| Location | 3 Stars | 4 Stars | 5 Stars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Habarana | Pelwehera Resort | Village By Cinnamon | Cinnamon Lodge |
| Kandy | Devon Hotel | Hotel Topaz | Grand Kandyan |
| Nuwara Eliya | Ashford Hotel | Araliya Red | Araliya Green City |
| Thissamaharama | Neem Villa | Chaarya Resort | Cinnamon Wild |
| Bentota | Club Bentota | The Palms | Cinnamon Bey |
| Colombo | Ocean Edge Suite | Mirage Hotel | Taj Samudra |
Pinnawela – off Colombo-Kandy road is Pinnawela, where an orphanage was started in 1975 to house 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 14 babies born, as a result of the captive breeding programme.
The best time to visit is the feeding time and the bathing time; when all the elephants are taken to the river close by.
Reach in Dambulla and check in to the hotel
Dinner and overnight stay in Sigiriya / Dambulla / Habarana
After breakfast climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Sigiriya is 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 it triple-moated defence the huge rock rises almost to a sheer height of 500ft. 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 survived in the form of frescoes of life sized damsels in all the freshness and delicacy of their original color.
Thereafter visit Dambulla Cave Temple
Dinner and overnight stay in Sigiriya / Dambulla / Habarana
After breakfast leave for Kandy
En route visit a Spice Garden in Matale to understand the herbal and spice value of different plants
Afternoon reach in Kandy & commence a city tour in Kandy including Upper Lake Drive (Arthur’s seat), Lake Round, Gem Lapidary, Art & Craft Center and Temple of the Tooth Relic
Kandy – the hill capital. Venue of the annual Perahera. 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. Temple’s shrines and monasteries keeping alive Buddhist traditions are everywhere.
To Buddhist 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.
Evening witness a Cultural Dance Show
Dinner and overnight stay in Kandy
After breakfast leave for Nuwara Eliya
En route visit Hanuman Temple
Sri Bhaktha Hanuman Temple – Believed that Hanuman was searching for Sita Devi from a place called “Ravana Goda” close to this Bhakta Hanuman Temple. Sri Bhakta Hanuman Temple is one of the important Hanuman Temples in Sri Lanka and one of the important Ramayana proofs in Sri Lanka.
Also witness Ramboda Waterfall
And visit to a Tea Plantation and Tea Factory to enjoy a cup of World Famous Ceylon Tea
Tea Plantation – Tea was first planted in Sri Lanka in 1824 at the Botanical Gardens at 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 on an 8 hectares of forest land, in the Loolcondura Estate. In 1873, the tea export industry of Sri Lanka began with a modest 23lbs being shipped to London. Tea will grow well only on rolling terrain and is classified be elevation into low grown ,medium grown, high grown, into 3 main groups. In 1996 Sri Lanka has produced 258 million kgs. of tea and has earned Rs. 34,068 million by exporting 244 million kgs. of tea.
Proceed Nuwara Eliya & enjoy the scenic beauty of the hill station including visits to Red Post Office, Victoria Park, Gregory Lake, Sitha Amman Temple and Haggala Botanical Garden
Nuwara Eliya – The ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, is set against beautiful backdrops of Mountains, Valleys, Waterfalls and Tea Plantations. 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 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 ). These are the ‘seasons’ when low-country folk flock to Nuwara Eli to escape the sea level heat and humidity.
Dinner and overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast proceed to Nanu Oya Railway Station & get in to the train to Ella
This train ride is concern as one of the most scenic train rides in the world. We will book the train tickets in advance of 30 days before the journey as sets open on that day and within 10 minute all seats will be sold out due to high demand and limited number of seats available.
Early morning enjoy a safari in Yala National Park
Yala is a haven for Fauna both indigenous and migrant Bird concentrations are by the Lagoons. Salvers. Here are thousands of flamingoes, Assemblies of spotted billed, Spoonbills, Cormorants and various species of Herons. Pheasants, Pea Fowl, Peacocks and the Wild Fowl are found in hundreds. Wild Buffalo and herds of Wild Elephants are a common sight. Whether it is birds or animals you have them all at Yala.
Thereafter leave for Galle & visit Galle Fortress
The Fort of Galle – The South Coast’s major city is Galle, whose oldest landmark is the massive Portuguese and Dutch fort 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 Fvessels, and to which Jonah fled from the Lord.
Today, the 90 acre Galle Fort who’s no evidence of the Portuguese founders. The Dutch incorporated the Portuguese northern wall in a great rampart in 1663. A second, taller wall was build inside of it. Between the two walls, a covered passage connected the central bastion with the fort’s two half bastion’s 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 rides. The original gate to the fort was by the harbor. It is still there, marked by the old Dutch V.O.C ( for ‘Verenigde Oost Indische Compagnie) arms with a rooster crest.
Evening proceed to Bentota and check in to the hotel
Dinner and overnight stay in Bentota
Breakfast at the hotel
Enjoy a Boat Safari in Madu River
Madu River is one of the major attractions in Bentota. It has 54 islands alone the river which is highest numbers of the islands consist in any river of the country. Also Madu River is very high biodiversity and it’s a home for fishes, monkeys, water monitors, many birds and crocodiles. Mangroves make the river very colorful and it’s very nice to go through natural mangroves caves by the boat. Visit a Buddhist Temple, Cinnamon Island and getting fish therapy make you exited during this river safari.
Also visit Turtle Hatchery
Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery – Where you can see several species of turtles, specially the hawksbill, are endangered. Most vulnerable of all are their eggs, which are left uncovered on beaches all around the coast. The good will of Kosgoda area fishermen, who brings these eggs gratis to the hatchery, has led to the hatching and release of 100,000 young turtles in only two years since the hatchery opened. An endowment by the Hasselblad Estate was responsible for the establishment of this hatchery.
Evening free for Water Sports in Bentota River
Bentota – on the South coast of Sri Lanka lies the city of Bentota. The general area of Bentota is interesting for birds. On the shore Sea birds and Wanders are often found. Including the rare Indian Heron and Vegetation along the river harbors many local species as well as winter migrants. Many interesting sightseeing tours are possible from here, such as the Turtle Hatchery, Mask factory, Galle Fort, Garden brief, Boat trips on Bentota River etc.
Dinner and overnight stay in Bentota
Evening enjoy water sports on Bentota River
After breakfast leave for Colombo & commence a city tour in Colombo followed by shopping
Colombo – A drive through the city will take you to the Fort and Pettah – the commercial area of the city and tree-lined Colombo – 07 Cinnamon Gardens. Colombo 3, 4, 5, 8 are the prime residential area of the City.
Visit Fort, and Pettah for Shopping. The Hindu Temple at Sea Street, lined with goldsmith’s shops, the Dutch Church at Wolfendaal, dating back to 1749. The historic Davatagaha Mosque, Independence Hall, B.M.I.C.H, see the replica of Avukana Buddha and the Independence Square.
Visit the Mlesna exquisite tea boutique, cashew nut shop and all sorts of ready made garments at Majestic City & Liberty Plaza. Visit the Lanka Ceramics Center, a place where you can buy “NORITAKE SET” or other ceramic items and visit the “ARENA” at Darley road, “ODEL” at Lipton circus, Independent Arcade & Colombo City Center for branded items.
Dinner and overnight stay in Colombo
After breakfast leave Colombo to connect with the departure flight
