Culture & Beauty Tour-9N/10D
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Colombo & Transfer to Dambulla
Arrive in Sri Lanka. You will be met by our representative and transferred to Dambulla.
En route visit to Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage – Approx 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 65 now; including Baby Elephants brought from various parts, as well as the 23 baby elephants born as a result of the captive breeding program. The best time to visit is the feeding time from 0930-1000 hrs and 1330-1400 hrs and the bathing time from 1000-1230 hrs and 1400-1600 hrs when all the elephants are taken to the river close by.
Check in to the hotel
Visit Dambulla Cave Temple
Dambulla Cave Temple (also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla) is a World Heritage Site (1991) in Sri Lanka situated in the central part of the country. This site is situated 148 km east of Colombo and 72 km north of Kandy. It is the largest and best preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. The rock towers 160 m over the surrounding plains. There are more than 80 documented Caves in the surrounding area. These paintings and statues are related to Lord Buddha and his life. There are total of 153 Buddha statues, 3 statues of Sri Lankan kings and 4 statues of gods and goddesses. The murals cover an area of 2,100 square meters. Depictions on the walls of the caves include the temptation by the demon Mara and Buddha’s first sermon.
At leisure in the hotel
Dinner & Overnight stay at Dambulla
Day 2: Sigiriya Rock Fortress & Transfer to Pasikudha
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning Visit the Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Sigiriya Sigiriya Rock Fortress – is a “UNESCO World Heritage Site” and 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 Palace on the summit of the 600-foot high rock. On its summit are the foundations of the Royal Palace, Water Tanks to supply water and all other buildings and at the edges the guardhouses. On one of the stairways the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting survived in the form of Frescoes of 21 life sized damsels still shining in their original colours. The Water Gardens, Fountain Garden, Summerhouses, Boulder Gardens and the Caves within the enclosed area should not be missed.
Transfer to Pasikudha.
At leisure in the hotel.
Overnight stay at Pasikudha.
Day 3: Thiru Koneshwaram Temple & Hot Water Spring
Breakfast at the hotel
Proceed to Tincomalee.
Visit Thiru Koneshwaram Temple & Hot Water Spring. (Approximately 272 Km 7 Hrs Drive)
Thiru Koneshwaram was built by sage Agasthyar as per the instructions of Lord Shiva who was impressed by the devotion of King Ravana. This place has the uniqueness of the lord building a temple for his devotee as a reward for his devotion. Lord Rama also offered his prayers on his return to get himself rid of the Brahmaasthi Dosham.
Return to Pasikudha.
Overnight stay at Pasikudha.
Day 4: Pasikudha to Arugambey
Breakfast at the hotel
Proceed to Arugambey. On Arrival, Check in to the hotel and evening at leisure.
Dinner & Overnight stay at Arugambey.
Day 5: Arugambey to Ella
Breakfast at the hotel
Proceed to Ella. On Arrival, Check in to the hotel and evening at leisure.
Dinner & Overnight stay at Ella.
Day 6: Nine arch bridge & Ravana water fall
Breakfast at the hotel.
Visit Nine arch bridge & Ravana water fall.
One of the highlights in the mountain village Ella is the 30-meter high Demodara Nine Arch Bridge. With a small 30-minute walk through the jungle, you will reach a piece of beautiful architecture that is hidden between lush green tea fields. It is allowed to walk on the bridge and it’s one of the things you must do in Sri Lanka.
Overnight stay at Ella
Day 7: Day Excursion & Transfer to Kandy
Breakfast at the hotel
Transfer to Nuwara Eliya and Sight seeing in Nuwere-Eliya.
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 coolest places in the Island, but it is really just like an English spring day, although the temperature does drop at night.
All around Nuwara Eliya you will see evidence of the British influence, houses like country cottages or Queen Ann style mansions. The Victoria Park, in the middle of the 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 Eliya to escape the sea level heat and humidity.
Visit Sita Amman Temple
Transfer to Kandy.
Evening Visit Kandy Tooth Relic Temple.
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.
Overnight stay at Kandy.
Day 8: Visit Royal Botanical Gardens & Transfer to Bentota
Breakfast at the hotel.
Royal Botanical Gardens – Peradeniya – 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.
Visit to gem and lapidary museum in Kandy
Proceed to Bentota
At leisure in the hotel.
Overnight stay at Bentota
Day 9: Whale Watching & Visit to Galle
Packed breakfast.
Early morning enjoy whale watching
Evening sight seeing in Galle.
Galle – Sri Lanka’s most historically interesting town is Galle. It was a major port until about 100 years, but today still handles shipping and sailing boats in the natural harbour. Stroll around the lighthouse and harbour or visit the old town where you can see the traditional lace makers and wood carvers and purchase some the finest souvenirs.
The Dutch Fort – Galle – The South Coast’s major city is Galle, whose oldest landmark is the massive Portuguese and Dutch Fort which is a “World Heritage Site” 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 high and low tides. The original gate to the fort was by the harbour. It is still there, marked by the British Coat-of-arms on the front and the Dutch V.O.C. with the Coat-of-arms with a rooster crest, is on the inner side of the Fort.
Overnight stay at Bentota.
