Image Credit: KennyOMG / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY 3.0
Sri Lanka is an island in the Indian Ocean just north of the equator. The country has had a highly developed civilization from as early as the 5th century BC. Its location on the sea routes between Europe and Africa and Asia led to contact with many of the great civilizations to the east and west and resulted in British colonization, which ended in 1948. In 1972 the country, then known by the name the British gave it, Ceylon, officially changed its name to Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka's mineral resources are limited to graphite and gemstones, including sapphires and rubies. The soils of the island, by tropical standards, are extremely fertile. Although Sri Lanka is densely populated, wildlife is still relatively plentiful and is protected by game preserves.
Image Credit: Nataraja / Wikipedia / CC-BY-SA 3.0
Kandy, Colombo
Meet on Arrival and transfer from Airport to Kandy. Afternoon - Do a city tour of Kandy. Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is a World Heritage Site. The name Kandy conjures visions of splendour and magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. Drive around the Kandy lake built by the last Sinhala king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798. Visit the Kandy town and bazaar, the arts and crafts centre, a gem museum and a lapidary. Also visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy. Thereafter witness a cultural show. Overnight stay in Kandy.
Breakfast at the Hotel. Royal Botanical Gardens: This botanical garden was first built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala king and was expanded by the British. It is 147 acres in extent and provides an amazing variety of trees, plants and flowers. Transfer to Colombo via Pinnawala.
The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage: The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, established in 1975, commenced with seven orphans. Today some of these orphans enjoy the fortune of seeing their grandchildren born in the same location. The original objective of establishing the orphanage inclined more towards tourism, but is soon became a conservation and educational centre. With the help of local and foreign elephant experts, Pinnawela started a scientific captive-breeding programme for elephants. The free movement of the herd enhanced the chances for respective individuals of both sexes to get together and mate. The nearby river played a dominant role in this regard, and in 1984, the first baby of Pinnawela was born.
The success story of Pinnawela has drawn the attention of scientists from all over the world. A considerable number of books and research articles on Pinnawela have been published in several languages. The members of the Pinnawela herd have been filmed, videoed and photographed thousands of times by professionals.
Afternoon city & shopping tour of Colombo : Colombo, like many capital cities in developing countries is fast changing its face. Almost overnight, skyscrapers arise from where old buildings once stood. Yet in some parts, the old world charm is retained. For example, there is a 100-year-old clock tower and several British built colonial buildings. Other places of interest are a Hindu and a Buddhist temple, residential areas where you find the stately homes of the affluent, the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH)- an outright gift to Sri Lanka from the People's Republic of China & the old parliament. Also visit House of Fashion, ODEL, Noritake ceramic shop & a local souvenir shop. Overnight stay in Colombo.
After Breakfast transfer to Airport for departure.
Image Credit: Mstyslav Chernov / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA 3.0
Kalutara / Bentota / Ahungalla, Balapitiya, Colombo
Transfer from Airport to Kalutara / Bentota / Ahungalla. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay in Kalutara / Bentota / Ahungalla.
Breakfast at the Hotel. Morning leave to Balapitiya to do a river safari. Leave from Balapitiya by boat you will be taken on a boat ride of the Madu river for about two hours. Here you could see the villagers taking part in their day-to-day activities and some Islands. Overnight stay in Kalutara / Bentota / Ahungalla.
Breakfast at the Hotel. Transfer to Colombo. City & shopping tour of Colombo. Colombo, like many capital cities in developing countries is fast changing its face. Almost overnight, skyscrapers arise from where old buildings once stood. Yet in some parts, the old world charm is retained with several British built colonial buildings. Other places of interest are a Hindu and a Buddhist temple, residential areas where you find the stately homes of the affluent, the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH)- an outright gift to Sri Lanka from the People's Republic of China & the old parliament.
Also, visit House of Fashions, ODEL, Noritake ceramic shop & a local souvenir shop. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight stay in Colombo.
After Breakfast transfer to Airport for departure.
Image Credit: McKay Savage / Flickr / CC-BY 3.0
Kandy, Kalutara / Bentota / Ahungalla, Colombo
Arrival and transfer to Kandy.
