Natural Cultural Glory Sri Lanka

Destination : Arrival - Colombo - Tudella - Habarana Sigiriya & Dambulla - Kandy - Habarana - Sigiriya - Kandy - Pinnawela - Colombo
Duration : 06 Days Tour

Day 01 : Arrival - Colombo
Late night arrival. Meeting and assistance upon arrival as our representatives welcome you and escort you to your car. Transfer to Galle Face Regency Hotel.

Whilst the room keys and check-in is organized, our representative would introduce the tour to you and hand over the documents to you.

Welcome to Sri Lanka & thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you!

Galle Face Regency Hotel is situated in the heart of the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. An oasis of tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle of the city by the side of the Indian Ocean. The Galle Face, hailed as a masterpiece of Victorian architecture, retains the dignified and polite atmosphere that gave it such fame in the colonial age. Sympathetic renovations and refurbishments are helping to protect its historic status in more demanding times. The Sea spray restaurant, specialising in fish, is blessed by an ocean frontage. There is nowhere better place to watch a Colombo sunset than from its immaculate terrace and gardens. Overnight at Galle Face Regency Hotel (Oceanic Deluxe)

Day 02 : Colombo
Following a leisurely breakfast we proceed on a sightseeing tour of Colombo. We drive through the commercial and city centre area known as the "Fort", built by the Portuguese in the 16th century. A highlight would be a visit to the bustling and colourful markets and bazaars of Pettah; the National Museum with its fine collection of lovely antiques and art of Sri Lanka. Drive past town hall, Independence square, the B.M.I.C.H (International Convention Centre) and Cinnamon gardens residential area. We also visit the Zoological gardens at Dehiwala and enroute to your hotel visit a Buddhist and a Hindu Temple.

Rest of the day is at leisure, you may choose to be at the beach or you could explore some of the shopping options. My suggestion would be the 'House Of fashion' where you could buy a wide range of outfits at a great price.

If you love eating, my suggestion would be to try out the hotel's fine dining restaurant called '1864'. This place has fine tuned dinning to an art with fish being imported as far off as from Australia. However, this is just a suggestion.

Evening you may wander along Galle Face. This is the sea front of Colombo where scores of middle class Sri Lankans arrive for a small picnic. They either bring their own food or could make inexpensive buys from the several inexpensive food stalls that dot the walkway along the shore. Little family's huddle in small groups, children fly kites or play soft football. The several inflatable toys add colour and atmosphere to the place. Of course the lovely sea breeze does relax one. Overnight at Galle Face Regency Hotel (Oceanic Deluxe)

Day 03 : Colombo - Tudella - Habarana Sigiriya & Dambulla - Kandy
Following breakfast ride out to the Muthurajawela River near Tudella for a boat cruise. Look out for fish and fowl on this half-day boat trip. Mangroves and various marsh plants form a thick mat of vegetation around the riverbanks, attracting a variety of water birds and wildlife to the area. You can also see fishermen casting their nets, or fishing with a rod and line.

Later we drive to Dambulla. Upon arrival we visit the Dambulla Rock Temple, which is a magnificent gallery of Buddha images and wall and ceiling paintings not seen anywhere else in the Island. It is a complex of five cave temples with its origin going back to the Anuradhapura period (1st century BC). However due to additions and restorations done by various rulers over the past two thousand years what now remains are mostly the works of the Kandyan period (18th century).

During our journey out of Dambulla we will also have a chance to visit the wholesale vegetable market just outside the town. The hustle and bustle here would be a fascinating sight as traders and retailers bargain over prices and quality. We will also have an opportunity to stop at a fruit farm where you may taste farm fresh fruit juices - mango, Pineapple, avocado etc.

Later we continue driving to Habarana. The latter half of the drive is along remote countryside where we will stop to interact with the locals as we stop to pick up some fruits from the farms or just walk into the villages.

