SRI LANKA TOUR ITINERARY

Breakfast from hotel

This morning check out and proceed to Sigiriya. En route visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. Pinnawala is situated in the Sabaragamuwa province of Sri Lanka close to Kegalle town.  An orphanage, nursery and captive breeding ground for wild Asian elephants is located at this village remarkably known as ‘Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage’. The orphanage has the largest herd of captive elephants in the world and is visited daily by many local and foreign tourists.

The main attraction is clearly to observe the elephants bathing and feeding, which is quite an experience. The orphanage was launched to provide a lifeline for the orphaned baby elephants and adult elephants lost in the wilderness. 

Thereafter proceed to Dambulla and check into the Hotel

Evening visit Dambulla cave temple. Visit Dambulla Cave Temples. Dambulla is a popular tourist destination in Sri Lanka. The popular cave temple complex in Dambulla dated to the 2nd century BC is declared as a world heritage site by UNESCO. There are over 80 caves in Dambulla, some of which are used for meditation by monks. The Famous Rock temple has five separate caves containing 153 magnificent Buddha statues, 3 statues of Sri Lankan monarchs and 4 Hindu deities.

Overnight stay in Sigiriya

Breakfast from hotel

Optional - Climb Sigiriya is situated in the Central Province of Sri Lanka close to Dambulla. It is a fortress complex of a ruined palace and one of the World Heritage sites declared by UNESCO. Undoubtedly the most treasured historical monument in Sri Lanka and probably the most visited tourist destinations in Sri Lanka, the most looked forward feature of the fortress is   the frescoes. Another fascinating detail is its mirror wall. Every step from the entrance to the top is a marvel on its own, and the interesting surroundings makes the tedious climb to the top easy. 

Visit Polonnaruwa is the main town of Polonnaruwa District in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. It is the second largest city in this province and famous for its clean and beautiful environment, amazing ancient constructions and most importantly the huge lake ‘Parakrama Samudra’ built in 1200. The city has many untouched ancient archeological sites and remains one of the best planned archaeological sites in the country.  UNESCO has declared this ancient city as one of the World Heritage sites.

Return to hotel and relax

Overnight stay in Sigiriya

Breakfast from hotel

Day visit to Trincomalee. The famed Trincomalee harbor is also located here. Further, many historical kovils are found here, visited by many hindu and Buddhist devotees. The famous hot springs, whale watching, clean and shallow beaches are some of the other tourist attractions. Nilaveli is situated on the Northwest of Trincomalee and has one of the best beaches. The tourism industry is blooming here once again after the end of the civil war.

 Visit Skathi Peetam. Adjacent to Trincomalee’s famous Koneswaram temple there is another shrine; it is small but of some significance for Hindu pilgrims. This Shankari Devi temple was reconstructed in a new place. The original Shankari Devi temple said to be built by Ravana, was the first in the list of Ashta Dasha (18) Shakti Pitas written down by Adi Shankara. But its whole cliff was destroyed by Portuguese cannon balls. Only a pillar for commemoration is placed on that spot now. And it is believed that the original idol of the Goddess has been preserved and replaced, being venerated now in this nearby new Shankari Devi temple. 

Thereafter visit Kinniya hot water springs and on completion proceed to Kandy. KANDY - the hill capital. Venue of the annual Perahera. The last stronghold of the Sinhala Kings was finally ceded to the British in 1815. Kandy is an example of Buddhism’s influence in Sri Lanka today. Temple’s shrines and monasteries keeping alive Buddhist traditions are everywhere. Kandy, which is a world heritage site. 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 1806.

Return to hotel and relax

Overnight stay in Sigiriya

Breakfast from hotel

This morning check out and proceed to Kandy. En route visit Spice and Herbal Garden in Matale

Kandy the popular charming hill capital of Sri Lanka is surrounded by hills, valleys, rivers, lakes and waterfalls. It is the cultural center of the island and a UNESCO heritage city. The sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha is enshrined at the Dalada Maligawa, the temple of the tooth.  While in Kandy, a visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens is a must where you can see around 4000 species of plants. The arts and crafts center in Kandy, the main Buddhist monasteries Malwatta and Asgiriya Monasteries are places that must be visited. Kandy is a great place for souvenir shopping and to learn about its rich culture and history. 

Check into the hotel and relax

Visit TEMPLE OF THE 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

Check into the hotel and relax

Overnight stay in Kandy

Breakfast from hotel 

Morning visited Peradeniya Botanical Garden. Peradeniya Botanical Garden is situated in the Central Province of Sri Lanka and visited approximately 02 million people annually. The unusual name is Sinhalese translation of guava plain. The garden is notable for its collection of a variety of Orchids. It is home to various species of plants, spices, medicinal plants and palm trees. It is also one of the largest botanical gardens of Sri Lanka, an artificial lake with water plants including giant water lily and papyrus seeds is found in the center of the garden.

