Colombo , bursting with life and colour, the islands largest city which was once the Capital of Sri Lanka, is now its Commercial hub. This modern city with an ancient heart is a monument to its colonial history. Its architecture is influenced by the Portuguese, Dutch and British. Today, it is a mix of modern architecture among colonial buildings. The remnants of Dutch and Portuguese domination, is seen primarily in the Fort, located north of the city.
DAY 01
ARRIVE IN SRI LANKA/COLOMBO
Arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport. Guests will be met by our representative upon arrival and will be escorted to the CIP lounge. While guests are served refreshments, immigration and luggage claim would be done on their behalf, on completion guests would be escorted through an exclusive fast track exit where their guide and chauffeur will be awaiting…Transfer to Colombo, arrive and check-in at hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure getting over the jetlag.Dinner and overnight stay is at the hotel.
DAY 02
COLOMBO
- Breakfast at Hotel.
- Visit the commercial capital – Colombo
- Evening is at leisure with dinner and overnight stay at the hotel
Pettah, where daily life overflows on to the streets, not too far from the Fort is a Traders hub and home to a few unique examples of architecture in its churches and kovils from garments to toys to electronics and sweet-meats could be found, it provides an interesting insight in to life as it is in a busy, tropical cosmopolitan city.
DAY 03
COLOMBO / KANDY
- Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.
- Travel to Kandy witnessing the changes of scenery and climate.
- Arrive and check-in at the hotel.
- Evening, witness a cultural show and thereafter, visit the Kandy Temple.
- Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Cultural show (Kandy dance) is one of the famous evening events not to be missed when visiting this heritage city. It starts in the evening and runs for more than 1 hr. Listen to the captivating traditional drummers and be mesmerized viewing the many different art forms from the up country and low country of the island. The spectacular fire dancers and other folklore, Demon dancers, Traditional Kandyan dancers are a definite breathtaking experience to the locals and visitors alike.
Visit the Dalada Maligawa where Buddhists all over the world venerate the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha. Watch the traditional rituals performed daily by the religious dignitaries of the temple in keeping with the cultural heritage of the country. The ‘Raja Wasala’ and the ‘Magul Maduwa’ within the Royal Palace complex dating back to 1784 explains the unique wooden craftsmanship in this historic temple.
DAY 04
KANDY / PERADENIYA / KANDY
- Breakfast at Hotel.
- Commence a sightseeing tour of Kandy city including Gem Museum, Art & Craft Center and Bazaar
- Return to the city and visit the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens.
- Candle Light Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Kandy
Sri Lanka’s second city is Kandy, a beautiful historical city in the citadel of the country. It is not only known for its great kings who ruled the city for almost 225 years independently until the British took over in 1815, but it is also the place where the Sacred Tooth of the Buddha is laid in a magnificent temple. The incomparable Perahera celebration, a procession of more than 100 elephants, is held during the month of August every year. The City of Kandy was known in the early days as “Senkadagalapura”, is a World Heritage Site.
Kandy lies in a triangular valley surrounded by mountains and tea plantations, resembling a sheet of green velvet covering the hills. A modern commercialized location serving as the hub of the central province remains the Cultural Capital of Sri Lanka with a rich heritage of living monuments. At the centre of the city lie an artificial lake and the temple of the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha, which is the holiest shrine in the country. The ‘Upper Lake Drive’ will give a panoramic view of the City of Kandy. In this city, it is also a good shopping location to see and purchase Gem and Jewellery, Handicrafts, Silks and other items. A complete introduction to all Sri Lanka Gems is made when one visits a Gem and Jewellery emporium.
Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens, the finest of its kind in Asia, the largest of the botanical gardens of Sri Lanka, couldn’t be better located. In the Mediterranean climate of Kandy, the gateway to the Central Highlands, the Gardens, at an elevation of 500 meters above sea-level, were tightly bounded on three sides by a loop of River Mahaweli (Great sandy river), the largest river of Sri Lanka. Peradeniya is believed to take its exotic name from Sinhalese names Pera (guava) and Deniya (a plain). The name also reveals, although Guava is not indigenous to Sri Lanka, introduction of the fruit to the island and cultivation had occurred even prior to the era of British Colonialists in Ceylon.
DAY 05
KANDY / NUWARA ELIYA
- Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.
- Travel to Nuwara Eliya en route visiting a tea plantation and a factory
- Arrive and visit the city before check-in at the hotel for Dinner and overnight stay
Sri Lanka is one of the world’s largest exporters of tea. Since the introduction of tea to Sri Lanka in mid 19the century Nuwara Eliya has been the capital of the tea industry. For many miles prior to reaching Nuwara Eliya from either direction you will find acres and acres of tea plantations, in fact nothing but tea estates. There are many factories open for visitors which also have tea sales outlets.
Nuwara Eliya, which means the “city of lights” is also known as the city of eternal spring, where the air is pure, cool and distilled up through 1,884 meters. Windswept peaks lie shrouded in mist, while gaily-clad tea pluckers wind their way between the tea bushes. Listen to the wild music of the waterfalls. This is a holiday resort ideal for hiking, golfing and boating – the setting is a nostalgic reminder of the English countryside.
DAY 06
NUWARA ELIYA / ELLA
- Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.
- travel to Nanu Oya to take an enjoyable train journey to Ella
- Arrive and check-in at the hotel for rest.
- Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Ella is blessed with some of the most beautiful sites in the Island and is a place of high interest for naturalists and a paradise to trekkers. Ella is most famous for the Ravana Ella Waterfalls. Other places that could be visited from Ella are the Handapangala Wild Life Sanctuary, the Diyaluma Waterfalls, the Buduruwagala archaeological site and the Maligawila Buddha statue. A train ride from Ella to Bandarawela will take you through tea plantations and waterfalls and it is a picturesque sight.
DAY 07
ELLA
- Breakfast at the hotel and relax the whole day lazing in the cool climate.
- Candle Light Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 08
ELLA / TANGALLE
- Breakfast at the hotel and check-out
- Travel t0 Tangalle and check-in at the hotel for the beach stay.
- Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Tangalle is a big town in Hambantota District, Southern Province, Sri Lanka, governed by an Urban Council. It is one of the largest towns in southern province. It is located 195 km (121 mi) south of Colombo and 35 km (22 mi) east of Matara. It has a mild climate, in comparison to the rest of the district, and sandy beaches.
DAY 09
TANGALLE
- Breakfast at hotel.
- Full day is at leisure on the beach or by the pool.
- Candle Light Dinner on the beach and overnight stay at the hotel
DAY 10
TANGALLE / AIRPORT
- Breakfast at the hotel and check-out
- Full day is at leisure on the beach or by the pool.
- Continue to the airport and connect onward flight with wonderful memories…NOTE – You are required to be airport 3 hours prior departure (Airport requirement)
