Tour Packages

Jewels of Paradise
 Winter 2008 (01-Nov-2008 TO 30-Apr-2009)

8 days / 7 nights

(Airport, Pinnawala, Kandalama, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Kandy, Peradeniya, Hatton, Mount Lavinia)

Day One

Airport / Pinnawala / Kandalama

Meet on arrival and transfer from Airport to Pinnawala. The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, established in 1975, commenced with seven orphans. Today some of these orphans enjoy the fortune of seeing their grandchildren born in the same location. The original objective of establishing the orphanage inclined more towards tourism, but is soon became a conservation and educational centre. With the help of local and foreign elephant experts, Pinnawela started a scientific captive-breeding programme for elephants. The free movement of the herd enhanced the chances for respective individuals of both sexes to get together and mate. The nearby river played a dominant role in this regard, and in 1984, the first baby of Pinnawela was born.

Transfer from Pinnawala to Kandalama.
Evening is free to relax at hotel.

Optional:Bird watching, Nature Trails, elephant Back Safari, Treatments at Sixth Sense Spas. Overnight stay at Heritance Kandalama.

Day Two

Kandalama / Polonnaruwa / Sigiriya / Kandalama

Breakfast at Heritance Kandalama.
Transfer from Kandalama to Polonnaruwa.

Visit Polonnaruwa, which was the 2nd capital city of Sri Lanka built in the 11th and 12th centuries AD, and which is a world heritage site. Here you can see the ruins of the Royal Palace, the Gal Viharaya where 4 splendid statues of the Buddha in 'Upright', 'Sedentary' and 'Recumbent' postures carved out of rock could be seen, the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, the statue of king Parakramabahu, and the Parakrama Samudraya - a lake built by King Parakramabahu the great. There are also monuments of famous places of worship such as the Shiva Temple, the Lankathilake, the Watadage, the Galpotha, the Kiri Vehera and the remains of a former Temple of the Tooth Relic. Transfer from Polonnaruwa to Sigiriya.

Climb the 5th century Sigiriya rock fortress which is a world heritage site, built by King Kashyapa (477-495 AD). The 'Lion Rock' is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 meters from the scrub jungle. The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town. A moat, rampart, and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens ring the base of the rock. Visit the world-renowned frescoes of the 'Heavenly Maidens' of Sigiriya, which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway. These frescoes are painted in earth pigments on plaster.

Transfer from Sigiriya to Kandalama.
Overnight stay at Heritance Kandalama.

Day Three

Kandalama / Dambulla / Kandy

Breakfast at Heritance Kandalama.
Transfer from Kandalama to Dambulla.

Dambulla rock temple was built by king Walagambahu in the 1st century B.C. and it is a World Heritage Site. It is the most impressive of Sri Lanka's cave temples. The complex of five caves with over 2000 sq. meters of painted walls and ceilings, is the largest area of paintings found in the world. It contains over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is the colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of rock and spanning 14 meters. Transfer from Dambulla to Matale.

Visit a spice garden in Matale to see different spices for which Sri Lanka is famous for. Here, clients could see different spices and how some of these spices are grown and processed. Witness a Cookery demonstration.

Transfer from Matale to Kandy.
Evening is free to relax.
In the late evening visit to witness a cultural show.
Overnight stay at Earl’s Regency Hotel.

Day Four

Kandy / Peradeniya / Kandy

Breakfast at Earl’s Regency Hotel.
Transfer from Kandy to Peradeniya

Peradeniya botanical garden was first built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala king and was expanded by the British. It is 147 acres in extent and provides an amazing variety of trees, plants and flowers.

Transfer from Peradeniya to Kandy
Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is a World Heritage Site. The name "Kandy" conjures visions of splendour and magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions and folklore are still lovingly kept alive. Drive around the Kandy Lake built by the last Sinhala king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798. Visit the Kandy town and bazaar, the arts and crafts centre, a gem museum and a lapidary. Also visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy.

Overnight stay at Earl’s Regency Hotel.

Day Five

Kandy / Hatton

Breakfast at Earl’s Regency Hotel.
Transfer from Kandy to Hatton.
Arrive Tea Trails Bungalows for Lunch.
Evening is relaxing at the hotel among the lush tea plantations.
Dinner and overnight stay at The Tea Trails. (Luxury rooms)

Day Six

Hatton

Breakfast at The Tea Trails.

Full day is free to explore the surrounding tea plantations or visit tea factory or local church.

If you are interested we can arrange Adams Peak Climb for you. (May to December is off season for Adams Peak Climb. You should be prepared for cold and rainy weather conditions)

Dinner and overnight stay at The Tea Trails. (Luxury rooms)

Day Seven

Hatton / Mount Lavinia

Breakfast at The Tea Trails.

Transfer from Hatton to Mount Lavinia via Kitulgala. Overnight stay at Mount Lavinia Hotel. (Bay wing)

Day Eight

Mount Lavinia / Airport

Breakfast at Mount Lavinia Hotel.
Transfer from Mount Lavinia to Airport