Embark on a captivating 9-day Sri Lankan adventure, starting at Dambulla’s Elephant Orphanage and the ancient Dambulla Cave Temple. Ascend the legendary Sigiriya Rock Fortress before venturing to Kandy’s cultural gems.
Discover Nuwara Eliya’s tea plantations, journey by scenic train to Ella, and visit the iconic Nine Arch Bridge. Yala National Park offers thrilling wildlife encounters, while Mirissa beckons with tranquil beaches and whale-watching.
Explore Galle’s historic charm before concluding in Colombo, blending modernity with colonial heritage. Experience an enthralling mix of culture, nature, and history in this remarkable Sri Lankan journey.
Overview
“Embark on an immersive 9-day journey through Sri Lanka’s cultural and natural treasures. Explore ancient temples in Dambulla and Sigiriya, delve into Kandy’s rich history, and wander through Nuwara Eliya’s lush tea estates. Travel by scenic train to Ella, witness wildlife at Yala National Park, and unwind on Mirissa’s serene beaches. Discover Galle’s historic sites before concluding in Colombo, a blend of modernity and colonial heritage. Experience the diverse wonders of Sri Lanka in this captivating adventure.”
Highlights
- Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress
- Kandy City Tour
- Royal Botanical Gardens
- Scenic Train Journey
- Little Adam’s Peak & Nine Arch Bridge
- Yala National Park
- Mirissa Whale Watching
- Galle Fort
- Colombo City Tour
Itinerary
AM On arrival transfer to Dambulla. En route visit to Pinnawela.
Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage - Started in 1975 to house the abandoned and the wounded, the orphanage has grown to be a big family today. The number of elephants has increased to more than 65 now, including baby elephant brought from various parts, as well as 14 babies born as a result of the captive breeding program. The best time to visit is the feeding time and the bathing time when the elephant are taken to the river close by. A unique experience never to be missed.
Next proceed to Dambulla.
Dambulla Cave Temple - is a vast isolated rock mass 500ft high and a mile around the base. Here is found the famous Rock Temple dating to the First Century BC. The caves of Dambulla sheltered the King Walagamba during his 14 years of exile from Anuradhapura. When he regained the throne he built the most magnificent of Rock Temples to be found on the Island.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site - http://www.worldheritagesite.org/sites/goldentempledambulla.html
Dinner and overnight stay in Habarana / Dambulla.
AM After breakfast climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress.
Sigiriya - is home to the 5th Century “Fortress in the Sky” which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of the Island. It is also known as Lion Rock because of the huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the fortress. Within its triple-moated defence the huge rock rises almost to a sheer height of 500ft. On its summit are the foundations of what was once a great and sumptuous palace and gardens complete with swimming pool. On one of the stairways the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting survived in the form of Frescoes of life sized damsels in all the freshness and delicacy of their original colour.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site - http://www.worldheritagesite.org/sites/sigiriya.html
On completion transfer to Kandy.
Visit a Spice Garden at Matale - and see the luscious Cinnamons, Cardamoms, Pepper plants etc. You can also purchase your requirements of spices.
PM Check in to the hotel.
Commence city tour of Kandy, including Upper Lake Drive, Market Square, Arts and crafts Centre, a Gem museum and a lapidary and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
Kandy - the hill capital. The last stronghold of the Sinhala Kings was finally ceded to the British in 1815. Kandy is an example of the Buddhism’s influence in Sri Lanka today. Temple’s shrines and monasteries keeping alive Buddhist traditions are everywhere.
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic - ever since 4th Century A.D, when the Buddha’s Tooth was brought to Sri Lanka hidden from sacrilegious hands in an Orissan princess’ hair, the Relic has grown in repute and holiness in Sri Lanka and throughout the Buddhist world. It is considered Sri Lanka’s most prized possession.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site - http://www.worldheritagesite.org/sites/kandy.html
Gem Museum & Lapidary –Sri Lanka produces the finest quality of gem in the world. We mine semiprecious gems, the sapphires of Sri Lanka, which are very exclusive and comes in shades of blue, red, green, white…act.
5:30 PM Be a witness of the cultural show.
Kandyan Dance is a dance form that originated in the area called Kandy of the Central hills region in Sri Lanka. But today it has been widespread to other parts of the country.
