EXPLORE SRI LANKA - 25

Kosgoda – Hikkaduwa – Udawalawa – Rathnapura – Colombo (6Days/5Nights)

Day 01- Arrival at Colombo airport – Hikkaduwa

Stop 01

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 02

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 02 – 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

Stop 02

Ayurveda Center Hikkaduwa

Stay Night in Hikkaduwa

Day 03 – Mirissa

Stop 01

Jungle Beach

Located west to Unawatuna, Jungle Beach is a pretty bay nestled in a forested area. It is one of the secret gems of Sri Lanka which has everything to make your holiday experience one of its kind. The place retains its pristine natural charm as it is not ventured by a large number of tourists throughout the year due to its secluded location. Jungle Beach offers a plethora of water sports such as snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming, boat ride and many more. The reefs jutting out of water a few meters offshore make a good site for snorkeling which introduces you to the exotic marine life of the region. Apart from schools of colorful fishes you will spot moray eels, encounter crabs, barracudas, trigger fish and many other reef dwelling creatures. The other activities you can indulge in Jungle Beach include whale watching, visiting historical ruins, jungle hiking and many more.

Stop 02

Japanese Peace Pagoda

In 1947, a Japanese Buddhist monk by the name of Nichidatsu Fujii dedicated his life to constructing Peace Pagodas around the world as symbols of peace. More than 80 Peace Pagodas have been built all over the world including in Europe, Asia and the United States.

Hidden amongst the trees of the Unawatuna rainforests and yet visible across the water from the historic Galle Fort in the Bay of Galle is the “Sama Ceitya”, one of four Japanese Peace Pagodas that can be found in Sri Lanka. Situated on Rum masala Hill, it was built with the assistance of Japanese Buddhist monks in 2005 (when Sri Lanka was still in the midst of fighting a devastating civil war) as part of a plan to build temples of peace in conflict zones.

Today, it acts as a symbol of peace for the Buddhist-majority country of Sri Lanka, but its clean, rounded design is intended to represent harmony between people of any and all backgrounds. The immense white stupa that rises out of the Japanese Peace Pagoda is surrounded by statues painted in gold, while a nearby flight of stairs leads to a walkway that goes around the shrine, offering breath-taking views of the jungle, the sea, and the stunning Galle Fort.

When stopping by the Peace Pagoda, visitors should ensure that they are dressed modestly and respectfully; legs and shoulders need to be covered.

Stop 03

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 04 – Udawalawe

Stop 01

Udawalawe National Park

In general, the best time to travel to Uda Walawe is from January to March, when rainfall is at its lowest and daytime temperatures average a comfortable 26°C (79°F).

Park entrance fees of $15 / £11.50 per adult and $8 / £6 per child (under 6 are free) plus a LKR 250 (£1) jeep charge, all plus 15% tax. The park is 165 kilometers (103 mi) from Colombo. Udawalawe is an important habitat for water birds and Sri Lankan elephants. It is a popular tourist destination and the third-most visited park in the country.

Stop 02

Udawalawe Transit Home

The primary objective of the facility is to rehabilitate orphaned elephant calves to ready them for life in the wild. The elephants are made familiar with the surrounding habitat of the facility to familiarize them with their natural habit but are given access to food and medical care. Although human visitors are welcome at the facility specially to view their feeding, stringent efforts are made to minimize human contact to prevent the orphaned elephant calves from being acclimated to humans. The elephants are being taken care of until they are around 5 years old, before being released to the wild habitats of the Udawalawe National Park.

The elephants are never chained, but are free to roam around – and play! – as they wish. Human contact is kept to a minimum in order to maximize their chance of survival when they are returned to the wild. There is no touching, washing or posing alongside them for photos.

Moving to Rathnapura & Stay Night in there

Day 05 – Rathnapura

Stop 01

National Museum Rathnapura

The National Museum of Rathnapura is one of the national exhibition halls of Sri Lanka. It is situated in Rathnapura, Sri Lanka and it was opened on 13 May 1988. The gallery building is called “Ehelepola Walauwa”, as it once had a place with Ehelepola Nilame, a squire of the Kingdom of Kandy, who was the first Adigar (1811 – 1814) under the rule King Sri Vikrama Rajasinha, the last lord of Sri Lanka, for whom he filled in as the Disawe (neighborhood Governor) of Rathnapura.

The historical center incorporates displays on ancient archaeological creations, common legacy, land, anthropological, zoological relics and models identifying with the Sabaragamuwa Province. The weaponry in plain view incorporates Sinhala swords of the late medieval time including a sword asserted to have had a place with Ehelepola, and a gathering of old firearms including a Vickers assault rifle utilized amid the First World War. The cooking utensils of the locale incorporate a tripod container with three molds for getting ready rice flour cakes known as Kiri roti. Conventional Kandyan adornments incorporates pieces of jewelry, bangles, anklets and hoops. The grounds of the historical center contain a palaeobiodiversity stop, with life-sized creature models of species accepted to have existed in the area.

Stop 02

Bopath Ella Waterfall

Bopath Falls is located in the village of Agalwatta in the Rathnapura District of Sri Lanka. The Kuru River, a tributary of the Black River, cascades down 30 meters (95 feet) high through a narrow opening from the top of a mountain at one point in her journey. The name 'Bopath Ella' is derived from the fact that the stream collapses in the form of a Bo leaf when there is good water. The first body of water, which falls through a narrow opening, then expands, reminiscent of the shape of a palm leaf. Bopath Ella is a beautiful place that attracts the attention of local tourists today.

Stop 03

Saman Devalaya, Rathnapura

The Sabaragamuwa Maha Saman Devalaya is considered the main Devalaya of deity Saman except for the Shrine at top of Sri Pada. The history speaks of a temple at Ratnapura area since the time of king Dutugemunu of Anuradhapura Kingdom, But the recent history starts from Dambadeniya period. A court minister called Aryakamadeva had come over to Ratnapura to make a vow for gemming, and if lucky to build a Devalaya to keep God Sumana Saman’s statue. After a successful gem mining expedition, he is said to have built the first devalaya dedicated to God Saman at Ratnapura. Although the devalaya was highly influenced by Hindu culture, it remained a Buddhist place of worship throughout the years.

Stay Night in Rathnapura

Day 06 – 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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