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Day 01
You will be met by a representative of
Sri Lanka Resorts and transferred to Colombo.
Afternoon - city tour of Colombo.
Colombo
A drive through the city takes you to the busy commercial areas
as well as the tree-lined residential Cinnamon Gardens. The
historic Dawatagaha Mosque and the former Eye Hospital are two
buildings in Cinnamon Gardens worth a look. Visit Fort, the
former British administrative center and military garrison,
Sea Street - the Goldsmith's quarters in the heart of Pettah,
the colourful bazaar area where you'll also find a Hindu Temple
showing elaborate stone carvings, the Dutch Church of Wolfendhal
dating back to 1749. Also visit the BMICH (Bandaranaike Memorial
International Conference Hall), see the replica of Avukana Buddha
and the Independence Square.
Shop at the exquisite Mlesna tea boutique, visit the Majestic
City & Liberty Plaza shopping malls, House of Fashions and Odels
Unlimited for readymade garments and also the Lanka Ceramics
Centre, a place where you can buy "Noritake" or other ceramic
items.
Dinner & Overnight stay at Galadari
Hotel - 4 STAR, Colombo.
Day 02
Enjoy breakfast, leave for Negombo where a city tour of the
fishing village awaits.
Negombo
A famous fishing village north of Colombo, with a canal built
by the Dutch. The canal itself is a hive of activity with fishermen
busily traveling up and down in their gaily-painted boats. On
the shores of the canal you will find many homes and churches
and many species of birds including spectacular kingfishers
and parrots. For the adventurous, catamaran trips on the sea
or canal boat trips can be organized. From November to April,
diving facilities are available in this quaint village. Souvenir
shops, restaurants and handicraft stalls are dotted along the
street on either side of the hotels.
Thereafter leave for Anuradhapura to commence a sightseeing
tour.
Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura is the most celebrated of Sri Lanka's ancient ruined
cities. The city's greatest treasures are its dagabas constructed
of small sun-dried bricks and hemispherical in shape. The most
notable of these dagabas are the Ruvanveli which dates back
to the 2nd century BC and is 300ft in diameter, the Jetawanarama
is 370ft and the Thuparama enshrines the collarbone of the Buddha.
The city's most renowned relic is the sacred Bo-Tree which is
said to have grown from a branch of the tree under which the
Buddha gained enlightenment. It was planted 2250 years ago and
is the oldest historic tree in the world.
Dinner & Overnight stay at Palm
Garden Village - 4 STAR, Anuradhapura.
Day 03
Enjoy breakfast leave for Polonnaruwa where you will commence
a sightseeing tour of this ancient city.
Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa - once the capital of Sri Lanka from 11th - 13th
century, this archaeological site contains some splendid and
spectacular statues. The ruins of Lankatileke, Tivanka and Thuparama
are the most beautiful and largest of the shrines and be sure
to see the frescoes on Tivanka - they are the best examples
of the Polonnaruwa period. Gal Vihare - a rock shrine that has
four Buddha statues, two seated, one standing and one reclining
and Parakrama Bahu statue are fine examples of the unique work
of the Sinhalese stone carvers.
Afterwards leave for Sigiriya.
Dinner & Overnight stay at Sigiriya
Village Hotel - 4 STAR, Sigiriya.
Day 04
Morning - climb, crawl, walk or simply witness the magnificent
Sigiriya rock fortress from afar.
Sigiriya
Sigiriya is home to 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 of the fortress. Within its' triple-moat
defense the huge rock rises to a massive height of almost 500ft.
On its' summit are the foundations of what was once a great
and sumptuous palace, complete with gardens and with swimming
pools. On one of the stairways is the only known ancient work
of Sinhala secular paintings, survived in the form of frescoes
- life sized damsels, in all the freshness and delicacy of their
original color.
Rest of the day at leisure - unwind by the pool, take a stroll
down by the lake or do whatever else that pleases the senses.
Dinner & Overnight stay at Sigiriya
Village Hotel - 4 STAR, Sigiriya.
Day 05
Enjoy breakfast, leave to visit to the rock temple at Dambulla
Caves.