Dinner and overnight stay in Kandy.
AM After breakfast visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya.
Royal Botanical Gardens, Sixty Seven hectares of exquisite beauty and botanical treasurers containing more than 4000 species, this is haven not only for Scientists but to every nature lover as well.
Afterwards proceed to Nuwara Eliya, En Route Ramboda falls.
Visit tea factories and tea plantation
Nuwara Eliya - The ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, is set against beautiful backdrops of Mountains, Valleys, Waterfalls and Tea Plantations. It is supposed to be one of the coldest places on the island, but is really just like an England spring day although the temperature does drop at night. All around Nuwara Eliya you will see evidence of the British influence. Houses are like country cottages or Queen Ann style mansions.
Tea Factory or Tea Processing Center. There are hundreds of Tea factories in the Central Highlands, the Uva region and in the Southern parts of Sri Lanka. Some of these factories are situated in breathtakingly beautiful landscape, surrounded by indeed serene green gardens of tea. A casual tourist to this island cannot call his visit complete if he does not pay a visit to some of them. Visitors to any of these Centers are normally treated with typical Sri Lankan courtesy and normal given an educative, guided tour on the various stages of tea manufacturing process.
Afterwards proceed to Nuwara Eliya. Check in to the hotel. Next visit,
Seetha Amman Temple is located approximately 1 kilometer from Hakgala Botanical Garden.The temple is located in the village called “Seetha Eliya”. This place is believed to be the place where Sitha held captive by the king Ravana in the Lanka of the epic, Ramayana.
Afterwards commence a city tour in Nuwara Eliya.
The city was founded by Samuel Baker, the discoverer of Lake Albert and the explorer of the Nile in 1846. Nuwara Eliya's climate lent itself to becoming the prime sanctuary of the British civil servants and planters in Ceylon. Nuwara Eliya, called Little England then, was also a hill country retreat where the British colonialists could immerse in their pastimes such as fox hunting, deer hunting, , polo, golf and cricket. Many of the buildings retain features from the colonial period such as the Queen's Cottage, General's House, Grand Hotel, Galway Forest Lodge, Town Post Office and even new hotels are often built and furnished in the colonial style. Anyone who visits the city can wallow in its nostalgia of bygone days by visiting these landmark buildings. Many private homes still maintain their old English-style lawns and gardens.
Optional boat ride on the Gregory’s lake or Horseback ride.
Dinner and overnight stay in Nuwara Eliya.
AM After breakfast transfer to Ella via train,
Scenic train journey from Nuwara Eliya to Ella – Nuwara Eliya to Ella train trip is considered one of the most scenic train journeys in the world. Therefore we facilitate our clients to book observation deck, luxury air conditioned compartment, 1st class AC compartment or 2nd class non AC reserved seats. The train starts from Colombo Fort Railway station and it takes about 5 hours approximately to reach Nanuoya, Nuwara Eliya Railway station where the scenic trip begins. The train would reach Ella approximately in five hours. During the journey the train goes passing lush greenish tea estates, many tunnels, farming fields, villages, various types of forests etc.
*Train Tickets should be booked well in advance. Train tickets are strictly based on the availability on the day of booking confirmation*
Check in to the hotel in Ella.
Dinner an overnight stay in Ella.
AM Early morning, hiking to the Little Adam’s Peak in Ella.
Little Adam’s Peak in Ella - Ella is a hiking hotspot in the mountain country of Sri Lanka. Some of the views from hikes in Ella are phenomenal with the region well known for its tea plantations and spectacular mountain ranges. If you want to enjoy some of the best views without needing to hike for hours, Little Adam’s Peak is the perfect trek, especially for an unforgettable sunset. The trail begins with a moderate incline as it winds through tea plantations. There are some great photo opportunities early on in the hike if you keep your eyes open!
After a short break enjoying a walk from Ella to Demodara. Visit Nine Arch Bridge at Demodara.
