EXPLORE SRI LANKA - 24

Negombo – Wilpattu – Anuradhapura – Trincomalee – Sigiriya – Kandy – Nuwara Eliya – Ella – Galle – Colombo (12Days/11Nights)

Day 01 – Arrival at Colombo airport – Negombo

Stop 01

Negombo Fish Market

Visitors that walk the shores of Negombo beach can witness the day’s catch being laid out on enormous mats made of coconut fibre. Using an age-old method of open-air drying, the fishermen use the heat of the sun to remove all moisture from the fish and extend their shelf life. It will then get salted before being shipped to all over the island and sold in stores; dried fish is a very common inclusion of Sri Lankan cuisine.

Adjacent to the shores of drying fish, the wet market is where fresh seafood can be bought. Ranging from of offers of tuna, mackerel, squid, sardines and shark, the market is said to be closed on Sundays when the city’s predominantly Catholic population heads to church. However, some Muslim fishermen still operate on Sunday (their religious day of the week being Friday), so it is still possible to witness the fishing community in action.

While some of the fish for sale at the market are brought in fresh, others have been brought in from larger wholesalers in the morning to be sold here. The best fish are sold to local hotels and restaurants before being relegated to either the marketplace or to being dried under the sun on the beach.

Stop 02

Boat ride on the Hamilton Canal

Take a day trip from Colombo or Negombo in the Hamilton canal and majestic Maha Oya to experience a tropical countryside boat trip to witness the riverine village life of fishermen, a Bamboo Forest, and birds.

Follow the historic route of the spice traders along the Hamilton canal and then cruise upstream on this spectacular Maha Oya River to experience a tropical countryside boat trip and witness the riverine village life of fishermen, a Bamboo Forest, and birds. We can stop at a sandy beach for a swim in the fresh water. Optionally we can call in to one of the river or beach resort restaurants along the way for a chilled Beer or two with lunch.

This is approximately 3 hours boat trip and if you wish to stop for lunch, it will be approximately 4 hours boat trip. If the Sea conditions are right, we could make the return trip by Sea.

Stay Night in Negombo

Day 02 – Wilattu – Anuradhapura

Stop 01

Munneswaram Kovil Temple – Chilaw

Munneswaram temple (Sinhala: මුන්නේශ්වරම් කෝවිල, Tamil: முன்னேசுவரம் கோயில்) is an important regional Hindu temple complex in Sri Lanka. It has been in existence at least since 1000 CE although myths surrounding the temple associate it with the popular Indian epic Ramayana, and its legendary hero-king Rama. The temple is one of the ancient Pancha Ishwarams dedicated to Shiva in the region.

The temple complex is a collection of five temples, including a Buddhist temple. The central temple dedicated to Shiva (Siva) is the most prestigious and biggest, and is popular amongst Hindus. The other temples are dedicated to Ganesha, Aiyanar and Kali. The Kali temple is also popular with Buddhists, who frequent the complex. Post-19th century, most of the devotees of all temples in the complex belong to the majority Sinhala Buddhist ethnic group; the temples, excluding the Ayyanayake and the Buddhist temple, are administered by families belonging to the minority Hindu Tamils.

The main festivals celebrated at the temple include Navarathri and Sivarathri. The former is a nine-day long festival in honors of the presiding Goddess, while the latter is an overnight observation in honors of Lord Shiva. In addition to these two Hindu festivals, the temple has a festival of its own, the Munneswaram festival, a four-week-long event attended by Hindus and Buddhists.

Stop 02

Wilpattu National Park

Wilpattu is the largest and one of the oldest national parks in Sri Lanka. Wilpattu is world-renowned for its leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) population. The best time to visit the 'land of the lakes', or Wilpattu National Park, is May to early September during the drought, when animals are drawn out to their waterholes. The biggest draws in Wilpattu are Leopards (Panthera pardus kotiya) and Sloth bears (Melursus ursinus). Apart from those two mammals are Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus), Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, jackals, sambhur, barking deer, mouse deer Wild Pig, Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and Mugger Crocodiles.

Moving to Anuradhapura Stay Night in there

Day 03 – Anuradhapura – Trincomalee

Stop 01

Anuradhapura Temple

Anuradhapura, one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, is well-known for its ancient ruins. This historic city is now a world heritage site and home to a few of the majestic Buddhist temples whose history dates back to several years. The architectural grandeur, the religious significance of these historic temples in Anuradhapura, will make your visit worth it. These eight places are comprised of Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya, Thuparamaya, Lovamahapaya, Ruwanwelisaya Stupa, Mirisaweti Stupa, Abhayagiri Stupa, Jetavanaramaya, and Lankaramaya.One of these was established by Anuradha, a minister of King Vijaya, on the banks of a stream called Kolon and was named Anuradhagama. In 377 BC, King Pandukabhaya, grandson of King Panduvasudeva (437–367 BC) made it his capital and developed the city.

