Experiential  SRI LANKA

Experiential SRI LANKA

Places to Visit: Dambulla - Kandy - Pasikudah - Nuwara Eliya - Bentota - Negombo

Validity:Dec 31 2020

Duration:10 Nights / 11 Days

Highlights:

Pinnawala Elephant orphanage | Dambulla cave temple | Sigiriya rocks | Kandy city tour | Tea Plantation & Ramboda falls | Hakgala Botanical gardens | Madhu River | Turtle Hatchery & Water sport activities Bentota | Colombo city tour

Itinerary

Day 1 INDIA – AIRPORT – PINNNAWALA – DAMBULLA
Arrive in Sri Lanka. You will be met by representatives and transferred to Dambulla. (Travel time approx: 05 & ½ hrs)

En route visit *Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage - App. 55 miles from Colombo, off the Colombo - Kandy road is Pinnawela, where an orphanage was started in 1975 to house the abandoned and the wounded elephants. The number of elephants has increased to more than 65 now; including Baby Elephants brought from various parts, as well as the 23 babies born, as a result of the captive breeding programme. 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.

**Spice Garden Visit

Proceed to *Sigiriya

*Dambulla Cave Temple - Dambulla cave is a vast isolated rock mass 500 feet high and a mile around the base. Here is found the famous Rock Temple dating to the First Century B.C. The caves of Dambulla sheltered King Walagamba during his 14 years of exile from Anuradhapura. When he regained the throne he built the most magnificent of Rock Temples to be found in the Island. In the first Cave is a recumbent image of the Buddha 47ft long cut out of the Rock. There are images of deities associated with Buddhism all around. The frescoes on the walls and the ceiling are the oldest here but they are over painted in the Kandy period. In the Second Cave, the finest and the largest of all, there are 150 life-size statues of the Buddha in various postures with few statues of Gods and Kings. The ceiling is also covered with frescoes, which depict great events in the life of the Buddha and landmarks in the history of the Sinhalese people.

Overnight stay at a Hotel in Dambulla
Day 2 DAMBULLA
Breakfast at the Hotel



Visit *Sigiriya - Sigiriya is a “World Heritage Site” and the 5th Century “Fortress in the Sky” which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of the Island. It is also known as Lion Rock because of the huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the Palace on the summit of the 600-foot high rock. On its summit are the foundations of the Royal Palace, Water Tanks to supply water and all other buildings and at the edges the guardhouses. On one of the stairways the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting survived in the form of Frescoes of 21 life sized damsels still shining in their original colors. The Water Gardens, Fountain Garden, Summerhouses, Boulder Gardens and the Caves within the enclosed area should not be missed (The excursion will take approx: 3hrs for climb and decent)

*Elephant Back Ride in Sigiriya

If time permits – Hike of *Pidurungala Rock


Pidurangala is a massive rock formation located a few kilometers north of Sigiriya in Sri Lanka. It has an interesting history closely related to that of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Climbing to the top of Pidurangala Rock is more strenuous than climbing Sigiriya. If you are fit and adventurous it is a climb worth making. It will take you about two hours. There is far less to see on this site than Sigiriya

Overnight stay at a Hotel in Dambulla
Day 3 DAMBULLA – PASIKUDAH
Breakfast at the Hotel

Proceed to Pasikudah (Travel time approx.: 03hrs)

Passikudah is picturesque fishing village located in the lagoon enclosed region of the east coast of Sri Lanka. It is budding as a popular tourist destination with the emergence of many modern hotels.

The soft, sandy beach is perfect for sunbathing and the bay is ideal for wind surfing. Passikudah is also characterized by a shallow fringing coral reef towards the outer bay which protects the inner line of the bay. It is one of the best known reef systems in the east. The bay was endangered due to coral mining and bleaching, fortunately it is now proposed as a Marine Sanctuary by NARA. Branching, tabulate, massive and encrusting coral forms are common, with the healthiest corals being found along the outer reef slope.

Small tour on Pasikudah

Overnight stay at a Hotel in Pasikudah
Day 4 PASIKUDAH
Breakfast at the Hotel

Rest of the day leisure @ the hotel and enjoy the lovely beach of Pasikudah

Overnight stay at a Hotel in Pasikudah
Day 5 PASIKUDAH – KANDY
Breakfast at the Hotel

Proceed to Kandy (Travel time approx.: 04 – 05 hrs)

*Kandy City Tour 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 city.