Upon arrival, check into the exquisite Chaya Village (Formerly - Habarana Village). It is a village that lacks nothing of 21st century comforts; Chaya Village sits on a reservoir and is nestled under a canopy of ancient and magnificent tree cover. Deliberately designed into the environment, there's nothing lacking in terms of tree cover, bird life, and an aesthetic elegance that can only be obtained by those who recognise nature's ways and wisdom. There's much to feast the eyes on and many things to discover. At your own pace, as it slips into step with the relaxed and immemorial amble that is village life in Sri Lanka.

The hospitality and personalization of service would be specially noted here. A sincere and an honest effort would be made to know you and serve you individually. They attempt to make you feel wanted. Overnight at Chaya Village

Day 04 : Habarana - Sigiriya - Kandy
After breakfast, drive to Sigiriya, which is a glowing tribute to the vision of King Kashyapa who created this 'Palace in the Sky' in the 5th century AD. On the summit of the Sigiriya rock (meaning the 'Lion Rock') that is over 1.5 hectares in extent is the remains of a large palace, the earliest surviving royal palace in Sri Lanka, with several chambers and a bathing pond. In a sheltered pocket of the giant rock are the celebrated paintings of 5th century AD, a few which is remaining from around 500 paintings that once covered the rock surface. Meticulously planned water gardens at the foot of the rock are the earliest such gardens found in Asia. The boulder gardens are a fine example of landscaping while conserving the environment. The Mirror Wall, which had been exposed to elements for over fifteen centuries still carry some of the original sheen that has given it the name. This archaeological site unparalleled in South Asia has been declared a World Heritage Site.

Following the tour we ride to Kandy. On our way, we would have an opportunity to witness typical Sri Lankan crafts. The art of batik printing can be seen as we visit a batik factory. Woodcarving is also a major art of Sri lanka and we would witness the performance of this art in our visit to a wood carving center.

As we ride on, we would also have an opportunity to tour a Spice garden. The air is rendered with the incredible aroma of a variety of spices. You would have an opportunity to witness not only spice farming undertaken by traditional tools and implements, but. Would have an opportunity to buy garden fresh spices at good prices. There are also massage oils available for body and joint pains. You could have an impromptu massage to check out the efficiency of the oil. Upon arrival check into Mahaweli Reach . Overnight at Hotel Mahaweli Reach

Day 05 : Kandy
Following a leisurely breakfast, we proceed on a guided tour of Kandy. The Hill Capital of Kandy was the last bastion of the Sinhala kings and is a charming city offering a living record of a magnificent past. Center of attraction in Kandy is the Dalada Maligawa, the temple housing the sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha. Kandy Lake enhances the charm of the City. Kandy is a romantic city any time of the year. We also visit to the Market Place, an art & crafts show room. Following this, we drive along the Upper lake road to get a panoramic view of the Kandy Lake and its environs. We continue driving to Peradeniya and visit the Botanical Gardens, where you can view a rare collection of tropical exotic and indigenous flora can be viewed and also famous Orchid House

A highlight of our tour of Sri Lanka would be the witnessing of the Kandiyan dances this evening at an auditorium. The spectacular display of a wide range of dances is spell bounding. The colour, the vigour and the grace are amazing. Several martial dances too are performed. The highlight of course is the fire dance where dancers swallow fire, walk on fire and rub fire sticks on their body. Overnight at Hotel Mahaweli Reach

Day 06 : Kandy - Pinnawela - Colombo
Colombo - Departure
Following breakfast we drive to Colombo, Enroute we visit Pinnawela, an interesting and amusing elephant orphanage. Pinnawela is the home to some 60 or more elephant orphans. A place you will really enjoy and never forget. Most orphans are accustomed to their curious human visitors are harmless.

Sri Lanka is the only country in the world to open elephant orphanages to protect the destitute young wild elephants. Young elephants left in the jungle without care are brought to this orphanage and tendered till they reach maturity. Interesting time to visit the orphanage is at the bathing time when the herd is brought to a river flowing close by or at feeding time to see the babies being bottle-fed.

From here we continue our drive to Colombo. Upon arrival transfer to the international airport to board your flight back home.

END OF SERVICES
We do hope the flavor of Sri Lanka will remain on your taste buds for all times to come and hopefully would kindle an indelible fondness for the country and her people; Thank you for being our guest, and as we say in India 'Please Come back Soon"