Nature Wildlife and Adventure
Day 01 |
Negombo, Pinnawala, Kandy |
The tour will start with a stroll in the city of Negombo, which is very close to the Colombo Airport. Located on the west coast of the island and the mouth of the Negombo lagoon. Huge and old fishing industry with busy markets, Negombo is famous for its sandy beaches. The International Colombo Airport is also situated in the Negombo metropolis. From Negombo we will be heading for Pinnawala, the home for elephants. It is an elephant orphanage, nursery and a captive breeding ground for wild Asian elephants located at the Pinnawala village, which is 78km (48 miles) away from Colombo. The orphanage was originally founded in order to afford care and protection to many of the orphaned, unwanted wild elephants found wondering in and near forests of Sri Lanka. Visitors to the park can view the care and daily routine of the elephants such as bottle feeding of the calves feeding of all other elephants and bathing in the river close by. Then the journey will proceed to Kandy, the hill capital, picturesquely located and without doubts the most beautiful city in the island. Regarded as Sri Lanka’s cultural center and the final kingdom of the country. Kandy is home for the unique Sri Lankan dancing style which is known as Kandyan dancing. You can also visit the DaladaMaligawa, the golden roofed temple which homes the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha. It is one of the most sacred places of worship of the Buddhist world where you shall witness a pooja that is done to worship the relics and you can also listen to the kandyan drumming. Peradeniya botanical gardens is another beautiful location known for its’ bio-diversity. Kandy is also an ideal shopping location for gems, jewellery and traditional handcrafts. The city was declared a world heritage site by the UNESCO in 1988. |
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Day 02 |
Knuckles mountain range, Nuwara Eliya |
After spending night in the beautiful hill country we will be travelling towards the knuckles mountain range of Sri Lanka. It lies in the central Sri Lanka in the districts of Matale and Kandy. The range takes its name from a series of recumbent folds and peaks in the west of the mass which resembles the knuckles of clenched fist when viewed from certain locations in the Kandy district. It is mist laden mountain range. The entire area is characterised by its striking landscapes often robed in thick layers of cloud. In addition to its aesthetic value the range is of great scientific interest. It is a climatic microsom of the rest of Sri Lanka. The conditions of all the climatic zones in the country are exhibited in the massif. At high elevations there is a series of isolated cloud forests harbouring a variety of flora and fauna. Some of which cannot be found anywhere in the world. Although the range constitutes approximately 0.03 % of the islands total area it is home to a significantly higher proportion of the country’s bio diversity. Then we will tour the beautiful and Picturesque city of Nuwara Eliya which is also called “Little England” The city is a beautiful hill country town formerly built by the British Planters and beautiful breathtaking sceneries laid down on hills that are 6187 feet above sea levels. The tea carpeted hills and high country vegetation is decorated with cascading water falls. The city overlooks the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka – Pidurutalagala. You will be spending the night at Nuwara Eliya. |
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Day 03 |
On third day our journey will be to the Horton Plains |
This National Park is a protected area in the Central highlands of Sri Lanka and is covered by montane grassland and cloud forest. This plateau at an altitude of 2,100 -2,300 meters (6,900 – 7,500 ft) is rich in bio-diversity and many species found are endemic to the region. The Horton plains are the headwaters of three major Sri Lanka rivers, the Mahaveli, Kelani, and Walave. Stone tools dating back to Balangoda culture have been found here. The plains’ vegetation is grasslands interspersed with montane forest, and includes many endemic woody plants. Large herds of Sri Lanka Sambar deer geature as typical mammala and the park is also an important bird area with many spesies not only endeic to Sri Lanka but restricted to the Horton Plains. Forest dieback is one of the major threats to the park and some studies suggest that it is caused by a natural phenomenon. The sheer precipice of WORLDS END and BAKERS FALL are among the tourist attractions of the park. Sri Lanka is considered a herpetological paradise in the world, possibly about 15 amphibian species inhabit the park. |
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Day 04 |
The Yala National Park |
It will be the day when we enjoy the day with wild animals. We will proceed to Yala National Park. Yala National Park is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka. The park consists of five blocks, two of which are now open to the public, and also adjoining parks. The blocks have individual names such as, Ruhuna National Park (block 1) and Kumana National Park or 'Yala East' for the adjoining area. It is situated in the southeast region of the country, and lies in Southern Province and Uva Province. The park covers 979 square kilometres (378 sq mi) and is located about 300 kilometres (190 mi) from Colombo. Yala was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900, and, along with Wilpattu was one of the first two national parks in Sri Lanka, having been designated in 1938. The park is best known for its variety of wild animals. It is important for the conservation of Sri Lankan elephants, Sri Lankan leopards and aquatic birds. |
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Day 05 |
The City of Galle |
The next day it will be a turn towards the south part of Sri Lanka. We will be heading for Galle driving along Sri Lanka’s beautiful southern coastline. Galle is a major city in Sri Lanka situated on the southwestern tip of the island. It is 119 kms from Colombo and the capital of the Southern Province. It is the best example of a fortified city built by the Portugese in the South and South East Asia, showing the interaction between Portugese architecture styles and native traditions. The city was extensively fortified by the Dutch in the 17th century. The Galle Fort is a world heritage site and the largest remaining fortress in Asia built by the European occupiers. Other prominent landmarks in Galle include city’s natural harbor, and the national maritime museum. You can also try some bargains at the shopping complexes which provide traditional down south styles and crafts i.e. lace, batiks etc. of Sri Lanka. You will be spending the night in Galle. |
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Day 06 |
Colombo |
We will begin the return trip to Colombo. You will have some time to stroll around the city. The Capital City of Sri Lanka, Colombo is a place where there is a fine blending of the old and the new architecture. It is an ideal location for shopping, designer wear, hand loom products, cotton and linen wear, handmade leather handbags and shoes, gems and jewellery. You have the option to visit either the Kelaniya temple (which is famous for its mural paintings) or the Colombo National Museum or the Mt. Lavinia beach (One of the best beaches close to Colombo) |