Culture,Wilderness and Nature

Day 01: Airport > Pinnawala > Dambulla

Arrive at Colombo International Airport. Here, you will be met by a designated chauffer guide from Lakpura. After the formalities at the airport you will be escorted to your air-conditioned vehicle and proceed to Dambulla, en route make a pause at Pinnawala and visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage.  (Travel Time: 2 ½ to 3 hrs) 

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is the home for young Elephants who have been displaced or lost from their natural habitat, located at Pinnawala village in Sabaragamuwa province of Sri Lanka. Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage is the best place for an up close and personal experience with the world’s largest land mammals! Today with 70 elephants herein, Pinnawala has become the home to the largest captive group of elephants in the world.

Thereafter continue to Dambulla and check into the hotel. (Travel Time: 2 ½ to 3 hrs)

Later in the evening visit Dambulla Cave Tempele. (Travel Time: 20 to 30 mins) Enter the historic caves of the Golden Temple of Dambulla, dating back to the 1st century BC. View the ancient murals depicting the life story of Lord Gautama Buddha. Look at the hundreds of figurines of Buddha and other deities scattered throughout the five main caves. Visit the Cave of the Divine King, Cave of the Great King and the Great New Monastery. See the giant golden Buddha Statue just a little distance outside the cave complex

On completion return to the hotel and relax

Day 02: Dambulla > Mihintale > Anuradhapura > Dambulla

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Mihintale. The Mihintale Rock. (Travel Time: 1 to 1 ½ hrs.)

The Mihintale Rock

Visit the place where Buddhism began in Sri Lanka. See the spot where the meeting of King Devanampiyatissa and Monk Mahinda took place. View the monastic ruins at the foot of the mountain. Walk in the footsteps of Mahinda as you visit the cave where he resided. View historic stupas, Ambasthala Dagoba and the Maha Stupa. Enter the ruins of an age long past to understand its impact on the history of Sri Lanka.

Thereafter proceed to Anuradhapura and visit the ancient city of ruins.

 Walk through the ancient ruined city of Anuradhapura, which was the capital for over a millennium until the 10th century AD. View the pagodas, monastic buildings and ponds that are scatter all over the vast area. Visit important landmarks such as Jetavanarama, which was one of the tallest buildings of the ancient world, the Sri Maha Bodhi and the ruins of the huge Abhayagiri Monastery. Gain more knowledge about Sri Lanka's history as you walk in the footsteps of Kings.

On completion of the visit, return to the hotel and relax

Day 03: Dambulla > Sigiriya > Minneriya > Dambulla

 After breakfast at the hotel visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress. (Travel Time: 20 to 30 mins)

Climb the 5th century AD rock fortress, Sigiriya, where the King Kasyapa ruled. Walk through the entrance framed by the paws of a lion that is quite appropriate for its name, ' the Lion Rock'. View the beautiful unfading murals that brought Sigiriya its fame. Climb the steep staircase to see the terraced gardens and still-working cisterns. Walk through the tunnels leading to the palace as you get a feel for times long past. 

On Completion do village tour in Sigiriya.

Thereafter proceed to a local village in Sigriya and get an authentic experience in Sri Lankan Village Life.

Sigiriya is a little village that retains its authentic traditions and culture. Get a chance to go on an oxen cart ride and experience the world from the view of a village farmer. Have a relaxing catamaran safari through a calm lake? Walk through the golden fields ripe with their harvest of paddy. Watch an enjoyable traditional cooking demonstration that teaches you the basics of Sri Lankan cuisine. Delight your tastebuds with a home cooked lunch; made over a wood-fire and served on fragrant lotus leaves placed over woven trays. Enjoy the life of a Sri Lankan villager, just this day

Thereafter proceed to Minneriya and go on a lovely evening safari in Minneriya National Park. (Travel Time: 50 to 60 mins) 

This three-hour safari takes you on a ride through the Minneriya National Park. Enjoy the sight of over 150 elephants congregating in one place during the famous Great Elephant Gathering, which happens in the dry season between May to October. In addition to elephants, get a chance to also see many mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians in the scrublands, forests and other areas

On Completion return to the hotel.

Day 04: Dambulla > Kandy

After breakfast proceed to Kandy, en route make a pause at Matale, visit a Spice Garden and do a guided tour of a spice and herbal garden, where you learn about spices, such as coriander, chili, cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg; and their uses. (Travel Time: 1 to 1 ½ hrs.)

Euphoria Spice and Herbal is located 12 km away from Matale (The spice capital of Sri Lanka). Enriched with herbs, spice groves and plants with fragrant greenery shading from the tropical trees that enlightens the unique aroma of each spice and herb. We give the opportunity for our visitors to explore and gain knowledge on Sri Lankan spices, herbs and the benefits of Ayurveda. The tropical climate in which our plants and herbs are grown helps them preserve its ancient originality. The educational tour around the garden, which we call “The Spice Tour”, let the visitors feel the sensation of the Sri Lankan spices and herbs which is demonstrated in different foreign languages to suit our customer need. 