Dambulla
Dambulla is an isolated rock mass 500ft high and a mile around
the base. Here the famous Rock Temple is found, dating back
to the first century BC. The caves of Dambulla once sheltered
King Walagamba during the time of his 14 year in exile from
Anuradhapura. When he regained his throne he built the most
wondrous Rock Temples that has ever been discovered on the island.
The first cave is a recumbent image of Buddha, 47ft long, chiseled
out of rock. There are images of deities associated with Buddhism
all around. The frescoes on the ceiling date back to the 15th
- 18th centuries.
In the second cave, the finest and the largest of all, there
are 150 life-size statues of Gods from the Buddhist religion
along with numerous images of the Buddha himself. The ceiling
is also covered with frescoes which depict great events in the
life of the Buddha and landmarks in the history of the Sinhala
people.
Thereafter leave for Kandy visiting a spice garden & batik factory
along the way.
Spice
Garden At Matale
See the luscious variety of herbs and spices; cinnamon, cardamons,
pepper plants, cacao plants and more. Learn how different plant-life
are grown and discover their many uses. You can also purchase
a wide range of ingredients all that have been combined for
therapeutic, medicinal and other unique purposes. See the Batik
Factory where you can see the manufacturing of beautiful batik
prints. The shop contains a wide variety of Batik items.
Dinner & Overnight stay at Mahaweli
Reach Hotel - 5 STAR, Kandy.
Day 06
Morning - Visit the elephant orphanage at Pinnawela.
Pinnawela
Elephant Orphanage
Approx. 55 miles from Colombo, off the Colombo-Kandy road is
Pinnawela, an orphanage that was started in 1975 to house abandoned
and wounded elephants. The number of elephants has steadily
increased, they are brought in from various parts of the country.
The orphanage is now home to many new born babies 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, where you can stand by at
close range.
Afternoon - city tour of Kandy, including Upper Lake Drive,
Market Square, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic & Royal
botanical gardens at Peradeniya.
Kandy
The country's hill capital and venue of annual Perahera (August
festival). The last stronghold of the Sinhala Kings was finally
ceded to the British in 1815. Kandy is an example of the Buddhism's
influence in Sri Lanka today. Temple's shrines and monasteries
keeping alive Buddhist traditions are everywhere. Explore colourful
art and craft markets, take a stroll by the lake, visit temples,
shrines and churches amongst the hilly terrain of Sri Lanka's
second largest city.
Sacred
Tooth Relic Temple
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. To the people if Sri Lanka,
it is considered the country's most prized possession.
Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya. Sixty seven hectares of
exquisite beauty and botanical treasurers containing more than
4000 species of wild and wonderful plants, animals and birdlife.
This is haven is not only for scientists but be enjoyed by all
those who appreciate natures wonders.
Evening entertainment of a cultural show featuring various dance
types of Sri Lanka.
Dinner and overnight stay at Mahaweli
Reach Hotel - 5 STAR, Kandy. |
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Day
07
Enjoy breakfast, leave for Nuwara Eliya en route visiting
a tea plantation & a factory.
Tea
Plantation
Tea was first planted in Sri Lanka in 1824 at the Botanical
Gardens at Peradeniya, when a few plants were brought from
China. More were introduced from Assam in 1839. In 1867,
a Scottish planter named James Taylor planted tea seedlings
on 8 hectares of forested land, the Loolkandura Estate.
In 1873, the tea export industry of Sri Lanka began with
a modest 23lbs being shipped to London. Tea will only grow
on rolling terrain and is classified by elevation into three
main groups; low grown, medium, grown, high grown. In 1996
Sri Lanka had produced 244 million kgs of tea for export
and has earned in excess of Rs. 34,000 million.
Rest of the day at leisure to explore Nuwara Eliya - The
'Little England' of Sri Lanka, is set against beautiful
backdrops of mountains, valleys, waterfalls and tea plantations.
It is one of the coolest climatic places on the island,
rather reminiscent of an English spring day, although the
temperature does drop at night. All around Nuwara Eliya
you will see evidence of the British settlement. Houses
are like country cottages or Queen Ann style mansions.
