Day 1
Arrival at Colombo Airport and transfer to hotel in Negombo.
Evening visit Muthurajawela wet land by boat.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight stay in Negombo
Muthurajawela wet land - covers an area of 3,068 ha. It is located between 10-30 km north of Colombo, in Gampaha District. Together with Negombo Lagoon (3,164 ha), Muthurajawela forms an integrated coastal wetland system of high biodiversity and ecological significance. There are many varieties of flora and fauna which are interdependent in this coastal ecosystem.
In 1996 an area of some 1,777 ha in the northern section of Muthurajawela was declared a Wetland Sanctuary.
Day 2
After breakfast leave for Sigiriya, and thereafter visit the Dambulla Cave Temple.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overni ght stay in Sigiriya / Dambulla
Sigiriya - Home to the 5th century ‘Fortress in the Sky’ which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of the Island. It is also known as Lion Rock because of the huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the fortress. Within its triple moated defence, the huge rock rises to a sheer height of almost 500 feet. On its summit are the foundations of what was once a great and sumptuous palace and gardens complete with swimming pool. On one of the stairways, the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting survives in the form of frescoes of life-sized damsels in all the freshness and delicacy of their original colours.
Dambulla - Dambulla is famous for the five cave temples on a rock. The first three caves are better, older and larger than the other two. Some caves date back to the 1st century BC. All the five cave walls and ceilings are covered with Buddhist murals and there are more than 130 Buddha statues. Statues of gods and kings are also found here.
Day 3
After breakfast, visit Temple of the Tooth Relic and Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya, en-route visit the Gem museum & Kandy City.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight stay in Kandy
Kandy - The hill capital; venue of the annual Esala Perahera (Local festival at Kandy); the last stronghold of the Sinhala kings, was finally ceded to the British in 1815. Surrounded by hills, the Mahaweli River and the virgin forest, it is the center of Buddhism, arts, crafts and culture in Sri Lanka. Kandy is an example of Buddhism’s influence in Sri Lanka today. Temples, shrines and monasteries keep Buddhist traditions alive. To Buddhists of Sri Lanka and the world, Kandy is one of the most sacred sites as it is the home of the ‘Dalada Maligawa’ - Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. One would always return a second time to this beautiful city.
Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya – Started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the kings of Kandy, 147 acres in extent, it has more than 4,000 species of rare and endemic trees and plants as well as flora from the tropical world. This is a haven not only for scientists but to every nature lover too. The Spice Garden and Orchid House within the Gardens are popular with tourists.
Day 4
After breakfast proceed to Kitulgala.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight stay in Kitulgala.
Experience White Water Rafting in the picturesque Kelani River in Kitulgala covering 5 major rapids and 4 minor rapids. This activity is suitable for amateurs as well as professionals. During the river run you will for anyone above the age of 10 years with safety gear, modern rafts, and a comprehensive safety briefing.
You will have the opportunity to pass the scenic location used for the film "Bridge over the river Kwai" filmed in 1956 - which is also a great place to jump in for a refreshing swim.
Day 5
After breakfast, another action packed day of adventure.
Lunch at a restaurant.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight stay in Kitulgala.
Day 6
After breakfast, visit Adam’s Peak. You will be transferred to Dalhousie & check-in at the hotel.
Dinner at the hotel.
Around 01:00 hrs., commence your ascent of Adam"s Peak - a four hour climb on steps - to witness the changing colours of the sky prior to sunrise and the glorious spectacle of the sunrise itself. The first signs of dawn are seen around 5.15 and sunrise is usually between 5.30 and 5.40. This, by all accounts, is a glorious spectacle where you can see the sky lighten gradually and then the sun emerges in its entire splendour. It is a "must-see" for those climbing Adam"s Peak, almost as important for some, as worshipping the sacred foot print is for others.
Adam’s Peak, the sacred character of this mountain-peak of 7,360ft and this place has been a pilgrimage centre for over 1000 years. King Parakramabahu, King Nissanka Malla and Adam’s Peak has brought many a visitor from many lands like Alexander the Great, Marco Polo, Ibn Battua, on pilgrimage here. The trails and traditions along these routes are as old as time itself, with legends so hoary that history has no knowledge of them. History of Adam"s peak runs back to 2100 years to the reign of King Valagambahu (104 – 76 BC) who made the discovery of the sacred foot print during his exile in the mountain wilderness.