**Gem Gallery visit

Evening witness the colorful Kandy Cultural Show – subject to timing


Visit *Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic - ever since 4th Century A.D, when the Buddha's Tooth was brought to Sri Lanka hidden from sacrilegious hands in an Orissan princess' hair, the Relic has grown in repute and holiness in Sri Lanka and throughout the Buddhist world. It is considered Sri Lanka's most prized possession.

Overnight stay at a Hotel in Kandy
Day 6 KANDY - NUWARA ELIYA
Breakfast at the Hotel

Visit *Udawathakelle Sanctuary - Perched atop a hill behind the iconic Temple of the Tooth Relic is the Udawatta Kele Sanctuary also referred to as the Royal Forest Park of Kandy, one of the most important places to visit in Kandy Sri Lanka. A leading tourist destination in the city, nature lovers are more than welcome to take a stroll into its verdant depths, exploring the many beauties that it hides within. Take a trek through dense forestland which is home to a large amount of fauna ranging from the fishing cat, palm squirrel to the black-napped hare and deer. Tall canopies dominate the sanctuary which is also known to nourish the Kandy Lake situated nearby with the waters from its catchment areas. Udawattakele which was once graced by those belonging to the Royal Court of Kandy boasts of several Buddhist temples which are scattered across the area. A garrison cemetery, water pond, Kodimale Mountain and the Senkanda cave are amongst the many treasures that the Udawattakele Sanctuary lays claim to.

Today morning you will be going to Nuwara Eliya (Travel time approx: 02 & 1/2hrs)

En route visit Ramboda Hanumanji Temple (subject to temple timing), Tea Plantation & Ramboda Falls

Afternoon proceed to Nuwara Eliya & enjoy the scenic beauty of hill country

*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. The Victoria Park, in the middle of the town, is a lovely place for a stroll or a picnic and is also good for Birding as you get some rare birds in this Park. Seasons may be absent elsewhere in Sri Lanka, but here you can read them by the flowers, which bloom in the spring (March to May) and the fall (August and September). These are the “seasons” when low-country folk flock to Nuwara Eliya to escape the sea level heat and humidity.

*Gregory Lake & Boat Ride

Overnight stay at a Hotel in Nuwara Eliya
Day 7 NUWARA ELIYA
Breakfast at the Hotel

Horton Plains National Park
(The excursion will take approx. 2-3hrs by feet) 20 miles (32 km) from Nuwara Eliya via Ambewela and Pattipola, is the Horton Plains only 3160 hectares in extent. Known to Sri Lankans as Mahaeliya, it became Horton Plains after Sir Robert Horton, British Governor from 1831- 1837. Horton Plains became a Nature Reserve in 1969 and upgraded as a National Park in 1988 due to its unique watershed and bio-diversity values of the “Cloud Forest Reserve”. Its flora has high level of endemism. The hills are covered with diverse wet low evergreen forest with even large trees grown flattened to the ground on the higher windswept slopes. Horton Plains harbors 52 species of resident birds and 11 species of migrant birds. More then 2,000 to 3,000 Sambhur, Bear Monkey, Leopard, Barking Deer, Giant Squirrel, Fishing Cat, Wild Boar and Hares roam in the forests and grasslands but only seldom they could be seen other than the Sambhur in the evening and morning. Two escarpments- “World’s End” and “Little World’s End” falling from the Horton Plains 1000 feet and 3000 feet respectively, to the land below and the Baker’s Falls are places you should visit. This is the only National Park where visitors could walk on their own on the designated tracks.

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 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. ( The excursion will take approx: 1 hr)

OR

Visit Ambewala New Zealand Farm visit

Overnight stay at a Hotel in Nuwara Eliya
Day 8 NUWARA ELIYA – BENTOTA
Breakfast at the Hotel

Proceed to Bentota (Travel time approx: 05hrs)

En-route *Witness St Clairs Falls & Devon Falls

- Optional – Kitulgala White Water Rafting – USD 10 per person


Continue to Bentota & leisure @ the hotel

Overnight stay at a Hotel in Bentota
Day 9 BENTOTA – GALLE – BENTOTA
Breakfast at the Hotel

GALLE
(The excursion will take approx: 1hr) Sri Lanka’s most historically interesting town is Galle. It was a major port until about 100 years, but today still handles shipping and sailing boats in the natural harbor. Stroll around the lighthouse and harbor or visit the old town where you can see the traditional lace makers and wood carvers and purchase some the finest souvenirs.

