Nature and Fauna
9 Day tour of Sri Lanka
Walk in the island full of mysteries and adventure. Spend an evening among the Gentle Giants in Pinnawala and walk in the Last Kingdom of Sri Lanka, Kandy and visit the Temple of the Tooth Relics. Explore the world famous Horton Plains and discover the beauties hidden beneath it. Go on a safari in the Yala National Park and get the chance to spot the elusive Leopard. Visit the old Colonial City of Galle and explore the Galle Fort. Rest in the southern coast enjoying the warmth of the Sun towards the evening.
Highlights
- Gentle Giants – Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
- Last Kingdom – Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic & Kandyan Culture.
- Little England – Cold, Scenic Peaks and Cozy Little Town of Nuwara Eliya.
- Misty Mountains – See the nature’s creations at Ella.
- On the Shores – Explore the Southern Coast of Sri Lanka.
- Into the Wild – Yala National Park.
- Urban Adventure – Capital City of Colombo.
Itinerary
Kandy - 1 Night
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 Car and proceed to Kandy, en route make a pause at pinnawala and visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. (Travel Time: 2 to 2½ hrs)
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is the home for young Elephants who have been displaced or lost from their natural habitat, located at Pinnawala village in Sabaragamuwa province of Sri Lanka. Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage is the best place for an up close and personal experience with the world’s largest land mammals! Today with 70 elephants herein, Pinnawela has become the home to the largest captive group of elephants in the world.
Thereafter proceed to Kandy and check in to the hotel. (Travel Time: 1 ½ to 2 hrs)
Later in the evening Go on technical tours related to arts such as gem crafting, woodcarving and batiks. Watch the Kandyan Cultural Show with its colorful traditional dances and delightful music.
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.
On completion of the visit return to the hotel and relax.
Overnight Stay
Economy Option (3 Star) – Oakray Regency
Standard Option (4 Star) – Cinnamon Citadel
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – Earl’s Regency
Nuwara Eliya - 2 Nights
Day 02
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 Sacred Tooth Relic
Visit 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, which is the 11th tallest in the country and a Tea factory and get a guided tour through a Tea Estate and learn more about the varieties, processing methods and qualities of tea. (Travel Time: 1 to 1 ½ hrs)
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.
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.
Thereafter continue to Nuwara Eliya and check into the hotel. (Travel Time: 50 to 60 mins) Later in the evening go and explore the scenic city of 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.
On completion return to the hotel and relax.
Day 03
With a packed breakfast go on a lovely hike in the plains of Horton.
Visit the beautiful, scenic, cloud-kissed forests and grasslands of Horton Plains National Park in Ohiya, Enjoy the majestic views from the precipice of World’s End and the cooling sprays from Baker’s Falls. Catch glimpses of the many endemic faunae that make their home in the plains. Get to know more about the archaeological finds that were discovered in the area.
On completion proceed back to the hotel and relax.
Overnight Stay
Economy Option (3 Star) – Summer Hill Breeze
Standard Option (4 Star) – Jetwing St.Andrews
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – Heritance Tea Factory
Ella - 1 Night
Day 04
After the breakfast at the hotel check out and proceed to Nanu Oya Railway Station to catch the train to Ella. (Travel Time: 20 to 30 mins)
The Nanu Oya to Haputale train journey takes you on scenic ride through some of the most beautiful highland countryside areas in Sri Lanka. Watch the brilliant greens carpets of the tea plantations. See the picturesque villages with misty mountain backdrops pass by. Peer through drizzle and mist to look at the magical landscapes of Haputale. Enjoy the amazing sights of intimidating mountains, deep and dark woodlands, and magnificent waterfalls as they go by your windows. (Travel Time: 3 hrs)
Your chauffeur guide will pick you up from Haputale stationa and will take you on scenic tour in Haputale.
Explore the most famous landmarks of Haputale. Visit Lipton’s seat, one of the most famed observation points in Sri Lanka, which gives views of the Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Eastern Provinces. Roam over the grounds of Adisham Bungalow, a beautiful Tudor mansion built in the early 1900s. View the neo-gothic architecture of St Andrews church, walk through its graveyard which is the resting place of many British tea planters, and much more. This is a great opportunity to relax and enjoy the calming beauty of Haputale and its sights.
On completion proceed to Ella, check in to the hotel and relax.
Overnight Stay
Economy Option (3 Star) – Ella Gap Hotel
Standard Option (4 Star) – Ella Jungle Resort
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – 98 Acres Resort
Yala - 1 Night
Day 05
Early in the morning go and explore Misty 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: 3 ½ to 4 hrs.)
Later in the evening go on Jeep safari in Yala.
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) – Chaarya Resort & Spa
Standard Option (4 Star) – Kithala Resort
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – Jetwing Yala
Galle - 2 Nights
Day 06
After breakfast check out of the hotel and proceed to Galle, en route visit Stilt Fisherman in Koggala. (Travel Time: 3 ½ to 4 hrs)
Watch the captivating sight of fishermen perched on stilts in the waters along the coast of Koggala. Learn how stilt fishing is done in detail and marvel at the level of skill that goes into it. Get some amazing photographs of the fishermen silhouetted against the shoreline at sunset.
Thereafter proceed to the hotel and check in. (Travel Time: 30 to 40 mins) Later in the evening visit Old Colonial City of Galle.
Galle City & The Galle Dutch Fort
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.
On completion return to the hotel and relax.
Day 07
Spend the day leisurely enjoying the beach and the hotel facilities.
Overnight Stay
Economy Option (3 Star) – Amor Villa
Standard Option (4 Star) – Cantaloupe Levels
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – Jetwing Lighthouse
Colombo - 1 Night
Day 08
After breakfast check out from the hotel and proceed to Colombo. En-route make a pause at Balapitiya go on a lovely boat safari in Madu river and visit the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery. (Travel time: 50 to 60 mins)
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 the Turtle Hatchery. (Travel Time: 20 to 30 mins)
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.
Thereafter proceed to Colombo and go on a City Tour in Colombo. (Travel time: 1 ½ to 2 hrs)
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.
On completion proceed to the hotel and check in.
Overnight Stay
Economy Option (3 Star) – Zmax Fairway
Standard Option (4 Star) – Mount Lavinia Hotel
Luxury Option (5 Star & Boutique) – Cinnamon Grand
Departure
Day 09
After breakfast at the hotel on your final day, proceed to the Colombo International Airport (CMB) and get ready for your departure after spending a memorable time on the Pearl of the Indian Ocean.
Price Starting From:
USD 720 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.
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.