Thereafter continue to Kandy and check into the hotel. (Travel Time: 1 to 1 ½ hrs.)

Towards the evening go on technical tours related to arts such as gem crafting, woodcarving and batiks. Watch the Kandyan Cultural Show with its colorful traditional dances and delightful music.

The Kandy Cultural Show gives an opportunity to experience some of the traditions of Sri Lanka. Enjoy this hour-long extravaganza as some of the most popular art forms of the island take to the stage. Get wowed by fire dancers and sword dancers. Watch the colorful Kandyan dancers take to the air to the thrumming primal beat of the drums.

On completion of the day return back to the hotel.

Day 05: Kandy > Nuwara Eliya

After the breakfast at the hotel check out and visit Temple of the Tooth. (Travel Time: 20 to 30 mins)

Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic a UNESCO World Heritage Site which was built in the 16th century as the place of veneration and protection for Lord Buddha’s sacred tooth. Walk through the beautifully embellished passageways and elaborately painted halls, done in red, cream and black. Lounge against delicately carved pillars and get amazed by the beautiful golden statues. Get an unforgettable experience of history and art.

Thereafter proceed to Nuwara Eliya. En-route make a stop at Ramboda Falls and visit Ramboda Falls, which is the 11th tallest in the country and visit a Tea factory and get a guided tour through a Tea Estate and learn more about the varieties, processing methods and qualities of tea. (Travel Time: 1 to 1 ½ hrs) 

Ramboda Falls is the 11th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka and located by the Pussellawa. Ramboda falls consists of three sections. You will get a good view of the middle section of the A5 highway, just above the bridge. This is very small in size with compared to other parts. You can get a far view of the top part from the main road, but not the complete view of the fall. You need to climb up to see the top part of the Ramboda falls and there is a pathway just before the bridge. You may find the climbing bit difficult, but you will be compensated with the great view of the top fall and the surrounding.

Tea Factory and a plantation where you would see how the world’s famous “Ceylon Tea” is manufactured. In 1824 a tea plant was brought to Ceylon by the British from China and was planted in the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya for non- commercial purposes. James Taylor was a British citizen who introduced commercial tea plantation in Sri Lanka (Ceylon). He arrived to Sri Lanka in 1852 and settled down in Loolecondera estate in Kandy. Today even people who have never heard of Sri Lanka are familiar with Ceylon tea, which is known for its quality.

Later in the evening take you on a lovely city tour in Nuwara Eliya.

Visit the highland city that was the premium holiday resort town of the British in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Enjoy walking through the streets with their pretty little cottages, quaint villas and beautiful mansions. Make a memory in the old red-bricked post office as you purchase an inexpensive and colorful postcard to take home or send to your friends. Relax at Queen Victoria Park or on the shores of Lake Gregory.

On completion of the day return back to the hotel

Day 06: Nuwara Eliya > Horton Plains > Nuwara Eliya

With packed breakfast proceed to the Horton Plains and go on a lovely trek in the National Park. (Travel Time: 50 to 60 mins)

Visit the beautiful Horton Plains National Park in Ohiya, with its montane grasslands and cloud forests. Enjoy the majestic views from the precipice of World's End and the cooling sprays from Baker's Falls. Catch glimpses of the many endemic faunae that make their home in the plains. Get to know more about the archeological finds that were discovered in the area.

On completion return to the hotel and relax.

Day 07: Nuwara Eliya > Kithulgala > Colombo

After breakfast check out from the hotel and proceed to Kithulgala.(Travel Time: 2 to 2 ½ hrs)

White Water Rafting 

Enjoy the thrill of adventure as you whitewater raft down the rapids of a 5km stretch of the Kelani River. Bounce through the turbulent white-waters with the confidence and protection offered by proper safety measures. Let you adrenaline rise as you are whirled through the foamy rapids in an experience you will never forget.

Thereafter continue to Colombo and check into the hotel.

Day 08: Colombo > BIA

After breakfast check out from the hotel and proceed to the airport for your departure, after spending a memorable time in this island.

End of Tour!

Tour Includes

• Accommodation on sharing a double/twin/triple room at the hotels specified in hotel collection. 
• Meal plan on Bed and Breakfast basis starting with breakfast on day 2 and ending with breakfast on day 8.
• Transport in a Private Vehicle, inclusive of all chauffeur accommodation, cost of fuel, parking & highway tolls.
• Service of an English-Speaking chauffeur Guide throughout the tour.
• All prevailing taxes and service charges (Except for Credit Card Charges)

Tour Excludes

• Entry Visa Fees, please visit www.eta.gov.lk for more details / submit your individual visa application.
• X’ Mas & New Year Evening Gala Dinner Supplements.
• International / Domestic Airfare.
• Any expenses of personal nature.
• Tips & Portages.
• Cost of Beverages
• Meals where not specified.
• Entrance fees.