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Arrival at Colombo International Airport. Meet and transfer to Dambulla for check in to the hotel, en route visit Pinnewela Elephant Orphanage. It is an orphanage and breeding ground established in 1975 for abandoned elephants in Sri Lanka and is currently home to one of the largest elephant herds in captivity in the world with more than sixty elephants.
Dambulla is a vast isolated rock mass 500ft high and a mile around the base. Here is found the famous Rock Temple dating to the First Century BC. The caves of Dambulla sheltered the King Walagamba during his 14 years of exile from Anuradhapura. When he regained the throne he built the most magnificent of Rock Temples to be found on the Island. In the first Cave is a recumbent image of the Buddha 47ft long cut out of the 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.
Overnight at hotel in Dambulla.
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Breakfast at hotel. Then proceed to Sigiriya to climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress.
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 to the fortress. Within it triple-moated defence the huge rock rises almost to a sheer height of 500ft.
On its summit are the foundations of what was once a great and sumptuous palace and gardens complete with swimming pool. On one of the stairways the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting survived in the form of frescoes of life sized damsels in all the freshness and delicacy of their original color.
Thereafter proceed to Kandy visiting a Spice Garden at Matale and see the luscious Cinnamons, Cardamoms, Pepper plants etc. You can also purchase your requirements of spices.
Afterwards visit a * Batik Factory where you can see the manufacture of beautiful Batik prints. The shop contains a wide variety of Batik items.
Afternoon city tour of Kandy including visit to the Upper Lake Drive, Market Square, Arts & Crafts Center and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
Kandy is 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.
To the Buddhist of Sri Lanka and the world, Kandy is one of the most sacred sites as it is the home of the “Dalada Maligawa” - Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha.
Royal Botanical Garden – Peradeniya 147 acres in extent; Started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the Kings of Gampola and Kandy.
Evening view a Cultural dance performance featuring various dance types of Sri Lanka.
Overnight at hotel in Kandy. (B) |
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Breakfast at hotel. Later on check out from the hotel and proceed for visit to the Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya,Royal Botanical Gardens - Peradeniya - 147 acres in extent; Started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the Kings of Kandy. There are more than 5000 species of trees and plants. Some rare and endemics as well as flora from the tropical World. Spice Garden and Orchid House are popular with tourist’s.
Thereafter proceed to Nuwara Eliya en route visiting a Tea Plantation and Factory.
Nuwara Eliya - The ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, is set against beautiful backdrops of Mountains, Valleys, Waterfalls and Tea Plantations. It is supposed to be one of the coldest places on the island, but it is really just like an English spring Day, although the temperature does drop at night. All around Nuwara Eliya you will see evidence of the British influence. Houses are like country cottages or Queen Ann style mansions.
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 an 8 hectares of forestland, in the Loolcondura Estate. In 1873, the tea a export industry of Sri Lanka began with a modest 23lbs being shipped to London. Tea will grow well only on rolling terrain and is classified be elevation into low grown, medium grown, high grown, into 3 main groups.
Overnight at hotel in Nuwera Eliya. (B) |
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Breakfast at hotel. Then proceed to 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 safari at Yala Wild Life sanctuary by jeep.
Yala (Ruhuna) National Park- the Ruhunu National Park covers 126,786 hectares
Including the Strict Natural Reserve (Block II). The most familiar is Block I (14,101 hectares) and this block was established in 1938.
Yala is famous for its big herds and large number of Elephants, Leopards, Spotted Deer, Sambhur, Crocodiles, Mongoose, Wild Boar, Wild Buffalo, and many other animals.
More than 130 bird species are recorded which includes the resident and winter visitors.
There are 7 Bungalows inside the Park with few Camp Sites. Overnight at hotel in Yala. (B) |
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Breakfast at hotel . Then transfer to Galle.
Galle – Sri Lanka’s most historically interesting town is Galle. It was a major port until about 100 years & now it is natural harbour for sailing boats. It is south coast’s major city and oldest landmark is the massive Portuguese and Dutch Fort which is a “ World Heritage Site” in which the central city is contained. Overnight at hotel in Galle. (B) |
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| Breakfast at hotel. Full Day at leisure. Overnight at hotel in Galle. (B) |
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| Breakfast at hotel. Full Day at leisure. Overnight at hotel in Galle. (B) |
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Breakfast at hotel. Then check out from the hotel and transfer to Colombo.
Afternoon proceed for city tour & shopping tour in Colombo.
Colombo - A drive through the city will take you to the Fort and Pettah - the commercial area of the city and tree-lined Colombo - 07 Cinnamon Gardens. Colombo 3, 4, 5, 8 are the prime residential area of the City.
Visit Fort, and Pettah for Shopping. The Hindu Temple at Sea Street, lined with goldsmith's shops, the Dutch Church at Wolfendaal, dating back to 1749. The historic Davatagaha Mosque, Independence Hall, B.M.I.C.H, see the replica of Avukana Buddha and the Independence Square.
Visit the Mlesna exquisite tea boutique, cashew nut shop and all sorts of ready made garments at Majestic City & Liberty Plaza. Visit the Lanka Ceramics Center, a place where you can buy "NORITAKE SET" or other ceramic items and visit the "ARENA" at Darley road and "ODEL" at Lipton circus.
Overnight at hotel in Colombo. (B) |
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| Breakfast at hotel. Then transfer to airport for the departure. (B) |
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