The primeval forest which surrounds the peak is known as the peak wilderness, the grandeur of its ruggedness and its rushing waters falling from dizzying heights to form stunning waterfalls. Off season climbing of Adam"s Peak is more rewarding as you will not have any human contact but is considered extremely hazardous during the monsoon season from May to August. December to May is considered the season of Adam"s Peak.
Day 7
Morning, descend to the hotel where you can have your breakfast and freshen-up, thereafter leave for Nuwara Eliya.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya
Late afternoon proceed on a city of Nuwara Eliya and visit a tea factory for a first-hand experience in the whole production process of Ceylon tea.
Nuwara Eliya - The ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, is set against beautiful backdrops of mountains, valleys, waterfalls and tea plantations and is 6,200 feet above sea level. In 1826 some British Officers out on hunting, discovered Nuwara Eliya plains, and Sir Edward Barnes developed it. In 1828 a road was constructed over the ridge at Ramboda Pass and a station for convalescent soldiers was established. It was Sir Samuel Baker who fell under the spell of Nuwara Eliya, brought hounds, horses, cattle, sheep etc. and started a typical English farm here. Flowers and vegetable were brought from England and planted. It is supposed to be one of the coldest places on the Island, but is really just like an England spring day although the temperature does drop at night. 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 during spring (March to May) and the fall (August and September).
Tea Plantations - Tea was first planted in Sri Lanka in 1824 at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya, when a few plants were brought from China. More were introduced from Assam in 1839. In 1867, a Scottish planter named James Taylor planted tea seedlings in 8 hectares of forestland in the Loolkondura Estate. In 1873, the tea export industry of Sri Lanka began with a modest 23 lbs. being shipped to London. Today more than 200,000 hectares in highlands and other areas are under tea and around 300 million kilograms (25% of world tea exports) are exported by Sri Lanka as the world’s largest tea exporter. Tea grows only on rolling terrain and is classified by elevation into Low Grown, Medium Grown & High Grown.
Day 8
After breakfast, you will transfer to Nanu Oya Railway Station to take the train to Ella.
The luggage will follow by vehicle and will receive you at the Ella Station (Train tickets are subject to availability)
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight stay in Ella
Day 9
After breakfast visit Ella Gap where you can have another trekking experience while exploring the scenic natural beauty of the hills.
Thereafter, proceed to Galle. En-route visit Ravana Ella waterfall.
The rest of the day at your leisure.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight stay in Galle
Ella Gap is one of the most spectacular scenic sights in Sri Lanka - the landscape falls away in a dizzy drop of 3000ft to the eastern plains. The Ella rock is famous for the cave of Ravana a legendary king of Sri Lanka ruled during the pre-historic times. The 1080-foot high waterfall few miles from the Ella Rest House is one of the most beautiful falls in the country.
Day 10
Full day at your leisure on the beach.
In the evening visit the city of Galle and the Dutch Fort.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight stay in Galle.
Galle - The south coast’s major city is Galle, whose oldest landmark is the massive Dutch Fort which is a ‘World Heritage Site’ in which the central city is contained. But the city may be much older. Some scholars believe it to be the ‘Tarshish’ of the Old Testament, to which King Solomon sent his merchant vessels and to which Jonah fled from the Lord. Today, the 90-acre Galle Dutch Fort shows no evidence of its Portuguese founders. The Dutch incorporated the Portuguese northern wall in a great rampart in 1663. A second, taller wall was built inside of it. Between the two walls, a covered passage connected the central bastion with the fort’s two half bastions overlooking the sea. The Dutch also installed a sophisticated drainage system, complete with brick-lined underground sewers that were flushed twice a day by the high and low tides. The original gate to the fort was by the harbour. It is still there, marked by the British Coat-of-Arms on the front and the Dutch V. O. C. (Vereenigde Oost indische Compagnie) with the Coat-of-Arms with a rooster crest on the inner side of the fort.
Day 11
After breakfast, leave for Mount Lavinia (Colombo South Beach),
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight stay in Mount Lavinia
Mount Lavinia – A peaceful yet lively beach resort just 12 kilometres south of Colombo with a maze of narrow lanes, small beachside restaurants and wayside boutiques. This township will also appeal to an adventurous spirit.
Day 12
After breakfast, proceed for Beach Stay extension or to Colombo Airport for departure flight.