Sri Lanka
Duration : 6Nights / 7 Days.
TOUR CODE - IHP007
Day 01
Arrival, welcome by a representative of Lanka Sportreizen and transfer to Sigiriya.
En route visit the Elephant Orphanage to see the world's largest herd of domestic Elephants including babies who are still being fed by bottle thrice a day
Elephant Orphanage... established in 1975 as an effort towards education and conservation by way of scientific captive breeding. Located on the banks
of the Maha Oya, the Elephant Orphanage provides shelter to house young elephants who find themselves displaced and lost from their natural habitats
for various reasons such as environmental changes due to development projects, being abandoned by their parents when they fall into pits and ravines, etc
Overnight at Sigiriya
Day 02
After breakfast climb the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya, a Royal Citadel for 20 years in the 5th Century AD built by King Kasyapa, with the contemporary paintings of Ajantha and Ellora Caves in India highlights being the Frescoes, Mirror Wall and the Lion's Paw.
Sigiriya... a Royal Citadel for 20 years in the 5th Century AD -stark and forbidding, haunted by an epic story of murder and betrayal is attributed to King Kasyapa who found hiding here after killing his father more fruitful than meeting the wrath of the people who loved King Dhatusena much more before meeting his rival - Prince Mugalan who had fled to India seeking reinforcements of his Army. This unique Rock Fortress or "castle in the sky" - a massive monolith of red stone that rises 600ft above ground , derived the name "Lion Rock" as the entrance to the climb to the summit is reached between the paws of a lion .The frescoe paintings are thought to be contemporary with Ajantha & Ellora Cave Paintings
In the afternoon undertake a Jeep Safari of the Minneriya National Park to see wild life ,mainly herds of wild elephants
Overnight at Sigiriya
Day 03
After breakfast leave for Kandy - the Hill Capital
Kandy.............literally the "City on the Hills" so named as it was protected by the nature - water , rocks and jungles. The last capital of the Sri Lankan kings before falling to the British in 1815AD which is a World Heritage Site. The name Kandy conjures vision of splendour of magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. The centre of attraction is the golden roofed Temple of the Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha .The Kandy Lake built by the last King Sri Wickramarajasinghe in 1806 holds a prominent view of the City.It is a City for arts and crafts as well culture and history
.
En route visit the Dambulla Cave Temple considered to be the largest painted caves in the world with more than 22,000 sq ft of painted surfaces with many paintings, sculptures, statues of Lord Buddha, his disciples, Kings, Gods etc.
Dambulla... a collection of five caves of different sizes full of paintings, sculptures, statues of Lord Buddha, his desciples, Kings , Gods etc considered to be the largest painted caves in the world with more than 22,000 sq ft of painted surfaces declared a World Heritge Site.Initial authorship is attributed to King Valagambahu who took refuge here after being driven out of Anuradhapura by invading armies, although the works span over all periods since then to the late Kandy Period in the 18th Century
Walk in to a Spice Garden and take part in a conducted tour to get some knowledge about the growth and use of spices in the day to day life
In the evening watch a Cultural Performance by traditional Kandyan Dancers and Drummers including devotional “Fire Walking" and walk across in the star lit night to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha - by far the most important place of worship for Buddhists world over.
Overnight stay in Kandy
Day 04
After breakfast leave for a City Tour including the Upper Lake Drive - a place where one could have a bird's eye view of the city below, a Gem Museum - to see how the valuable gems that you see on a shop shelf are turned out from a raw stone with the back ground history.
Leave for Nuwara Eliya - "Little England" through the Ramboda Pass surrounded by "Green Carpets"- hills covered with Tea and cascading Water Falls amidst breathtakingly beautiful landscapes
Nuwara Eliya... nestled in a wooded basin at the foot of Mount Pidurutalagala Sri Lanka's highest peak, this region at 6,183ft above sea-level Has a cool, crisp climate unknown elsewhere in Sri Lanka. A serene retreat from the hustle and bustle of Colombo, the town seems like a piece of the English Lake District. Unusual plants, birds and animals thrive here besides natural feature like waterfalls and caves. Tea, the glistening green leaves of this lovely shrub, along with neat rows of green, cloak ridges and valleys providing a lasting impression of Sri Lanka's Hill Country. The golf course - one of the most finest and picturesque in Asia - the serene Anglican Church of the Holy Trinity, beautiful parks and well kept lawns and hedges give the place an air of nostalgia.
