EXPLORE SRI LANKA - 19

Hikkaduwa – Arugam Bay – Pasikuda – Minneriya – Dambulla – Kalpitiya – Negombo (6Days/5Nights)

Day 01 – Arrival at Colombo airport – Hikkaduwa

Stop 01

Hikkaduwa Beach

Hikkaduwa is one of the best surfing spots in Sri Lanka, offering a clear hot water base. The waves vary in size from 4 to 11 feet. Surfing in the Hikkaduwa area is fairly well known and gets the best surfing during its dry season, which is from November to March. There are 4 hotspots in Hikkaduwa. Scuba diving and diving in clear waters are a major past time along this stretch and is the most ecological way to see the colorful fish that dart around. The coral sanctuary along the coast of Hikkaduwa is a large shallow body of water surrounded by a reef, decorated with layers of multicolored corals, and is home to countless colorful fish. Off the beach there is a collection of small islets surrounded by beautiful coral formations. Many species of fish and large turtles are found here. There are more than four different shipwrecks for diving enthusiasts to explore as well as diving shops offering PADI courses and equipment

Moving to Arugam Bay & Stay there

Day 02 – Arugam Bay

Stop 01

Arugam Bay

Sri Lanka Windsurfing is a popular water sport among the foreign tourists who visit the palm fringed pristine beaches of Sri Lanka. The most popular surfing beaches of the island are Hikkaduwa of South Western coastal belt and Arugam bay (International surfing competition venue) of Eastern coastal belt of Sri Lanka. Since the early 60’s Sri Lanka attracts surfers from all over the world. The Windsurfing opportunities offered in Sri Lanka attracts the amateur windsurfers as well as the world class Windsurfers participating in international Windsurfing competitions.

The resplendent waters surrounding the moon-shaped curl of soft golden sand in the eastern shores of Sri Lanka are known to be one of the best ‘point brakes’ in the world. Experience and ride through the majestic waves of the ocean as they break in an exhilarating rush. Surfing is best in Arugam bay during the season of April to October each year. During this time is conducted the UK Pro-Surfers Association’s Sri Lanka Surf Championships, an event open to all and where the entire place becomes a hub of activity as the best Surfers across the seas comes together to participate in the thrilling event in one of the finest Surfing hotspots in the world.

Moving to Pasikuda & Stay Night in there

Day 03 – Pasikuda

Stop 01

Pasikuda Beach

Pasikuda is the pin up of picture postcard beaches thanks to its soft white sand and translucent water. Between May and September, this is the best place in Sri Lanka for a Sri Lankan beach holiday. Most days are cloudless, the ocean is warm, and water clarity is very good which makes it ideal for snorkeling, diving, sailing and a host of other water sports. The curve of Pasikuda bay means that swimming can be enjoyed throughout the year.

Pasikuda is a relatively new destination in Sri Lanka for luxury beach holidays and the resorts lining Pasikuda, such as Uga Bay, all benefit from generous manicured gardens, wide-open beachfronts and the most surreal ocean views. The original village of Pasikuda with its guesthouses, hawker stalls and fishing boats infuse local flavor to the south of the bay. During the high season, jet skis, kayaks and sailing boats occupy the water.

Uga Bay sits right in the center of Pasikuda Bay, and its wide beach frontage is easily identified by the twin palm trees that stand marooned amidst an ocean of milky-white sand.

Moving to Minneriya & Stay Night in there

Day 04 – Minneriya – Sigiriya

Stop 01

Minneriya National Park

This national park is one of the best places in the country to see wild elephants, which are often present in huge numbers. Dominated by the ancient Minneriya Wewa, the park has plenty of scrub, forest and wetlands in its 88.9 sq km to also provide shelter for toque macaques, sambar deer, buffalo, crocodiles and leopards (the latter are very rarely seen, however).

The dry season, from April to October, is reckoned to be the best time to visit (as by then water in the tank has dried up, exposing grasses and shoots to grazing animals). Elephants, which can number 200 or more, come to feed and bathe during what is known as ‘the Gathering’; and flocks of birds, such as little cormorants, painted storks, herons and large pelicans all fish in the shallow waters. However, it's also possible to see large numbers of elephants here at other times of year, too; we saw over 100 in February when we visited.

