Undiscovered Sri Lanka Tour

8 Nights / 9 Days

Day 1

You will be met by a representative and transferred to Colombo.

Afternoon - city tour of Colombo.

Colombo

A drive through the city takes you to the busy commercial areas as well as the tree-lined residential Cinnamon Gardens. The historic Dawatagaha Mosque and the former Eye Hospital are two buildings in Cinnamon Gardens worth a look. Visit Fort, the former British administrative center and military garrison, Sea Street - the Goldsmith's quarters in the heart of Pettah, the colourful bazaar area where you'll also find a Hindu Temple showing elaborate stone carvings, the Dutch Church of Wolfendhal dating back to 1749. Also visit the BMICH (Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall), see the replica of Avukana Buddha and the Independence Square.

Shop at the exquisite Mlesna tea boutique, visit the Majestic City & Liberty Plaza shopping malls, House of Fashions and Odels Unlimited for readymade garments and also the Lanka Ceramics Centre, a place where you can buy "Noritake" or other ceramic items.

Dinner & Overnight stay at Galadari Hotel - 4 STAR, Colombo.

Day 2

Enjoy breakfast, leave for Kitulgala.

Afternoon - At leisure or optional visit to Kitulgala forest reserve.

Dinner & Overnight stay at Kitulgala Rest House, Kitulgala.

Day 3

Enjoy breakfast, the journey heads for Nuwara Eliya.

Nuwara Eliya

Rest of the day at leisure to spend in Nuwara Eliya - The 'Little England' of Sri Lanka, is set against beautiful backdrops of mountains, valleys, waterfalls and tea plantations. It is one of the coolest climatic places on the island, rather reminiscent of an English spring day, although the temperature does drop at night. All around Nuwara Eliya you will see evidence of the British settlement. Houses are like country cottages or Queen Ann style mansions. Stroll the steets, breathe in the fresh air and be sure to relax with a pot of the finest tea in the world.

Dinner & Overnight stay at Grand Hotel - 4 STAR, Nuwara Eliya.

Day 4

Enjoy breakfast, an excursion to Hortain Plains.

Horton Plains

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, the 'Niloos' that blooms once in 12 years, the butterflies and birds are all 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.

Dinner & Overnight stay at Grand Hotel - 4 STAR, Nuwara Eliya.

Day 5

Enjoy breakfast leave for Kandy visiting a tea plantation & factory en route.

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 forested land, the Loolkandura Estate. In 1873, the tea export industry of Sri Lanka began with a modest 23lbs being shipped to London. Tea will only grow on rolling terrain and is classified by elevation into three main groups; low grown, medium, grown, high grown. In 1996 Sri Lanka had produced 244 million kgs of tea for export and has earned in excess of Rs. 34,000 million.

Dinner & Overnight stay at Mahaweli Reach Hotel - 5 STAR, Kandy.

Day 6

Enjoy breakfast, commence city tour of Kandy, including Upper Lake Drive, Market Square, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic & Royal botanical gardens at Peradeniya.

Kandy

The country's hill capital and venue of annual Perahera (August festival). 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. Explore colourful art and craft markets, take a stroll by the lake, visit temples, shrines and churches amongst the hilly terrain of Sri Lanka's second largest city.

Sacred Tooth Relic Temple

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. To the people if Sri Lanka, it is considered the country's most prized possession.

Enjoy breakfast visit Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya. Sixty seven hectares of exquisite beauty and botanical treasurers containing more than 4000 species of wild and wonderful plants, animals and birdlife. This is haven is not only for scientists but be enjoyed by all those who appreciate natures wonders.

Evening entertainment of a cultural show featuring various dance types of Sri Lanka.

Dinner and overnight stay at Mahaweli Reach Hotel - 5 STAR, Kandy.

Day 7

Enjoy breakfast, leave for Negombo visiting the elephant orphanage at Pinnawela.

Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage

Approx. 55 miles from Colombo, off the Colombo-Kandy road is Pinnawela, an orphanage that was started in 1975 to house abandoned and wounded elephants. The number of elephants has steadily increased, they are brought in from various parts of the country. The orphanage is now home to many new born babies as a result of the captive breeding programme. The best time to visit is the feeding time from 0930-1000 hrs and 1330-1400 hrs and the bathing time from 1000-1030 hrs and 1400-1430 hrs when all the elephants are taken to the river, where you can stand by at close range.

Dinner & Overnight stay at Royal Oceanic Hotel - 4 STAR+, Negombo.

Day 8

Full day at leisure. Explore Negombo town, a quaint little fishing village. Stroll the streets, have lunch in a local restaurant, pick up a few souvenirs, relax by the beach or poolside, swim in the ocean, lay under the coconut trees, take part in recreational activities... the day is yours to do whatever you please.

Breakfast, Dinner & Overnight stay at Royal Oceanic Hotel - 4 STAR+, Negombo.

Day 9

Enjoy breakfast, transfer to the airport for departure OR transfer to the preferred beach resort.