Secrets of Sri Lanka - 7 Night/8 Days
Find your tour online or call our tailor made experts on
0844 499 0995
Secrets of Sri Lanka - 7 Night/8 Days |
|
|
|
Begin an amazing journey across a land rich in culture, history and scenic beauty.
|
|
|
On arrival at the Bandaranaike Airport you will be met and greeted by your representative from Walkers Tours before heading off to Colombo – the Commercial Capital of Sri Lanka.
Colombo - like many capital cities in developing countries Colombo is fast changing its face. Almost overnight, skyscrapers arise from where old buildings once stood, yet in some parts; the old world charm is retained. A 100-year-old clock tower and several British built, colonial buildings are still to be seen in the city. The Pettah bazaar – where one can shop for bargains, a Hindu and a Buddhist temple, residential areas where you find the stately homes of the affluent and the Colombo museum are some of the places of interest that one can visit.
P.M. Late evening Colombo city tour & optional Shopping Tour.
Overnight stay at The Hilton, Colombo (5 Star) Bed & Breakfast Basis Overnight In: Hilton, Colombo 5* Bed & Breakfast |
|
|
|
Enjoy the bright sunshine as you have your breakfast and thereafter meet your guide at the hotel lobby. You will now proceed to Polonnaruwa.
The second most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms, Polonnaruwa was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I, who defeated the Chola invaders in 1070 to reunite the country once more under a local leader. This city is known to have been the pinnacle of the Golden Age of Sri Lanka. Parakramabahu the 1st, a ruler whose goal was that no drop of water falling from the heavens be wasted, sanctioned the development of irrigation systems which are still utilized to this day. The greatest of these systems – the Parakrama Samudra (Sea of Parakrama) is a tank so vast that it is often mistaken for an ocean. It circles the main city like a ribbon...
A few sites to see while at Polonnaruwa are…
The Royal Palace
The Royal Palace dates from the reign of Parakramabahu the 1st. This is a magnificent structure measuring 31m by 13m, and is said to have 7 storeys. The main hall in this palace comprised of 50 rooms in all. Make sure you visit the Audience hall and the Bathing pool when at the palace.
The Quadrangle
Only a short stroll north of the ruins of the royal palace, the area known as the quadrangle is literally a compact group of fascinating ruins in an elevated area bounded by a wall. It is the most concentrated collection of buildings you’ll find in the ancient cities.
Gal Vihara
This group of beautiful Buddha images probably marks the peak of Sinhalese rock carvings. They are apart of Parakramabahu’s northern monastery. The Gal Vihara consists of 4 separate images, all chiseled from one long slab of granite
Return late evening to the hotel & enjoy an Elephant back safari in Habarana. Elephant Back Safari (1 hour)
In the afternoon take an Elephant Back Safari through the forests and villages of Habarana. A wooden platform large enough to hold four people is secured atop an elephant. From this unique perch clients will enjoy Habarana and the surrounding wilderness as the elephant ambles through Overnight stay at Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana or similar (4 Star) – Half Board Basis Overnight In: Dinner & Overnight stay at Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana or similar (4 Star) |
|
|
|
Experience the calmness of a tropical dawning as you enjoy a cup of tea. In the morning make your way down to Hiriwadunna.
This is a super jungle and village experience which is popular with most clients. Early departure from the hotel with a packed "local" breakfast to a point off the main road where we begin a scintillating walk over village paths, a tank (ancient reservoir) bund and forest. Cross a little jungle rivulet by catamaran to reach a farmers simple "wattle and daub" house where you can have your breakfast. The villager will provide some tea and may be a few sweetmeats. Walk half an hour by foot and bullock cart to a point where a jeep meets you for the transfer to Habarana, a truly Sri Lankan experience. Late in the evening visit Sigiriya Sigiriya is an ancient rock fortress and ruins of a castle, which was once the home to King Kasyapa. The entrance to the original fortress was through the mouth of a lion, however the ravages of time has resulted with only a part of the massive paws remaining today. A testament to ancient artistry and architectural ingenuity Sigiriya has many attractions to its visitors its gardens (boulder, water & terraced), its artistry (the world renowned frescos), the mirror wall and the dramatic history linked to the construction of the Lion Rock. An original Lost City,
Overnight In: Dinner & Overnight stay at Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana or similar (4 Star) |
|
|
An early breakfast and an early start to a long and exciting day exploring Sri Lanka! Today your first destination will be the Dambulla Cave Temples.
Dambulla Cave Temples
The rock towers 160 m over the surrounding plains. There are more than 80 documented caves in the surrounding. Major attractions are spread over 5 caves, which contain statues and paintings. This paintings and statues are related to Lord Buddha and his life. There are a total of 153 Buddha statues, 3 statues of Sri Lankan kings and 4 statues of god and goddess. The latter 4 include two statues of Hindu gods, Vishnu and Ganesh. The murals cover an area of 2,100 m². Depictions in the walls of the caves include Buddha's temptation by demon Mara and Buddha's first sermon
Enroute stop-over at the Matale Spice Gardens. Indulge your senses and dabble in the homeopathic remedies of the East!
Kandy - Arrive at the city of Kandy (Nuwara), the Last Kingdom of Sri Lanka.
