Sri Lanka Culture and Beach 12nts / 13days

OVERVIEW

A Tour that gives you a Cultural Experience with some wildlife and relaxing on the Beach. The tours gives an insight of Sri Lanka in just 13 days.

Tour Route :-

Arrive Leave Colombo > Drive Seeduwa 1 Night > Drive Pinnawela > Drive Habarana 3 Nights ( Excursion Sigiriya & Polonnaruwa ) > Drive Dambulla > Drive Matale > Drive Kandy 3 Nights ( Knuckles ) > Drive Nuwara Eliya 1 Night > Drive Yala 1 Night ( Wildlife Reserve ) > Drive Galle > Drive Bentota 3 Nights > Drive Colombo & Leave.

Day 01 Arrive Colombo – Seeduwa (Drive)

Upon arrival in Colombo Airport you are met and transferred to Seeduwa. Upon arrival in Seeduwa and check in at your pre booked Hotel

Later proceed for NEGOMBO CITY TOUR …..Negombo’s beach is very wide in places and also the heartland of Christian Sri Lanka, as borne out by the enormous churches and florid wayside catholic shrines scattered about the town and its environs. The Dutch made the town an important commercial centre, building a canal, on which spices, particularly cinnamon, which grew profusely in the surrounding areas-where transported from the interior to the coast prior to being shipped abroad.

Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel in Seeduwa.

Day 02 Seeduwa – Pinnawela – Habarana (Drive)

Breakfast and Transfer from Seeduwa to Pinnawala.[ 3 Hrs drive approximately ]
PINNAWALA…….. The Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage is one of Sri Lanka’s most popular attractions. Situated halfway between Colombo and Kandy, the orphanage has a population of about 75 elephants, making it the world’s largest collection of captive elephants. The elephants here range from newborn calves to elderly matriarchs and include orphaned and abandoned elephants, as well as those injured in the wild. Amongst them are its famous residents, Sama, the lame elephant injured by a land mine during the ethnic conflict in the North and Raja, the blind elephant. Experience the sheer delight of watching these great pachyderms frolic in the river at bath time or the baby elephants being fed twice a day.

Transfer from Pinnawala to Habarana. [ 2 ½ Hrs drive approximately ]. Upon arrival in Habarana check in at your pre booked Hotel

Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel in Habarana.

Day 03 Habarana – Sigiriya – Polonnaruwa – Habarana

Morning visit & climb Sigiriya [ 1 ½ Hrs drive approximately ]
SIGIRIYA……..A remarkable archeological site made unforgettable by its dramatic setting – the ‘Lion Rock’ is a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200m from the scrub jungle situated in the Central District. This ancient rock fortress and palace ruins famed for its frescoes, was built during the reign of King Kassyapa (AD477 -495). It was developed into a complex city and fortress. Considered one of the most elaborate and imaginative planning sites of the first millennium, the plan combined concepts of symmetry and asymmetry to intentionally interlock the man-made geometrical and natural forms of the surroundings. It contains a park for the royals, laid out on a symmetrical plan and contains water retaining structures, including sophisticated surface/subsurface hydraulic systems, some of which work even today. There is also a man made reservoir. The Gardens of the Sigiriya city is among one of the oldest landscaped gardens in the world. They are divided into three distinct but linked forms; water gardens, cave and boulder gardens and the terraced gardens.

Transfer from Sigiriya to Polonnaruwa.[ 2 Hrs drive approximately ]
POLONNARUWA……….Polonnaruwa, the 2nd most ancient kingdom of Sri Lanka is an interesting mix of Buddhist and Hindu structures that are a testament to the different kings who reigned over this ancient kingdom. Polonnaruwa rose to prominence between the 11th and 13th centuries and thrived during the reign of the famous monarch, King Parakramabahu I, who did much to create a resplendent city. His greatest achievement was the construction of the sea of Parakrama, a huge water reservoir spanning an area of 6280 acres. The ruins at Polonnaruwa are within walking distance and many of them set in tree-shaded areas, a welcome refuge from the tropical sun. This ancient city is one of the best planned archeological relic sites in the country, standing testimony to the discipline and greatness of the Kingdom’s first rulers. Duran, Duran used Polonnaruwa as a back drop to their music video ‘Save a Prayer’ in 1982. Transfer from Polonnaruwa to Habarana Hotel [ 45 Min drive approximately ].

Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel in Habarana.

