Travelpack

Highlights: Dambulla – Kandy - Nuwara Eliya – Kalutara

Other Departure: Glasgow - £1575, Edinburgh - £1519, Birmingham - £1559, Manchester - £1559, Newcastle - £1597, Cardiff - £1529.

Alternate travel dates: 1 Sep - 31 Oct 2021

Hotels or Similar:
Dambulla - Amaya Lake (Superior room)
Kandy - Amaya Hills (Superior room)
Nuwara Eliya - Galway Heights (Deluxe room)
Kalutara - Turyaa Kalutara (Deluxe room)

Sri Lanka is a lush, tropical island paradise, known to ancient Greek mariners as TAPROBANE. Arab traders called it Serendib – hence the word "serendipity", meaning discovery by happy accident. It was famously described by Marco Polo as "undoubtedly the finest island of its size in the world".
This is a culturally rich and environmentally diverse country, with nine World Heritage Sites (the oldest dating back to the 3rd Century BC); 86 species of mammals (including elephant and leopard) and more than 400 bird species (including 26 endemics); a colorful array of flowering plants and trees, and a Hill Country famous for tea; 14 National Parks out of 100 areas protected by the government; and an Indian Ocean coastline boasting palm-fringed and sandy tropical beaches.

Itinerary

Day 01: Airport, Dambulla
You will be warmly welcomed by our representative who will guide you throughout the tour. After the formalities at the airport, proceed to your first hotel in Dambulla. Once reached, check-in to the hotel and relax. Overnight accommodation and dinner at Amaya Lake or similar

Day 02: Dambulla, Sigiriya, Minneriya, Kandalama Reservoir, Dambulla.
After an early breakfast, visit Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Proceed to climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress which is known as the 8th wonder of the world. This rock fortress was built by King Kasyapa in the 5th century A.D. and was a royal citadel for more than 18 years. In a sheltered, a pocket, approached by a spiral stairway, are the famous frescoes. The summit of the rock, with an area of nearly one hectare, was the site of the palace and the outer wall was built on the very brink of the precipice. The UNESCO sponsored Central Cultural Fund has restored Sigiriya 5th century water gardens to their former glory. On completion, proceed to Minneriya National Park for an exciting jeep safari. Located between Habarana and Polonnaruwa, Minneriya is yet another haven for the elephants that migrate from surrounding jungles to enjoy the lush grass fields on the banks of the Minneriya reservoir, during the dry season. Reports of elephant sightings range from an impressive 100 to 200. Endemic monkeys, as well as many residents and migratory bird species, also can be spotted along with endemic reptiles such as the painted-lip lizard. Among the reptiles that dwell here, are the saltwater crocodile, the Indian python and the water monitor. The central feature of the park is the ancient Minneriya Tank (built-in 3rd century AD by King Mahasena). This tank is generally known as a place to observe the elephants that come to bathe and graze on the grasses as well as the huge flocks of birds (cormorants and painted storks to name but a few) that come to fish in the shallow waters. On your way back to the hotel, witness the ‘Kandalama Reservoir’. Amongst the craggy regions of the Central province of Sri Lanka is a placid and beautiful man-made lake, which is actually the Kandalama Reservoir. Created by kings of long-gone times in order to provide water for farming irrigation; the Kandelle or Candelay reservoir, as it was also known, is located in the town of Kandalama and was made by damming one of the main tributaries of Kala Wewa. On completion, return to the hotel and relax. Overnight accommodation and dinner at Amaya Lake or similar

Day 03: Dambulla, Avukana, Matale, Kandy
After an early breakfast, proceed to Avukana Buddha Statue. The Avukana statue is a standing statue of the Buddha. The statue, which has a height of more than 40 feet, was carved out of a large granite rock face during the 5th century. It depicts a variation of the Abhaya mudra, and the closely worn robe is elaborately carved. On completion, proceed to Kandy via Matale and stop to visit a spice Garden. Enjoy a Sri Lanka style lunch and a 15mins head & shoulder massage.
Matale is famous for its batik production and spice gardens. You would visit a Spice Garden. For centuries, spices have been one of Sri Lanka's celebrated exports. Spices are mostly grown in home gardens (as a home industry) and used not only to flavor food but also for medicine and cosmetics
On completion, continue to proceed to Kandy and check-in to the hotel. Overnight accommodation and dinner at Amaya Hills or similar

