Sri Lanka – Mingle with Nature

After arriving at the Colombo airport, we shall welcome you and usher you in a hotel in Sigiriya. On our way, we shall be visiting The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, which continues to be the home for many abandoned elephants. As you saunter around the region, you may spot some elephants bathing by the river bank. Moreover, you can also check out the way in which the Wildlife Authority takes care of the elephants. As we depart for Dambulla, we shall be visiting The Spice Garden in Mawanella. Here you will be able to check out how individuals process the spices with confidence. A visit the garden will also take you through how various spices are cultivated across the landscape. A bit later, we shall be proceeding to Dambulla, and after having lunch we shall be climbing uphill to check out The Rock Temple. While this destination is one of the world’s heritage sites, it is also famous for age old cave temples. With five caves around the region, you can certainly admire the painted walls and ceilings across more than 2000 sq. meters. Further ahead, we shall be checking out the colossal figure of the Buddha and the 150 images of Buddha. At night, we shall be relaxing in Dambulla or Sigiriya.

As we wake up early morning with cup of tea by our side, we shall be climbing uphill to check out the 5th century Sigiriya Rock Fortress. This historic monument was built by the king Kassapa during his reign in the ancient era. Moreover, you will also come across a citadel, the ‘Lion Rock’ which is as high as 200 meters. While the rock serves as a fortification for the 70 hectare town, the water garden at the base is simply stunning. Later, we shall also be visiting the “Heavenly Maidens’ of Sigiriya which is known for its colorful frescoes, painted beautifully with natural pigments on plaster.  As we proceed to the hotel, we shall depart for Polonnaruwa and head for a tour for some sightseeing around the city. While we are in Polonnaruwa, you will be delighted to see The Gal Viharaya, The remnants of the Royal Palace, and four statutes of Lord Buddha set in different poses. Besides, you can also view The remains of a former Temple of  The Tooth Relic, The Parakrama Samudraya, The Lotus Bath, The Audience Hall, The Galpotha and The Watadage. For the rest of the day, you will be staying at Dambulla or Sigiriya.

Post breakfast, we shall be leaving for Kandy and on our way shall be visiting Matale which is known for its spice garden. While you observe the way in which the spices are processed, you can also check out the cooking style through a demonstration. Later, we shall be departing for Kandy and checking in at a hotel and catch some sleep for a short while. In the evening, we shall be touring around Kandy which is World’s Heritage Site. As the name ‘Kandy’ brings about visions of splendour, you can still observe traditions prevalent in the city. Way ahead, we shall be moving forward to the Kandy Lake which was constructed by Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798. At the end, we shall be taking a stroll at the local market and further visit the gem lapidary as well as the arts and crafts center. In the night, we shall be staying at a hotel in Kandy.

Post a yummy breakfast, we shall go to The Temple of the Tooth Relic, Kandy which has always been considered as the holy place among tourists. While this is the home for “Dalada Maligawa”, it is protected externally by a terrain. Later, we shall embark on a tour to The Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and The Geragama Tea Factory as well as the plantations. Established in 1903, the Geragama Plantation is located next to the city of Kandy and is known to produce long leaf tea and low grown tea. This place has always been the center for tourists who wish to buy Ceylon tea. Built for the pleasure of a Sinhala king, the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens has now been expanded by the British across more than 100 acres of land. It is at this place you will come across various trees, flowers and plants. As we conclude for the day, you can enjoy watching The national dance, The Kandyan dance along with your travel companions. You can later stay at the hotel during the night in Kandy.

Soon after our breakfast, we shall be leaving to Nuwara Eliya and spend some time on our way at the Ramboda Waterfalls. It is at this place where you can check out the way in which tea is prepared and graded a bit later on. When you are roaming around the factory, you also get a chance to relish Ceylon tea. After we take you to Nuwara Eliya, we shall be arriving at the hotel and spend the entire day as you wish. You may opt for roaming around the Gregory Lake either by bike or through a boat ride. At night, we shall be staying in Kandapola, Nuwara Eliya.