Day 04 Habarana – Anuradhapuraya – Aukana – Habarana

Breakfast and Transfer from Habarana to Anuradhapura. [ 2 Hrs drive approximately ]
ANURADHAPURAYA…..The Sacred City of Anuradhapura, 3rd BC ‘ 10th AD ‘ A world Heritage Site Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka’s sacred ancient city, surrounded by 3 great man-made lakes, is located in Sri Lanka’s Northwest ‘dry zone which is arid, rolling, open country. At the height of its glory, Anuradhapura ranked beside Nineveh and Babylon in its colossal proportions. The monumental dagobas, Jetavana Dagoba, Abayagiry Stupa and the Ruwwanveli Seya are amongst the greatest architectural feats of its age, and have been surpassed only in scale by the great pyramids of Khufru & Khafra at Gizah. Buddhism, was to become a cornerstone of the Aryan Sinhalese civilization. The sacred Sri Maha Bodhi Tree (Peepal) is a sampling of the sacred Bo tree in India, in the shelter of which Prince Siddhartha Gauthama attained supreme enlightenment & became Buddha. It was gifted to Sri Lanka by Emperor Asoka in the 3rd century BC and is the oldest recorded tree in the world (2,250 years). The city has many museums that bear testimony to Sri Lanka’s ancient and dynamic civilisation, which include the Anuradhapura Archaeological Museum, the Abhayagiri Museum and the Jetavanarama Museum and many other places of interest.

Transfer from Anuradhapura to Aukana.
AUKANA …..The tall, standing statue of the Buddha at Aukana is another architectural marvel of the ancient Sinhalese. The statue carved out of rock which stands 39 feet above its decorated lotus plinth and 10 feet across the shoulders, belongs to the period of King Dhatusena (459-477 AD), the builder of the great reservoir Kalawewa. It has been very well preserved over the years, a unique creation by an unknown sculptor.
Return to the hotel

Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel in Habarana.

Day 05 Habarana – Dambulla – Matale – Kandy (Drive)

Morning visit to Dambulla. [ 2 Hrs drive approximately ]
See Dambulla and be dazzled! Home to the largest and best preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka, the Iron Wood Forest (Namal Uyana) and the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, built in just 167 days. Dambulla is also said to have the largest rose quartz mountain range in South Asia. The Rock Caves are situated on a vast isolated rock mass 500 ft high with a span of a mile around its base. Access these caves by climbing approximately 200 steps and 18 terraces. The Golden Dambulla Rock Temple, which is on the highest terrace, consists of 5 magnificent caves built into the rock. They house a collection of 150 statues of the Buddhist order and the island’s history. The first cave houses a 14m long Buddha statue depicting the final extinction carved out of solid rock. The 2nd cave, which is the finest and largest, has 40 seated statues of the Buddha. Also on display are statues of Hindu Gods. The entire cave, walls and ceilings are covered with Buddhist murals which are of the finest in Sri Lanka. The 3rd cave with its paintings on the ceiling & walls in the Kandyan tradition contains 50 Buddha statues. Visitors are treated to a panoramic view of the surrounding flatlands, reservoirs and forests.

Transfer from Dambulla to Matale. [ 2 Hrs drive approximately ]
MATALE …..A pleasant hour’s drive from Kandy, along roads lined with lush tropical trees, Matale is a small town renowned for its Spice Gardens. The world’s best cinnamon comes from here. Visit these gardens and see how these spices are grown and processed. Visitors can watch a cookery demonstration on how these spices are used in Sri Lankan Cuisine and they may take home a selection of garden fresh spices with them.

Transfer from Matale to Kandy. Upon arrival in Kandy check in at your pre booked Hotel

Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel in Kandy

Day 06 Kandy – Knuckles – Kandy

Transfer from Kandy to Knuckles. [2 Hrs drive approximately ]
KNUCKLES ……Knuckles Range covers a rugged and still largely untouched area of great natural beauty and biodiversity. The steeply shelving mountain terrain, reaching 1863m at its highest point, includes stands of rare dwarf cloud forest, and is home to leopard, various species of deer, monkeys and giant squirrels. The areas of range above 1000m have recently declared a World Heritage conservation Area.
Return to Hotel.

Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel in Kandy.