Day 04: Kandy Sightseeing & War Cemetery
After breakfast, commence a sightseeing tour of Kandy. Kandy, perhaps is Sri Lanka‟s most beautiful town. Set 488 meters above sea level, Kandy is Sri Lanka‟s most visited place after Colombo. The focal point of the town is the golden-roofed „Dalada Maligawa‟, where the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha is enshrined. There are numerous shrines and temples in and around Kandy, where you will see rare paintings, frescoes, and stone carvings. Temple of the Tooth Relic. Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic. It is located in the royal palace complex which houses the Relic of the tooth of Buddha. Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country. Kandy was the last capital of the Sinhalese kings and is a UNESCO world heritage site partly due to the temple.
Thereafter you will have the time to do some shopping in Kandy, where you could fetch souvenirs in wood, copper, silver, brass, ebony, bronze, ceramics, lacquer work, handlooms, batiks, jewelry and reed-ware at bargain prices! Next- Sightseeing of Kandy with Upper lake drive, Market square etc. On completion, visit the British War Cemetery in Kandy. The Kandy War Cemetery is a British military cemetery in Kandy, Sri Lanka, for soldiers of the British Empire who were killed during World War II as well as a soldier who died during World War. On completion return to the hotel and relax. Overnight accommodation and dinner at Amaya Hills or similar

Day 05: Kandy, Nuwara Eliya Via Train - Subject To Availability
After breakfast, check-out and proceed to Kandy Railway Station and board your train to Nanu-Oya. Board your train and enjoy one of Asia‟s most scenic train rides. Once reached, your driver will pick you up from Nanu Oya Railway Station. Then transfer to Nuwara-Eliya. Check-in to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day in leisure. Overnight accommodation and dinner at Galway Heights or similar

Day 06: Nuwara Eliya Sightseeing, Kosgoda, Kalutara
After breakfast, proceed on a sightseeing tour of Nuwara-Eliya and visit a Tea factory. This highland civic of Nuwara Eliya often referred to as the „Little England” for its colonial-style bungalows, Tudor style hotels, well-kept gardens, meticulous hedges, shrubberies and of course not to forget the cool climate. This was once a small village hidden amongst the wooded green mountains, hence the name “Eliya” meaning “a clearing” in Sinhala, until colonial civil servant John Devy saw the potential in 1819, which initiated the budding milieu for British colonial hands to have a pause from the heat and the city commotion. Henceforward, the colonial-style bungalows, horse racing venues, golf courses and clay pigeon shooting became customary events in Nuwara Eliya. In 1870 following the Coffee Blight, Sir James Taylor introduced tea and converted Nuwara Eliya, into a commercial and a coffee planting center. On completion, proceed to Kosgoda and visit the Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project.
The Turtle Hatchery opened in 1996, buys turtle eggs from the fishermen in an attempt to discourage them from poaching & selling the eggs for food. Witness how the newborn turtles are being cared for until they are ready to be released back to the ocean. The wide sandy beaches that exist around the island of Sri Lanka are utilized by several of the marine turtles for laying their eggs. The commonest of these are the Loggerheads and the Leathery turtle while the green turtle is a less common visitor. On completion, proceed to your most awaited beach destination. Once reached, check-in to the hotel and relax. Overnight accommodation and dinner at Turyaa Kalutara or similar

Day 07: Beach Stay
Enjoy the beach stay. Overnight accommodation and dinner at Turyaa Kalutara or similar

Day 08: Kalutara / Airport
You will be transferred to the airport according to your flight timing in order to catch your home accompanied with the memories of Sri Lanka.

Exclusions:
- Personal expenses
- Cost of Beverages
- Porterage & Tips
- Early Check-in/Late Check-out

Offer Includes

Meal Plans