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Week in Paradise

Kandy Lake

HomeToursWeek in Paradise

Week in Paradise

7 Day tour of Sri Lanka

Week in Paradise is a trip for those who appreciate true beauty of landscapes and unique Hill Country. Visit the lush green tea estates of the hill country. Wander around the plains of Hill Country and also witness the nature of the commercial city of Sri Lanka as well. Bask in the marvels of the wild Elephants in Minneirya. Have a truly Sri Lankan experience with a cup of Ceylon Tea or fresh King Coconuts. A tour of immense charm.

Highlights

  • World Class – UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
  • Into the Wild – Minneriya and Yala National Parks.
  • Last Kingdom – Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic & Kandyan Culture.
  • Spice Trails – Spice & Herbal Gardens in Matale.
  • Little England – Cold, Scenic Peaks and Cozy Little Towns of Ella & Nuwara Eliya.
  • Misty Mountains – See the nature’s creations at Ella.
  • Urban Adventure – Capital City of Colombo.

Itinerary

Dambulla - 2 Nights

Day 01

Arrive at Colombo International Airport. Here, you will be met by a designated chauffer guide from Lakpura. After the formalities at the airport you will be escorted to your air conditioned vehicle and proceed to Dambulla, en route make a pause at Chilaw and visit Munneswaram Temple. (Travel Time: 2 to 2 ½ hrs)

Munneswaram Temple

Munneswaram temple 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 five ancient temples dedicated to Shiva in the region

Thereafter continue to Dambulla and check in to the hotel and relax. (Travel Time: 3 to 3 ½ hrs)

Later in the evening visit Dambula Cave Temple.

Dambulla Cave Temple

Enter the historic caves of the Golden Temple of Dambulla, dating back to the 1st century BC. View the ancient murals depicting the life story of Lord Gautama Buddha. Look at the hundreds of figurines of Buddha and other deities scattered throughout the five main caves. Visit the Cave of the Divine King, Cave of the Great King and the Great New Monastery. See the giant golden Buddha Statue just a little distance outside the cave complex.

Day 02

After the breakfast at the hotel visit the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya. (Travel Time: 20 to 30 mins)

Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Climb the 5th century AD rock fortress, Sigiriya, where the King Kasyapa ruled. Walk through the entrance framed by the paws of a lion that is quite appropriate for its name, ‘ the Lion Rock’. View the beautiful unfading murals that brought Sigiriya its fame. Climb the steep staircase to see the terraced gardens and still-working cisterns. Walk through the tunnels leading to the palace as you get a feel for times long past.

Thereafter proceed to a local village in Sigriya and get an authentic experience in Sri Lankan Village Life.

Local Village Experience

Get a chance to go on an oxen cart ride, and experience the world from the view of a village farmer. Have a relaxing catamaran safari through a calm lake. Walk through the golden fields ripe with their harvest of paddy. Watch an enjoyable traditional cooking demonstration that teaches you the basics of Sri Lankan cuisine. Delight your taste buds with a home-cooked lunch; made over a wood-fire and served on fragrant lotus leaves placed over woven trays. Enjoy the life of a Sri Lankan villager, just this day.

Thereafter proceed to Minneriya and go on a Safari in the Minneriya National Park. (Travel Time:  20 to 30 mins)

Minneriya Safari

This three-hour safari takes you on a ride through the Minneriya National Park. Enjoy the sight of over 150 elephants congregating in one place during the famous Great Elephant Gathering, which happens in the dry season between May to October. In addition to elephants, get a chance to also see many mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians in the scrublands, forests and other areas.

Overnight Stay

Economy Option (3 Star) – Fresco Water Villa
Standard Option (4 Star) – Cinnamon Lodge
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique)- Heritance Kandalama

Kandy - 1 Night

Day 03

After the breakfast at the hotel check out and proceed to Matale visit a Spice Garden. (Travel Time: 1 to 1 ½ hrs)

Matale Spice Gardens

Do a guided tour of a spice and herbal garden, where you learn about spices, such as coriander, chili, cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg; and their uses. Take part in a traditional cooking demonstration that shows you how to make Sri Lankan cuisine while making full use of spices. Learn to make roti or create curry powder from scratch in one of the workshops.

