“This Amazing Sri Lanka tour of 11 days, Sri Lanka Holiday tour package, is well designed to cover various places of interesting, including beach stay, beautiful natural scenery of different parts of Sri Lanka, this tour is actually amazing. You will certainly enjoy this tour during your holiday in Sri Lanka, and will realize that Excellent Lanka Tours & Travels have done a great job to make your tour success in Sri Lanka.
Hotels Category: Economy / Standard / Luxury
Duration: 10 Nights / 11 Days
(Areas: Negombo, Pinnawala, Sigiriy, Dambulla, Kandy, Peradeniya, Kitulgala, Nuwara Eliya / Yala / Mirissa / Hikkaduwa / Colombo)
Day 01 – Airport / Negombo
Arrival at the Colombo Airport You will be met by our English speaking chauffeur Guide /Representative and will offer assistance. Thereafter leave for Negombo (10 km – transfer time approx. 30 minutes)
P.M. City Tour of Negombo is a charismatic fishing town north of Colombo, located a mere 10km from the international airport. Set amidst lush groves of coconut palms, it breathes the spirit of the sea. Negombo is a gourmet’s paradise with sea food aplenty. Old – world fishing craft, like the outrigger canoe and the catamaran, bring seer, skip jack, herring, mullet and amber jack, while lobster and prawn are caught in the lagoon
Overnight stay at hotel in Negombo
Day 02 – Pinnawala / Sigiriya
Check – out hotel at 6:30 am, have early breakfast or collect packet of breakfast and proceed to Sigiriya (170 km – transfer time approx. 05 hours) En route visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in time to witness the bathing and bottle feeding of baby elephants at 9.15 am This orphanage was established to feed nurse and house young elephants found abandoned by their mothers. Often the young ones fall into pits and ravines in their request for water during drought period. The Elephants bathe in rivers and Baby Elephants can be seen fed with milk.
P.M Climb the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya. Sigiriya, a massive monolith of red stone rises 600 feet from the green scrub jungle to accentuate the lucid blue of the sky. How overpowering, then, this rock fortress of Sigiriya must have been when a palace crowned it 15 centuries ago. Sigiriya was no gloomy and forbidding fortification, as many other citadels are. At the brief height of its glory, a flowering of only 18 years in the late 5th Century, it was one of the loveliest royal cities that ever graced the earth. Sigiriya built by the patricide king Kashyapa in the 5th century A.D today it is a treasure trove of rare art. In a pocket of the giant rock are the famous frescoes of the heavenly maidens of 'Sigiriya'
Overnight stay at hotel in Sigiriya / Dambulla
Day 03 – Dambulla / Matale / Kandy
After breakfast leave for Kandy (90 km – transfer time approx. 02 hours)
En-route visit the Rock cave temple of Dambulla a vast isolated rock mass 500 ft and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was here that King Valagambahu took refuge in the 1st century B.C. The view from the top of this rock is breathtaking 350 ft. above are a series of five caves which was later turned into a magnificent rock temple by King Valagambahu. In the first cave is a recumbent image of the Buddha 47 ft, long, cut out from the rock there are images of deities associated with Buddhism. The frescoes on the walls and ceiling could be dated to the 15th – 18th centuries. In the second cave, the finest and the largest the ceiling too is covered with frescoes, which depict great events in the life of the Buddha, and landmarks in the history of the Sinhala. On the way visit Spice Garden, Batik Factory (optional)
Next visit Nalanda Gedige the “Abu Simbel” of Sri Lanka Nalanda Gedige is an ancient building completely made of stones which is located near Matale. Influenced by Hindu constructional concepts. Nalanda Gedige was believed to be a Hindu temple centuries ago. However there are no signs of Hindu gods to be found today. But there are a few Buddhist carvings to be found.