Day 07 Kandy

Breakfast at the Hotel
KANDY CITY TOUR …..This jewel of a city, set 480m above sea level and surrounded by mountains is the hill capital of Sri Lanka. Kandy was the last independent Kingdom of Sri Lanka, which survived two centuries of colonial incursion before finally falling to the British at the beginning of the nineteenth century.
Visit the majestic Royal Palace and the Temple of the Tooth, known as the Dalada Maligawa, set at the edge of a beautiful artificial lake, which is home to the island¿s most revered relic, the Buddha’s tooth, which arrived here in the sixteenth century. Take a stroll down the expansive Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, the largest and finest in Sri Lanka, which covers almost 150 acres. A pleasure garden of the kings of Kandy, it was transformed into a botanical garden by the British in 1821. Kandy is famous for its shopping’ The narrow streets are lined with shops displaying beautiful precious and semi precious gems, skillfully crafted jewelry, handicrafts, colourful batiks, silks and many more.

Transfer from Kandy to Peradeniya

Visit Peradeniya garden
PERADENIYA ….Set 6km southwest of Kandy in a loop in the Mahaweli Ganga lie the expansive Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, the largest and finest gardens in Sri Lanka, covering almost 150 acres and stuffed with a bewildering variety of local and foreign tree and plant species
Transfer from Peradeniya to Kandy.

Evening visit Kandyan dance performance.

Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel in Kandy.

Day 08 Kandy – Nuwara Eliya (Drive)

Transfer from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya [ 3 Hrs drive approximately ]
En-route visit a Tea Plantation
NUWARA ELIYA CITY TOUR
Nestled 6,200 ft above sea level, amid lush tea plantations, Nuwara Eliya is a charming hill station developed by the British planters in the late 1800s. Pleasant climate, great natural beauty and champagne tea delight and charm all its visitors. Nuwara Eliya is home to many renowned institutions of Sri Lanka’s colonial British era, such as the Racecourse, the Hill Club, Grand Hotel and its famous 18 hole Golf Course.

Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel in Nuwara Eliya.

Day 09 Nuwara Eliya – Yala (Drive)

Breakfast and Transfer from Nuwara Eliya to Yala [ 6 Hrs drive approximately ]
En-route visit Ravana water fall.
YALA NATIONAL PARK …..Yala National park is Sri Lanka’s most visited wildlife reserve. Covering an area of 1260 sq. km, the parks’ dry-zone landscape is strikingly beautiful. The Reserve contains Jungles, beaches, freshwater lakes, rivers and scrubland, punctuated with enormous rocky outcrops. Yala has the world’s highest concentration of Leopard and sightings are frequent. In addition there are approximately 32 species of mammals (Elephants, Sloth bears, Sambar deer, spotted deer, muse deer, barking deer, wild boar, wild buffaloes, pangolins, porcupines, stripe-necked & ruddy mongooses, rabbits, (rare) wild cats and jackals. There is also the macaque, langur and toque monkeys and many more…), 125 species of birds, many reptiles and lagoon fauna species have been recorded in the park.

Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel in Yala .

Day 10 Yala – Kataragama – Galle – Bentota (Drive)

Transfer from Yala to Kataragama. [ 1 ½ Hrs drive approximately ]
KATARAGAMA……..Kataragama located in the deep South, is a regionally popular place of pilgrimage of Buddhists, Hindu, Muslim and indigenous Vedda communities of Sri Lanka and South India. Today it is a fast developing township surrounded by jungle and other historical sites worth a visit. The most important of the town’s various shrines is dedicated to God Kataragama. The Kataragama festival is held during late July or early August.

Transfer from Kataragama to Galle. [ 4 Hrs drive approximately ]
En-route visit still fishing
GALLE ……Drive 116 km, 3 hours to the south of Colombo, along the scenic coastal road to Galle. Galle was an ancient port (said to be the legendary Tarshish of the Bible). The Portuguese built a small Fort here in the 16th century. Later in the 17th century, the Dutch who defeated the Portuguese, constructed huge ramparts and a Fort (a world heritage site today). Stroll through the Fort’s narrow quaint streets and visit its little galleries and shops. Do not miss visiting the Dutch Reformed Church built in 1684 or the restored New Oriental Hotel (now called Amangalle) and the Dutch Fort Hotel.

Transfer from Galle to Bentota. [2 Hrs drive approximately]. Upon arrival in Bentota check in at your pre booked Hotel

Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel in Bentota.

Day 11 Bentota

Day at Leisure (No Transportation Available)

Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel in Bentota.

Day 12 Bentota

Day at Leisure (No Transportation Available)

Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel in Bentota.