The park entrance is on the Habarana–Polonnaruwa Rd. A visitor Centre near the entrance sells tickets and has a few exhibits about the park’s natural history. The initial 40-minute drive (along a poor dirt road) into the heart of the park is through dense forest, where wildlife sightings are rare. But then the landscape opens up dramatically, and the views across the tank are superb. Early mornings are generally best for birds and late afternoon for elephants.

Stop 02

Sigiriya Rock or Pidurangala

Sigiriya is famous for its palace ruins on top of a massive 200-meter-high rock surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs and other structures. The rock itself is a lava plug left over from an ancient long extinct volcano. One of the eight World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka, Sigiriya is renowned for its 5th century pre-Christian frescoes. It has also been declared by UNESCO as the 8th Wonder of the World. Sigiriya was built by the fifth-century king Kashyapa I, who ruled the native Sinhalese dynasty, the Moriya. The imposing fortress was the capital of the Sinhalese kingdom until Kashyapa was defeated in A.D. 495. (Watch: An ancient palatial fortress overlooks this barren desert in Israel.) It's 1270 steps. Not all in one go. It is a medium to difficult climb as you need to consider heat and humidity. But ages up to 70 will be fine. The abandoned site of Sigiriya wasn't found until 1831. British Army Major Jonathan Forbes rediscovered Sigiriya in 1831. He came across the site during a horseback ride.The climb all the way to the top can take between 1.5 hours and 3 hours – depending on your fitness, how crowded the place is and how many pictures you are shooting. As the view from the top is quite stunning and you might need some time to catch your breath, I'd rather err on the longer side.

Stop 03

Pidurangala

Pidurangala Rock is a 200m tall rock formation, located right next to the famous Sigiriya Fortress. Sigiriya is an ancient fortress located at the top of a massive column of rock. Pidurangala also has a Buddhist temple at its entrance, as well as a reclining Buddha half way up the rock, but nothing as big as Sigiriya. Tourists visit Pidurangala more for the hiking and nature element, whilst Sigiriya is more for culture and history lovers.

Stay Night in Sigiriya

Day 05 – Dambulla – Kalpitiya

Stop 01

Dambulla Golden Cave Temple

A sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, this cave monastery, with its five sanctuaries, is the largest, best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. The Buddhist mural paintings (covering an area of 2,100 m2) are of particular importance, as are the 157 statues. There are 364 steps in the Dambulla cave. Cave Temples. The idea of constructing Buddhist temples by hollowing out rock faces was brought to China from Central Asia, where monuments of this sort had been constructed for centuries. Over the years, more and more caves would be excavated and decorated as pious acts on the part of monks and artists.

Moving to Kalpitiya & Stay Night in there

Day 06 – Kalpitiya – Negombo

Stop 01

Kalpitiya Beach

It has a marine sanctuary with diversity of habitats ranging from bar reefs, flat coastal pains, saltpans, mangroves swamps, salt marshes and vast sand dune beaches. It provides nursing grounds for many species of fish and crustaceans. The coastal water is also home to spinner, bottlenose, and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and the elusive dugong. In there; Go kitesurfing, go dolphin and whale watching, Tour the Dutch Fort, Lounge at the beach.

Stop 02

Negombo city tour

Departure

Transfer to Airport for departure flight.

Tour Includes

• Accommodation on sharing a double/twin/triple room at the hotels specified in hotel collection.

• Include Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

• Transport in a Private Vehicle, inclusive of all Chauffeur accommodation, cost of fuel, parking & highway tolls.

• Private Transport with airport transfers in an Air-Conditioned Vehicle throughout the tour

• Service of an English-Speaking Chauffeur Guide.

Tour Excludes

• Entry Visa Fees, please visit www.eta.gov.lk for more details

• International / Domestic Airfare.

• Any expenses of personal nature.

• Tips & Portages.

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