Moving to Trincomalee

Stop 01

Nilaveli Beach Trincomalee

Is a stretch of beach which is situated approximately 16 kilometers North of Trincomalee, passing a thriving lagoon on either side and lush coconut palm groves and hordes of cattle, note that the people in the area are predominantly Hindu and consider the cows sacred. Arriving at the hamlet of “Errakkandy”, a sharp right turn will take you down a gravel road to Nilaweli beach, almost a kilometer of in length, white sandy beach with gentle surf. Across the beach about two kilometers into the ocean you will see the famous pigeon island, named due to rock pigeons roosting on it by the hundreds and crystal-clear water around it to snorkel on to the clear depths of a reef. Further up North you will see a cluster of reddish rocks which are referred to as the red rock beach.

Swim with turtles and sharks on Pigeon Island a 10 minutes boat ride from Nilaweli beach.

Stay in Night at Nilaweli beach side

Day 04 – Trincomalee – Sigiriya

Stop 01

Kinniya hot water spring, Trincomalee

There are seven wells in a square shape. Wells are only 3-4 feet deep and you can clearly see the bottom. The temperature is considerably high but vary from one spring to other wells run out of water, when 10-15 buckets of water are taken out.

Stop 02

Enjoy the bay view at the Kaneswaran Temple

The temple is built on a grate location with an insane drop into the ocean. Make sure the visit the back of the temple area. Kaneswaran Temple is one such temple complex that was built by Ravana in Trincomalee. It is believed Ravana and his mother used to worship Lord Shiva at this temple.

Moving to Sigiriya

Stop 03

Sigiriya 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.

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 – Kandy

Stop 01

National Spice Garden Mathale

A delightful place to stroll in fragrant greenery and learn about nutmeg, pepper vines, clove trees and curry, cinnamon and the precious cardamom, a relative of ginger. It grows in the shade of high jungle trees and can only be harvested by hand. Visitors may buy spices, traditional remedies and cosmetics, taste an herbal brew and in some venues, enjoy the full flavors of Sri Lankan spices over lunch or an Ayurveda massage based on natural products from the garden.

Stop 02

Tooth Relic Temple

Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha (Sri Dalada Maligawa), which houses the most important Relic of the Buddhists in Sri Lanka. A gold canopy was erected some years ago over the roof of the shrine room where it is placed.

After the parinirvana of Gautama Buddha, the tooth relic was preserved in Kalinga and smuggled to the island by Princess Hemamali and her husband, Prince Dantha on the instructions of her father King Guasave.

Stop 03

Kandy Mount View

Gem Shop, Batik & Silk Factory

Kandy Lake

Stop 04

Culture Show

The Kandy Lake Club Cultural Dance Show is a stimulating Sri Lankan Arts, Dance and Cultural Heritage Show that is a must see for any visitor who visits the historic city of Kandy. The Kandy Lake Club Dance started in 1982 with the view of having a cultural dance performance bringing together all Sri Lankan dance types to one platform. It is the first Cultural Dance Show of its kind to be established in Sri Lanka. It has since become a tourist attraction for many people visiting the country and keen on a glimpse of its rich cultural heritage. Hence it has been performing continuously for the last 35 years. During the show, you will see several dances which depict the graceful movements of birds and animals, which trace their origins back to the ancient ritual known as the Kohomba Kapkariya, as well as energetic acrobatic performances where the men perform a series of leaping pirouettes and stunts such as plate-spinning and the dramatic ‘fire walk’ which ends the show.

Stay Night in Kandy

Day 06 – Nuwara Eliya

Stop 01

Ramboda Water Fall

Ramboda Falls is 109 m (358 ft) high and 11th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka and 729th highest waterfall in the world. It is situated in Pussellawa area, on the A5 highway at Ramboda Pass. It formed by Panna Oya which is a tributary of Kothmale Oya. Altitude of the falls is 945 m (3,100 ft) above sea level.

Stop 02

Damro Tea Factory, Labookellie

En route to the picturesque city of Nuwara Eliya and at an elevation of 5,000 feet, stands the famed Labookellie Estate Tea Factory, renowned for producing some of Ceylon’s finest Teas and the estate itself, established nearly 150 years ago, is perhaps the second oldest tea plantation in the Island.

Visitors having taken time in observing the manufacturing process of tea, need only to stroll a short distance, to enter one of the most desired locations in the hill country that being the “DAMRO LABOOKELLIE TEA LOUNGE”. It overlooks breathtaking views of tea gardens in all shades of green that carpet the slopes of surrounding hills & valleys and those observants could also spot within fields the gentle movement of tea puckers, nimbly harvesting the tender two leaves & bud.