At 5:00 pm witness a Cultural Performance. Traditional Kandyan and Low Country Dances of Sri Lanka (Blowing of the conch-Shell and Drum Orchestra, Pooja Dance, Panteru Netum, Cobra Dance, Mask Dance, Mayura Vannama, Raban Dance, Ves Dance, Fire Dance, Fire Walking)
Overnight stay at hotel in Kandy
Day 04 – Kandy / Peradeniya
After breakfast visit the Temple of the sacred Tooth Relic Puja ceremony at 9:30 am. Dalada Maligawa. The Temple of the sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy is the most venerated place of worship for Buddhists throughout the world. Built in the 16th century this temple houses the sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha brought to Sri Lanka from the Kalinga province in ancient India in the 4th century AD. Several buildings have been added to the temple complex by successive rulers, the latest being the Golden Canopy over the inner shrine where the Tooth Relic is placed. Originally the Temple was within the King’s palace complex as it was the Symbol of Royal Authority.
Thereafter City tour of Kandy
Next visit Royal Botanical Garden the most beautiful in the world and begun as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala King. Every variety tropical and temperate tree and flower is cultivated here and special houses with orchids and e cacti are too beautiful to be true.
Overnight stay at hotel in Kandy
Day 05 – Kandy / Kithulgala / Nuwara Eliya
After breakfast leave for NuwaEliya via (80 km transfer time approx. 2 hours 30 minutes)
Kitulgala is a little town on the banks of the Kelani River and the film location of the famous movie “Bridge on the River Kwai”.
Begin Whitewater rafting excursion. The rafting begins further upstream which winds down through lush forests, hills and sand bars, taking approximately 02 hrs and ends back at the Plantation Hotel. The short but exhilarating rafting program is level three.
En-route visit Devon and St. Claire Waterfalls and Tea plantation and Tea factory
Nuwara Eliya this town seems like a piece of English district. Tudor-style and Victorian homes look across the blue lake. These buildings are the other architectural monuments to the English, the Post Office, the English country house like Hill Club with its hunting pictures, mounted hunting trophies and fish, Anglican Church and private residence. The Golf course here is one of the best.
Overnight stay at hotel in Nuwara Eliya
Day 06 – Ella / Thissamaharama / Yala
After breakfast leave for Thissamaharama (156 km – transfer time approx. 04 hours)
En-route admire the magnificent view Ella Gap, Ella Ramana Waterfall, Sightseeing,
Next Buddha statue at Baduruwagala seven statues sculptured on relief of the rock during the 9th -10th c A.D. are seen in a single rock face. Of the seven Mahayana statues, three smaller statues each are sculptured on either side of the main Buddha statue .he centrally sculptured main Buddha image is the tallest in Sri Lanka and is 51feet in height.
The Buddha is in the Samabhanga posture and has the right hand gesturing the Abhaya Mudra. On the right of the Standing Buddha image are the sculptures of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisatva, Goddess Tara, Prince Sudhana and on the left are the sculptures of Maitree Bodhisatva, Vajrapani Bodhisatva and an unidentifiable deity. These sculptures could be identified as a collection of the Buddha and Bodhisatva figures with Mahayana influence.
Overnight stay at hotel in Thissamaharama
Day 07 – Wildlife Safari Yala
Leave hotel at 5.00am Collect packets of Breakfast and proceed to Yala by 4×4 Jeep Safari at Yala National Park. Yala combines a strict nature reserve with a national park, bringing the total protected area to 126,786 hectares of scrub. It is divided in to five blocks, with the most visited being block 1 (14,001 hectares). Also known as Yala west, this block was originally a reserve for hunters, and was given over to conservation in 1938 with over35 leopards.
Yala west has one of the world's densest leopard Populations. The best time to spot leopards in February to June or July, when the water levels in the park are low. Elephants are also well-know inhabitants. You will probably see sloth bears, Elephants, spotted deer, Sambas, Hornbills, Peafowl, Wild boar, Iguana, Elk, Leopards, buffaloes, Water Lizard, Peacock, jungle fowl, Cobra, Wiper, and various other mammals, birds, and many kind of migratory birds Russian geese are found here when winter in the northern hemisphere. Around 150 spices of birds have been recorded at Yala. These birds include white-winged black terns, curlews, pintails and orioles. P.M. at leisure.
