Holiday
Best of Sri Lanka Tour 11 Nights 12 Days
About Sri Lanka
The island of Sri Lanka lies in the Indian Ocean, to the southwest of the Bay of Bengal. It is separated from the Indian subcontinent by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait. According to Hindu mythology, a land bridge to the Indian mainland, known as Rama's Bridge, was constructed during the time of Rama by the vanara architect Nala. Often referred to as Adam's Bridge, it now amounts to only a chain of limestone shoals remaining above sea level.
According to colonial British reports, this is a natural causeway which was formerly complete, but was breached by a violent storm in 1480. The island consists mostly of flat-to-rolling coastal plains, with mountains rising only in the south-central part. Amongst these is the highest point Pidurutalagala , reaching 2,524 metres (8,281 ft) above sea level.
The climate of Sri Lanka can be described as tropical and warm. Its position between 5 and 10 north latitude endows the country with a warm climate moderated by ocean winds and considerable moisture. The mean temperature ranges from about 16 °C (60.8 °F) in the Central Highlands, where frost may occur for several days in the winter, to a maximum of approximately 33 °C (91.4 °F) in other low-altitude areas.
Day - 01 - Arrive in Sri Lanka
You will be met by a representative of Senses Holiday and transferred to Colombo. PM " Free for city tour in Colombo.
Colombo a drive through the city, taking you to the busy commercial areas as well as the tree-lined residential Cinnamon Gardens. The historic Dawatagaha Mosque and the former Eye Hospital are two buildings in Cinnamon Gardens also worth looking at. Visit Fort, the former British administrative center and military garrison, Sea Street - the Goldsmith’s quarters in the heart of Pettah, the Bazaar area where there is also a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carvings, the Dutch Church of Wolfendhal dating back to 1749. Also visit the BMICH (Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall), see the replica of Avukana Buddha and the Independence Square. Shop at the exquisite Mlesna tea boutique, visit the Majestic City & Liberty Plaza Shopping Malls, House of Fashions and Odel Unlimited for readymade garments and also the Lanka Ceramics Centre, a place where you can buy “Noritake” or other
ceramic items.
Dinner & Overnight stay at 4 star hotel, Colombo.
Day - 02 - After breakfast leave to Negombo
After breakfast leave to Negombo for a brief city tour of fishing village.
Negombo - a famous fishing village North of Colombo, with a Dutch built Canal. The canal itself is a hive of activity with all the fishermen traveling up and down in their gaily-painted boats. On the shores of the canal you will find many homes and churches and many species of birds including spectacular Kingfishers and also Parrots. Catamaran trips in the sea and boat trips in canal can be organized. From November to April, diving facilities are available in this quaint village. The streets on either side of the Hotels are dotted with Souvenir Shops, Restaurants etc.
Thereafter leave for Anuradhapura & commence a sightseeing tour.
Anuradhapura is the most celebrated of Sri Lanka’s ancient ruined cities. The city’s greatest treasures are its dagabas constructed of small sun-dried bricks and hemispherical in shape. The most notable of these dagabas are the Ruvanveli which dates back to the 2nd Century BC and is 300ft in diameter, the Jetawanarama is 370ft and the Thuparama which enshrines the collarbone of the Buddha. The city’s most renowned relic is the sacred Bo-Tree which is said to have grown from a branch of the tree under which the Buddha gained enlightenment. It was planted 2250 years ago and is the oldest historic tree in the world.
Dinner & Overnight stay at 4 star hotel, Anuradhapura.
Day - 03 - After breakfast leave for Polonnaruwa & commence sightseeing tour.
Polonnaruwa - the Capital of Sri Lanka from 11th - 13th Century, contains some splendid and spectacular statues. Lankatileke, Tivanka and Thuparama are the most beautiful and largest shrine ruins and Tivanka has the best example of frescoes of the Polonnaruwa period. Rankot Vihara and Kiriwehera are well preserved large stupas, and Gal Vihare - a rock shrine, has four Buddha statues, two seated, one standing and one reclining and Parakrama Bahu statue are examples of Sinhalese stone carver. The Vata-da-ge is a unique creation of the Sri Lankan artists.
Thereafter leave for Sigiriya.
Dinner & Overnight stay at 4 star hotel, Sigiriya.
Day - 04 - 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 its 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. Rest of the day at leisure.
Dinner & Overnight stay at 4 star hotel, Sigiriya.
Day - 05 - After breakfast leave for Dambulla
Dambulla is a vast isolated rock mass 500ft high and a mile around the base. Here you will find the famous rock temple famous Rock Temple dating to the First Century BC. The caves of Dambulla sheltered the King Walagamba during his 14 years of exile from Anuradhapura. When he regained the throne he built the most magnificent of Rock Temples to be found on the Island.