Stop 03

Gregory Lake

Lake Gregory (Sinhala: ග්‍රෙගරි වැව Gregari Væva), sometimes also called Gregory Lake or Gregory Reservoir, is a reservoir in heart of the tea country hill city, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka. Lake Gregory was constructed during the period of British Governor Sir William Gregory in 1873.[2] The lake and the surrounding area make up the Gregory Lake Area. One of the main attractions in Nuwara Eliya is Gregory Lake, which is located among the beautiful mountains and tea plantations. Coast of lake is the favorite place for not only tourists, but locals. Here, has a picnic, walk the paths, ride horses and bikes, enjoying the beautiful views of nature. But to swim in the lake impossible. However, you can ride on catamarans, water motorcycles, and even take off and land the plane.

Stay Night in Nuwara Eliya

Day 07 – Ella

Stop 01

Horton Plains

The views are great but to be honest we have seen better views in Sri Lanka by speaking to locals and doing free hikes. The hike is an easy one and has some nice scenery which is quite different to the rest of Sri Lanka. The entire walk is around 8 km if you walk to World's End and back, or around 9 km (5.6 miles) if you do the full circuit. With about 25 leopards roaming its hills, leopard sightings in the Horton Plains are not unlikely. But, the landscape and the climate, as well as the behaviors of these leopards, certainly make these sightings quite rare.

Moving to Nanuoya railway station & star to go to Ella by train

Stop 02

Nine Arch Bridge

Trekking, Hiking, Nature Trail & Country walks, Horse riding in Ella

Stay Night in Ella

Day 08 – Ella

Stop 01

Ella Rock View Point

Ella Rock is located just a little outside of Ella town in the middle of Sri Lanka. The beautiful green mountains of Ella make the Ella rock hike a must do while staying in Ella. The total hike to Ella Rock and back to Ella town is 8 km long and takes 4 hours from start to finish. But schedule some more time for short stops and of course to admire the amazing view on the summit. The best time to start the hike is early morning because of several reasons. To beat the heat and to have the chance of a clear view and magical sunrise. But you have to be an early bird for that! If you want to see the sunrise you have to leave Ella town at 4AM. It’s best to have a headlamp so you don’t have to use your flashlight of your phone.

Stop 02

Ravana Waterfall

Ravana Cave

Stay Night in Ella

Day 09 – Galle

Stop 01

Bundala National Park

Bundala National Park is situated in the southern province of Sri Lanka, about 245km from Colombo. Bundala national park is a perfect trip for bird watchers & nature lovers. It harbors 197 bird species and is declared both a Ramsar wetland site and a UNESCO biosphere reserve with diverse wildlife. Bundala is located in a low country dry zone climate area which results in a tropical monsoonal climate. It contains five shallow brackish lagoons of which three contains salt pans used for salt production.

The ecosystems of Bundala contain seven terrestrial habitat types and six wetland types. It boasts of 383 plant species belonging to 90 families, dominated by dry thorny shrubs, acacia and herb species. The lagoons are dominated by blue-green algae, Hydrilla and water lilies. The sand dunes east of the Bundala village is also a must-see due to its strip of unique Palu (Manilkara hexandra) trees. Bundala is identified as an important bird area (IBA) with a recorded 324 species of vertebrates and 52 species of invertebrates. This includes 197 species of birds, 48 species of reptiles, 32 species of fish 32 species of mammals and 15 species of amphibians. Bundala National Park Safari is very much popular among both local & overseas visitors due to complex array of animals. Also, Bundala is an ideal hot spot for bird watching enthusiast worldwide.

Generally, Bundala National Park temperature is bit high (average Temperature is 27C, the annual rainfall varies between 900 MM to 1300 MM. Dry season’ falls between May and September. Best time to visit is September to March: during this period migratory birds arrive at the park. Out of 197 bird species, 100 are water birds and 58 are migratory. The highlights of the migratory birds are the Greater flamingo, waterfowl and cormorants. This rich biodiversity of birds has led to a national bird ringing program. Not only birds, but Bundala is also the home to various animals such as the Asian elephant, different types of macaques and langurs, jackals, leopards, wild boars, porcupines and deers. The brackish water in the Bundala lagoons is the home to different species of fishes and amphibians, with two species being endemic. The seashore of Bundala Park provides breeding grounds for all five species of globally endangered sea turtles.

Stop 02

Hummanaya Blow Hole

Known to be the second largest in the world and the largest in Sri Lanka alone, discover the Hummanaya Blow Hole while you explore the southern coast! Located in Kudawella, a little after the bustling town of Matara. The Hummanaya Blow Hole is a natural wonder that sprays a jet of sea water into the air between two giant rocks; sometimes reaching heights of over 80 – 100 feet.

