SRI LANKA SOLO – The Independent Travelle
Day 01
Arrival and welcome by a representative of Lanka Sportreizen and transfer to Hotel in Negombo – Little Rome Negombo… Being one of the major tourist beach resorts of the island, this lively town is mainly inhabited by the fisher-folk. This is also one of the strongholds of the catholic community of Sri Lanka and quiet correctly considered as the “Little Rome”, located along the picturesque Negombo Lagoon, along which hundreds of fishing boats and catamarans could be seen most of the time. The Town is dotted with several churches, some dating from the earliest colonial times. Sightseeing in Negombo includes the remains of the Old Dutch
Fortress from 1678, the Dutch Canal constructed for the transportation of Cinnamon, St. Mary’s Church and the Old Dutch Cemetery, and naturally, the Negombo Fish Market –more famously known as the “Lellama”.
Relax
Undertake a Boat Ride in the Muthurajawela Nature Reserve.
Muthurajawela Nature Reserve.… is located within the unique tropical wetlands between Colombo and Negombo with its flora and fauna of marshes, waters and mangrove forests covering an area of 7.000 hectares. This is a Nature Reserve where one encounters the floraand fauna confined to wetland marshes and mangrove forests. Both aquatic and marshy vegetation are. found here. You may take part in a Boat Cruise across the Nature Reserve - relax and enjoy the nature while looking out for more than 100 varieties of waterside birds including Herons, Storks, Waders and brilliantly colored Kingfishers - try to identify the different flora and fauna.
Dinner and overnight stay in Negombo
Day 02
After early breakfast leave for Polonnaruwa- the Medieval Capital of Sri Lanka- 11th Century AD Polonnaruwa.… the island’s Medieval Capital (11th – 13th Centuries AD) which rose to fame after the decline of Anuradhapura... The city was fortified with three concentric walls, beautified with parks and gardens and sanctified by many shrines. A unique Irrigation complex watered the city as well as the surrounding plains helping in agriculture which made the island "the Grainery of the East”. The largest of the man-made reservoirs, the huge Parakrama Samudra (the Sea of Parakrama), is larger in size than the Colombo Harbour. Polonnaruwa is home to two magnificent World Heritage Sites and numerous other sites of
archaeological and historical interest, some of which depict the influence that Hinduism had on the Buddhist Civilisation during that period of history.
En route visit the Elephant Orphanage to see the world's largest herd of domestic Elephants comprising adults and babies including the world’s first set of twins 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. In Polonnaruwa, visit the many sites of archaeological and historical interest in the Sacred City including the Grate Statue, Quadrangle, Royal Palace, Vatadage, Hatadage, Siva Devalaya, Gal Viharaya, Alahana Pirivena Complex, Kumara and Lotus Ponds, Thuparamaya, Rankoth Vehera, Pabalu Vehera, Thiwanka Image House, The Museum etc. some of which depict the influence that Hinduism had on the Buddhist Civilisation during that period of history. Hop in to a Wood Carving Factory to see the skills of SriLankan Craftsmen Dinner and overnight stay in Dambulla
Day 03
After breakfast leave for Sigiriya
Sigiriya… a Royal Citadel for 20 years in the 5th Century AD - stark and forbidding, haunted by an epic story of murder and betrayal is attributed to King Kasyapa who found hiding here after killing his father more fruitful than meeting the wrath of the people who loved King Dhatusena much more before meeting his rival - Prince Mugalan who had fled to India seeking reinforcements of his Army. This unique Rock Fortress or "castle in the sky" - a massive monolith of red stone that rises 600 ft above ground, derived the name "Lion Rock" as the entrance to the climb to the summit is reached between the paws of a lion.
Climb the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya, a Royal Citadel for 20 years in the 5th Century AD built by King Kasyapa, contemporary with the paintings of Ajantha and Ellora Caves in India, highlights being the Frescoes, Mirror Wall and the Lion's Paw, considered as the 8th Wonder of the modern world, thought to be equivalent to the "Alakamanda" - Celestial Palace of God Kuvera.