Overnight stay at hotel in Thissamaharam
Day 08 – Dickwella / Mirissa
After breakfast leave for Mirissa (130 km – transfer time approx. 03 hours)
En-route visit Wewurukannala Vihara temple is dominated by an image of a seated Buddha. It is 160ft high, the largest statue in all of Sri Lanka and dates back to the time of King Rajadhi (1782 – 1798). The temple has three parts, the oldest being about 250 years old; howe ver this is of no particular interest. The next part has life size models of demons and sinners shown in graphic detail. If you do not follow the path to enlightenment this is what happens to you. Punishments include being drowned in boiling cauldrons, sawn in half, disemboweled and so on. Finally there is the enormous seated Buddha that is as high as an eight-storied building.
P.M. Free at leisure by the pool or beach
Overnight stay at Beach hotel in Mirissa / Weigama / Ahangama
Day 09 – Whale & Dolphin Watching / Galle / Hikkaduwa
Leave hotel at 6:00 am and proceed to Mirissa (3 to 5 hours of trip by Boat)
Whale and dolphin watching in Mirissa is one of the most exciting water activities you can do in Sri Lanka during your holiday.
Mirissa is the best place to start your whale and dolphin watching In warm Indian ocean you can see Blue whales, Brydes whales, Sperm whales, Fin whales, sometimes Killer whales, and Common dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins, Spinner dolphins, Risso’s dolphins and Striped dolphins. Sometimes you can see turtles and various fish species, for example Bluefin tuna and flying fish. Whale watching season starts in November and ends in April. Ocean is warm and calm during these months.
Thereafter return to hotel check-out and proceed to Hikkaduwa. (60 km – transfer time approx. 01hour 30 minutes) En-route visit Old Dutch city of Galle. When passing Unawatuna could be seen Stilt – Fishermen are a familiar sight here Galle The port of Galle, throughout by some to be the Biblical city of Tarshish, splendidly illustrates the solidity of the Dutch presence in Sri Lanka. The 36-hectare (89 acre) Dutch Fort, built in 1663, has withstood the ravages of time. Its massive ramparts surround the promontory that forms the older part of Galle, and shelters within its walls sturdy Dutch houses, museums and churches. This area has a quiet, relaxed atmosphere that seems almost detached from the flow of history. The New Oriental Hotel, built for Dutch governors in 1684, is a colonial gem with wonderfully atmospheric bar. Nearby is a tiny sliver of a beach suitable for a dip, though most travelers prefer to head along the coast to the fine beaches at Tangalle Weligama, Bentota and Unawatuna.
Overnight stay at Beach hotel in Hikkaduwa
Day 10 – Hikkaduwa
After breakfast full day at leisure by the beach
Hikkaduwa is famous for its coral and sub tropical fish. The reef, which runs parallel to the shore and is only a few metres below the water, can be explored with snorkel and flippers, or in a glass-bottomed boat. There are several wrecks in the area which offer interesting dives. Scuba equipment and the services of licensed instructions are on hire from PADI centers. A little further down the coast, there’s good surf for board or body-surfing. There is a generally a community of international surfers in and around Hikkaduwa.
Overnight stay at Beach hotel in Hikkaduwa
Day 11 – Colombo / Airport
After breakfast leave for Colombo Airport (120 km – transfer time approx. 021/2hours)
En- route City Tour of Colombo
Colombo is a metropolitan city with a population of nearly one million. It is the commercial Capital of Sri Lanka, which keeps pace with modern developments while preserving the Old World charms.
Among the many places of interest in the City are the Fort, the Old Parliament House (presently the Presidential Secretariat),Galle face terrace, Buddhist temples, Old Churches, Hindu temples, Mosques, the Independence Hall, Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall and Bazaar.
Thereafter transfer to the Airport for the connecting Flight. (Departure)