Nine Arch Bridge at Demodara - This viaduct was built at Gotuwala between the two railway stations – Ella and Demodara during the British Colonial period is the largest in Sri Lanka. Located almost 3100 feet above the sea level, this 99.6ft high bridge is called “Ahas namaye palama” (Nine skies bridge) in Sinhala. When one stands underneath it and looks up there is a beautiful sight of ‘nine skies’ through the nine arches, hence the Sinhala name. This bridge is also called ‘The Bridge in the sky’ due to the sheer height. This massive bridge is built entirely of solid rocks, bricks and cement without using a single piece of steel. The bridge was finally commissioned in 1921.
PM Visit Ravana Water Falls and Enjoying Ella Gap.
Ella Gap - Ella, located 19 km south of Badulla, overlooks a spectacular gap in the southern mountain wall where the land falls away in a dizzy drop of 3,000 ft. to the southern plains and the sea, which is visible in the far distance on a clear day.
Ravana Falls - A popular sightseeing attraction in Sri Lanka. It currently ranks as one of the widest falls in the country. This waterfall measures approximately 25 m (82 ft) in height and cascades from an oval-shaped concave rock outcrop. During the local wet season, the waterfall turns into what is said to resemble areca flower with withering petals. But this is not the case in the dry season, where the flow of water reduces dramatically.
Dinner an overnight stay in Ella.
AM After breakfast transfer to Yala. Check in to the hotel.
PM 4 x 4 Half Day jeep safari at Yala National Park.
Yala – A heaven for Fauna both indigenous and migrant. Bird concentrations are by the Lagoons/Salvers. Here are thousands of Flamingoes, Assemblies of spotted Billed Pelicans, Spoonbills, Cormorants and various species of Herons. Pheasants, Pea Fowl, Peacocks and the Wild Fowl are found in hundreds. Wild Buffalo and herds of wild Elephants are a common sight. Whether it is birds or animals you have them all at Yala.
Dinner and overnight stay in Yala
AM After breakfast transfer to Mirissa. Check in to the hotel.
Leisure at beach.
Dinner and overnight stay in Mirissa.
AM Early morning 06.30 AM proceed to Mirrisa for Whales watching at Mirissa.
Whale and dolphin watching in Mirissa - is one of the most exciting water activities you can do in Sri Lanka during your holiday. Mirissa is the best place to start your whale and dolphin watching tour in Sri Lanka. In warm Indian ocean you can see Blue whales, Bryde´s whales, Sperm whales, Fin whales, sometimes Killer whales, and Common dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins, Spinner dolphins, Risso's dolphins and Striped dolphins. Sometimes you can see turtles and various fish species, for example Bluefin tuna and flying fish.
On completion proceed to Galle. Commence a city tour in Galle.
Galle - is considered to be one of Sri Lanka’s most historically interesting towns. Built on a premonitory rock in the south of the Island. It was a major port until about 100 years, but today still handles shipping and sailing boats in the natural harbor. Stroll around the Lighthouse and harbor or visit the old town where you can see the traditional lace makers and wood carvers. An Opportunity to purchase some the finest shell-craft souvenirs in the world.
Galle a UNESCO World Heritage Site - http://www.worldheritagesite.org/sites/galle.html
Dinner and overnight stay in Mirissa.
AM After breakfast transfer to Colombo. City tour and shopping in Colombo (04 hrs – 40 kms).
Colombo - like many capital cities in developing countries Colombo is fast changing its face. Almost overnight, skyscrapers arise from where old buildings once stood, yet in some parts; the old world charm is retained. A 100-year-old clock tower and several British built, colonial buildings are still to be seen in the city. The Pettah bazaar – where one can shop for bargains, a Hindu and a Buddhist temple, residential areas where you find the stately homes of the affluent, the Colombo museum, the Bandaranaike memorial international conference hall – an outright gift to Sri Lanka from the people’s republic of china, the new parliament in Sri Jayawardenapura and the folk art center are some of the places of interest that one can visit to Visit shopping complexes such as ODEL, HOUSE OF FASHION, MAJESTIC CITY.
Departure transfer to Airport.
~~~~~ END OF THE TOUR ~~~~~
Frequently Asked Questions
While some days involve hiking and exploring, the tour is designed to accommodate varying activity levels. Be prepared for some walking and moderate physical activity.
Essential items include comfortable clothing suitable for warm weather, hiking shoes, sunscreen, insect repellent, and any personal medications.
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