THE DUTCH FORT in Galle
The South Coast’s major city is Galle, whose oldest landmark is the massive Portuguese and Dutch Fort which is a “World Heritage Site” in which the central city is contained. But the city may be much older. Some scholars believe it to be the “Tarshish” of the Old Testament, to which King Solomon sent his merchant vessels, and to which Jonah fled from the Lord. Today, the 90-acre Galle Fort shows no evidence of the Portuguese founders. The Dutch incorporated the Portuguese northern wall in a great rampart in 1663. A second, taller wall was built inside of it. Between the two walls, a covered passage connected the central bastion with the Fort’s two half bastions overlooking the sea. The Dutch also installed a sophisticated drainage system, complete with brick-lined underground sewers that were flushed twice a day by the high and low tides. The original gate to the fort was by the harbor. It is still there, marked by the British Coat-of-arms on the front and the Dutch V.O.C. (Vereenigde OostIndische Compagnie) with the Coat-of-arms with a rooster crest, on the inner side of the Fort.

Commence Bentota sightseeing
- Maadu River Ride
- Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery
- Bentota Water Sports (Jet Ski, Banana Ride & Tube Ride)

Overnight stay at a Hotel in Bentota
Day 10 BENTOTA – COLOMBO – NEGOMBO
Breakfast at the Hotel

Proceed to Colombo (Travel time approx: 02hrs)

*Colombo - a drive through the city taking you to the busy commercial areas as well as the tree-lined residential, Cinnamon Gardens. Visit Fort, the former British administrative center and military garrison, Sea Street - the Goldsmith’s quarters in the heart of Pettah, the Bazaar area, where is also a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carvings, and the Dutch Church of Wolfendhal dating back to 1749. Also visit the BMICH, see the replica of Avukana Buddha & the Independence Square.

*Shopping in Colombo.......visit *ODEL Unlimited provides ample opportunity indulge, not only in shopping for designer wear apparel for the whole family, but also take taste buds on a voyage of discovery.

Upon completion of Colombo, proceed to Negombo for over night stay

Overnight stay at a Hotel in Negombo
Day 11 NEGOMBO – AIRPORT
Breakfast at the Hotel

IF TIME PERMITS – COMMENCE A NEGOMBO CITY TOUR

*Negombo
- Famous fishing village North of Colombo, with a Dutch built Canal. The canal itself is a hive of activity with fishermen traveling up and dokandywn in their daily-painted boats. On the shores of the canal you will find many homes and many species of birds including spectacular Kingfishers.

Upon completion, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight back to India.

Hotels

DAY HOTEL
LOCATION
ROOM CATEGORY
BASIS
Day 01
Amaya Lake - 04*
Dambulla
Superior Room
Half Board
Day 02
Amaya Lake - 04*
Kandy
Superior Room
Half Board
Day 03
Amaya Beach - 04*
Pasikudah
Superior Room
Half Board
Day 04
Amaya Beach - 04*
Pasikudah
Superior Room
Half Board
Day 05
Amaya Hills
Kandy
Superior Room
Half Board
Day 06
Unique Cottages - Boutique Property
Nuwara Eliya
Superior Room
Half Board
Day 07
Unique Cottages - Boutique Property
Nuwara Eliya
Superior Room
Half Board
Day 08
Ekho Surf - 04*
Bentota
Superior Room
Half Board
Day 09
Ekho Surf - 04*
Bentota
Superior Room
Half Board
Day 10
Goldi Sands - 04*
Negombo
Superior Room
Half Board

Inclusions

1. Return Airfare on Sri Lankan Airline 2. Meet & assistance at the Airport. 3. Accommodation for 10 Nights with Breakfast & Dinner 4. All transfers with sightseeing (Excluding Entrance fees) 5. FOC SIM cards on arriva 6. Wheel chair assistance 7. 01 Water Bottle Per Person Per Day. 8. 24 hrs. Emergency on call duty manger services. 9. All tours and transfers are on private basis by private car

Exclusions

1. Visa charges 2. Any compulsory room supplement during the tour 3. X mas and New Year Supplements. 4. Entrances to sites. 5. Use of vehicle other than the specified itinerary. 6. Expenses of personal nature.. 7. Any other services not specified in Inclusions 8. Early check in & Late check out at the hotels (Check in time 14:00 and Check out time 12.00 Noon) 9. 05% GST will be extra on package cost. 10. Optional tours. 11. Personal travel insurance. 12. Personal expenditure, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, camera fees, communications, postage, gratuities etc. 13. Offer is subject to availability

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