: R22290
Explore Dambulla Rock Temple & ancient Polonnaruwa, visit iconic Sigiriya Rock & meet the elephants at Pinnawala Orphanage. Sip on refreshing Ceylon tea & take a jeep ride into Udawalawe National Park before heading to the idylic beaches of Bentota for some sun, sea, rest & relaxation.
Starting from | R22 290 |
Package Validity | Set travel dates between: NOW - 10 DEC 2016 ** Book & pay by 30 JUL 2016 ** |
Duration | 12 days |
Destination | Sri Lanka |
Starts in | Colombo |
Ends in | Colombo |
{tab Description}
- Return airport/hotel transfers
- Scenic train trip from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, canoe & Tuk Tuk trips
- 9 nights 4* & heritage properties accommodation as per itinerary
- 2 nights 3* hotel accommodation in Kandy
- Breakfast daily & a lunch
- Jeep safari/ game drive in Udawalawe National park
- Touring by private air-conditioned vehicles.
- Touring of Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Pinnawala, Nuwara Eliya, Udawalawe, Gem Mine & Colombo
** Excludes entrance fees of approximately USD140- USD160 & a tipping kitty of approximately USD50 - USD 60
{tab Day 1}
Colombo - your way
Saturday. Welcome to Sri Lanka! Airport arrival transfer and remainder of the day at leisure. Our hotel located on the seafront is a short walk from Galle Road and many of the city highlights. Choose to head out and explore, take a dip in the pool or enjoy a cocktail whilst you watch the perfect sunset over the Laccodive Sea.
Overnight: Colombo
{tab Day 2}
Dambulla & Polonnaruwa
Colombo - Polonnaruwa - Giritale. Today we set off for Polonnaruwa stopping en route at one of Sri Lanka’s most impressive cave temples, the Dambulla Rock Temple. This stunning complex of 5 caves contains over 150 images of Buddha including an impressive 14 metre statue carved out of the cave rock. After exploring this ancient site we continue on to Polonnaruwa. This fascinating 11th century city is home to many interesting ruins and famous monuments including the Royal Palace and the Gal Vihara. Polonnaruwa was once the capital and is also the second most ancient city in Sri Lanka. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Overnight: Giritale | Breakfast
{tab Day 3}
Sigiriya, village visit & Spice Gardens
Giritale - Sigiriya – Kandy. This morning we head to Sigiriya and the famous ‘Lion Rock’ fortress. Built over 1500 years ago, this beautiful citadel stands 200 meters high in the middle of verdant jungle and was an important stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town. It can be viewed from miles around and is definitely one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic and famous sites. You’ll be able to view the world famous paintings of the Heavenly Maidens which stand in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway.
Next we take a jeep ride and short canoe trip to the village of Kayanwala. Here, we try our hand at preparing a meal of curry, dahl, spiced rice, pickle and more in the mud brick home of a local family. En route to Kandy we stop off a spice garden in Matale, to see the different herbs and spices, which Sri Lanka is famous for. Here, you will be introduced to different spices and shown how some of these spices are grown and processed.
Arriving to Kandy, we attend a cultural performance of traditional Sri Lankan music and dance.
Overnight: Kandy | Breakfast
{tab Day 4}
Temple of the Tooth & Pinnawala Elephants
This morning we take a sightseeing tour of Kandy - the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings. Our first stop will be the Temple of the Tooth Relic. Legend has it that one of Buddha's teeth was taken from him as he lay on his funeral pyre. It was then smuggled into Sri Lanka in 313AD. It now attracts daily pilgrims who come bearing lotus flowers and frangipani. After driving around the Kandy Lake - built by the last Sinhala king, visiting the local bazaar and a gem museum we take Tuk Tuk ride up into the surrounding hills. This afternoon we visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage where we meet some of the 78 elephants in their care. Some of these elephants were abandoned as babies, others born in the facility and unable to return to the wild and a few with disability - one elephant is blind. Today's highlight will be to watch the herd bathe uninhabited in the nearby river. Before returning to Kandy we stop at the Geragama Tea Factory manufacturing 'Low Grown' and 'Long Leaf' tea.
Overnight: Kandy | Breakfast
{tab Day 5}
Nuwara Eliya & Tea Plantation
Kandy - Nuwara Eliya. This morning offers free time before transfering to the railway station for a scenic train trip. Passing kilometre upon kilometre of verdant tea plantations that hug the winding mountain passes, we'll see waterfalls, suspension bridges and tea pickers on our journey up to Nuwara Eliya - Sri Lanka’s 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. Opt to sit outside, within the open viewing section of the carriage for uninterrupted views of the magnificent landscape. Upon arrival we embark on a sightseeing tour of Nuwara Eliya - an area known locally as 'Little England'.
Overnight: Nuwara Eliya | Breakfast, Lunch
{tab Day 6}
Udawalawe NP Jeep Safari
Nuwara Eliya - Udawalawe National Park. Today we head south to Embilipitiya, our base for exploring Udawalawe National Park. Udawalawe is probably one of the best places to spot the famous Sri Lankan Elephant, the biggest of all the Asian Elephants in the wild. It is thought that there are around 400 elephants here. The park is also home to the elusive leopard, the Sri Lankan Sloth Bear, the cheeky Langur monkey and lots of types of deer. We take an afternoon game drive here before returning to the hotel for the night.
Overnight: Udawalawe N.P. and Embilipitiya | Breakfast
{tab Day 7}
Gem Mine & Colombo City Tour
Udawalawe National Park - Colombo. We travel back to Colombo this morning with a visit to the Gem Mine and Museum at Ratnapura. Sri Lanka is famous for its gem industry and is home to 40 out of the 85 types of gems that exist in the world.
Arriving to Colombo, we commence a city tour seeing the Fort area in the north of the city, famous for its government buildings and interesting shops. We explore the Fort area in the north of the city, famous for its government buildings and interesting shops. We'll see the somewhat unusual Gangarama Temple and take a stroll along Galle Face Green, a popular spot for kite flying and games of cricket.
Overnight: Colombo | Breakfast
{{tab Day 8}}
Lazy days by the beach in Bentota
Colombo - Bentota. After breakfast we head south to the beautiful beach resort of Bentota. Transfer to your accommodation with the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Bentota and Beruwala | Breakfast
{{tab Day 9}} - Day 11
Beach, pool & sunset cocktails
The beautiful palm fringed beaches of Bentota are without a doubt its biggest draw card, and once you set eyes on them you’ll understand why. Nestled on the Indian Ocean coast with warm crystal clear waters, Bentota offers travellers a whole host of watersports from snorkelling and scuba diving, to waterskiing and surfing – the choice if yours. Indulge in a glass of Toddy – a local coconut flavoured tipple, head to the spa and opt for an Ayurveda treatment the area is famous for, or simply while away the days on the beach cocktail in hand.
Overnight: Bentota and Beruwala | Breakfast x 3
{tab Day 1}2
Colombo
Wednesday. Bentota - Colombo. Today our tropical island adventure comes to an end. Departure transfer to Colombo airport for your onward international flight.
Breakfast
/tabs