELIYA |
Later, drive to Nuwara Eliya covering a distance of 75kms. in approx. 2 hours.
Nuwara Eliya – The ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, is set against beautiful backdrops of Mountains, Valleys, Waterfalls and Tea Plantations. It is supposed to be one of the coolest places in the Island, but it is really just like an English spring day, although the temperature does drop at night. All around Nuwara Eliya you will see evidence of the British influence, houses like country cottages or Queen Ann style mansions.
Tea Plantation at Nuwara Eliya – Tea was first planted in Sri Lanka in 1824 at the Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, when a few plants were brought from China. More were introduced from Assam in 1839. In 1867, a Scottish Planter named James Taylor planted tea seedlings in an 8 hectares of forestland, in the Loolkondura Estate.
In 1873, the tea export industry of Sri Lanka began with a modest 23 lbs. being shipped to London. Tea will grow only on rolling terrain and is classified by elevation into low grown, medium grown and high grown into 3 main groups. Today more than 200,000 hectares in highlands and other areas are under Tea and around 300 million Kilograms, with a 25% of world tea exports are done by Sri Lanka as the World’s largest Tea exporter.
Ramboda Falls – is a gigantic water fall having three parts and very close to the 53km post along the above A-5 trunk road. The first part is above the road in the jungle (100m), second part is close to the road (3m) and the third part (100m) is below the road. Traveler should descend to the “Ramboda basin”, where the famous “Ramboda Inn” situated from where he can see the whole fall. When we were there the upper part was covered with a fog and what you see in the picture was the third part.
Back at hotel after above visits.
Overnight at hotel
SPECIAL/OPTIONAL: SPECIAL TRAIN RIDE FROM KANDY TO NUWARA ELIYA
A scenic train ride from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya is completely a highlight of your trip to Sri Lanka. One will pass through thousands acres of tea plantations, see numerous alluring waterfalls cascading down the mountainsides. One could also have a chance to watch the colorful flowers when passing through mountain terraces, rock formations and forest woodlands.
| DAY 04 NUWARA ELIYA |
Later visit to Sita Amman Kovil – According to the Indian Epic Ramayana and the legends, the area where Sita, Queen of King Rama of Ayodhya in India, who was abducted by Ravana the King of Sri Lanka, was kept in hiding and the area she roamed is in the hill country of Sri Lanka.
In Nuwara Eliya is the “Sita Amman Kovil” – a quaint little Kovil, with the statues of Rama, Sita, Hanuman, Lakshmana and Sugriva. This is supposed to be the only Kovil in the entire World dedicated to Sita. The stream by the side of the Temple is a famous spot where she went for bathing.
Out of the 13 Palaces of Ravana, two caves in the Strict Nature Reserve of Hakgala, starting from Temple land and the cave at Ella close to the waterfall “Ravana-Ella” (1080ft. high) where Ravana went for bathing, are supposed to be three palaces where Sita was kept in hiding.
Hakgala Botanical Gardens – Four miles south east of Nuwara Eliya is another prominent peak, Hakgala. At its foot lie the Hakgala Botanical Gardens, and above it is the Hakgala Strict Nature Reserve. The gardens of 55 acres in extent is smaller and less exotic than the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens, but at 5,600 feet (1,707 meters) elevation the species of flora are quite different. Opened as an experimental Cinchona plantation for the production of the malaria antidote quinine in 1860, the pride of the gardens is now roses and tree ferns.
Overnight at hotel
| DAY 05 NUWARA ELIYA – BENTOTA |
Breakfast at hotel.
This morning drive to Bentota covering a distance of 210kms in approx. 5-6 hours. En-route visit Kithugala (One could indulge in White-Water Rafting)
Kithugala – It is one of the most famous places for White Water Rafting adventures. However there are many more reasons why this spot, just 100 kms from the capital Colombo, is well worth visiting. Chief among these are the historic Beli Lena Caves where the pre-historic Balangoda Man supposed to have lived. The caves are reached after a short 10km drive from the main road through the Kitulgala tea estate.
Arrive at Bentota and check-in at your hotel for 2 nights.
Bentota which is known as the coastal town of Sri Lanka has been located in the Southern sphere in Galle District and is known as the prime beach resort of the South- Western belts of Srilanka. This name for the city has been derived from a mythical legendary that had claimed that a whizz named ‘Bem’ ruled the ‘Tota’ which is known as a river bank. The city is governed by the urban body. The city can be easily reached from Colombo as well as Galle since it is 66kms south of Colombo and 56kms north of Galle. One can visit the coastal town of Bentota which is across the Bentota bridge over the Bentota Ganga.
Overnight at hotel
| DAY 06 BENTOTA |
Many interesting sightseeing tours are possible from here, such as the Turtle Hatchery, Boat trips on Bentota River etc.
Bentota Boat Ride – A journey into Sri Lankan nature with a river boat cruise which takes you on the Bentota River and under the Bentota Bridge. You are taken through mangroves which surround you with astounding beauty. Experience nature first hand as your guide helps you identify unique plants and animals. Our expert guides will enlighten you with fascinating information about the local animal life, plant life and the flourishing scenery of Sri Lanka. The calm sound of the water flowing down the Bentota River will open your senses to a more secretive side of Sri Lanka’s beauty.
Turtle Hatchery in Kosgoda – Where you can see five species of turtles – Green Turtles, Hawksbill Turtle, Loggerhead Turtle, Leatherback Turtle and Olive Ridley Turtle. The eggs collected by the Villagers and Fishermen are purchased by the Kosgoda Hatchery and kept in sandy pens until they are hatched. The newly hatched ones are kept in seawater tanks and released to the sea in the night. This Hatchery alone has released more than 1,750,000 young turtles to the sea. An endowment by the Hasselblad Estate was responsible for the establishment of this hatchery.
SPECIAL/OPTIONAL: CANDLE LIGHT DINNER IN BENTOTA RIVER DECK
Overnight at hotel
| DAY 07 BENTOTA – COLOMBO |
This morning drive to Colombo covering a distance of 85kms in approx.2 hours.
Arrive in Colombo and check-in at your hotel, where you stay for 01 night.
You may commence a City Tour in Colombo.
Shopping in Colombo – Products that are worth buying in Sri Lanka include world famous Ceylon tea, clothing (many designer clothes are manufactured in Sri Lanka and you can buy them here for a fraction of the cost elsewhere) and jewelry (including the Sri Lankan blue saphire). Quality is generally assured at the higher end stores, if purchasing at other locations, use your judgment when buying expensive items. Designer clothing stores such as ODEL & Kelly Felder are some shops that may merit a visit.
Colombo Nightlife – Colombo has such an active nightlife. After-dark entertainment takes place around the Fort and Cinnamon Gardens area of the city. A few bars that are popular with both locals and visitors include in on the Green adjoining Galle Face Hotel, Cheers Pub in Cinnamon Grand Hotel, White Horse on Navam Mawatha, and Koluu’s Tulips on Duplication Road. If you plan to go dancing and clubbing, dress well and show up late. Most of the action doesn’t get started until around midnight, and there is some competition for admittance.
Evening is at leisure for independent activities – hotel facilities / Spa OR visit the local market.
Overnight at hotel
| DAY 08 COLOMBO |
In time transfer to airport to board your onward International flight back to home.
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