Best of Srilanka Tours
08 Days and 07 Nights
Destination Covered : Colombo,Kandy,Nuwara Eliya, Bentota / Colombo.
Arrive Colombo – Kandy
Arrive at Colombo airport where you will be met by a local representative and transferred to Kandy. En route visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage – approx 90 kms away from Colombo, the orphanage was started in 1975 to house the abandoned and wounded elephants. As you enter the 25 acre coconut property, do not be surprised to witness baby elephants being bottle fed or moving around freely causing absolutely no harm to anyone. The number of elephants has increased in the years including baby elephants brought from various parts, as well as the babies born as a result of the captive breeding programme. The best time to visit is the feeding time – 0930 – 1000 hrs and 1330 – 1400 hrs and the bathing time is from 1000 – 1030 hrs and 1400 – 1430 hrs when all the elephants are Taken to the river close by. Arrive at Kandy and check in at hotel. Overnight in Kandy hotel.
Kandy
After breakfast, proceed for Kandy sightseeing – Kandy, the hill capital, is another “World Heritage Site”. It was the last stronghold of the Sinhalese kings during the Portuguese, Dutch and British rule and finally ceded to the British in 1815 after an agreement. To the Buddhists of Sri Lanka and the world, Kandy is one of the most sacred sites as it is home of the “Dalada Maligawa” – Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. Close by are the remains of the “Royal Palace” (Maha Wasala), “Palle Wasala” – where the queens stayed, now used for the National Museum, “Meda Wasala” where other close relatives lived, Audience Hall, “Natha Devala” and “Vishnu Devala” are located close by. The “Bathing Pavilion” (Ulpenge) is by the lake and in the Center of the lake is the island called “Kiri Samudraya” (milk white ocean) used by the kings as the summerhouse. Today it is the centre of Buddhism arts, crafts, dancing, music and culture. Visitors can see daily cultural performances here. Then visit Kandy Temple, Peradeniya Botanical Gardens with more than 5,000 species of trees and plants, the Spice Garden and Orchid House are popular with tourists, see the Kandy cultural dancing, also see the Gem Museum and Gem shop. Overnight in Kandy hotel.
Kandy – Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast, check out and proceed to Nuwara Eliya – known as “The Little England” of Sri Lanka set against beautiful backdrops of mountains, valleys, waterfalls and tea plantation. It is suppose to be one of the coolest places in the island. All around the town you will see evidence of British influence, houses like country cottages or Queen style mansions. The Victoria Park in the middle of the town is a lovely place for a stroll or a picnic and also good to see some rare birds. The flowers bloom in spring from Mar – May, and in Fall Aug – Sep, these are the seasons the local escape here to beat the summer heat. Visit the Tea Factory and Tea Garden – Tea was first planted in Sri Lanka in 1824 at the Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya when a few plants were bought from China. More were brought from Assam in 1839. In 1873, the tea export industry of Sri Lanka began with a modest 23 lbs. being shipped to London. Tea will grow only on rolling terrain and is classified by elevation into low grown, medium grown and high grown into 3 main groups. Today more than 200,000 hectares in highlands and other areas are under Tea and around 300 million Kilograms, with a 25% of world tea exports are done by Sri Lanka as the World’s largest Tea exporter. Then check in at your hotel. Overnight in Nuwara Eliya hotel.
Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast, proceed for Nuwara Eliya sightseeing – visit Sita Amman Kovil - according to the Indian Epic Ramayanaya and the legends, the area where Sita, Queen of King Rama of Ayodhya in India, who was abducted by Ravana the King of Sri Lanka, was kept in hiding and the area she roamed is in the hill country of Sri Lanka. In Nuwara Eliya is the Sita Amman Kovil – a quaint little Kovil with statues of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Sugriva. This is suppose to be the only Kovil in the entire world dedicated to Sita. The stream by the side of the temple is a famous spot where she went for bathing. Then visit the Hakgala Gardens and Gregory Lake. Overnight in Nuwara Eliya hotel.
Nuwara Eliya – Bentota
After breakfast at the hotel, check out and proceed to Bentota. This is the first national holiday resort developed by the Ceylon Tourist Board as a planned resort. It is known for its beaches, water sports, resorts and many interesting tours like – Turtle Hatchery, boat trip on Bentota river. Check into the resort. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Bentota hotel.
Bentota
After breakfast at the hotel, proceed for Bentota sightseeing – a river boat cruise on the Bentota river and under the Bentota bridge. Pass through mangroves which surround you with astounding beauty. The calm sound of the water flowing down the Bentota river will open your senses to a more secretive side of Sri Lanka’s beauty. Then visit Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery - see five different species of turtles – green turtles, Hawksbill turtles, Olive Ridley turtle and more. The eggs collected by the villagers and fishermen are purchased by the hatchery and kept in sandy pens until they are hatched. The newly hatched ones are kept in seawater tanks and released in the sea at night. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Bentota hotel.
Bentota / Colombo
After breakfast at the hotel, check out and proceed back to Colombo – Colombo is the business and commercial center and the new capital is Sri Jayawardhanapura Kotte, only a few miles away. Colombo was only a small seaport, which came into prominence in the 16th Century with the arrival of the Portuguese in 1505 and the development of it as a major Harbour took place during the British period. Colombo became the capital of Sri Lanka in 1815 after Kandyan kingdom was ceded to the British. Visit The Fort, the former British administrative centre and military garrison, Sea Street – the goldsmith’s quarters in the heart of Pettah, the Bazaar area where there is also a Hindu temple with elaborate stone carvings, the Kayman’s Gate with the Belfry to enter the fort. Then proceed for shopping with many bargain places, modern shopping malls and speciality stores with high quality goods at affordable prices. Try bargaining with the street vendors and outdoor markets such as in the Pettah area and across from the Fort railway station. Products that are worth buying here include the world famous Ceylon tea, designer clothing which are manufactured here and buy them at a fraction of the cost elsewhere and jewellery including the Sri Lankan blue sapphire, designer clothing stores such as ODEL and Kelly Felder are some shops worth a visit. Overnight in Colombo hotel.
Depart Colombo
After breakfast at the hotel, check out and depart to the airport for your departure flight.