EXPLORE SRI LANKA - 6

Rathnapuraya – Balangoda – Nuwara-Eliya – Kandy – Colombo (4 Days / 3 Nights)

Day 01 – Arrival at Colombo airport - Sinharaja Rain Forest – Rathnapura

Stop 01

Sinharaja Rain Forest Waddagala, Kalawana

Located in south-west Sri Lanka, Sinharaja is the country's last viable area of primary tropical rainforest. Sinharaja is a tropical rain forest encircled by Rathnapura, Galle and Matara districts. This evergreen land is the home for many endemic trees and rare species and indeed a World Heritage site. They also estimate the forest reserve is home to more than 50% of Sri Lanka's endemic species of mammals and butterflies, as well as many birds, insects, reptiles and rare amphibians. According to Gunathilake, in addition to its biodiversity significance, Sinharaja has tremendous value in terms of ecosystem services. The best time to visit Sinharaja Forest Reserve is between January to May and from August to December. One should avoid the monsoon, as the reserve is affected by the southwest monsoon with heavy rainfall.

Stop 02

Rathnapura National Museum

The National Museum of Ratnapura is one of the national exhibition halls of Sri Lanka. It is situated in Ratnapura, 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 Ratnapura.

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 03

Gem Mines

Gemstone mining in Sri Lanka is mostly from secondary deposits. The gravels yield sapphire, ruby, cat's-eye and other chrysoberyls, spinel, garnet, beryl, tourmaline, topaz, quartz, and many other gemstones. Sri Lanka's gem-bearing gravels, called illam, are some of the richest in the world. The most commonly used Gemstone mining method in Sri Lanka is Pit-Head Mining and Tunneling. Surface Placer Mining and River Bed Dredging are the other methods used widely.

Stay Night in Rathnapura

Day 02 – Hawagala Mountain – Pahanthudawa water fall – Moving to Nuwara

Eliya

Stop 01

Hawagala Mountain

Hawagala is a picturesque mountain situated close to Belihuloya. It is surrounded by popular landmarks of the area including Adara Kanda, NonPareil Estate and Hortain Plains. Hiking Hawagala gives amazing views of the lush greenery of the Sabaragamuwa province. The hike to Hawagala is quite a difficult one but the view at the summit is so amazing that it is worth the climb. Locals and foreigners are both attracted to the surrounding paddy fields, forest, mountain and the beautiful waterfall in this area and is a reason for it to become a tourist hot spot in the Sabaragamuwa province.

Stop 02

Pahanthudawa waterfall

Pahanthuda Waterfall is situated about 1.5 km away from Belihuloya in the Ratnapura district. It is 5 meters high. The fall gets its name due to its base pool in the shape of a “pahana”, a clay lamp and the fall resembling the wick of the lamp. Hike to pahanthudawa waterfall is an interesting adventure for ardent hikers.

Stop 03

Bakers Bend

British governor Samuel Bakers used to traverse from Ihala-Galagama area to Horton plains and had to pass the area where the current bend is. The horse he rode suddenly slipped and fell off the cliff but the governor survived.

There is another version of this story as well. Mr. Baker and his wife were riding on a horse cart and it had gone out of control and off the cliff at the bend. Both Mr. Baker and wife had managed to get off before it was too late.

Whatever version is correct, the horse had died. Grieved by the loss, he built this bend in the shape of a horseshoe to commemorate his travel companion.

Moving to Nuwara Eliya and Stay Night in Nuwara Eliya

Day 03 – Gregory Wawa – Moon plain – Bahirawa Kanda Vihara Buddha Statue

Stop 01

Gregory Wawa

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, have 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.

Stop 02

Moon plain

One of the best places to have a panoramic view of mountains in Sri Lanka. Recently opened attraction in Nuwaraeliya with different kind of experience to the travelers. The main attraction of Moon Plains is the mini–Worlds End at the edge giving a 360 Degree view of the surrounding peaks and towns. It is a Wide-open area with the chances of seeing wild boars, cows, buffaloes, deer and also a total of 105 bird species are recorded in the area of which 16 are endemic to Sri Lanka. At the viewpoint, you will be able to see the peak point of 9 mountains in Sri Lanka on a clear day. Which are they? Pidurutalaga (highest peak), Single Tree Mountain, Kikiliyamana Mountain, Great Western Mountain, Konical Hill Mountain, Kirigalpoththa Mountain (2nd highest peak), Thotupola Mountain (6th highest peak), Hakgala Mountain and Namunukula Mountain. Mornings and evening excursions are the ideal time to visit this place.

Stop 03

Bahirawa Kanda Vihara Buddha Statue

The temple on the hill of Bahirawakanda, called the Sri Maha Bodhi Viharaya, is most well-known to tourists for its giant Buddha statue, which can be seen from almost any point in the city of Kandy. Reaching a height of more than 25 meters, it is one of the tallest statues of Buddha in Sri Lanka. The temple is a mere 2 kilometers from the Temple of the Tooth Relic. Guests at the temple are asked to remove their hats and their shoes; flowers or the lighting of oil lamps may be used as offerings to the temple. Behind the great white statue of Buddha, a flight of stairs allows visitors to climb higher up and view the magnificent landscape of the temple’s surroundings; the views are best at night, when the city of Kandy is lit up by thousands of twinkling lights that sparkle like a reflection of the night sky.

Stay Night in Kandy

Day 04 – Tooth Relic Temple – Colombo

Stop 01

Mount View in Kandy

Stop 02

Tooth Relic Temple

Built in the year 1595 during the reign of King Vimaladarmasuriya I, the temple houses the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha and therefore is venerated by devotees of the Buddhist faith from all corners of the world. Sri Lanka. According to legend it was brought to the island in the 4th century ce hidden in the hair of a princess. The present-day temple of the tooth was built by Vira Narendra Sinha. The octagonal Paththirippuwa and moat were added during the reign of Sri Vikrama Rajasinha. The royal architect Devendra Moolacharya is credited with building the Paththirippuwa. The Dalada Perahera is believed to have begun when the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha was brought to Sri Lanka from India during the 4th century CE, eight hundred years after the passing away of Buddha. According to tradition, the Tooth Relic was taken in procession to Sri Lanka by Princess Hemamala & Prince Dantha. Literary sources indicate that the sacred Tooth Relic was received by king Vimaladharmasuriya 1 with great veneration and placed in the new three-storied shrine built by him near the royal palace.

Stop 03

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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