Day 13 Bentota – Colombo (Drive)

Today you are transferred to Colombo Airport to board flight for Onward Journey

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Mahaweli Reach

Nestled beside the mighty Mahaweli River, Mahaweli Reach Hotel combines a sense of refined luxury with the old-world charm of an ancient kingdom. Located at 488 meters above sea level, the city is the hill capital of Sri Lanka which offers incredible culture and history all the way to authentic local life. Discover the enchantment of Sri Lanka’s hill capital like never before at one of the leading Kandy hotels where “our world revolves around yours”. Guests can enjoy relaxing Ayurvedic massages after active workouts at the tennis courts. The hotel also provides bicycle rental, water sports and business facilities. Hearty meals featuring Sri Lankan specialities are served at the restaurant, which also features live entertainment. Mahaweli Reach offer so much more than a home away from home. Our specialized services feature exclusive signature cakes, laundry services and floral arrangements. We also operate Café M, Kandy’s very first coffee house. Café M is a popular hangout spot in the city that serves a delectable range of coffee, cupcakes, short eats, shakes and more! You can also head over to Refined Tastes to taste a selection of delicious “delicacies to go”. Both of these restaurants promote the ever popular Mahaweli Cakes that are ideal for any occasion. Press & Wear is a launderette that specializes in laundry services for both retail and corporate clients. From washing to pressing and dry cleaning, Press & Wear by Mahaweli Reach Hotel provides a high-quality treatment for your attire and garments.

The Grand Hotel

Retreat into a personalized haven. Be pampered from top to toe, whether at the spa or taking a dip in Grand Hotel’s exclusive temperature controlled indoor pool - in perfect view of blue skies and theatrical clouds - made that much more sacred with a Champagne glass in hand. The Grand Hotel is situated on Nuwara Eliya Hill, adjacent to the Nuwara Eliya Golf Course. Surrounded by tropical greenery and enjoying cool climates, it features 2 restaurants, a shopping arcade and a gym. Rooms at Grand Hotel are equipped with heating. Each room has satellite TV, a mini fridge, and tea/coffee making facilities. The private bathroom offers a hot shower and a hairdryer. Guests can relax in the sauna, or play a round of golf. Other facilities include a 24-hour reception and a business centre. Laundry services are available. International dishes are served at Barnes Hall, while Grand Indian Restaurant offers specialities from North and South India. Revel in the serenity of a resplendent Coffee Bar offering, set to the backdrop of large bay windows and cafe style-seating that allow you to bear witness to the beauty of Nuwara Eliya. Enjoy a sumptuous coffee experience, complemented by fresh baked treats that soothe the soul. Named after Sir Edward Barnes, the founder of this luxury resort in Nuwara Eliya, Barnes Hall in all its grandeur offers a repertoire of culinary creations from all parts of the world. Patrons can enjoy their favourite dishes being made in front of their eyes in this much acclaimed Action-Kitchen styled buffet restaurant. Be submerged in a uniquely Indian gastronomy experience that will delight the senses and inspire the mind. Expect a journey of flavour spanning the subcontinent, as you enjoy the delicacies of a rich Indian offering. Immerse yourself in a truly authentic Thai experience, as you enter a surreal paradise of sight, sound and scent. Relish in the tantalizing flavors of exotic Thai-cuisine in Sri Lanka, at this luxurious culinary dining option. Elegant dining, old-English interiors and dated artifacts, all sync together at the Magnolia all-day restaurant, to provide you with a nostalgic ambiance to enjoy your favorite international delicacy, presented by the Grand Hotel’s culinary experts, in their own inimitable style and finesse. Witness the Barnes Fusion Grill come alive with colourful shisha, sizzling Asian and Arabic fusion cuisine, and a decadent wine selection.

Avani Bentota Resort & Spa

Throw back the curtains and there you’ll see: the Indian Ocean – in all its glistening glory. Relax in stylish coastal surrounds. Step outside for beachfront adventures, and get down with the locals with cultural experiences. Avani Bentota Resort has everything you need to make the most of your Sri Lanka stay. Avani Bentota Resort is located on the best beach strip along Sri Lanka’s western coastline. The property is 99 km from Bandaranaike International Airport and 66 km away from the city of Colombo. Designed by world-renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa, who took inspiration from an 18th-century Dutch village. The property has a contemporary feel and offers a tropical island beachside haven. Avani Bentota Resort houses two outdoor pools and ample parking facilities. The luxury guest rooms feature modern designs furnished with an executive desk, 42” flat screen television, luxury amenities and complimentary Wi-Fi. Each room has a private balcony or courtyard facing the ocean. Guests can choose from the extensive multi-cuisine buffet that is on offer at the Breeze Restaurant or for contemporary Asian cuisine head over to the Frangipani Restaurant and experience bold flavors in specialty dishes. The hotel’s watering hole Chatters Bar offers live entertainment and the best of local and international spirits & cocktails along with pub grub food. Dreamy ocean views. Friendly service. A tempting range of drinks. In our place or yours, we turn up the heat on dining from here and abroad. For something even more special, dine your way under the stars. You are spoiled for choice at our Bentota restaurants. Modern surroundings and ancient rituals – welcome to a paradise of a different kind. Drawing inspiration from the elements – Earth, Water, Fire and Air – our treatments make the most of Sri Lanka’s traditions and resources to melt away every shred of tension.