Afternoon - Do a city tour of Kandy. Kandy: Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is a World Heritage Site. The name Kandy conjures visions of splendour and magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. Drive around the Kandy Lake built by the last Sinhala king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798. Visit the Kandy town and bazaar, the arts and crafts centre, a gem museum and a lapidary. Also visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy. Thereafter witness a cultural show. Overnight stay in Kandy
Breakfast at the Hotel. Transfer to Peradeniya & visit the Royal Botanical Garden. Royal botanical garden: This botanical garden was first built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala king and was expanded by the British. It is 147 acres in extent and provides an amazing variety of trees, plants and flowers. Thereafter proceed to Kalutara / Bentota / Ahungalla via Pinnawala.
The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, established in 1975, commenced with seven orphans. Today some of these orphans enjoy the fortune of seeing their grandchildren born in the same location. The original objective of establishing the orphanage inclined more towards tourism, but is soon became a conservation and educational centre. With the help of local and foreign elephant experts, Pinnawela started a scientific captive-breeding programme for elephants. The free movement of the herd enhanced the chances for respective individuals of both sexes to get together and mate. The nearby river played a dominant role in this regard, and in 1984, the first baby of Pinnawela was born.
The success story of Pinnawela has drawn the attention of scientists from all over the world. A considerable number of books and research articles on Pinnawela have been published in several languages. The members of the Pinnawela herd have been filmed, videoed and photographed thousands of times by professionals.
Overnight stay in Kalutara / Bentota / Ahungalla.
Breakfast at the Hotel. Morning city & shopping tour of Colombo. Colombo, like many capital cities in developing countries is fast changing its face. Almost overnight, skyscrapers arise from where old buildings once stood. Yet in some parts, the old world charm is retained with several British built colonial buildings. Other places of interest are a Hindu and a Buddhist temple, residential areas where you find the stately homes of the affluent, the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH)- an outright gift to Sri Lanka from the People's Republic of China & the old parliament.
Also visit House of Fashions, ODEL, Noritake ceramic shop & a local souvenir shop. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight stay in Colombo.
After Breakfast transfer to Airport for departure.
Image Credit: Greenleaf / Wikipedia / CC-BY 3.0
Bentota, Galle, Colombo
Meet on Arrival & Transfer from Airport to Bentota. Rest of the day at Leisure (No Transport).
Breakfast at Hotel. Transfer from Bentota to Galle enroute visiting the Turtle Hatchery at Kosgoda and a Mask Factory in Ambalangoda. Galle was once the chief port of Ceylon. It is still well known for hand-made lace. You can also visit the Galle Fort (spanning 90 acres), which was originally built by the Portuguese and later extended by the Dutch in 1663. This is a World Heritage Site. Transfer from Galle to Bentota.
Breakfast at Hotel. Morning at leisure. In the afternoon Transfer from Bentota to Colombo. Rest of the day at Leisure for Own activates (No Transport).
Breakfast at Hotel. Morning city & shopping tour of Colombo. Colombo like many capital cities in developing countries is fast changing its face. Almost overnight, skyscrapers arise from where old buildings once stood. Yet in some parts, the old world charm is retained with several British built colonial buildings, a Hindu and a Buddhist temple, residential areas where you find the stately homes of the affluent, the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH)- an outright gift to Sri Lanka from the People's Republic of China. Also, visit House of Fashion, Odel Dress Boutique, Noritake Ceramic ware showroom and a local souvenir shop. After noon at leisure.
Transfer from Colombo to Airport for departure.
Image Credit: Antony Stanley / Flickr / CC-BY-SA 2.0
Pinnawala, Kandalama, Trincomalee, Dambulla, Kandy, Colombo
Meet on arrival & transfer from Airport to Pinnawala. The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, established in 1975, commenced with seven orphans. Today some of these orphans enjoy the fortune of seeing their grandchildren born in the same location. The original objective of establishing the orphanage inclined more towards tourism, but is soon became a conservation and educational centre. With the help of local and foreign elephant experts, Pinnawela started a scientific captive-breeding programme for elephants. The free movement of the herd enhanced the chances for respective individuals of both sexes to get together and mate. The nearby river played a dominant role in this regard, and in 1984, the first baby of Pinnawela was born. The success story of Pinnawela has drawn the attention of scientists from all over the world. A considerable number of books and research articles on Pinnawela have been published in several languages. The members of the Pinnawela herd have been filmed, videoed and photographed thousands of times by professionals. Transfer from Pinnawala to Kandalama. Overnight stay in Sigiriya / Dambulla
Breakfast at Sigiriya Village. Transfer from Kandalama to Trincomalee. Rest of the day at leisure (No Transport). Overnight stay in Trincomalee.
