7 days Sri Lanka – Colombo, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Nanu Oya, Yala
LSR Sri Lanka
Day 01
Arrival, welcome by a Representative of Lanka Sportreizen and transfer to Hotel in Negombo
Relax
Overnight stay at Negombo
Day 02
After early breakfast leave for Pinnawala to visit the Elephant Orphanage to see the world's largest herd of domestic Elephants including babies who are still being fed by bottle thrice a day.
Elephant Orphanage… established in 1975 as an effort towards education and conservation by way of scientific captive breeding. Located on the banks of the Maha Oya, the Elephant Orphanage provides shelter to house young elephants who find themselves displaced and lost from their natural habitats for various reasons such as environmental changes due to development projects, being abandoned by their parents when they fall into pits and ravines, etc.
Leave for Kandy - the Hill Capital
Kandy…………. literally the "City on the Hills" so named as it was protected by the nature - water, rocks and jungles. The last capital of the Sri Lankan kings before falling to the British in 1815AD which is a World Heritage Site. The name Kandy conjures vision of splendor of magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. The centre of attraction is the golden roofed Temple of the Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. The Kandy Lake built by the last King Sri Wickramarajasinghe in 1806 holds a prominent view of the City. It is a City for arts and crafts as well culture and history
Undertake a City Tour including the Upper Lake Drive - a place where one could have a bird's eye view of the city below, the Royal Botanical Gardens - one of the best of its kind in Asia with more than 5000 species of different varieties of flora which incidentally was the Headquarters of Lord Louise Mountbatten - the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces during the 2nd World War, a Gem Museum - to see how the valuable gems that you see on a shop shelf are turned out from a raw stone with the back ground history.
In the evening watch a Cultural Performance by traditional Kandyan Dancers and Drummers including devotional "Fire Walking" and walk across in the star lit night to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha - by far the most important place of worship for Buddhists world over.
Overnight stay at Kandy
Day 03
After breakfast leave for Nuwara Eliya - "Little England" through the Ramboda Pass surrounded by "Green Carpets"- hills covered with Tea and cascading Water Falls amidst breathtakingly beautiful landscapes
Nuwara Eliya… nestled in a wooded basin at the foot of Mount Pidurutalagala Sri Lanka’s highest peak, this region at 6,183ft above sea-level Has a cool, crisp climate unknown elsewhere in Sri Lanka. A serene retreat from the hustle and bustle of Colombo, the town seems like a piece of the English Lake District. Unusual plants, birds and animals thrive here besides natural feature like waterfalls and caves. Tea, the glistening green leaves of this lovely shrub, along with neat rows of green, cloak ridges and valleys providing a lasting
impression of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country. The Golf Course – one of the finest and picturesque in Asia – the serene Anglican Church of the Holy Trinity, beautiful parks and well-kept lawns and hedges give the place an air of nostalgia.
En route visit a Tea Factory and a Plantation to witness the manufacturing process of world famous "Ceylon Tea" and to taste a pure unblended cup of factory fresh tea before being sent to the Tea Auctions in Colombo leading to Export.
Evening is free for walks /tour around the city - the important places being the Victoria Park, Gregory Lake, Golf Course, Market etc.
Nature Lovers could make a visit to see the Lover's Leap Water Falls just outside the city which will involve a little bit of hiking for about 1 hour both ways.
Overnight stay at Nuwara Eliya
Day 04
After breakfast transfer to the Nanu Oya Railway Station
Travel by train from Nanu Oya, the closest station to Nuwara Eliya – Little England to Ella, surrounded by "Green Carpets"- hills covered with Tea and cascading Water Falls amidst breathtakingly beautiful landscapes (3 Hours)
In the process you will pass by the station at the highest Elevation in Sri Lanka – Pattipola – 1800 meters
It is interesting to note that between Ohiya and Idalgashinna in a distance of 8.5km there are 14 tunnels including the longest in the island of 181 meters.
Pick up and transfer to the Hotel.
Enjoy the nature at its best – visit the 9 Arches Railway Bridge – an engineering marvel
Overnight stay at Ella
Day 05
After breakfast leave for Yala through the breathtakingly beautiful Ella Gap passing the Rawana Ella Water Falls
En route visit the Buduruwagala Rock Carving Complex – one of the lesser known unique attractions.
Yala National Park … having an added bonus of a scenic ocean frontage, the terrain is varied — flat plains alternating with rocky out-crops. The vegetation ranges from open parkland to dense jungle creating contrasting eco systems and habitats. This has resulted in producing a high bio-diversity among the plant and animal-life at YALA. With a bit of luck one could sight the big four: Elephant, Leopard, Bear and Buffalo. In addition, other mammals such as sambhur, spotted deer, jackal, mongoose and several species of monkeys could be sighted very frequently. The bird life at YALA is also very vivid and rich in numbers, especially during the months November to April when thousands of migratory birds arrive in Sri Lanka.
Undertake a Jeep safari of the Yala (Ruhunu) National Park which has the highest concentration of Leopards in Sri Lanka
Overnight stay at Yala /Tissamaharama
Day 06
After breakfast leave for Galle – Southern Capital.
Galle … the port city, standing on one of the main sea routes in the southern part of the city, it has a unique charm among the many historic places in Sri Lanka. The Dutch built the 1st Protestant church in Sri Lanka here, and it is also famous for its Dutch Fort.
Visit the Galle Dutch Fortress - a World Heritage Site
Continue to Colombo – Commercial Capital along the Expressway
Colombo .... is a fascinating city, not only for its comfortable blend of East and West, but also for its balanced mixture of the past and the present. It is the Commercial Capital of the country, and is only 35 km south of the country's only International Airport. Many attractions, opportunities for shopping, availability of tasting a multitude of cuisine etc. makes it an interesting city
Undertake a City Tour of Colombo including a Buddhist Temple, Dutch Wolvendhal Church, a Hindu Temple, Town Hall, BMICH (Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall), Cinnamon Gardens - Prime residential area, the Nelum Pokuna – the newly opened Performing Arts Theatre, the recently developed New Parliament Area, Lotus Tower claimed to be South Asia’s tallest tower etc.
Shopping
Overnight stay at Colombo
Day 07
Transfer to the Airport for departure
Services included
1. Transport in an A/C Vehicle with an English-Speaking Chauffeur Guide from/to Airport as per itinerary except free times.
2. Accommodation sharing Double / Twin basis with Breakfast in Hotels as specified above.
3. Entrance Fees to all the tourist sites that are included in the programme.
4. Services of an English-Speaking Local Guide from 07 Pax & upwards.
5. Jeep Hire to National Park (Wherever applicable)
6. Other local assistance
Servcies not included
1. Lunch & Dinner
2. All beverages, Tips and Portages.
3. Compulsory Supplements (Christmas & New Year’ Eve Gala Dinners Supplement / Kandy Perahera Room Supplement)
4. All expenses of personal nature such as Telephone Calls, Laundry and Tipping etc.
5. Any supplements that may incur due to events / matches / sports activities taking place in those localities
6. Additional transfers other than the itinerary will be charged locally. Mileage will be calculated from office to office
Lufthansa City Center