The Sri Lanka Experience 6 Nights/7 Days

   

7 Days/6 Nights - Private tour with personal driver/guide

Sample many of the delights of this exciting tropical island paradise during this week long private tour staying each night at some of the best hotels available on the island.

The price includes private vehicle with English speaking chauffer guide entrance fees to all major sites and a game drive in Yala, accommodation throughout, including breakfast and evening meals.

Why not take the opportunity to add a few nights and relax on the beach at the conclusion of a hectic week touring the island at any of our Beach Resorts.

   

Tour Itinerary

DAY 1

On arrival at Colombo International airport you will be met and transferred to a Five Star Hotel in the heart of the city. Our odyssey begins in the afternoon with a tour that takes in many of the delights of this vibrant and fascinating city with its contrasts of colonial heritage and thriving present. It is here that not only two great Oceans of the world collide, but where the cultures of East and West meet too.

DAY 2

Following an early breakfast we leave the bustle of city life and head up to Habarana and the jungle in the heart of the cultural triangle. En route we stop at the famous Elephant Orphanage at Pinnawela to witness the work being carried out, here young and abandoned elephants are cared for before they are released back into the wild. The herd ranges from hefty adults to vulnerable babies, some of whom need to be bottle fed with milk. There will be an opportunity to sit by the river and watch the animals arrive as the mahouts gently guide their charges down to the river for their twice daily ritual of washing and playing in the cool waters of the river. At the conclusion of our visit to Pinnawela we continue our journey to Habarana, on arrival the rest of the day is at leisure. An opportunity to explore the local area or take an Elephant Trek into the jungle, (not included in the cost of the tour).

DAY 3

In the morning we visit the famous Lion Rock Fortress a United Nations Designated World Heritage site. Here you will have an opportunity to climb the 600 feet from the jungle floor to explore the fortress and see for yourself the famous frescos, keep the camera handy as you will experience a unique panoramic view of the surrounding countryside from your vantage point atop the rock.

In the afternoon our tour takes us the short distance to the ancient medieval capital of Sri Lanka at Polonnaruwa with its many ancient ruins and sites. During your visit you should not miss the Gal Vihare complex with its three huge famous sculptured statues of the Lord Buddha hewn out of local stone centuries ago.

DAY 4

This morning our journey takes us South to the city of Kandy, on the way we will have the option of visiting the Dambulla Caves built in the 1^st century BC and another United Nations Designated World Heritage Site. The largest area of cave painting to be found anywhere in the world, the Dambulla complex consists of five caves with over 6,000 square feet of painted walls and ceilings.

After lunch we arrive at `Royal' Kandy, without doubt the most beautiful of all of Sri Lanka's Cities. We begin our afternoon with a fascinating tour of the city, famous for the picturesque man made lake at its centre. On the banks of the lake you will visit one of the most important and sacred Buddhist sites, the sacred Temple of the Tooth and perhaps have an opportunity to witness the daily ceremony when the cask containing the tooth relic is momentarily revealed. In the evening enjoy a typical Kandyan cultural dance performance or a romantic stroll along the shore of the lake in the moonlight - guest's on tour are offered the option of dining at Helga's Folly in the evening at a small supplement, reservation essential and subject to availability.

DAY 5

Before leaving the area we offer you the opportunity to visit the Royal Botanical Gardens on the banks of the Mahaweli River. Famous for their beauty the gardens were once the strategic headquarters of the Commander of allied forces in South East Asia under the stewardship Lord Mountbatten during the second word war, and later used for scenes in the making of the film Bridge over the River Kwai.

Once we leave Kandy and continue our journey, we commence our ascent towards the `up country' capital of Nuwara Eliya the scenery dramatically changes, tropical palms give way to deciduous varieties of trees. With its perennial spring-like climate, the area is famous for tea plantations and it is at the higher altitudes in countryside reminiscent of home that the finest tea is found, here the English pioneers built bungalows and named waterfalls after cherished loved ones or places that reminded them of home such as St Claire and Devon. The hills are carpeted with tea bushes and it is not uncommon to see the pickers waving and smiling as they go about their daily chore, picking the most succulent buds off the small green bushes, the driver may suggest stopping on the way to enjoy a refreshing cup of fresh tea or a visit to a working tea factory.

DAY 6

Today we leave the hill country and wind our way down through valleys and passes to find ourselves on the coastal plain once again. Our destination is the Yala safari Park home to herds of Elephant, wild boar, deer and the largest concentration of leopard in the world. If we are lucky we might catch more than a glimpse of this shy cat as we take our Jeep Safari into the open parkland consisting largely of rocky outcrops, waterholes and scrub - perfect camouflage for our quarry.

DAY 7

Passengers returning to Colombo airport will have an early start, whilst those continuing their holiday on the beach will enjoy a leisurely drive to the Hotel of their choice with an optional opportunity to stop and enjoy a visit to the Dutch Fortress City of Galle.

Please note that Yala Safari Park closes during September each year to provide an opportunity for the animals to mate in peace - dates vary and we will advise you if this affects your holiday.

The elephants at Pinnawela