En route visit the Sri Baktha Hanuman Temple which has Hanuman as the presiding deity where rituals are made on full moon days. This is thought to be the place where Hanuman was searching for Sita Devi
Also visit a Tea Factory and a Plantation to witness the manufacturing process of world famous “Ceylon Tea" and to taste a pure unblended cup of factory fresh tea before being sent to the Tea Auctions in Colombo leading to Export.
In Ramboda identify,
- Manikattuther , the hill on which Hanuman rested on his way to pass on the Happy information
- of his meeting Sita to Lord Rama - visit the Temple there
- The Jungle on top of the Pussellawa Hills - where Hanuman first set foot in Sri Lanka
- Kondagala which gives the appearance of a woman who is facing skywards with spread out hair-- where Sita is supposed to have spread her hair after a bath and relaxed
Evening is free for walks /tour around the city - the important places being the Victoria Park, Gregory Lake, Golf Course, and Market etc.
Overnight at Nuwara Eliya
Day 05
After breakfast start the day by visiting the Gayathri Pedam , the first and foremost Temple devoted to Gayathri Amman in Sri Lanka built enshrining a lingam brought from River Narmada built at the place believed to be where Meghanath - King Rawana's son was blessed by God Shiva
Thereafter visit the Sita Amman Temple - which is dedicated to all major characters Sita , Rama , Lakshman and Hanuman where the differently sized foot marks prove the immense powers of Hanuman passing through Sita Eliya where she was allowed to live a free life to reach Ashok Vatika - the main place where Seetha was kept in hiding.
It is also thought that King Rawana's mummy lies hidden somewhere in this region
Leave for Bentota on the south west coast via Hatton
Enjoy the natural beauty on this mountainous route passing the two Water Falls - Devon and St. Claires.
Stop in close proximity to the location of David Lean's award winning film "Bridge on the River Kwai." - You might be lucky to find the "Jungle Boy" who will be willing to escort you to the site.
Overnight at Bentota
Day 06
Enjoy a Boat Cruise up river which will enable you to have a glimpse of different life styles of the rural folks.
Relax on the beach /Enjoy Water Sports at the Confifi Marina Waters at own cost
Leave for Colombo via Kelaniya
In Kelaniya visit the Temple in veneration of Vibhishana - located in the premises of the Kelaniya Temple constructed at the place blessed personally by the Lord Buddha during his third visit to Sri Lanka , who became the King of Lanka after the demise of King Rawana and is still considered as one of the four Guardian Deities of Sri Lanka
Proceed to Colombo
Colombo .... is a fascinating city, not only for its comfortable blend ofEast and West, but also for its nice mixture of the past and the present. It is the Commercial Capital of the country, and is only 35 km south of the country's only International Airport. Many attractions ,opportunities for shopping , availability of tasting a multitude of cuisine etc makes it an interesting city
Undertake a City Tour of Colombo including the Panchamuga Anjaneyer Temple - the only Temple in the world to have a Chariot for Anjaneyer (Hanuman) Replica of the Avukana Standing Buddha Statue,Dutch Wolvendhal Church, , Town Hall, BMICH(Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall) , Cinnamon Gardens - Prime Residential area etc.
Transfer to the airport for departure.
ACCOMODATION
CITY |
3* LEVEL STANDARD |
4/5* LEVEL DELUXE |
Sigiriya |
Sigiriya Hotel- www.serendibleisure.com |
Sigiriya Village Hotel - www.forthotels.lk |
Kandy |
Topaz Hotel - www.mclarenshotels.lk |
Mahaweli Reach Hotel - www.mahaweli.com / Amaya Hills Hotel - |
Nuwara Eliya |
Galway Forest Lodge Hotel - www.galway.lk |
Tea Factory - www.aitkenspencehotels.com / Grand Hotel – www.tangerinehotels.com |
Bentota |
Serendib Hotel - www.serendibleisure.com |
Taj Exotica Hotel - www.tajhotels.com / Eden Resort & Spa |
Colombo |
Global Towers Hotel – www.globallanka.co.uk |
Galadari Hotel - www.galadarihotel.lk |
COST
For Cost please feel free to contact us on 09325636557 / 09890425257 or contact us on skype. Our skype id is swades.travels