Thereafter proceed to Kandy and check into the hotel. (Travel Time: 1 to 1 ½ hrs)

Later in the evening go on technical tours and Watch the Kandyan Cultural Show with its colorful traditional dances and delightful music

Technical Tours

Go on technical tours related to arts such as gem crafting, woodcarving and batiks.

Cultural Show

The Kandy Cultural Show gives an opportunity to experience some of the traditions of Sri Lanka. Enjoy this hour long extravaganza as some of the most popular art forms of the island take to the stage. Get wowed by fire dancers and sword dancers. Watch the colorful Kandyan dancers take to the air to the thrumming primal beat of the drums.

Overnight Stay

Economy Option (3 Star) –Oakray Regency
Standard Option (4 Star) – Cinnamon Citadel
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique)- Earl’s Regency

Nuwara Eliya - 1 Night

Day 04

After the breakfast at the hotel check out and visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic. (Travel Time: 20 to 30 mins)

Temple of the Tooth Relic

The Temple of the Tooth Relic a UNESCO World Heritage Site which was built in the 16th century as the place of veneration and protection for Lord Buddha’s sacred tooth. Walk through the beautifully embellished passageways and elaborately painted halls, done in red, cream and black. Lounge against delicately carved pillars and get amazed by the beautiful golden statues. Get an unforgettable experience of history and art.

Thereafter proceed to Nuwara Eliya. En-route make a stop at Ramboda Falls and visit Ramboda Falls, Sri Bhakth Hanuman Temple and a Tea factory and get a guided tour through a Tea Estate. (Travel Time: 1 to 1 ½ hrs)

Ramboda Falls

Ramboda Falls is the 11th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka and located by the Pussellawa. Ramboda falls consists of three sections. You will get a good view of the middle section of the A5 highway, just above the bridge. This is very small in size with compared to other parts. You can get a far view of the top part from the main road, but not the complete view of the fall. You need to climb up to see the top part of the Ramboda falls and there is a pathway just before the bridge. You may find the climbing bit difficult, but you will be compensated with the great view of the top fall and the surrounding.

Tea Factory Visit

Learn how tea is manufactured in Sri Lanka. You can observe the tea pickers, locally known as ‘tea pluckers’ as they move between the lush green rows along the mountains with their large baskets.Thereafter you will be given a guided tour explaining fermentation, rolling, drying, cutting, sieving and the grading of tea. Finish with a tea tasting process and learn of the history, and why Ceylon Tea is considered among the best in the world.

Nuwara Eliya

Visit the highland city that was the premium holiday resort town of the British in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Enjoy walking through the streets with their pretty little cottages, quaint villas and beautiful mansions. Make a memory in the old red-bricked post-office as you purchase an inexpensive and colourful postcard to take home or send to your friends. Relax at Queen Victoria Park or on the shores of Lake Gregory.

Overnight Stay

Economy Option (3 Star)- Summer Hill Breeze
Standard Option (4 Star) – Jetwing St.Andrews
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique)- Heritance Tea Factory

Yala - 1 Night

Day 05

After the breakfast at the hotel, check out and proceed to Ella end witness the marvels of Ella. (Travel Time: 1 to 1 ½ hrs)

Explore the Marvels of Ella 

Explore Ella’s most interesting places. Pass through bright green tea fields, and tough stretches of rock, and get to see the magical views of Little Adam’s Peak. Walk over the history seeped Nine Arches Bridge and listen to the story of its construction. End your hike at the Demodara Railway station with its unique loop-over track design. This tour gives you the chance to see the best sights of Sri Lanka.

Thereafter proceed to Yala and check in to the hotel. (Travel Time: 1 ½ to 2 hrs)

Thereafter proceed to Yala National Park by 02:30 pm to go on a lovely jeep safari in the National Park.

Yala National Park

This amazing Safari offers the opportunity to visit Yala National Park, the second largest in the island based off the Southeastern coast of Sri Lanka. Get a chance to see the famous Sri Lankan leopards, indigenous wild water buffalo, Sri Lankan Sloth Bear and large herds of Sri Lankan Elephants. The park is also home to many other species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates.

Overnight Stay

Economy Option (3 Star) – Oak Ray Lake
Standard Option (4 Star) – Kithala Resort
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique)- Jetwing Yala

Colombo - 1 Night

Day 06

After the breakfast at the hotel, check out and proceed to Colombo. (Travel Time: 3 ½ to 4 hrs)

En-route make a stop at the Galle walk through the old Colonial City.