Jetwing Yala

Beautifully positioned between the serene tranquility of the Indian Ocean and the natural wonders of Yala National Park, Jetwing Yala rests within an uncharted patch of coastal wilderness at the end of Sri Lanka’s southern shoreline. With convenient accessibility to both the road and the sea, our home of Sri Lankan hospitality remains comfortably connected amidst the coastal wilds of our tropical island. Spread across 38 acres of land, Jetwing Yala features an outdoor pool, a business centre and luxurious rooms located on the borders of Yala National Park. Operating a 24-hour front desk, it provides free parking and offers complimentary Wi-Fi access throughout the property. Fitted with parquet flooring and four-poster beds, spacious air-conditioned rooms are furnished with a wardrobe, in-room safe, a flat-screen cable TV and sofa seating area. Iron, minibar and tea/coffee making facilities are also included. The large en suite bathroom comes equipped with a hairdryer and hot/cold shower. At Jetwing Yala, guests can indulge in a pampering massage at the spa or approach the tour desk for sightseeing and travel arrangements. Luggage storage, laundry. Overlooking our exclusive coastline, The Restaurant at Jetwing Yala is our prime dining space. Live action stations plate up a range of global and local delicacies that include seafood, tapas, and more, for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Complementing the fine dining experience at our home of Sri Lankan hospitality is Thambapanni – an alternative dining option specializing in Asian Fusion cuisine with dishes that draw inspiration from our island home and nations from India to Indonesia and beyond. To keep you in high spirits, The Bar also looks into the colourful horizon that serves as the backdrop to our hotel, with both indoor and outdoor seating to experience the best of Yala’s inviting ambience while looking over the Indian Ocean, while the Pool Bar serves as a more laid-back option to enjoy a cocktail in the calm waters reserved for you on our wild coastline. As a pleasure of our hospitality, Jetwing Yala also offers five Signature Dining experiences should you wish to indulge in your meals amidst unique settings within our resident landscapes. In addition to 24-hour room service across the property, we also feature a 24-hour travel desk to help plan your island adventures from our hotel. Daily housekeeping and a dedicated laundry service complement our list of facilities to ensure your comfort in our home, while free wireless internet is also available to keep you connected even at the edge of the wild. Should you require, Jetwing Yala also features I.D.D., fax, and e-mail services, along with purpose-built conference facilities to host your next event for business or for pleasure. Within the hotel grounds however, a refreshingly large swimming pool serves as an alternative form of aquatic leisure, while our modern gym is also available to complement your fitness routine on vacation.

Cinnamon Lodge Habarana

Located amidst green forests, the Cinnamon Lodge Habarana offers air-conditioned rooms with a private balcony. The hotel boasts a large outdoor pool, a butterfly garden and 3 dining options. Rooms at Habarana Cinnamon Lodge feature a comfortable seating area with a sofa. They are furnished with cable TV, a minibar and a personal safe. A tea/coffee maker is provided. Guests at the Cinnamon Habarana can unwind at Azmaara Spa, work a sweat on the tennis court, or enjoy a game of billiards. The hotel offers butler service and babysitting. Restaurant Ehala offers buffets with international and themed dishes, while The Lotus caters Western culinary delights and local contemporary cuisine. Beverages can be enjoyed at cafe Veranda or bar Tuskers. Cinnamon Lodge Habarana is a 25-minute drive away from Minneriya National Park.

The Gateway Hotel Airport Garden – Seeduwa

The Gateway Hotel Airport Garden features an outdoor pool and tennis courts. It also offers 3 dining options and a shopping arcade. The Gateway Hotel Airport Garden is less than 10 km from Bandaranaike International Airport and Katunayake Town. Hotel Offers 113 Rooms. Airport shuttles are available at an extra charge. The air-conditioned rooms are equipped with satellite TV and minibar. Each room comes with a private bathroom. Guests can browse books, jewellery and souvenirs in the hotel’s shops. The hotel also has a fitness centre and a business centre. Other services include car rental and currency exchange. International dishes are served at the 24-hour café. Other dining options include an English pub and in-room breakfast upon request.