Thereafter transfer to Nuwara Eliya. En route visit Hanuman Temple, Ramboda waterfall and Tea Factory visit. 

Nuwara Eliya is a city in the hill country of the Central Province, Sri Lanka. The city is one of the most important locations for tea cultivation and well known for its cool climate being the coolest area in Sri Lanka. Many of the buildings have still preserved features from the colonial period. Many private homes have also maintained their old English-style lawns and gardens. The town wakes up with many activities in April for the Sinhalese and Tamil New year. Main allures during April season include the motor and horse racing events. Sightseeing and enjoying cool climate in Hill country

Sri Bhkatha Hanuman Temple. The Sri Lanka branch of the Chinmaya mission, committed to promoting the Ramayana philosophy as well as Ramayana Trail pilgrimages, has built a temple with Hanuman as a presiding deity in Ramboda at the Kandy to Nuwara Eliya main road. There is a new five meters tall granite statue of Rama's devoted supporter. Hanuman is believed to have started his searching for Sita in the Baroda hills. Hanuman traditionally was not as popular among Sri Lankan Tamil devotees as he indeed is in India, because he devastated parts of the island with his burning tail. But in recent times Hindu missionaries and local Tamil spiritual leaders began building shrines for worshipping Hanuman in Sri Lanka, too. The Tamil word for Ramboda, Rampadai, means "Rama's force", this is why Ramboda is believed the area where Rama collected his troops.

Check into the hotel and relax

Nuwara Eliya sightseeing with Gregory Lake, Victoria Park and explore the city

Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya

Breakfast from hotel

This morning visited Sita Amman Temple. The Sita Amman Temple, located halfway between the highland village Sita Eliya and the Hakgala Botanical Gardens, has become the most venerated of all Ramayana Trail sites in Sri Lanka, because it is believed to be the place where Sita lived most of the time of her captivity on the island of Lanka. The streams that ran from the hill catered to the needs of Sitadevi during her stay at Ashoka Vatika. She is said to have bathed in this stream. Now there is temple for Lord Rama, Sitadevi, Luxshmana, and Hanuman by the side of this stream. It is interesting to note that footprints akin to Lord Hanuman’s are found by this river and some are of small size, and some are of large size, which tells us of the immense powers of hanuman transforming himself into any size. Check in to the hotel and rest of the day at leisure.

On completion transfer to Yala.

Enroute visit Nine Arch Bridge and Ravana Waterfall. These tunnels prove beyond doubt the architectural brilliance of King Ravana. The tunnels served as a quick means of transport through the hills and as a secret passage. They networked all the important cities, airports and dairy farms. A close look at these tunnels indicates that they are man-made and not natural formations.

On completion proceed to Yala. Evening do Jeep safari in Yala National Park. Yala National Park is located between Southern and Uva Provinces of Sri Lanka. It is the second largest park of the country and is also one of the earliest wild sanctuaries. The largest breed of leopards are found in this area. Probably sighting months of leopards are from January to July. Two prominent pilgrim sites are also situated within the park. The park was severely damaged during the 2004 Tsunami catastrophe. 

Check into the hotel and relax

Overnight stay in Yala  

Breakfast from hotel

This morning check out and proceed to Bentota via Galle. En route visit Galle Dutch Fort.   Galle the beautiful colonial town along the Southern Coast of Sri Lanka is a city that cannot be missed. Galle is popular for the 300-year-old Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 36-hectare fort was built by the Dutch in 1663, surrounded on three sides by the ocean. The streets within the fort are crammed with colonial remnants from the Dutch clock tower, Reform church and the commander’s house to the British coat of arms on the outer wall. You can enjoy the beautiful colonial architecture; visit the Galle Maritime Museum, the Galle lighthouse, Bodhi tree and the reclining Buddha Statue in the temple.

Thereafter proceed to Bentota and check in.

Overnight stay in Bentota

Breakfast from hotel

Relaxing day at the beach resort and enjoy the resort facilities and the beach

Optional - Visit Turtle Hatchery and Do Boat ride in Madu River.

Turtle Hatchery - Where you can see five species of turtles-Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta), Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) and Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea). 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.

Boat ride in Madu River – 915-hectare Madu Ganga Estuary is connected by two narrow channels to Randombe Lake, forming a complex wetland system encompassing 64 mangrove islets. In the year 2000, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) undertook a detailed biodiversity survey of the region & revealed the existence of no less than 10 major wetland vegetation types supporting over 300 plant species & 248 species of vertebrates. This remarkable diversity has led to its being classified under RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands in 2003

Return to hotel and relax

Overnight stay in Bentota

Breakfast from hotel

Drop off at the airport.

The client needs to be at the airport 3 hours prior to departure flight.