Glimps of Paradise

Day 01

Depart London Heathrow by Sri Lankan Airlines.

Day 02 - Airports - Colombo

Upon arrive, meet & greet by our representative at Bandaranaike International Airport and proceed to Colombo.

Day 03 - Colombo �" Pinnawela - Dambulla

After breakfast proceed to Dambulla. En route visit * Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage - started in 1975 to house the abandoned and the wounded, the orphanage has grown to be a big family today. The number of elephants has increased to more than 40 now, including baby Elephants brought from various parts, as well as the babies born, as a result of the captive-breeding programme. A unique experience never to be missed.

Overnight stay at Hotel in Dambulla.

Day 04 - Dambulla �" Anuradhapura - Dambulla

After breakfast proceed to 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.

Return to Dambulla in the late afternoon for overnight.
Overnight stay at Hotel in Dambulla.

Day 05 - Dambulla-Polonnaruwa-Minneriya-Dambulla

After breakfast proceed to Polonnaruwa.
Commence sightseeing tour of * Polonnaruwa, which was the 2nd capital city of Sri Lanka, built in the 11th and 12th centuries AD, and which is a world heritage site. Here you can see the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya �"where 4 splendid statues of the Buddha in ‘Upright’, ‘Sedentary`’ and ‘Recumbent’ postures carved out of rock, the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, king Parakramabahu’s statue, and the Parakrama Samudraya lake built by King Parakramabahu the great. There are also monuments of famous places of worship such as the Shiva Temple, the Lankathilake, the Watadage, the Galpotha, the Kiri Vehera and the remains of a former Temple of the Tooth Relic.

Late afternoon commence * A Jeep Safari at Minneriya National Park - This National Park with 8889 hectares in extent is famous for it large population of elephants in herds of 100 to 150 roaming in the jungle and seen in the catchment area of the lake. Entrance is at Ambagaswewa about 6 km from Habarana on the main Habarana Polonnaruwa road. Office is by the side of the main road. Elephants, about 300 wild elephants, wild buffaloes, wild boar, spotted deer, sloth bear, Sambhur, leopards, crocodiles, jackals, 9 kinds of amphibians, 25 kinds of reptiles, 160 species of birds, 26 varieties of fishes, 78 varieties of butterflies are recorded from the Minneriya National Park

Overnight stay at Hotel in Dambulla.

Day 06 - Dambulla-Sigiriya-Habarana-Dambulla

After breakfast visit & climb Sigiriya.

Sigiriya Rock Fortress - which is a world heritage , built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD). The ‘Lion Rock’ is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 metres from the scrub jungle. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town. A moat, rampart, and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens ring the base of the rock. Visit the world-renowned frescoes of the ‘Heavenly Maidens’ of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway. These frescoes are painted in earth pigments on plaster.

Thereafter proceed to Habarana. Late afternoon do an Elephant safari. The feeling of stepping back in time, a time when kings rode on the backs of these magnificent mammals, and the chance for you dear visitors to do the same is what we at The Other corner offer. Directly off the balcony of the main lodge onto the backs of these gentle giants, the tour will take you along the forest trail, across the river, through the village and back to your lodging all on the elephant back ride. The choice of either being adventurous and riding bareback or on comfortable elephant saddles are the only choice you will have to make. A pleasant experience is virtually guaranteed.

Overnight stay at Hotel in Dambulla.

Day 07 - Dambulla - Kandy

After breakfast visit * Dambulla Rock Temple. Climb up to the temple, which was donated by king Walagambahu in the 1st century BC to Buddhist monks. Dambulla is a World Heritage site and is the most impressive of Sri Lanka’s cave temples. The complex of five caves with over 2000 sq. metres of painted walls and the ceiling is the largest area of paintings found in the world. These caves contain over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is the colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of rock spanning 14 metres.

Proceed to Kandy via Matale, visit a * Spice Garden in Matale to see the different spices, which Sri Lanka is famous for. You will be introduced to different spices and shown how some of these spices are grown and processed.

Evening witness a cultural show featuring various dance types of Sri Lanka.
Overnight stay at Hotel in Kandy.

Day 08 - Kandy

After breakfast commence sightseeing including the Upper Lake Drive, Market Square Arts & Crafts Centre and Temple of the Sacred 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.

Visit * 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.

Also visit * Royal Botanical Gardens �" 147 acres in extent; Started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the Kings of Gampola and Kandy. There are more than 5,000 species of trees, plants and creepers. Some rare and endemic as well as flora from the tropical world are found in the gardens. Spice Garden and Orchid House are popular with tourists. There are 5 Palm Avenues beautifying the gardens, the earliest and tallest Palm Avenue (Royal Palm Avenue) was planted in 1905 and the Double Coconuts from the Seashells Island, with the largest seed of all plants in the world is one such avenue.

Overnight stay at Hotel in Kandy.

Day 09 - Kandy- Nuwara Eliya

After breakfast proceed to Nuwara Eliya by Train.

* 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. All around Nuwara Eliya you will see evidence of the British influence. Houses are like country cottages or Queen Ann style mansions.

* 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 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.

Overnight stay at Hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

Day 10 - Nuwara Eliya-Horton Plains-Nuwara Eliya

After breakfast proceed to Horton Plaines & World end.
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.
Overnight stay at Hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

Day 11 - Nuwara Eliya-Yala

After breakfast proceed to Yala. Rest of the day leisure.

Overnight stay at Hotel in Yala.

Day 12 - Yala

After breakfast commence a Jeep safari to Yala National Park.
* Yala National Park - is 378 sq. miles in extent. Yala was established in 1938 from what originally was Sportsman s shooting reserve. This is most famous and well-developed National Park where wild animal and birds could be observed. The wild animals include Elephants in herds of varying sizes, Leopards, Wild Boar, Wild Buffalo, Crocodile, Peacocks, Jackal, Sloth Bear and other animals. The bird-life comprises of about 130 species including the resident and migrants. Painted Strokes, Paradise Flycatcher, Grey Herons, Serpent Eagle, Sea Eagle, Black-Necked Stork, Spoonbills, Pelicans add colour to the bird life in the park.

Overnight stay at Hotel in Yala.

Day 13 - Yala - Galle

After breakfast leave for Galle.
Commence city tour of * Galle - This was the most ancient and important harbour of the country, until the Colombo harbour was established. Galle is identified as the Tarshis of the bible. This was captured by the Portuguese in 1587 A.D, Dutch in 1640 A.D, and British in 1796 A.D.

Visit * 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. Rest of the day leisure by the beach.

Overnight stay at Hotel in Galle.

Day 14 & 15 - Galle

Full day leisure.

Overnight stay at Hotel in Galle.

Day 16 - Galle-Katunayaka

After breakfast proceed to Katunayaka.

Rest of the day free at the hotel.
Overnight stay at Hotel in Katunayaka.

Day 17 - Katunayaka-Airport-London

After breakfast transferred to the airport for the flight to London.