Breakfast at Club Oceanic. Transfer from Trincomalee to Dambulla. Dambulla rock temple was built by king Walagambahu in the 1st century B.C. and it is a World Heritage Site. It is the most impressive of Sri Lanka's cave temples. The complex of five caves with over 2000 sq. metres of painted walls and ceilings, is the largest area of paintings found in the world. It contains over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is the colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of rock and spanning 14 metres. Transfer from Dambulla to Matale. Visit a spice garden in Matale to see different spices for which Sri Lanka is famous for. Here, clients could see different spices and how some of these spices are grown and processed. Witness a Cookery demonstration. Transfer from Matale to Kandy. Overnight stay in Kandy.
Breakfast at Hilltop Hotel. Transfer from Kandy to Peradeniya. Peradeniya botanical garden was first built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala king and was expanded by the British. It is 147 acres in extent and provides an amazing variety of trees, plants and flowers. Transfer from Peradeniya to Kandy.
Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is a World Heritage Site. The name Kandy conjures visions of splendour and magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. Drive around the Kandy Lake built by the last Sinhala king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798. Visit the Kandy town and bazaar, the arts and crafts centre, a gem museum and a lapidary. Also visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy.
Transfer from Kandy to Colombo. Do a city & shopping tour of Colombo. Colombo like many capital cities in developing countries is fast changing its face. Almost overnight, skyscrapers arise from where old buildings once stood. Yet in some parts, the old world charm is retained. For example, there is a 100-year-old clock tower and several British built colonial buildings. Other places of interest are the Pettah bazaar - where one can shop for bargain, a Hindu and a Buddhist temple, residential areas where you find the stately homes of the affluent, the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH)- an outright gift to Sri Lanka from the People's Republic of China. Overnight stay in Colombo.
Breakfast at Grand Oriental Hotel. Transfer from Colombo to Airport for departure.
Image Credit: Wolfgangbeyer / Wikipedia / CC-BY-SA 3.0
Colombo, Kitulgala, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Pinnawela
Meet on arrival & transfer to Colombo. Morning city & shopping tour of Colombo. Colombo, like many capital cities in developing countries is fast changing its face. Almost overnight, skyscrapers arise from where old buildings once stood. Yet in some parts, the old world charm is retained with several British built colonial buildings. Other places of interest are a Hindu and a Buddhist temple, residential areas where you find the stately homes of the affluent, the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) - an outright gift to Sri Lanka from the People's Republic of China & the old parliament. After noon at leisure. Overnight stay in Colombo.
Breakfast at the Hotel. Transfer from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya via Kitulgala. The Kelani River (the broadest river in Sri Lanka) flowing through Kitulgala was the main location where the Oscar winning Movie Bridge on the River Kwai was filmed. On the hill above this town, a prehistoric cave was recently discovered containing large middens of shells from some unknown civilization. Afternoon - Visit Nuwara Eliya. Nuwara Eliya, because of its invigorating mountain climate and scenery, is Sri Lankas most popular hill resort. Nuwara Eliya is also the heart of Sri Lanka's tea country producing a significant share of the world's best tea. Sri Lanka's highest mountain Pidurutalagala (8282 feet) is located here. Nuwara Eliya also has one of the finest 18 hole golf courses in South Asia. Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.
Breakfast at the Hotel. Transfer from Nuwara Eliya to Kandy . Enroute - Visit a tea plantation and a tea factory, where the best tea in the world is produced. Here you could observe all about the process of manufacturing tea. You can also see how tea is graded. Taste a cup of pure Ceylon tea in the factory.
Afternoon - Do a city tour of Kandy. Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is a World Heritage Site. The name Kandy conjures visions of splendour and magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. Drive around the Kandy Lake built by the last Sinhala king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798. Visit the Kandy town and bazaar, the arts and crafts centre, a gem museum and a lapidary. Also visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy. Thereafter witness a cultural show. Overnight stay in Kandy.