Stop 03

Dewundara Light House

Standing at the Southernmost point of Sri Lanka, the Dondra Head Lighthouse built by British in 1889 is currently operated and maintained by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. Octagonal in shape and painted in white, the Dondra Lighthouse stands 54m high in a carefully tended garden. It is one of the four international lighthouses in Sri Lanka and also one of the tallest in South East Asia as well. The Lighthouse is still active and helps to guide ships and boats and is positioned at a crucial point in the Maritime route. The Dondra Head Lighthouse also transmits radio wave signals to surrounding lighthouses in Sri Lanka.

Consisting of seven floors and 14 two panel windows, one has to climb 196 steps to reach the top of the lighthouse where the view overlooking the ocean is quite breathtaking. However, to climb you have to get prior permission from the Ports Authority.

Moving to Mirissa & Stay Night in there

Day 10 – Mirissa

Mirissa Beach

Some of the major attractions in Mirissa are whale watching. The fantastic place of Mirissa is also known for its tune, mullet, butterfish, snapper, and being the largest fishing port on the South Coast. Great beach! Tides don't affect the water level too much; the waves are not too strong - you can still swim and body board. There are bars on the beach and nice cafes with fresh seafood at 6pm every evening. If you walk to the left over the giant rocks you can get to a scenic hill covered with mangrove trees and palms.

Stay Night in Mirissa

Day 11 – Kosgoda

Stop 01

Galle Dutch Fort

The story of the Galle Dutch Fort; a UNESCO World Heritage Site reverberates through all traveler’s photos and captions. Initially built by the Portuguese in the 16th century during their conquests, the fort was later fortified and conquered by the Dutch in the 17th century, until it later fell to the might of the British. The old town of Galle was once used as a trading port for spices and other goods for over 200 years. However, today, the fort has been transformed into a place of history, romance and beauty where travelers are warmly welcomed to dive head first into the exotic stories and be a part of this heritage site.

Stop 02

Kosgoda sea Turtle Conservation Project

The Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project was started by Dudley Perera in the year 1981. The main aim of the project is to conserve the sea turtles and protect them from predators like birds, dogs, and crabs. It is one of the 18 hatcheries in Sri Lanka devoted to the proper breeding of this endangered species. Visitors can get to see up to five endangered species out of seven species of margin turtles in the world here. The place is especially suitable for kids but provides to be a once in a lifetime experience for all.

The volunteers patrol the beach at night to make sure that any mother turtles have proper conditions to lay eggs. They also carry the eggs back to the hatchery to make sure they hatch properly without any harm from predators and then release the baby sea turtles back into the ocean once properly hatched. They also take care of sea turtles with disabilities and treat the ones who have become weak due to fishing activities.

Tourists will be guided throughout the process of protecting and proper hatching of the sea turtles while visiting the hatchery. One can also visit the hatchery in the evening when the baby turtles are released into the sea as the risk for predators is minimum at this time and get the opportunity to release their baby sea turtle into the sea.

Stop 03

Madu Gaga Boat Tour

The Madu River area surrounding the river are all swampy marshlands covered in mangrove forests. The forest covers over 61 hectares, that is over 150 acres. 14 of the 24 species of mangroves are found in this area. Over 300 species, 19 of which are endemic, have been discovered so far. The largest animal in the region is the wild boar. There are other smaller animals such as monkeys, a variety of squirrels, etc. When it comes to birds, cormorants and kingfishers are a common sight. For avid bird watchers, the mangrove forests are a dream coming true. There are over 111 bird species identified to inhabit the region. There are 31 types of reptiles, namely snakes, lizards, and crocodiles. There are also over 50 kinds of butterflies and 25 kinds of mollusks found in the Madu River zone.

Madu Gaga Fish Therapy

Madu ganga boat tours provides you natural foot massage from hundreds of fish. The Madu Ganaganga boat rides are popular among local and foreign visitors to the area. This ride gives you several memorable experiences and this natural fish therapy is one of them.There are several fish spas located in within Balapitiya, Madu Ganga areas. They setup several artificial cage ponds in the natural river the doctor fish are grown there. You can get in to the floating stage from your boat and sit and put your legs in to the pond. Hundreds of Fish comes and gently nibble the dead skin of your legs. They provide fish food also. Once you feed them, hundreds of them comes and fight for it. The setup contains several ponds, they can support visitors from several boats also. There are different types of doctor fish available there to choose from. Visitors who are going for Maduganga boat ride, should never missed this opportunity of getting tingling massage from fish.

Stay Night in Kosgoda

Day 12 – Colombo

Colombo 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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