Dinner and overnight stay at Grand
Hotel - 4 STAR, Nuwara Eliya.
Day 08
Full day at leisure or optional excursion to Hortain Plains.
Horton
Plains
The highest plateau at 7000ft (2134 meters) is a National
Park, visited by tourists and a large number of Sri Lanka
tourists. The Patnas in the lower parts, rising from the
Marshes and streams extends upto the tree-line. The trees,
stunted by the wind and mist, covered with 'Spagnum moss
' or old man's beard, and the jungle is full of rare and
endemic plants. The red flowered Rhododendrons, the 'Niloos'
that blooms once in 12 years, the butterflies and birds
are all found only in the hill areas, the 'Bear Monkey,'
large herds of Sambhur, leopard and other animals are found
in the plains.
The 'World End' and 'Little World End" with sheer drops
of 3000ft to the plantation below and the beautiful scenery,
are not found anywhere else in the country.
Dinner and overnight stay at Grand
Hotel - 4 STAR, Nuwara Eliya.
Day 09
Enjoy breakfast leave for Yala via Ella.
Ella
127 miles from Colombo and 8 miles from Bandarawela, on
the leeward side of the central mountains. The view from
Ella Gap is one of the most spectacular scenic sights in
Sri Lanka - the landscape falls away in a dizzy drop of
3000ft to the eastern plains.
Afternoon - Take part on an adventure safari at Yala national
park by Jeep.
Yala
Yala is a haven for fauna both indigenous and migrant. Bird
concentrations can be seen by the lagoons. Here are thousands
of flamingoes, assemblies of spoonbills, spotted billed
pelicans, cormorants and various species of herons. Countless
numbers of pheasants, pea fowl, peacock and the jungle fowl
are also found. Wild Buffalo and herds of wild elephants
are a common sight. Whether it is birds, animals or plant-life,
you have them all at Yala.
Dinner & Overnight stay at Yala
Safari Game Lodge - 4 STAR, Yala.
Day 10
Enjoy breakfast, leave for Kataragama & visit the temples.
Kataragama
Kataragama is a place of worship not only for Hindus, but
for Buddhists, Muslims as well some Christians. Kataragama
Devala is situated by the Menik Ganga (river). Still, the
major part of devotees who actively participate in the Kataragama
Festival are Hindus, as the proceeding honour Skanda (also
known as Murugan), the deity of Kataragama.
Thereafter leave for Galle & enjoy an organised city tour
that includes a visit to Galle Dutch fort.
Galle
Galle is Sri Lanka's most historically interesting town.
Built on a premonitory rock in the south of the island,
it was a major port until about 100 years ago, yet even
today still handles shipping and sailing boats in the natural
harbour.
Stroll around the light house and harbour or visit the old
town where you can see the traditional lace makers and carvers,
you'll also be able to purchase some the finest shell-craft
souvenirs in the world.
The
Fort Of Galle
The south coast's major city is Galle, whose oldest landmark
is the massive Portuguese and Dutch fort in which the central
city is contained. But the city may be much older than it
appears. 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 within the original leaving a covered passage connecting
the central bastion with the fort's two half bastion's 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 tides. The original gate
to the fort was by the harbour. It is still there, marked
by the old Dutch V.O.C. (for "Verenigde Oost Indische Compagnie")
arms with a rooster crest.
Thereafter leave for the beach side town of Kalutara.
Dinner & Overnight stay at Royal
Palms Hotel - 4 STAR +, Kalutara.
Day 11
Full day at leisure. Spend the day lazing by the pool, soak
up the sun, swim in the ocean, take part in recreational
activities, wonder the town's streets, see the local temples,
plan an excursion... The day is yours to do whatever pleases
the senses.
Dinner & Overnight stay at Royal
Palms Hotel - 4 STAR +, Kalutara.
Day 12
Enjoy breakfast, transfer to the airport for departure OR
transfer to the preferred beach resort.
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Tours presented by Penthouse
Concepts Australia (Private) Limited. Incorporated under
the Companies Act 17 of 1982 and the company is limited.
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