Breakfast at the Hotel. Morning - Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya. This botanical garden was first built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala king and was expanded by the British. It is 147 acres in extent and provides an amazing variety of trees, plants and flowers. Thereafter proceed to Colombo.
Enroute visit the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage. The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, established in 1975, commenced with seven orphans. Today some of these orphans enjoy the fortune of seeing their grandchildren born in the same location. The original objective of establishing the orphanage inclined more towards tourism, but is soon became a conservation and educational centre. With the help of local and foreign elephant experts, Pinnawela started a scientific captive-breeding programme for elephants. The free movement of the herd enhanced the chances for respective individuals of both sexes to get together and mate. The nearby river played a dominant role in this regard, and in 1984, the first baby of Pinnawela was born. The success story of Pinnawela has drawn the attention of scientists from all over the world. A considerable number of books and research articles on Pinnawela have been published in several languages.
The members of the Pinnawela herd have been filmed, videoed and photographed thousands of times by professionals. Late afternoon - Do a shopping tour of Colombo including visits House of Fashions, ODEL, Noritake ceramic shop & a local souvenir shop. Overnight stay in Colombo.
Breakfast at Grand Oriental Hotel. Transfer from Colombo to Airport for departure.
Image Credit: Bernard Gagnon / Wikipedia / CC-BY-SA 3.0
Sigiriya / Dambulla, Matale, Kandy, Colombo
Meet on Arrival & transfer to Sigiriya / Dambulla. In the afternoon, climb the 5th century Sigiriya rock fortress. Sigiriya, which is a world heritage site, was built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD). The 'Lion Rock' is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 metres from the scrub jungle. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town. A moat, rampart, and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens ring the base of the rock. Visit the world-renowned frescoes of the "Heavenly Maidens" of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway. These frescoes are painted in earth pigments on plaster. Transfer from Sigiriya to Dambulla. Overnight stay in Sigiriya / Dambulla.
Breakfast at the Hotel. Thereafter proceed to Kandy via Dambulla and Matale. Enroute visit Dambulla. King Walagamba built Dambulla rock temple in the 1st century B.C. and it is a World Heritage Site. It is the most impressive of Sri Lanka's cave temples. The complex of five caves with over 2000 sq. metres of painted walls and ceilings is the largest area of paintings found in the world. It contains over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is the colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of rock and spanning 14 metres. Overnight stay in Kandy.
Breakfast at the Hotel Morning - Visit the Royal Botanical gardens in Peradeniya. This botanical garden was first built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala king and was expanded by the British. It is 147 acres in extent and provides an amazing variety of trees, plants and flowers. Afternoon - Do a city tour of Kandy. Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is a World Heritage Site. The name Kandy conjures visions of splendour and magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. Drive around the Kandy lake built by the last Sinhala king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798. Visit the Kandy town and bazaar, the arts and crafts centre, a gem museum and a lapidary. Also visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy. Thereafter witness a cultural show. Overnight stay in Kandy.
Breakfast at the Hotel. Transfer from Kandy to Colombo via Pinnawala. The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage: The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, established in 1975, commenced with seven orphans. Today some of these orphans enjoy the fortune of seeing their grandchildren born in the same location. The original objective of establishing the orphanage inclined more towards tourism, but is soon became a conservation and educational centre. With the help of local and foreign elephant experts, Pinnawela started a scientific captive-breeding programme for elephants. The free movement of the herd enhanced the chances for respective individuals of both sexes to get together and mate. The nearby river played a dominant role in this regard, and in 1984, the first baby of Pinnawela was born.
The success story of Pinnawela has drawn the attention of scientists from all over the world. A considerable number of books and research articles on Pinnawela have been published in several languages. The members of the Pinnawela herd have been filmed, videoed and photographed thousands of times by professionals.
Morning city & shopping tour of Colombo. Colombo, like many capital cities in developing countries is fast changing its face. Almost overnight, skyscrapers arise from where old buildings once stood. Yet in some parts, the old world charm is retained with several British built colonial buildings. Other places of interest are a Hindu and a Buddhist temple, residential areas where you find the stately homes of the affluent, the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH)- an outright gift to Sri Lanka from the People's Republic of China & the old parliament.