Old Colonial City of Galle

Discover the city of Galle, where the Portuguese and Dutch made their headquarters, and its secrets. Visit the Galle Fort which is one of the best preserved fortifications in Asia. View the Maritime Museum, Galle National Museum and the lighthouse. Walk through the cobblestoned streets with their Dutch names as you learn more about their histories.

Thereafter proceed to Balapitiya and go on lovely Boat safari in Madu River. (Travel Time: 50 to 60 mins)

Madu River Boat Safari

Go on a wonderful two hour boat ride down the Madu River with its flourishing ecosystem. Pass through the secretive passages created by the mangroves. See the basking crocodiles and water monitors. Visit one of the small islands with its cinnamon harvesting natives. Enjoy the restorative qualities of the famous fish massage. Observe the waterbirds in their natural habitats.

Thereafter proceed to Kosgoda and visit Turtle Hathery. (Travel Time: 20 to 30 mins)

Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery

Visit the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery on the Southwestern coast of Sri Lanka. Learn more about the five endangered sea turtle species that come to the shores of Sri Lanka to nest. Learn how the Kosgoda Turtle Care Program helps protect the nests until they hatch and increases the chances of survival for the babies. Get a chance to see, touch and feed baby turtles; or even injured adult turtles that the Turtle Hatchery cares for.

Overnight Stay

Economy Option (3 Star) – Hotel Sapphire
Standard Option (4 Star) – Mount Lavinia Hotel
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique)- Cinnamon Grand

Departure

Day 07

After the breakfast at the hotel go and explore the Commercial City of Sri Lanka, Colombo.

Colombo

Experience the colorful lights and bright life of Colombo, the capital City of Sri Lanka. Visit historic monuments such as the Old Lighthouse, the Old Parliament, Galle Face Hotel, Galle Face Green, Gangarama Temple, the National Museum and more. Enjoy the malls of Independence Square or the Race Course. Visit boutique shops and designer stores.

Thereafter check out from the hotel and proceed to airport after spending a memorable time in this island.

Price Starting From:

USD 585 Per Person

When to go on this trip?

The best time of the year you can enjoy this trip is from December to May. Calm south coast beaches, cool and sunny climate and green sceneries that blend perfectly with the locations you are traveling to.

When to book

We recommend that you book this tour at least 6 months ahead.

What add-ons are available for this trip?

We can arrange for just about any add-on’s on this trip. Have a chat with one of our Tour Consultants to help you decide.

Our Experts are ready to help

For more information or to book this wonderful tour please email our travel experts.

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    Hotel Timing

    Standard Check in time : 1400 hrs.
    Standard Check out time : 1200 hrs.
    The above may differ from hotel to hotel. Speak to your travel expert for more details.
    We are able to arrange early check-in and late check-outs depending on the hotels you choose. However, you may be subject to additional charges.

    Booking Process

    After deciding on which trip you want to go, send us an inquiry with the requested details. If you want to further customize this trip, our travel experts would be glad to help perfect the tour itinerary for you. Once all planning is final, the next step is starting the booking process. We request for a 20% deposit to confirm the booking. On receipt of the deposit, our team will start booking your hotels and the vehicles that were agreed upon. The balance 80% payment can be made 30 to 45 days prior to the date of arrival. For cancellation and refund policies please take a look at the terms & conditions.

    Price

    The price quoted is valid till April 2018. Will be subject to seasonal supplements. Speak to your travel expert to learn more details.

    Packing Essentials

    When packing for Sri Lanka, you only need to remember that this is a tropical country. Sunny weather & warm water. Hence, packing thin cotton clothing is essential. However, if your stay includes places like Kandy, Nuwara Eliya & Ella, we recommend that you pack a few sweaters just in case. You must not forget the following:

    • Effective mosquito repellent.
    • A good sunscreen.
    • (Ladies) Tampons – Nearly impossible to find outside Colombo.
    • Universal power adapter.

    Travel Insurance

    We recommend that you purchase travel insurance before you travel.

    VISA

    Visa can be obtained online via www.eta.gov.lk. You can obtain Visa on arrival as well, however, this option is not available for some countries. Do read more on this topic here.

    Travel Information

    Sri Lanka is a developing nation. Yet, there are many things you must look out for during your travel. For example; when visiting religious sites, it is important that you dress to cover. All key information you need to know before traveling is right here.