The Temple of the Tooth which is commonly known as "Sri Dalada Maligawa" is situated in the city of hills, Kandy. It is an important shrine for Buddhists as it holds the tooth relic of Lord Buddha. It is famous for its carvings and the beautiful art that is unique to Sri Lanka. The most important part of the Dalada Maligawa is the octagon (Pathirppuwa). The Sri Dalada Maligawa is the most sacred temple in the whole of Sri Lanka. Thousands of people line up each day to get a glimpse of its majesty.
P.M. – City tour of Kandy & witness a cultural dance, a short walk away from the Temple of the Tooth.
Overnight stay at Chaaya Citadel, Kandy (3 Star plus) – Half Board Basis Overnight In: Dinner & Overnight stay at Chaaya Citadel, Kandy (3 Star plus) |
|
|
After breakfast enjoy your drive through the hills while you head off to “Little England.†a charming colonial retreat known locally as Nuwara Eliya.
Nuwara Eliya Sri Lanka's premier hill resort with a fine bracing mountain climate. Nuwara Eliya is also the heart of Sri Lanka's tea country producing 50% of the world’s best tea. Sri Lanka's highest mountain Pidurutalagala (8282 ft) is located here. Nuwara Eliya is the location for one of the finest 18 whole golf courses in Asia.
Tea Plantation - visit a tea plantation and a tea factory where one the best teas in the world is produced. You will be told all about the process of manufacturing tea and also gain first hand experience on the manufacture of some of the best teas in world. If you’re lucky you may be invited to taste a cup of pure Ceylon tea which begins its journey as raw green leaves in the hills and ends up as a final golden-brown graded product which we all but know too well
P.M. - City tour of Nuwara Eliya. Also make sure to visit a Tea Plantation and Tea Factory as well.
Overnight stay at Tea Factory (Concept hotel) or The Grand Hotel (Colonial hotel) in Nuwara Eliya (4 Star) – Half Board Basis Overnight In: Dinner & Overnight stay at Tea Factory(Concept hotel) or The Grand Hotel (Colonial hotel) in Nuwara Eliya (4 Star) – Half Board Basis |
|
|
Wake up to a beautiful morning. Begin your day as you enjoy a cup of tea gazing in to the Morning mist. After breakfast head towards the Haggala Botanical Gardens.
The Hakgala Botanical Gardens was first established in 1861 under the curatorship of William Nock, JK Nock and JJ Nock. It lies under the Hakgala Peak, between 5000 - 6000 feet in elevation –one of the highest set Botanical Gardens in the world. It boasts 100 year old Monetary Cypress trees from California, Japanese Cedars, Himalayan Pines and English Oak. The garden also has a wonderful collection of roses.
After the walk through the flowers proceed to Yala to experience the Wild life of Sri Lanka.
Overnight stay at Yala Village, Yala. (Safari Hotel – Chalet rooms) – Half Board Basis Overnight In: Dinner & Overnight stay at Yala Village, Yala. (Safari Hotel – Chalet rooms) – Half Board Basis |
|
|
Leave at the break of dawn to the Yala National Park for your wildlife safari
Yala – Sri Lanka’s most known national park is popular for Elephant, Leopard, Bear, Crocodile and Wild Boar. More than three times larger than Undawelewe at 97,800 hectares, this is the second largest of Sri Lanka’s national parks. Its open undulating terrain made it famous for elephants for many years, but recently the park has also received much fame through publicity by National Geographic and the Discovery TV channels, which focused on a leopard research/conservation and identification project. Claims have subsequently been made that Yala National Park has the world’s highest concentration of leopard per square kilometer. This park is primarily shrub jungle with several salt and fresh water lagoons. The areas popular with leopard are rock strewn hillocks with dense shrub in which the animals hide.
After the Safari, head towards the southern coastal belt. Enroute visit the famous Dutch fort in Galle.
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 Fvessels, and to which Jonah fled from the Lord. Today, the 90 acre Galle Fort has no evidence of its Portuguese founders. The Dutch incorporated the Portuguese northern wall in a great rampart in 1663. A second, taller wall was build 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 rides.
Overnight stay at Bentota Beach Hotel, Bentota or Kani Lanka Resort & Spa, Kalutara (4 Star) – Half Board Basis Overnight In: Dinner & Overnight stay at Bentota Beach Hotel, Bentota or Kani Lanka Resort & Spa, Kalutara (4 Star) – Half Board Basis |
|
|
After breakfast head towards the Airport with happy memories.
Wish you a safe trip home! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Pricing |
| Travel Dates |
Twin |
| Secrets Of Sri Lanka |
| 01'Sep - 31'Oct'10 |
| 01'Nov - 15'Dec'10 |
| 16'Dec - 23'Dec'10 |
| 25'Dec - 30'Dec'10 |
| 01'Jan - 10'Jan'11 |
| 11'Jan - 30'Apr'11 |
| 24'Dec - 24'Dec'10 |
| 31'Dec - 31'Dec'10 |
| What's Included |
 Accommodation at all hotels on the basis specified in the itinerary |
| Air-conditioned transportation with the services of an English speaking Chauffeur Guide |
| All applicable Entrance fees as per the itinerary |
| All applicable government taxes and service charges |
| What's Not Included |
| Camera charges etc... |
| Tips of a personal nature |
|
