Sublime Sri Lanka

Itinerary :

Day 1: Colombo-Kandy: Welcome to Sri Lanka! Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by a representative who will transfer you to Kandy. En route visit to Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage. Visit the orphanage that was started in 1975 to house the abandoned and wounded elephants. The number of elephants has increased to more than 65 now; including baby elephants brought from various parts, as well as the 23 baby elephants born as a result of the captive breeding program. The best time to visit is the bathing time from 1000-1230 hrs and 1400-1600 hrs when all the elephants are taken to the river close by. Later transfer to Kandy and check in to the hotel. Overnight in Kandy. (D)

Day 2: Kandy: After breakfast, embark on your city tour of Kandy; The Hill Capital, start with visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, ever since 4th Century A.D, when the Buddha’s Tooth was brought to Sri Lanka hidden from sacrilegious hands in an Orissan princess’ hair, the Relic has grown in repute and holiness in Sri Lanka and throughout the Buddhist world. It is considered Sri Lanka’s most prized possession, where the venue of the annual Perahera is celebrated, the last stronghold of the Sinhala Kings was finally ceded to the British in 1815. Kandy is an example of the Buddhism’s influence in Sri Lanka today, later passing by the upper lake and market square. Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the Kings of Gampola and Kandy. There are more than 5,000 species of trees, plants and creepers. Do not miss the spice garden and orchid house. Next visit the gem and lapidary museum in Kandy. Overnight in Kandy. (B, D)

Day 3: Kandy – Nuwara Eliya: After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to Nuwara Eliya. En rout visit Tea Plantation & Tea Factory. Upon arriavl to Nuwara Eliya check in your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Nuewara Eliya. (B, D)

Day 4: Nuwara Eliya: After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to Nuwara Eliya, the little England of Sri Lanka. Set against beautiful backdrops of Mountains, Valleys, Waterfalls and Tea Plantations. It is supposed to be one of the coolest places in 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 like country cottages or Queen Ann style mansions. The Victoria Park, in the middle of the town, is a lovely place for a stroll or a picnic. Seasons may be absent elsewhere in Sri Lanka, but here you can read them by the flowers, which bloom in the spring (March to May) and the fall (August and September). Later visit the Sita Amman Temple, 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 the statues of Rama, Sita, Hanuman, Lakshmana and Sugriva. Overnight in Nuwara Eliya. (B, D)

Day 5: Nuwara Eliya – Bentota: After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to Bentota. Upon arrival check in your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Bentota. (B, D)

Day 6: Bentota: After breakfast, procced for your sightseeing tour of Bentota. Bentota is the first National Holiday Resort developed by the Ceylon Tourist Board as a planned resort. There are numerious water sports (not included) facilities are available in the Beruwela Resort. Many interesting sightseeing tours are possible from here, such as the Turtle farm, Mask shop, boat trips on Bentota River etc at an additional cost. Rest of the day at leisure in the hotel. Overnight in Bentota. (B, D)

Day 7: Bentota – Colombo: After breakfast, check out of your hotel and get transferred to Colombo. Upon arrival embark on your Colombo city tour where you will be driven across the busy commercial areas as well as the tree-lined residential, Cinnamon Gardens. Next visit the Fort, a former British administrative center and military garrison, next visit the Sea Street, the Goldsmiths quarters in the heart of Pettah, the Bazaar area, where a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carvings and the Dutch Church of Wolfendhal dating back to 1749. The historic Dawatagaha Mosque and the former Eye Hospital are two buildings in Cinnamon Gardens worth looking at. Later also visit the BMICH, see the replica of Avukana Buddha and the Independence Square. Rest of the day is at leisure or you can go for shopping. Overnight in Colombo. (B, D)

Day 8 Colombo: After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for departure flight. (B)