Also visit House of Fashions, ODEL, Noritake ceramic shop & a local souvenir shop. After noon at leisure. Overnight stay in Colombo.
After breakfast transfer from Colombo to Airport for departure.
Image Credit: Buddhika Mawella / Wikipedia / CC-BY-SA 3.0
Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Bandarawela, Ratnapura, Colombo
Meet on arrival and proceed from Airport to Kandy. In the evening witness the cultural show. Overnight stay in Kandy.
After breakfast do a city tour of Kandy. Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is a World Heritage Site. The name Kandy conjures visions of splendour and magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. Drive around the Kandy Lake built by the last Sinhala king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798. Visit the Kandy town and bazaar, the arts and crafts centre, a gem museum and a lapidary. Also visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy. Proceed from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya enroute visiting the Anjaneear temple in Pusselawa and a tea factory.
Pussellawa is the Home of 18 feet statue of Anjaneear, the famous temple situated on a hill over looking the Kotmale reservoir area. Thousand's of devotees from India & Sri Lanka pay homage to Anjaneear at this temple. Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.
After breakfast proceed from Nuwara Eliya to visit the Sita Aman temple. The Sita Amman Temple can be seen on route to Hakgala along the Nuwara Eliya Badulla Road. The prominent temple architecture will not fail to attract your attention on the way to the Hakgala Botanical Gardens from Nuwara Eliya. According to tradition, the site is associated with Sita of the Ramayana epic. Ancient statues of Rama and Sita can be seen on a side of the temple. The temple seen today is a modern building with its paintings, statues and pillars decorated with sculptures, all depicting the tale of Rama and Sita. The rear of the temple overlooks a stream, while from its front can be seen the Hakgala peaks. On completion visit the Hakgala gardens.
The Hakgala Botanical Garden was one of the pleasure gardens of King Ravana of the well-known epic Ramayanaya. This garden was expanded during the British period and has a wide variety of flowers including an excellent collection of orchids.
This is the exotic pleasure garden where king Ravana kept the depressed Sita, insisting that she marry him. It was here where the heart-warming meeting took place between her and Hanuman, who brought her Rama's ring with the news that Rama was looking for her. He offered to carry her back but she refused saying it would be an insult to Rama's honour if he did so. Part of this majestic garden still exists. It is also said that Hanuman nearly destroyed it in order to prove to Ravana of the forces against him. Thereafter Leave from Hakgala to visit Isthripura via Welimada. This exotic cave still boasts the picturesque cascading waterfall that was in existence 2000 years ago. It was within this cave that Sita was held prisoner with over 1500 women to attend to her every need.
Thereafter proceed to Welimada and visit Divurumpola temple. Although this Vihara is said to be established in the 6th A.D. Polonnaruwa period it has a long history among people of having been started in the time of Rama, Rawana and Sita.
Still revered by thousands, this holy haven was the place where Sita performed her Agni Pariksha (proving her chastity) to her husband Rama. Continuing the practice for over thousands of years, villagers still pledge their fidelity or take oaths there and even in certain courts, this agreement was binding.
Since that time this place has been respected and worshiped by people down the ages. Furthermore it is said that this place was given the name "Divurumpola" or the place of making a wow. Not only in legends but this name has been inscribed in the moonstone guarding the Devale in the premises.
Thereafter proceed to Bandarawela. In the afternoon, visit Ella. Ella, a small mountain near Bandarawela, boasts three locations linked to the Ramayana where, local legend dictates, Ravana hid Sita. First there is Ravana Ella Cave, situated in the massive Ella Rock. Then there is Ravana Ella Falls and a nearby pool bored out of the rock by the gushing waters where Sita is said to have bathed.
The Bandarawela hotel is a charming heritage hotel built during the colonial period. The elegant hotel, whose illustrious life began as a European's - only tea planters club, is a perfectly preserved relic steeped in colonial comforts. Though its location is central, its ample garden and foliage seclude it from the city. Overnight stay in Bandarawela
After breakfast at Bandarawela Hotel proceed to Colombo via Ratnapura and Sitawaka, Aviswsawella. Visit a gem mine at Ratnapura.
