Discovery Tour of Sri Lanka
9 Nights / 10 Days
Discover the “Wonder of Asia†in 10 fun filled exciting days. Visit World Heritage sites such as Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Dambulla Rock Temple, Polonnaruwa Kingdom, Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy, Dutch Fortress in Galle and Horton Plains up in the hills. See Elephants in the wild and also under human care in Elephant orphanages. Spot the elusive Leopard in the Yala National Park. Experience a land like no other - Sun & Sand, Heritage, Culture, Hill Country, Wet Lands, Wild Life and so much more.
DAY 01 – AIRPORT – NEGOMBO
On arrival you will be met and welcomed by the representative of Tropical Asia Tours.
Thereafter you will be transferred to the hotel in Negombo.
(Travel time from Airport to Negombo approx.: 30 min)
After check-in to the hotel, you will have ample time to relax and freshen up prior to the evening visit of the city of Negombo.
Overnight stay in Negombo.
DAY 02 – NEGOMBO – PINNAWALA – DAMBULLA
After breakfast visit the “Lellama†the iconic fish market in Negombo.
Thereafter proceed to visit the Elephant Orphanage in Pinnawala.
(Travel time from Negombo to Pinnawala is approx. 2 ½ hrs.)
On completion, continue the journey towards Dambulla.
Check-in to the Hotel and rest of the evening free at leisure enjoying Hotel amenities.
(Travel time from Pinnawala to Dambulla is approx. 2 ½ hrs.)
Overnight stay in Dambulla.
DAY 03 – DAMBULLA – SIGIRIYA – POLONNARUWA – DAMBULLA
After breakfast proceed to Sigiriya. Climb and explore the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya. On completion proceed to Polonnaruwa – the second ancient capital of Sri Lanka and commence sightseeing.
(Travel time from Dambulla to Sigiriya approx. 30 min & from Sigiriya to Polonnaruwa approx. 1 hr.)
Overnight stay in Dambulla.
DAY 04 – DAMBULLA – MATALE – KANDY
After breakfast check-out and proceed to visit the Golden Cave Temple in Dambulla.
(Travel time from approx. 25 min.)
Thereafter continue the journey towards Kandy while visiting a Spice Garden in Matale en route.
(Travel time from Dambulla to Kandy approx. 3 hrs. including the visiting time at Spice Garden)
Upon arrival in Kandy, proceed on a city tour and approx. 17.30 hrs. Witness a Cultural Dance performance including devotional “Fire walkingâ€Â.
Check-in to the Hotel and rest of the evening free at leisure enjoying Hotel amenities.
Overnight stay in Kandy.
DAY 05 – KANDY – UDAWATTAKELE FOREST RESERVE – KANDY
After breakfast visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in order to witness the morning Pooja Ceremony. Thereafter visit a Gem museum and continue to visit the famous Rain Forest “Udawattakele Forest reserveâ€Â.
Rest of the evening free at leisure enjoying Hotel amenities.
Overnight stay in Kandy.
DAY 06 – KANDY – NUWARA ELIYA – TEA FACTORY/ PLANTATION IN PUSSALLAWA – NUWARA ELIYA.
After breakfast proceed to Nuwara Eliya, en route visit a Tea Factory/ Plantation in Pussallawa for a first-hand experience in the whole production process of Ceylon Tea, reputed to be the best in the world.
(Travel time from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya approx. 2 & ½ hrs.)
Check-in to the Hotel and in the evening explore the city of Nuwara Eliya.
Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.
DAY 07 – NUWARA ELIYA- HORTON PLAINS NATIONAL PARK- ELLA -TISSAMAHARAMA
After an early breakfast you will leave to visit the Horton Plains National Park.
(Travel time from Nuwara Eliya to Horton Plains approx.: 1 hr.)
On completion, leave for Tissamaharama via Ella. You may visit Ella Gap/ Nine Arch Bridge to witness the beauty of the Hill Country and significant Locations. (Travel time from Nuwara Eliya to Tissamaharama approx.: 4-5 hrs.)
Check-in at the hotel.
Overnight stay in Tissamaharama / Yala.
DAY 08 – TISSAMAHARAMA – YALA NATIONAL PARK – GALLE
Early Morning embark on an exciting 4×4 Jeep safari in Yala National Park.
On completion return to hotel for Breakfast.
Thereafter check-out and leave for Galle to visit the city of Galle featuring the UNESCO World Heritage site – The Dutch Fort. (Travel time from Tissamaharama to Galle approx. 4 hrs.)
Overnight stay will be in Galle/ Hikkaduwa.
DAY 09 – GALLE – TURTLE HATCHERY IN KOSGODA- COLOMBO.
After breakfast leave for Colombo, en-route visit the Turtle Hatchery in Kosgoda.
Upon reaching Colombo you will explore the City of Colombo including free time for last minute shopping before departing this magical Island.
Check-in to the Hotel
Overnight stay will be in Colombo.
DAY 10 – COLOMBO – AIRPORT
After breakfast check-out from the hotel and proceed to the Airport for your departure flight.
(Travel time from Colombo to Airport approx.: 45 minutes.)
TOUR ROUTE
KEY DESTINATIONS
COLOMBO (The city tour will take approx.: 2-3 hrs.)
Colombo is the business and commercial capital of Sri Lanka. The city 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. The remains of the buildings during the period of the Portuguese, Dutch and British rule are found in every corner of the city. Visit Fort, the former British administrative center 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 at the original gate to enter the Fort, the Dutch Church of Wolfendhaal dating back to 1749, Kelaniya Buddhist Temple dating to 6th Century B.C., Davatagaha Mosque, Colombo Museum and the Natural History Museum are some of the sites to be visited. Also, visit the BMICH (Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall), see the replica of Avukana Buddha in front and the Independence Memorial.
SPICE GARDEN SRI LANKA (The excursion will take approx.: 30 min.)
You will see many spice gardens in Matale and in Mawanella on the Colombo-Kandy road where Cinnamon, Cardamom, Pepper Creepers and all other spice trees, plants and creepers are planted for visitors to see them. Spice products are also available for those who would like to buy them. At all Spice Gardens visitors are taken round explaining each tree and plant and how they are used in food preparation.
TURTLE HATCHERY – Kosgoda (The excursion will take approx.: 30 min.)
Here 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. This is considered to be the island’s first turtle hatchery which was set up with financial assistance of a German national, Victor Hasselblad, the owner of the company which made the world-famous Hasselblad cameras.
AMBALANGODA (The excursion will take approx.: 45 min.)
It is a charming town, most famous for its “devil-dancers†and mask carvers. You might also have the opportunity to witness an actual bali (exorcist) or kolam (folk drama) performance, as these are not performed especially for visitors. On the other hand, if you do manage to attend a ceremony, you can be assured that it is the real thing. The masks of bright colours are created based on the “authentic†masks used for curing patients suffering from 18 types of ailments (Sanni).
