DAY 01 – Airport /Pinnawala/Kandy
Pick up fro Colombo, you will get your first taste of warm Sri Lankan hospitality; Representative from Anant Paryatan service (Pvt) Limited will Welcome you and transfer to Kandy.
En-rout visiting the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
PINNAWELA ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE-
App. 55 miles from Colombo, off the Colombo - Kandy road is Pinnawala, 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 some of the more then 25 babies born, as a result of the captive breeding program. The best time to visit is the feeding time from 1330-1400 hrs and the bathing time from 1400-1430 hrs when all the elephants are taken to the river close by.
Afterwards proceed to Kandy.
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 Buddhism’s influence in Sri Lanka today. Temple’s shrines and monasteries keeping alive Buddhist traditions are everywhere.
Kandy, which is a world heritage sight. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. Drive around the Kandy Lake built by the last Sinhala king Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1806.
Checking to the hotel.Rest of the day at leisure in the hotel .
Overnight stay at Earl’s Regent Hotel in Kandy
DAY 02 –Kandy/Kandy
After breakfast Visit the Royal Botanical Garden in Kandy, which was first, built as pleasure garden by a Sinhala king later expanded by British. It is 147 acres in extent & providing amazing variety of tree, plants & flowers.
In the evening, do a city tour with shopping of Kandy. Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic and view a cultural dance.
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.
Visitors can see these Dance & Music at the daily Cultural Performances held at several places in the city.
Overnight stay at Earl’s Regent Hotel in Kandy
DAY 03 –Kandy/Nuwara Eliya
After early breakfast proceed to Nuwar Eliya
En-route visit Ramboda Temple
Nuwara Eliya is known as, “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.
Visit Hakgala Gardens.
Visit Tea Factory
Visit Seetha Amman temple.
The streams that runs from the hill, catered to the needs of Sitadevi during her stay at Ashoka Vatika. She is said to have bathed in this stream. Now there is temple for Lord Rama, Sitadevi, Luxshmana, and Hanuman by the side of this stream. It is interesting to note that foot prints akin to Lord Hanuman’s are found by this river and some are of small size and some are of large size, which tells us of the immense powers.
Checking to the hotel.
Rest of the evening at leisure at the hotel.
Overnight stay at Araliya Green Hills, Nuwara Eliya
DAY 04– Nuwara Eliya /Kitulgla/Bentota
After Breakfast, proceed to Bentota.
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 the Vegetation along the river harbor many local species as well as winter migrants. Many interesting sightseeing tours are possible from here, such as the Turtle Hatchery, Boat trips on Bentota River.
Visit Turtle Hatchery
Kosgoda turtle hatchery - Where you can see five species of turtles-Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta), Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) and Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea).
The eggs collected by the Villagers and Fishermen are purchased by the Kosgoda Hatchery and kept in sandy pens until they are hatched. The newly hatched ones are kept in seawater tanks and released to the sea in the night. This Hatchery alone has released more than 1,750,000 young turtles to the sea. An endowment by the Hasselblad Estate was responsible for the establishment of this hatchery.
Afterwards do boats ride in Madu Ganga (River)
915-hectare Madu Ganga Estuary is connected by two narrow channels to the Randombe Lake, forming a complex wetland system encompassing 64 mangrove islets. In the year 2000, International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) undertook a detailed biodiversity survey of the region & revealed the existence of no less than 10 major wetland vegetation types supporting over 300 plant species & 248 species of vertebrates. This remarkable diversity has led to its being classified under RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands in 2003
Checking to the hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure on the Beach.
Overnight stay at Hotel the Surf, Bentota
DAY 05–Bentota / Colombo
After Breakfast Proceed to Colombo
Checking to the hotel.
In the evening Do Colombo city tour with shopping.
Colombo - a drive through the city taking you to the busy commercial areas as well as the tree-lined residential, Cinnamon Gardens. 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 is also a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carvings and the Dutch Church of Wolfendhal dating back to 1749. The historic Dawatagaha Mosque and the former Eye Hospital are two buildings in Cinnamon Gardens worth looking at. Also visit the BMICH, see the replica of Avukana Buddha and the Independence Square.
Optional, to try your luck, step out from the hotel and drop in to a reputed gambling mall such The Ballys, MGM grand club, etc. night life has now become active than it used to be. Night Clubs, pubs are open till dawn so you can drop in at any time.
Overnight stay at Pegasus Reef, Colombo
DAY 06– Colombo/ Airport
After Breakfast Transfer to airport, connect departure flight.
End of tour in Sri Lanka…………….