Ratnapura is the fabled city of gems. Its name remains unchanged over the years and means "city of gems". In Ratnapura prospecting and mining goes on everyday. Visit a gem mine and a museum and strike a bargain at one of the shops.
Sitawaka, situated near Avissawella on a tributary of the Kelani Ganga (river). Not surprisingly it derives its name from Sita, who is supposed to have been imprisoned by Ravana in a grove in this neighborhood. Overnight stay in Colombo.
After breakfast at Grand Oriental Hotel. Proceed from Colombo to Kelaniya.Morning Visit the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya , which was a temple built in the 3rd century B.C. Kelaniya was one of the three places visited by the Buddha during his visits to Sri Lanka. Kelaniya is also the centre for traditional Sinhala pottery.
Within the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara Temple is a special shrine dedicated to Vibushana, king Ravana's brother, who allied with Rama in the struggle to rescue Sita. Even during the Ravana regime Vibushana was in charge of Kelaniya. Return from Kelaniya to Colombo. City & shopping tour of Colombo. Colombo like many capital cities in developing countries is fast changing its face. Almost overnight, skyscrapers arise from where old buildings once stood. Yet in some parts, the old world charm is retained. For example, there is a 100-year-old clock tower and several British built colonial buildings. Other places of interest are Hindu and a Buddhist temple, residential areas where you find the stately homes of the affluent, the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH)- an outright gift to Sri Lanka from the People's Republic of China. Also do a shopping tour of Colombo. Visit House of fashions, Odel and the Noritake showrooms.
After breakfast at proceed to Airport for departure in time for the flight.
Image Credit: McKay Savage / Flickr / CC-BY 2.0
Pinnawala, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Hakgala, Kitulgala, Bentota, Colombo
Transfer from Airport to Pinnawala. The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, established in 1975, commenced with seven orphans. Today some of these orphans enjoy the fortune of seeing their grandchildren born in the same location. The original objective of establishing the orphanage inclined more towards tourism, but is soon became a conservation and educational centre. With the help of local and foreign elephant experts, Pinnawela started a scientific captive-breeding programme for elephants. The free movement of the herd enhanced the chances for respective individuals of both sexes to get together and mate. The nearby river played a dominant role in this regard, and in 1984, the first baby of Pinnawela was born.
The success story of Pinnawela has drawn the attention of scientists from all over the world. A considerable number of books and research articles on Pinnawela have been published in several languages. The members of the Pinnawela herd have been filmed, videoed and photographed thousands of times by professionals. Transfer from Pinnawala to Kandy. Overnight stay at Hotel.
Breakfast at Hilltop Hotel. Transfer from Kandy to Peradeniya. Peradeniya botanical garden was first built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala king and was expanded by the British. It is 147 acres in extent and provides an amazing variety of trees, plants and flowers.Transfer from Peradeniya to Nuwara Eliya.
Visit Nuwara Eliya. Nuwara Eliya, because of its invigorating mountain climate and scenery, is Sri Lankas most popular hill resort. Nuwara Eliya is also the heart of Sri Lankas tea country producing a significant share of the world s best tea. Sri Lanka s highest mountain Pidurutalagala (8282 feet) is located here. Nuwara Eliya also has one of the finest 18 hole golf courses in South Asia. Overnight stay at Hotel.
Breakfast at Galway Forest Lodge. Transfer from Nuwara Eliya to Hakgala. The Hakgala botanical Gardens was one of the pleasure gardens of King Ravana of the well-known epic Ramayanaya. This garden was expanded during the British period and has a wide variety of flowers including an excellent collection of orchids. Transfer from Hakgala to Nuwara Eliya. Overnight stay at Hotel.
Breakfast at Galway Forest Lodge. Transfer from Nuwara Eliya to Kitulgala. The Kelani River (the broadest river in Sri Lanka) flowing through Kitulgala was the main location where the Oscar winning movie Bridge on the River Kwai was filmed. On the hill above this town, a prehistoric cave was recently discovered containing large middens of shells from some unknown civilization. Transfer from Kitulgala to Bentota. Overnight stay at Hotel.
Breakfast at Hotel. Transfer from Bentota to Colombo. Overnight stay at Hotel.
Breakfast at Grand Oriental Hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel.
Breakfast at Grand Oriental Hotel. Transfer from Colombo to Airport for departure.