In the first Cave is a recumbent image of the Buddha 47ft long cut out of the Rock. There are images of deities associated with Buddhism all around. The frescoes on the ceiling date back to the 15th - 18th Centuries.
In the Second Cave, the finest and the largest of all, there are 150 life-size statues of Gods from the Buddhist religion along with numerous images of the Buddha himself. The ceiling is also covered with frescoes which depict great events in the life of the Buddha and landmarks in the history of the Sinhala people.
Thereafter leave for Kandy visiting a Spice garden & a batik factory en route.
Spice Garden at Matale and see the luscious, Cinnamons, Cardamons, Pepper plants etc. You can also purchase your requirements of spices & Batik Factory where you can see the manufacture of beautiful Batik prints. The shop contains a wide variety of Batik items.
Dinner & Overnight stay at 4 star hotel, Kandy.
Day - 06 - Visit to the elephant orphanage at Pinnawela
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage. App. 55 miles from Colombo, off the Colombo - Kandy road is Pinnawela, where an orphanage was started in 1975 to house the abandoned and the wounded elephants. The number of elephants has increased to more than 40 now, Including baby elephants brought from various parts & more than 25 babies born, as well as the babies born, as a result of the captive breeding programme. The best time to visit is the feeding time from 0930-1000 hrs and 1330-1400 hrs and the bathing time from 1000-1030 hrs and 1400-1430 hrs when all the elephants are taken to the river close by.
PM �" city tour of Kandy, including Upper Lake Drive, Market Square, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic & Royal botanical gardens at Peradeniya.
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.
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.
Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya, Sixty Seven hectares of exquisite beauty and botanical treasurers containing more than 4000 species, this is haven not only for Scientists but to every nature lover as well.
Evening view a cultural show featuring various dance types of Sri Lanka.
Dinner & Overnight stay at 4 star hotel, Kandy
Day - 07 - After breakfast leave for Nuwara Eliya
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 Loolkandura Estate. In 1873, the tea export industry of Sri Lanka began with a modest 23lbs being shipped to London. Tea will grow 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.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Dinner & Overnight stay at 4 star hotel, Nuwara Eliya
Day - 08 - Full day at leisure
Full day at leisure or optional excursion to Hortain Plains.
Horton Plains - The highest plateau at 7000ft (2134 meters) is a National Park, visited by tourists and a large number of Sri Lanka tourists. The Patnas in the lower parts, rising from the Marshes and streams extends upto the tree-line. The trees, stunted by the wind and mist, covered with ‘Spagnum moss ‘ or old man’s beard, and the jungle is full of rare and endemic plants. The red flowered Rhododendrons, or the ‘Niloos’ that blooms once in 12 years, and the Butterflies, Birds, found only in the hill areas, the ‘Bear Monkey,’ large herds of Sambhur, Leopard and other animals are found in the plains.
The ‘World End’ and ‘Little World End” with sheer drops of 3000ft to the plantation below and the beautiful scenery, are not found anywhere else in the country.
Dinner & Overnight stay at 4 star hotel, Nuwara Eliya
Day - 09 - After breakfast leave for Yala via Ella
Ella - 127 miles from Colombo and 8 miles from Bandarawela, on the leeward side of the central mountains. The view from 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.
PM - Do a safari at Yala national park by Jeep.
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 Pelicans, 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.
Dinner & Overnight stay at 4 star hotel, Yala.
Day - 10 - After breakfast leave for Kataragama
Kataragama - Kataragama is a place of worship not only for Hindus, but for Buddhists, Muslims and some Christians as well. Kataragama Devala is situated by the Menik Ganga (river). Still, the major part of devotees who actively participate in the Kataragama Festival are Hindus, as the proceeding honour Skanda (also known as Murugan), the deity of Kataragama.
Thereafter leave for Galle & do a city tour including visit to Galle Dutch fort.
Galle Sri Lanka’s most historically interesting town is Galle. Built on a premonitory rock in the south of the Island. It was a major port until about 100 years, but today still handles shipping and sailing boats in the natural harbour. Stroll around the Light House and harbour or visit the old town where you can see the traditional lace makers and carvers and purchase some the finest shell-craft souvenirs in the world.
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 vessels, and to which Jonah fled from the Lord.
Today, the 90 acre Galle Fort shows no evidence of the 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 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 tides. The original gate to the fort was by the harbour. It is still there, marked by the old Dutch V.O.C. (for “Verenigde Oost Indische Compagnie”) arms with a rooster crest.
Thereafter leave for Kalutara.
Dinner & Overnight stay at 4 star hotel, Kalutara
Day - 11 - Full day at leisure.
Dinner & Overnight stay at 4 star hotel, Kalutara
Day - 12 - After breakfast transfer to the airport
After breakfast transfer to the airport for departure OR transfer to the preferred beach resort.