In the afternoon visit Dambulla Cave Temple considered to be the largest painted caves in the world with more than 22,000 sq ft of painted surfaces with many paintings, sculptures, statues of Lord Buddha, his disciples, Kings, Gods etc.
Dambulla... a collection of five caves of different sizes full of paintings, sculptures, statues of Lord Buddha, his disciples, Kings, Gods etc. considered to be the largest painted caves in the world with more than 22,000 sq ft of painted surfaces declared a World Heritage Site. Initial authorship is attributed to King Valagambahu who took refuge here after being driven out of Anuradhapura by invading armies, although the works span over all periods since then to the late Kandy Period in the 18th Century Dinner and overnight stay in Dambulla
Day 04
After breakfast 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 1815 AD which is a World Heritage Site. The name Kandy conjures vision of splendour 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 Walk in to a Spice Garden and take part in a conducted tour to get some knowledge about the growth and use of spices in the day to day life. In this garden you will find all Spices that grow in Sri Lanka including Cinnamon, Cardamom, Pepper, Nutmeg, Vanilla etc. in the form of trees, plants, creepers. Visitors will be taken round by a competent person explaining each specie’ name, identity, growth, use in food/medicinal/curative values. All products are displayed in a shop from which those interested could by them although not mandatory to do so as this will mainly be a technical visit for educative purposes.
In a Batik Making Factory, see how beautifully the village girls turn out beautiful coloured cloths for different purposes with colourful designs.
En route visit the famous Muthu Mariamman Hindu Temple in Matale In Kandy, leave for 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 Buddhist’s world over.
Dinner and overnight stay in Kandy
Day 05
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 most 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.
Dinner and overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya
Day 06
After breakfast leave for Colombo – Commercial Capital via Hatton
Colombo .... is a fascinating city, not only for its comfortable blend of East and West, but also for its casy 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 Enjoy the breathtakingly beautiful natural landscapes on this mountainous route passing the Water Falls – Devon and St. Claires
Break journey at the location of David Lean’s award winning film “Bridge on the River Kwai” at Kitulgala – you might come across the “Jungle Boy” In Colombo, 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 Lotus Tower – claimed to be the tallest in South Asia, the New Parliament Area and shopping etc.
Dinner and overnight stay in Colombo
Day 07
Transfer to the airport for departure through the Airport Expressway
ACCOMMODATION
3 Star
• Negombo - Regenta Arie Lagoon Hotel (Deluxe Room)
https://www.royalorchidhotels.com/regenta-arie-lagoon-negombo-srilanka/overview
• Dambulla - Rangiri Dambulla Resort (Chalet)
https://lsrhotels.com/lsr-hotels/rangiri-dambulla-resort
• Kandy - Topaz Hotel (Deluxe Room)
https://www.topaz.lk/
• Nuwara Eliya - Heaven Seven Hotel (Deluxe with balcony)
https://www.heavensevenhotels.com/hotel/Heaven%20Seven%20Nuwara%20Eliya
• Colombo - Radisson Colombo Hotel (Premium Room)
https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/destination/sri-lanka/Colombo
4 / 5 Star
• Negombo – Goldi Sands
https://www.goldisands.com/
• Dambulla – Amaya Lake Resort & Spa
https://www.amayaresorts.com/amayalake/
• Kandy – Thilanka
https://www.thilankahotel.com/
• Nuwara Eliya – Araliya Green Hills
https://www.araliyaresorts.com/araliya-green-hills/
• Colombo – Grandbell Hotel
https://granbellhotel.lk/
INCLUDED
- Accommodation in a Single Room with Breakfast and Dinner included.
- Transport in an A/C Deluxe vehicle with an English speaking Chauffeur
- Entrance Fees to all the tourist sites that are included in the programme.
- Boat Hire at Muthurajawela
- All Taxes as of now
Lufthansa City Center