After winding up with a sumptuous breakfast, we shall be visiting The Horton Plains which rises 2134 meters high above the sea level. While the landscape is covered with misty grass, it look beautiful due to the ice-cold rivulets and the scraggy trees. Moreover, we shall be visiting the World’s End to catch a view of Sri Lanka and the grand escarpment that is 4000 feet in height. Additionally, you shall visit The Backer’s Falls from where you can spot bear monkeys, leopard and the Sambhar. You may also take some candid snaps of birds along with the Orange-billed Babbler, the Yellow-eared Bulbul and Sri Lanka’s Whistling Thrush. As the day comes to an end, we shall lead you to Bandarawela set at a height of 4000 feet. While we settle at a popular health resort, we shall be staying at a hotel in Bandarawela.

Post breakfast, we shall be going to Yala and get busy with A Safari across The Yala National Park Through a Jeep. Moreover, we shall also be visiting the largest national park in Sri Lanka. This forest is the habitat for many animals including wild boars, leopards, crocodiles and several other animals. If you visit Sri Lanka anytime during the year, then you will also come across some indigenous birds. At night, we shall be staying at the hotel in Yala.

As soon as you wake up early morning, we shall be enjoying a breakfast and starting off with a journey for Exploring The Beaches of Sri Lanka. Firstly, we shall be visiting The Mirissa Beach and watch the whales playing under daylight in case you’re lucky. Usually, you will observe the whales only when they migrate anytime between October and April. Once you visit Mirissa, you will come across a major fishing port, and different fish like snapper, butterfish, mullet, and tuna. On our way, we shall also stop at Koggala which brims with stilt fishing. While you enjoy watching the style in which people catch fish, you shall also be able to enjoy the experience due to the outdoor climate. Before we reach Galle, we shall be visiting Unawatuna which is known for a Banana-Shaped Beach and Turquoise Sea Water. While you spend some time around the beach, you can think of indulging in activities like surfing. Later, we shall be spending the rest of the evening and the night at the hotel in Galle.

Post breakfast, we shall head for a sightseeing tour around Galle. This town is famous for the fort and has always been on the list of World’s Heritage Sites. The Galle fort is next to the sea and was later fortified by the Dutch. Through the years, Galle has been known for its historical significance with many beaches and palm trees along the coastline. After having lunch, you can spend the rest of the day as you desire. You could insist the guide to accompany you to the heritage buildings or while viewing the architectural masterpieces of the Dutch. Alternatively, you can go for Shopping around the Galle Fort and think of buy local souvenirs for your near and dear ones. While you look for the finest gems and jewelry pieces, it’s also worth visiting The Dutch Hospital Shopping Complex, built way back in the colonial era of Sri Lanka. Across the years, this area of the Galle Fort has now been developed into a shopping centre. At night, we shall be staying in Galle itself.

After we enjoy our breakfast leisurely, we shall be departing for Colombo. On our way we shall halt at Balapitiya, a coastal towards the southern region of Sri Lanka. Here we shall enjoy A Boat Ride Along Ahe Madu River Surrounded by Numerous Islands. If luck is by your side, then you may get to view a few crocodiles and tropical birds along with other animals. Soon after finishing off with our lunch at a restaurant in Balapitiya, we shall go to The Hikkaduwa Beach and the park which overlooks the sea shore. At the park, you could check out many corals, species of fish and turtles as well. Our next stop will be at Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery which runs a Care program to increase the hatching rate of turtle eggs. A bit later, once we arrive in Colombo, we shall leisurely walk around The Beira Lake and go to the temples namely, Gangaramaya and Seema Malaka with the same entry pass. Eventually, we will be heading for some shopping at a supermarket or local outlets namely, Paradise Road and Barefoot. While Paradise Road showcases many items for festooning your house, Barefoot has a café, bookshop and a gallery. In the end, we shall finish off with the tour by walking around Marine Drive and dining at a popular restaurant with cuisines of your choice. In the night, we shall be staying in Colombo and relaxing at the hotel.

Soon after breakfast, we shall tour around Colombo for a short while. While we take off, you can visit the commercial areas along with The Cinnamon Gardens. You will also get a chance to view The Sea Street-the Goldsmiths quarters,The Military Garrison, The Former British Administrative Center,The market, A Hindu Temple and The Mesmerizing Fort. While we amble across the Cinnamon Gardens, we shall lead you to The former Eye Hospital and The Dewatagaha Mosque. Afterwards, we shall be checking out at the hotel and proceeding to the airport to return to our home country.